Dr.M.Paramathma, Director of Research, TNAU, welcomed the dignitaries and participants. Dr.P.Murugesa Boopathi, Vice Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University delivered the Presidential address. In his presidential address he narrated the achievements of Paddy Breeding Station and highlighted the significance of modern scientific technologies in solving the future problems. Thiru K.R.Arjunan, Member, Board of Management, TNAU offered his felicitations. Padmashri Dr.E.A.Siddiq, ANGRAU, Hyderabad and Padmashree Dr.M.Mahadevappa, Ex-Chairman, ASRB during their felicitations remembered their personal association with the Paddy Breeding Station which was their alma matter during their student days. Dr.Swapan K.Datta, DDG (CS), ICAR, New Delhi in his address spoke on the significance of TNAU in ushering in new production technologies and he emphasized that the country’s scientific community is not in dearth of cutting edge technologies to revolutionize rice production required to meet the growing population. Dr. Achim Dobermann, DDG, IRRI, Philippines highlighted the significance of 100 years of rice science in India and expressed his conviction that considering history of rice cultivation in Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore was the right choice to initiate rice research in the country. Thiru. Sandeep Saxena, I.A.S, Agricultural Production Commissioner & Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu narrated the various schemes of the government to boost rice production. Shri V. Venkatachalam, I.A.S., Special Secretary, Department of Agri. & Coop. Government of India also offered his felicitations to the event and more so to the rice scientists of India and their achievements. The Honorable Minister for Agriculture and Pro- Chancellor of TNAU unveiled the statue of the first Indian Paddy Specialist, Dr. K. Ramiah and released books, Symposium Proceedings and Souvenir. The Honorable Minister in his special address appreciated the role played by Paddy Breeding Station in the past 100 years and its contribution to boost the rice yield in Tamil Nadu through development of high yielding rice varieties and hybrids and improved production technologies. He also said tempo should be kept up and more number of higher yielding varieties / hybrids are to be released for the benefits of rice growers in Tamil Nadu to bring in second green revolution in the state as well as the country. Vote of thanks was given by Dr. K. Thiyagarajan, Director, Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, TNAU and organizing secretary of the Symposium.