दो अदभुत धुरंधर वैज्ञानिक

 

जिस समय मै परजीवी  विभाग मे था मैंने एक साथ दो मशहूर परजीवी  वैज्ञानिक  को नजदीक से देखा और उनके अंतर को भी महसूस किया  /

इसमे पहले वैज्ञानिक थे डॉ हरीश लाल शाह - गोरा चिट्टा रंग ,लम्बे ,न दुबले न मोटे ,थोड़े सिर के बाल उड़े हुए /

हम लोंगो का परिचय डॉ शाह से १९६५ मे हुआ था जब हम BVSc कर रहे थे और थर्ड इयर मे परजीवी विषय भी पढाया जाता था  उसी समय एक छात्र का एक आध्यापक से जैसे परिचय होता है यह  भी उसी प्रकार का था /

मुझे आज भी याद है जुलाई १९६५ / परजीवी को path,bact,para के अध्यापको ,कभी डॉ रिछारिया ,कभी डॉ  ठाकुर ने पढाया / फिर दीपावली की छुट्टी के बाद डॉ शाह क्लास मे आये और अपना परिचय दिया /पता लगा कि पहले वह Mhow मे असिस्टेंट प्रोफेसर  थे अब प्रोफेसर  पर मध्य प्रदेश  सर्विस कमीशन से प्रमोशन पाकर जबलपुर आये है / जबलपुर मे पहले path,bact,para था अब १९६५ से उनके आने के बाद से परजीव विभाग  स्वतंत्र रूप से काम करेगा /

डॉ शाह के कुछ दिन  क्लास लेने पर ही बह छात्रों के चहेते बन गए / सब कोई उनके धारा प्रवाह इंग्लिश बोलने से जैसे अभिभूत हो गया /उनका समझाने का ढंग भी बहुत अच्छा था जिससे लडको को समझने मे भी कोई परेशानी नहीं होती थी / हालाँकि परजीवी एक बहुत ही नीरुस बिषय माना जाता था जहाँ पैरासाइट की साइज़ याद  करते रहो -और उस पर ऊटपटांग नाम –वो भी एक नहीं बल्कि अनेक /

  लेकिन यह डॉ शाह का ही आकर्षण था की लड़के विषय को अची तरह समझने लगे / उनका यूथ को आकर्षित करने का करिश्मा तब भी पता लगा जब १९७४ मे बह पंतनगर एसोसिएट प्रोफेसर होकर चले गये/यह उनके पढ़ाने का तरीका ही था जिससे उस समय UG के छात्र डॉ के ऍम ल पाठक ,डॉ देवेन्द्र कुमार आदि को MVSC परजीवी मे करने को प्रेरित किया /

लेकिन जबलपुर मे डॉ शाह कुछ ही समय रहे / फिर बह इलेनॉइस  विश्व विद्यालय ,अमेरिका पीएचडी करने चले गए –शायद १९६६ या १९६७ मे / वहां  पर उन्होंने प्रशिद्ध वैज्ञानिक डॉ LEVINE के निर्देशन मे पीएचडी सफलता पूर्वक की और १९७० मे जबलपुर वापिस अपने बिभाग मे आ गए /

परन्तु उनकी अनुपस्थित मे जबलपुर मे एक बहुत बड़ा परिवर्तन हो गया था /जबलपुर का पशु चिकित्सा महाविद्यालय एक बहुत पुराना महाविद्यालय था जिसका उद्घाटन ८ जुलाई १९४८ को सी पी एंड बरार (उस समय मध्य प्रदेश का निर्माण नहीं हुआ था ) के पशु धन को विकसित करने के लिए किया गया था और यह पशु पालन बिभाग के अंतर्गत किया गया था  परन्तु अक्टूबर १९६४ मे जवाहरलाल नेहरु कृषि विश्व विद्यालय बनने पर यह उसके अंतर्गत आ गया और उसके सारे नियम कायदे बदल गये/ इसमे प्रमुख था  यूनिवर्सिटी प्रोफेसर के पद पैदा करना और स्टेट प्रोफेसर (जो डॉ शाह थे ) को एसोसिएट प्रोफेसर मानकर उसपर स्ताफित करना /दूसरा बड़ा बदलाव था कॉलेज के स्टाफ को फील्ड से अलग करना –अब कोई भी पद interchangeble नहीं रहा /

