Minister for Information and Broadcasting Manish Tewari today said there was a need to change the perception of students towards agriculture.
The Union minister was delivering convocation address in Govind National College, Narangwal in Ludhiana.
He said that the rural colleges should introduce "inspirational" courses aimed at encouraging youths towards agriculture, which would help diversification in the sector.
Private educational institutions working in the rural areas are making a good contribution in the field of higher education, he said.
The Ludhiana MP said that a majority of students can ill afford hefty fees for pursuing professional courses and private institutions working on non-commercial basis have a greater responsibility on this count.
Tewari awarded degrees to 260 students and also gave scholarships and stipends to brilliant and needy students.
Such stipends had been sponsored by various donors including NRIs of the area. The minister also announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh for the development of the college.
