DR S C DUTT JOINED PAU , LUDHIANA

 Dr. B. S. Gill

 Ex-Dean is an eminent parasitologist who has worked in different capacities at IVRI and PAU. His researches cover coccidiosis, trypanosomiasis and theileriosis. He has published over 120 original research papers, which are widely quoted in international literature. As Dean, Dr. Gill separated Parasitology from the erstwhile Department of Bacteriology, Virology and Parasitology and raised it to a full fledged independent department. Dr. Gill inducted Dr. S.C.Dutt as the first Professor and Head of the newly created Department of Parasitology, PAU, Ludhiana).(Sadly Dr BS Gill has expired recently and we fervently request the contemporary Parasitologists to write about him so that we may give a true homage to this Parasitologist ) ********************************************************************************************************************************* An event somewhere in 1975 , I recall that I 'discovered' Dr. S.C.Dutt poring over files in ICAR as Assistant Director General (Education) during my visit to Krishi Bhavan in the company of the Comptroller, PAU who needed my assistance for canvassing of funds for PAU, Veterinary College. When we reached Krishi Bhavan, I was surprised to find Dr. Dutt sitting there (I did not know he had left Jabalpur to Join ICAR). All else was forgotten and I started 'charming' Dr. Dutt on the relative merits of working as Professor of Parasitology which then stood advertised. This was for the independent department of Parasitology created as a result of restructuring Veterinary Faculty of PAU in 1974. His response: My offer was too sudden and he would need two days to decide. I phoned him after two days from Ludhiana. Dr. Dutt said 'yes' but he would not apply for the post and appear for the interview. I said. "None wanted it that way". I moved the application for appointing him as professor with Pension from ICAR in addition to salary PAU would give him. Dr. Dutt laid the foundation of the department. He was allotted residential accommodation on the campus, as a special case so that he should feel happy during his tenure. A post o[ Professor of Veterinary Entomology was created to lay emphasis on the much neglected subject of entomology and also a major ad-hoc research scheme on Helminthiasis in Punjab was sanctioned. The latter had ample staff; a professor. a associate professor and two assistant professor ranking research posts with adequate supporting technicians etc. The scheme made a good start but won't do after retirement of Dr. Dutt and had to be discontinued. A few days before retirement (he had not discovered his illness yet) he said that he was looking forward to settle 'undisturbed' in his laboratory and do his research 'unmolested' by students. But that was not to be. He came down with lymphoma which carried him off too early. He expired on 16th August 1979 at Safdarjung Hospital , New Delhi when his family members were with him. He left a rich legacy of several Helminthologists in the country trained by him and original research papers published in international periodicals. I recall Dr. Dutt was a quiet soft spoken gentleman , more devoted to his work than worldly matters. He almost concluded the draft of research bulletin on "Paramphistomes and paramphistomiasis of domestic ruminants in India" before his unexpected death. This bulletin was completed by me and published by PAU with a forward from Dr M.S. Randhawa , DSc, ICS , then vice-chancellor of PAU. Dr. Dutt was the first recipient of "Rafi Ahmad Kidwai Award" in Veterinary Science (jointly With Dr. H.D. Srivastava).