मै १९६८ मे पशु चिकत्सा महाविद्यालय मे आ गया था और १९६९ मे सुनने को मिला कि परजीव विभाग मे एक बहुत ही नामी,अवार्ड विनर साइंटिस्ट ने प्रोफेसर के पद पर ज्वाइन किया है / यह थे हमारे डॉ शैलेश चन्द्र दत्त / उस समय डॉ शाह अमेरिका मे थे और मै था  मेडिसिन विभाग मे /

मेरा डॉ दत्त से कैसे परिचय  हुआ , यह  भी एक अजीब संयोग रहा- जब मुझे mvsc, परजीवी मे इन्सेर्विस अभियार्थी  के रूप मे एडमिशन मिला/ /वास्तव मे मैंने परजीवी मे अप्लाई भी नहीं किया था और मेरा मन भी नहीं था इस विषय में mvsc करने का / इसका विस्तृत विवरण मे अन्य पुस्तक मे कर चुका हू  (Remembering Dr SC Dutt : The Parasitologist. Har Anand Publishers, New Delhi. 2015 Page 205 ) /

डॉ दत्त एक मछोले कद के , कुछ सावले व्यक्तित  के साइंटिस्ट थे जिनके चेहरे से शांति छलकती थी /

मे यहाँ कह सकता हू की मुझे दो विसिस्ट व्यक्तियों  के अंतर्गत mvsc करने का अवसर मिला और साथ ही मिला दोनों व्यक्तियों को परखने का अवसर  ? यह बात सुनने मे शायद अटपटी लगती हो की कैसे एक छात्र अपने अध्यापक को परख सकता है परन्तु यह बात बिलकुल सच है –हम न चाह कर भी दो अध्यापको के पढ़ाने की तुलना शुरू कर देते है / मेरी यह तुलना उस लड़कपन के महेश से कुछ अलग थी जो डॉ शाह की पर्सनालिटी , फ्लो ऑफ़ इंग्लिश से अभिभूत हो जाता था जिसको कॉलेज मे समय विताये दो बर्ष ही हुए थे /

मैंने महसूस किया की डॉ शाह का थ्योरी पार्ट अच्छा था –बह समझाते इस तरह से थे की आप उसको लिख सकते है –जो एक छात्र के लिए बहुत जरुरी है ( ज्यादातर क्लास यह टीचर अपने कमरे मे ही लेते थे अत ब्लैक बोर्ड पर कुछ लिखने का सवाल ही नहीं था ) /

जैसा की साइंस के विद्यार्थी को पता है की प्रतेक्य विषय को दो भागो मे पढाया जाता है – एक भाग थ्योरी होता है और दूसरा प्रैक्टिकल / डॉ शाह थ्योरी लेते थे और प्रैक्टिकल को दूसरें टीचर पर पूरी तरह छोड़ देते थे / यही कारण रहा की हमने protozoology मे स्लाइड्स के आलावा और कुछ नहीं देखा – बाकी बाते सिर्फ किताबो मे पढ़ी /

दूसरी और डॉ दत्त helminthology पढ़ाते थे / बह थ्योरी का पार्ट तो अच्छा पढ़ाते ही थे बल्कि प्रैक्टिकल भी स्वय करते थे / यही कारण रहा की उनके संपर्क से हमने अनेक पैरासाइट ,उनकी इंटरमीडिएट स्टेज ,इंटरमीडिएट होस्ट आदि को पहली बार देखा/ यह डॉ दत्त की ही कृपा रही की हमने विषय को इतनी अझी  तरह समझ पाए/ जो कुछ किताब मे पढ़ते थे बह सव माइक्रोस्कोप मे देखने का मौका मिला और जो आपने अपनी ऑंखो से देखा है उसको भूलना मुश्किल होता है/

क्योकि मै १९७१ मे ही मेडिसिन बिभाग से परजीव मे स्धारंतिरित  कर दिया गया था और mvsc के साथ ही लडको को प्रैक्टिकल लेने का देमोस्त्रटर  होने की बजह से काम करता था अतः मैंने बिभाग की गतबिधियो को बहुत नजदीक से वा बारीकी से देखा और महसूस किया /

