What Will Rogers said still holds true today. A Veterinarian has to perform a multifaceted challenging professional job in the society: to address the health and welfare of every species of domestic animals, birds, wildlife and public health; to be a stakeholder of the 'One Health Concept' to handle zoonosis; to provide food safety and security; to provide livelihood to rural community through animal husbandry practices; to promote environmental protection and advancement in veterinary research.

We are bestowed with the world's highest livestock population, First in total buffalo population, Second in goat population, Third in sheep population, Fifth in duck and chicken population, Tenth in camel population, Second largest poultry market in the world. We are also a major player in the global market with world's largest milk producers, Third in egg production and Eighth in meat production.

With untiring efforts by the veterinary professionals, the International Committee of World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) recognized India as free from Rinderpest, a dreaded cattle plague disease and African Horse Sickness. Annual economic losses due to bovine mastitis and FMD are estimated Rs 7165.51 and Rs 12000-14000 crores respectively in India.

Presently efforts are being done to control Foot and Mouth Disease in Cattle through mass vaccination. To combat Mastitis, Standard Operative Procedure (SOP) are followed in dairy farms. Veterinary health care services are being strengthened by producing qualified veterinary doctors.

As time goes on, there are more emerging and reemerging zoonotic diseases like COVID-19, Bird flu, Swine flu, Mpox etc. are cropping up. The implementation of one health measures is highly recommended for the effective prevention and control of zoonotic diseases.

Livestock provides livelihood to two-third of rural community. It also provides employment to about 8.8% of the population in India. Livestock sector contributes 4.11% GDP. Qualified veterinary professionals are pivotal prerequisite to execute all the activities.

Optimal Animal-Veterinarian ratio is 1:5000, in contrast we have the ratio 1:12000-13000. According to a conservative estimate the Registered veterinarians are about 60000-70000 and the requirement is estimated 1.1-1.2 lakh. There is a huge gap between the requirement and availability of veterinary professionals.

Veterinary Council of India regulates the veterinary education in India with strict international compliance of standard to open up a veterinary college. We came forward to sign an MoU with Govt. of West Bengal, in the process to obtain an affiliation to West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, and approval of Veterinary Council of India to open up the first self-financed veterinary college in eastern India at Mogra, Hooghly, West Bengal for the academic session 2025-26.

I, on behalf of JIS Group welcome to all the stake holders of the noble profession in the pursuit of Nation Building.