Shri Jishnu Dev Varma
Chancellor
His Excellency Shri Jishnu Dev Varma, the Hon’ble Governor of Telangana and Chancellor of PJTAU , is a distinguished public figure with a profound legacy rooted in the illustrious Manikya dynasty of Tripura, one of India’s oldest and most progressive royal lineages. The Manikya dynasty was a pioneer of constitutional governance, introducing Tripura’s first written Constitution in 1941, well before such measures were widespread in the country. This visionary document upheld ideals of civic responsibility, social inclusion and modern governance, notably reserving legislative representation for minorities, backward communities and laborers.
Despite his royal heritage, Shri Dev Varma is deeply admired for his humility, accessibility, and genuine connection with people across all sections of society. A seasoned policymaker, he served as a prominent member of the North-Eastern Council Advisory Committee (1989 to 1993), where he contributed significantly to shaping development strategies for the region. As Deputy Chief Minister of Tripura (2018–2023), Shri Dev Varma led critical departments including Finance, Power, and Rural Development. He championed timely execution of welfare projects and financial reforms, driving impactful governance. His flagship initiative, Bio Village 2.0, received national and international recognition for integrating sustainable technologies into rural development. By promoting green energy, eco-friendly agriculture, and community participation, this initiative positioned Tripura as a pioneer in sustainable rural transformation.
Beyond public service, Shri Dev Varma is a poet, writer, and visual artist. His literary works, such as “Children of Water Goddess” and “Master of Time”, reflect his deep philosophical insight and lyrical expression in both Bengali and English. As a painter and sculptor, his creations often developed in association with Sanskar Bharati, adorn public spaces, temples, and tourist destinations across the region.
His life stands as an inspiring testament to leadership with conscience, and governance with grace.
Chancellor Message
Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University, an institution built on the noble Land Grant model and inspired by the ideals of national service, inaugurated by Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri ji, echoes his eternal call: “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan,” a reminder that both food and freedom are nurtured by duty and sacrifice.
Agriculture today includes climate-smart tools, fintech solutions, supply chain logistics, and digital advisory systems—each a fertile field for innovation and enterprise.Agri-startups are emerging as the new engines of rural prosperity—offering scalable, tech-enabled solutions that bridge the gap between the soil and the supermarket.
Under the leadership of Prof. Janaiah, PJTAU has pioneered the Centre for Digital Agriculture, integrating AI, IoT, and robotics—redefining what it means to be a farmer in the 21st century.Initiatives like AgHub, recognized by the FAO, have become beacons of agritech innovation and rural entrepreneurship.
The four pillars of Viksit Bharat@2047 —youth empowerment, poverty alleviation, gender equity and remunerative farming—are all rooted in one thing: agriculture.Agriculture must be vibrant, viable and visionary.
I am proud to note that the university’s outreach has touched over 1.2 lakh farmers across 1,200 villages through Rythu Mungitlo Sastravettalu(Scientists at the doorstep of farmers)—proving that the laboratory must walk to the field.
The Quality Seed to Every Village campaign and international partnerships with Auburn, Kansas, Sydney, and Fraunhofer speak of a university that is both rooted and global.
Jai Hind!