मैंने देखा की डॉ शाह का काम थ्योरी क्लास लेना ही था –दोनों UG वा PG का (उस समय बिभाग मे पीएचडी शुरू नहीं हुई थी ) / छात्र mvsc पराजीव मे करना पसंद नहीं करते थे अतः उस समय कोई भी छात्र अपना थीसिस भी परजीवी मे नहीं कर रहा था / अतः देखा जाये तो टीचर्स के पास क्लास ले ने के बाद समय ही समय था /

उस समय हमारे डॉ शाह चैन स्मोकर थे –क्लास जाने से पहले सिगरेट  पीना और आने के बाद सिगरेट पीना /परन्तु ये कहना पड़ेगा की उनोहने  कभी PG क्लास मे भी सिगरेट नहीं पी / और काफी समय बाद –शायद १९८५ के आस पास –एक बार उनके खासने पर बलगम के साथ खून आ गया –बह डॉ को दिखाने चले गए / बहा डॉ ने उनको सिगरेट छोड़ने की सलाह दी / और आशचर्य जनक है की एक चैन स्मोकर ने तत्काल ही पूर्ण रूप से सिगरेट छोड़ दी / यह निश्चित तोर से उनकी विल पॉवर को दर्शाता है /

डॉ शाह को कहना चाहिए की महफ़िल सजाने का शौक था /क्लास के बाद उनके कमरे मे कोई न कोई डटा ही रहता था / एक तीन चार टीचर्स का ग्रुप था जो रोज डिलाइट के पास चाय पीने जाता था ,जिसमे डॉ शाह भी होते थे / डॉ शाह का शेष समय इंग्लिश की किताबे –ज्यादादर मशहूर  उपन्यास – पढने मे बीतता था /कुछ समय क्लास मे जाने से पहले अपने नोट्स भी पलटते थे /

इसके बिपरीत हमारे डॉ दत्त का समय अपने कमरे मे विषय की किताब पढने मे, माइक्रोस्कोप मे ,कुछ स्टडी करने मे ही बीतता था / मैंने उनको स्टील के स्टूल पर लगातार दो तीन घंटे बैठ कर माइक्रोस्कोप मे स्टडी करते हुए देखा है –यह हमारे कॉलेज के लिए एक अजूबा कह सकते है / अक्सर आप उनको कॉलेज की लाइब्रेरी मे भी देख सकते थे /

डॉ दत्त दोपहर को खाना भी नाम मात्र को खाते थे (वह कॉलेज से ८ मील दूर अधारताल मे रहते थे इसलिए विभाग मे ही खाते थे )  / बह ज्यादातर दो ब्रेड की स्लाइस ,एक उबला अंडा ,एक फल (संतरा ,केला, या सेव )लेते थे –और फिर एक कप चाय या काफी / मैंने कभी कभी डॉ दत्त को अंत मे एक आध सिगरेट पीते हुए भी देखा /

दोनों टीचर्स के स्वाभाव का अंतर सब कोई महसूस कर सकता था / जंहा एक और हमारे डॉ दत्त हमेशा पढने या पढ़ाने मे, माइक्रोस्कोप मे ,लाइब्रेरी मे, व्यस्त रहते थे वही दूसरी और डॉ शाह को क्लास के बाद जैसे विषय से कोई मतलब ही नहीं था /

शायद डॉ शाह इसको महज एक नौकरी की तरह लेते थे / क्योकि खाली समय मे उन्होंने अपने जीवन के बारे मे बहुत कुछ बताया था जिसमे प्रमुख था की बह उत्तर प्रदेश के पहाड़ी इलाके से थे / लखनऊ विश्व विद्यालय से एमएससी जूलॉजी करने के बाद पीएचडी मे भी एडमिशन ले लिया था ( उस समय बहा मशहूर साइंटिस्ट डॉ GD Thapar भी टीचर थे )/ उसी समय –करीब १९५४ मे – उन्हें असिस्टेंट प्रोफेसर परजीवी  का mhow कॉलेज का इंटरव्यू  मिला (उस समय वेटरनरी कॉलेज मे पशु चिकत्सा की  डिग्री अनिवार्य नहीं थी और बहुत सारे विषय मे प्योर साइंस के टीचर आते रहे ) और फिर अपॉइंटमेंट लैटर / उस समय भी नौकरी , पढ़े लिखो मे भी , एक समस्या थी  और जरूरी नहीं है की पीएचडी करने के बाद भी , आपको फोरन नौकरी मिल जाये – और मिलेगी भी तो बही असिस्टेंट प्रोफेसर की / अतः सभी संगी साथियों ने सलाह दी की पीएचडी छोड़ कर उनको  mhow  की नौकरी ज्वाइन कर लेनी चाहिए / इस तरह उन्होंने mhow मे नौकरी की शुरू आत की जंहा परजीवी path, bact , para, का ही एक हिस्सा था / १९६५ मे बह प्रोफेसर होकर जबलपुर आये जंहा पर परजीवी को एक अलग विभाग बनाने की जिम्मेदारी भी उन पर आ गई /

यू तो डॉ शाह मेरिट की बहुत बात करते थे –उनके पास  इसके बहुत से उदहारण भी थे , जहा वैज्ञानिक असिस्टेंट प्रोफेसर रहने के बाबजूद केबल अपनी रिसर्च वा शोथ पत्रों से देश विदेश मे मशहूर हो गए / परन्तु ऐसा लगता है की उनके अंदर कही न कही इस बात की टीश थी की उनके ऊपर  डॉ दत्त को प्रोफेसर बनाकर बैठा दिया गया / शायद इसीलिए जबलपुर मे उनको अपना भविष्य अंधकारमय दीखता था क्योकि डॉ दत्त १९७९ मे रिटायर होते अतः डॉ शाह को प्रोफेसर शिप  पाने के लिए ४-६ साल और इंतजार करना पड़ता / शायद इसीलिए डॉ शाह ने जबलपुर छोड़ने का अपना मन बना लिया हालाँकि जबलपुर मे उनके बहुत सारे  दोस्त थे और छात्रों मे भी उनका बहुत आदर था / इसीलिए बह समान्तर पद ,एसोसिएट प्रोफेसर  पर ,पशु चिकत्सा कॉलेज ,पन्त नगर मे १९७४ मे चले गए- बहा फर्क यही था की परजीवी को एक स्वंतंत्र विभाग बनाया जा रहा था और उनके उपर कोई नहीं था / हां ! प्रोफेसर की पोस्ट creat करके जल्द भरने की उम्मीद भी दिलाई गयी थी / उस समय उनकी उम्र करीब ४३ साल की रही होगी /

जैसा मे उपर ही कह  चुका हू की डॉ शाह मे UG को अपनी और आकर्षित करने की अदभुत छमता थी /येही बात पंतनगर मे भी साबित हुई / उन्ही के आकर्षण से उस समय के तीन मेधावी छात्रों –डॉ पाठक, डॉ देवेन्द्र कुमार, वा डॉ जुयाल ने परजीवी मे mvsc करने का मन बनाया  (हालाँकि उनोहने डॉ भाटिया बा डॉ गौर के अंडर मे यह पढाई की क्योकि तब  तक डॉ शाह ने पंतनगर छोड़ दिया था  ) और परजीवी विज्ञानं मे अपनी अलग पहचान बनाई / यहाँ यह बताना भी उचित होगा की डॉ JP DUBEY अमेरिका भी डॉ शाह के UG के mhow के विद्यार्थी ही थे /

परन्तु एक आश्चर्य  है की जंहा डॉ शाह UG छात्रों को इतना चुम्बकीय ढंग से आकर्षित कर पाए , बही उनका ये जादू उनके PG छात्रों पर नहीं चल पाया / उनके PG छात्रों की लिस्ट बहुत बड़ी नहीं है – डॉ HOP श्रीवास्तव ,SB घोषाल ,PC जैन ,DK पेठकर ,KP सिंह , RK चौधरी वा  RK शर्मा /  

इसमे डॉ hop वा चौधरी को छोड़कर उनके किसी भी छात्र से बहुत मधुर सम्बन्ध नहीं रहे / क्योकि मे भी उसी विभाग की फैकल्टी मे था अतः मे भी उन PG छात्रों की परेशानियों का गवाह रहा हूँ / मुख्या रूप से जो बात निकल कर आती है बह यही है की बह छात्र को अपने  हाल पर रिसर्च करने को छोड़ देते थे / लेकिन अगर रिजल्ट उम्मीद के मुताबिक नहीं आये तो उस छात्र पर विश्वास नहीं करते थे और कई बार उसको दुबारा करने का हुक्म दे देते जब की छात्र का कहना रहता की उसने पूरी ईमानदारी से कार्य किया है / यहाँ तक की पीएचडी की थीसिस लिखते समय भी दूसरे  टीचर को देखने को कह दिया परन्तु जब थीसिस फाइनल टाइपिंग की बात आई तो उसको पूरा नकार दिया और फिर से लिखने को मजबूर कर दिया –चाहे उससे छात्र का कितना ही नुकसान हो जाये /

इसे नियत का विधान नहीं कहेंगे तो क्या कहेंगे की जिन डॉ दत्त की वजह से डॉ शाह ने जबलपुर १९७४ मे छोड़ा  था उन्ही डॉ दत्त ने भी कुछ माह के अन्तराल से १९७४ मे ही  जबलपुर छोड़ दिया / जबलपुर छोड़ ने की डॉ दत्त की मुख्य वजह शायद यहाँ का नॉन अकादमिक माहौल था / बह यहाँ  से ICAR गए और वहा से लुधिअना –जहा उनोहने  अपने प्रोफेसर बा हेड का शेष कार्यकाल पूरा किया /

चूँकि पुस्तक के इस भाग मे हम परजीवी के दो पुरोंधाओ का जिक्र कर रहे है अतः यहाँ यह बताना उचित होंगा की PG छात्रों की डॉ दत्त की भी लिस्ट बहुत बड़ी नहीं है  -डॉ माथुर,मालवीय ,गौर,   (IVRI ),डॉ  श्रीवास्तव, avashati  ,निखाले , अग्रवाल (जबलपुर ), रेड्डी ,सिंह  (लुधिअना )/

परन्तु यहाँ  पर इन दोनों साइंटिस्ट्स मे एक बहुत बड़ा फर्क नजर आता है / जहा एक बार कोई डॉ दत्त के संपर्क मे आ गया बह उनका मुरीद हो गया –उसने ऐसा वैज्ञानिक, ऐसा पथ प्रदर्शक पाने पर अपने  को धन्य समझा / इसका मुख कारण रहा है डॉ दत्त ने अपने को इन छात्रों के साथ आत्म सात कर लिया – उनको इस  तरह पढाया की बह यह विद्या हमेशा याद रख पाए- उनकी मुस्किल को अपनी समझा  / थीसिस लिखने मे भी उनकी बातो को सही स्थान दिया /

यहाँ  मे डॉ दत्त के बारे मे ज्यादा नहीं लिख रहा हू क्यों कि उन पर एक पूरी किताब लिखी जा चुकी है और मे आग्रह करूंगा की और अधिक जानकारी के लिए उस किताब को जरूर पढ़े /  

एक बात की तारीफ यहाँ जरूर करनी पड़ेगी की लगभग ४-५ साल तक डॉ दत्त बा डॉ शाह जबलपुर मे एक ही विभाग मे साथ साथ रहे परन्तु उनोंहने कभी भी ईएसआई कोई बात नहीं की जिससे लगे की इन दोनों मे कुछ differences है / हां यह जरूर रहा की जबतक ये दोनों जबलपुर मे रहे- डॉ दत्त का सारा ध्यान विभाग को बढ़ाने मे रहा –नये माइक्रोस्कोप ख़रीदे गए , रिसर्च स्कीम ICAR को भेजी गई ,जो उनके जाने के बाद डॉ सहस्राबुधे ने चलाई (वही  विभाग की पहली स्कीम थी )/ इसके बिपरीत डॉ शाह का काम क्लास लेना ही था /

डॉ दत्त के जाने के बाद ,प्रोफेसर की पोस्ट advertise की गई  और डॉ शाह पंतनगर से पहले इंटरव्यू के लिए और फिर ज्वाइन करने वा रहने  को जबलपुर आये / परन्तु इस घटना ने इस बात को नकार दिया की उनके लिए पोस्ट का कोई महत्व न होकर साइंटिफिक अचिएवेमेन्त्स का ही महत्व है /

जब डॉ शाह ने जबलपुर मे १९७५ मे प्रोफेसर बा हेड पर ज्वाइन कर लिया तो शायद उनको भी लगा की विभाग मे रिसर्च भी चलनी चाहिए / यह  बात इसलिए और जरूरी हो गई क्योकि १९४८ मे बना यह कॉलेज १९६४ से जवाहरलाल नेहरु कृषि विश्व विद्यालय के अंतर गत आ गया था जिसका उद्देश्य केवल टीचिंग न होकर ,रिसर्च बा उसका विस्तार भी हो गया था /

क्योकि डॉ शाह एक प्रोतोजूलोगिस्ट थे अतः उनोहने इसी विषय मे कार्य करना चाहा / इसमे आगे आये उनके प्रिय mhow के छात्र डॉ दुबे जो इस समय अमेरिका मे कोच्सिडिया की बिभिन्न प्रजातीय पर शोध कर रहे थे / उनने अपने कुछ पेपर डॉ शाह को इस बारे मे भेजे और शायद सलाह दी की बह सर्कोच्य्स्तिस पर कार्य करे क्यों की इस बारे मे भारत मे बहुत कुछ किया जा सकता है / डॉ शाह ने अपने छात्रों को sarcocystis पर थीसिस प्रॉब्लम दिया और बाद मे एक ICAR की स्कीम भी विभाग मे लेकर आये / 

एक बात और उभर कर आई  की डॉ शाह बोलने मे लेक्चर देने मे बहुत माहिर थे  उनके लेक्चर को वैज्ञानिक बड़े मनोयोग से सुनते थे और कई लोग इसी वजह से उनके मुरीद हो गए /

इस कॉलेज मे एक जनरल कहावत हो गई थी की यहाँ के दो फैकल्टी सदस्य ने अपने बोलने के दम पर ही सारे  देश मे अपनी धाक जमा रखी  है / एक थे डॉ शाह और दूसरेडॉ वेगड़ –पैथोलॉजी के प्रोफेसर / बाद मे इन  दोनों  ने अपनी अपनी सोसाइटी के प्रेसिडेंट के पद को भी सुशोभित किया  / और अपनी वाक पटुता से कॉलेज से बाहर देश मे ज्यादा प्रसिद्ध पाए /

डॉ शाह जून १९९१ मे उम्र के ६० वर्ष पूर्ण करने पर प्रोफेसर की पोस्ट से रिटायर हो गए / परन्तु उनका पढ़ाने का शौक बरक़रार रहा इसीलिए उनने पढाना बंद नहीं किया और काफी समय तक पढ़ाते रहे /

फिर आया १९९४ / उस समय तक मुझको नेशनल फेलो का icar (यह पोस्ट प्रोफेसर के समतुल होती है ) का पत्र आ गया था और आर्डर आने मे कुछ वक्त था / इसी समय के आस पास JNKVV की प्रोफेसर की पोस्ट भी advertise हो गई / उसमे यहाँ से हम तीन लोग कैंडिडेट थे और बाहर से कोई नहीं था (शायद उनेह अंदाज था की यहाँ बालो का ही सिलेक्शन होगा )/

 अगर सेनिओरिटी से देखा जाये तो पहले थे डॉ जोशी ,फिर डॉ श्रीवास्तव और आखिर मे मै/ परन्तु जब दूसरेलोग मेरिट से लिस्ट बनाते थे तो उसमे मेरा नाम पहले रखा जाता था /इसका कारण भी था की मे पुरे विश्व विद्यालय मे पहला टीचर था जो इस अवार्ड के लिए सेलेक्ट हुआ था / दूसरा कारण था की मे हिसार के कृषि  विश्व विद्यालय मे प्रोफेसर परजीवी पर सेलेक्ट हो गया था और इसके ऑर्डर्स भी आ चुके थे /

फिर इंटरव्यू के समय पता लगा की इंटरव्यू लेने बाले नहीं आ रहे है (कुछ लोगो का यह भी सोच रहा की ऐसा जान बूछ कर किया गया ) / तब इंटरव्यू मे हमारे डॉ शाह को एक्सपर्ट के रूप मे बुलाया गया / दूसरेथे हमारे डॉ भिल्गओंगर –जिनोहने १९८१ मे हमारे विभाग से ही पीएचडी किया था / और उस समय के कुलपति थे डॉ जोहर जिनोहने mhow से ही bvsc की थी – या तो डॉ श्रीवास्तव के साथ या एक आध साल के अन्तराल से / और हां ! ये डॉ शाह के भी छात्र रह चुके थे यानि डॉ शाह इस इंटरव्यू मे बहुत ही अहम् भूमिका मे थे /

जब कॉलेज मे यह बात फैल गई कि इंटरव्यू में डॉ शाह को एक्सपर्ट के रूप मे बुलाया गया है और इंटरव्यू देने बाले है डॉ जोशी , HOP श्रीवास्तव और अग्रवाल  – तो सबका  यह सोच रहा की देखे अब डॉ शाह क्या करते है ? यानि अब आया ऊट पहाड़ के नीचे / लोगो का सोच रहा की अगर डॉ शाह अपनी शाख बचाना चाहते है –हमेशा कहते रहते है की मे तो मेरिट को तवजो देता हू – तो उन्हें डॉ अग्रवाल को सेलेक्ट करना पड़ेगा ,और अगर सेनिओरिटी से फैसला होता है तो डॉ जोशी को पहले रखना पड़ेगा / लेकिन वह hop को छोड़ नहीं सकते इस लिए पैनल बना दिया जायेगा जिससे हर हालमे hop को एक साल से पहले ही प्रोफेसर की पोस्ट मिल जाएगी / क्योकि सितम्बर १९९४ मे डॉ जोशी रिटायर हो रहे थे / और मे या तो हिसार चला जाऊंगा या कुछ महीने मे नेशनल फेलो पर ज्वाइन कर लूँगा / इनमे से ही कोई विकल्प सामने आने की चर्चा थी / इसका एक और कारण था  की डॉ जोहर भी डॉ शाह के छात्र रहे थे और उनमे इतनी हिम्मत नहीं थी की बह सही बात को न माने / परन्तु जो लोग डॉ शाह को और करीब से जानते थे उनका कहना था की देखना डॉ hop का ही सिलेक्शन होगा /

और अंत मे जो बात सामने आई बह येही थी की सारी बातो को ताक पर रख कर hop का प्रोफेसर पर अपॉइंटमेंट के ऑर्डर्स हो गए / मुझे कुछ मित्रो ने कहा भी की इस आर्डर को कोर्ट मे चैलेंज कर दो पर मे अपना समय बर्बाद नहीं करना चाहता था और मैंने भी हिसार कर रास्ता अखितियर किया /

परन्तु इस परिणाम ने डॉ जोशी को बुरी तरह तोड़ कर रख दिया / उनको अपने वा डॉ शाह के संबंधो से पूरी ऊम्मीद थी की उनको प्रोफेसर की पोस्ट मिल जाएगी और पैनल बनेगा सेनिओरिटी से जिससे डॉ hop को सितम्बर मे डॉ जोशी के रिटायर होने पर प्रोफेसर की पोस्ट मिल जाएगी / और मे या तो नेशनल फेलो ज्वाइन कर लूँगा या हिसार चला जाऊंगा /

परन्तु इतना सरल सा गरित न मानते हुए इन सब ने डॉ श्रीवास्तव का प्रोफेसर पर सिलेक्शन कर दिया / इस घटना ने बहुत ही भद्दे ढंग से इस बात को उजागर कर दिया की डॉ शाह, डॉ hop के इंटरेस्ट को टाल ही नहीं सकते है / उनके लिए मेरिट की बाते सिर्फ अपनी इमेज बनाने के लिए है  अंदर से उनके लिए इन बातो का कोई महत्व नहीं है /

कुछ लोगो का मूड यह सब बाते पढ़ कर ख़राब हो गया होगा – उनमे मे भी एक हू / बार बार येही सोच उठती है की एक इतना उम्दा टीचर , उसको hop के प्रेम ने इतना रुसवा कर दिया / और हमारे डॉ जोशी इस बात को आज तक नहीं भूल पाए की किसतरह hop के मोह ने उनको प्रोफेसर नहीं बनने दिया / पुरे विभाग मे बस दो ही टीचर रहे –एक डॉ जोशी और दूसरे  डॉ घोषाल – जो सारी qualification होने के बाबजूद प्रोफेसर नहीं हो पाए और एसोसिएट प्रोफेसर पर ही रिटायर हो गए / दोनों को ही डॉ शाह से किसी न किसी वजह से गिला रहा है / लेकिन ऐसा ही है हमारा  ये   कृषि विश्व विद्यालय , इसी लिए जवाहरलाल नेहरु कृषि  विश्व विद्यालय का नाम करण कर दिया गया  – जहा न कही विद्या ,बुधि बगेरह /  

 

(This is part of a chapter "college mai vapsi" of my book " Ye hai hamare krishi vishwa vidyalaya" published in August,2017 by Blue Rose Publishers, New Delhi and available on Amazone.in )                              

Why no Indian University has department of History of Science (some questions on previous observations)

SPART 1

My this write up is mainly dependent on Google search engine .As i have developed interests in ancient science , particularly of India, I started searching google for the information.

I surprised to note that many western universities have separate departments of history of science and profile of 24 Professors of History of Medicine are available in Linkedin. Thus important universities like Harvard university, Yale university, university of wisconsin Madison or Johns Hopkins school of medicine are having either separate departments of history of science or history of medicine. Not surprisingly, there is a separate scientific journal on this subject -Bulletin of history of medicine. 

And i could not record any Indian university who is having separate department either on history of science or history of medicine. This is despite  our boosting great ancient history ; there were puspak vimans in ancient India. Perhaps we have relied mainly on our archaeology department or  Sanskrit books  or those persons who do not believe in modern science.

There is no harm if any one does not believe in principles of modern science but he has to support his/her assumptions and have to recreate the same on critical grounds . ( Beauty of present science is that it tells the principles behind a particular phenomenon and any one can repeat it following these principles) .  Thus, if any one believes that it is possible to change figure from man to animal and vice versa or any one can minimize or increase his figure at will  or may appear or disappear at particular place , he has to show the phenomenon and be ready for critical examination ,explaining principles for the same . Even there are persons who still believe in "Parash pathar or touch stone " which will turn any mineral into gold but their claims have not been substantiated with proofs.

I may mention that all the above were earlier assumptions of early human civilization . It should also be very clear that present science has not developed in a day or two but this was a continuous process that took centuries together to take present shape. All the above assumptions were the earlier thinking of human beings which were discarded later  as proves were assembled against these facts.

Perhaps, it may surprise many that the great Greek Philospher Hippocrate has hypothesized that " life originates spontaneously"( life from nothing ). All the evidences were against this hypothesis which was formed  as Hippocrate failed to see tiny eggs of the beetles ,emerging from animal's stools. It has been proved beyond doubt that only life can generate life and it is not originating spontaneously or from nothing . Therefore, it may be correct  to presume at that time  that any creature can appear all of a sudden from nothing  but now this is simply his wishful thinking .

Therefore, either we have to accept general principles of modern science, physics, medicine etc or provide concrete evidence for the phenomena , explaining their principles . Else we will loose our credibility at international level.

If you search google , most of these studies by western scholars have been made on Greek or Roman culture  as well as their discoveries on Egypt. This is obvious since Rome  is  part of Europe while Egypt is not only an oldest civilization but there is a link in the form of Alexadria- the city  inhabitated by Alexander the great. 

In that sense there are no authentic  reports on Indian civilization by these western researchers (except a few made at early stage of excavation of Indus valley civilizarion) . There are few references which suggest that work has not been taken  in late twentieth century or so (partly this is due to ban in further exploration of the site ). Even there are some questions on our ancient civilization  which need further explanation . I may mention a few:

ORIGING OF WRITING : what so ever little we are seeing on Indian civilization, it is centered around our epics- Ramayan or Mahabharat . It should be ample clear that both these epics are written in Sanskrit . Even our Vedas are written in Sasnkrit . According  some ,  the period of writing of these epics is around 200BC or so . This suggests our civilization was existing  a period which is much later on scale of time .

Even prior to Sanskrit we were having "Brahmi script" whose details are not yet deciphered. 

So ,the important question is whether India was the place where it developed own language ? As per present descriptions true writing was invented atleast at two places- Mesopotamia around 3200BC and Mesoamerica around 600BC.

However, as per Wikipedia writing developed in Egypt around 3200BC and in China around 1200 BC.

INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION . If you talk about ancient civilization, there is reference  of Indus valley civilization which occurred during Bronze age in ancient India around 3200 BC.

Though there are descriptions showing proof of a well developed city, where there was best water drainage system , bathrooms as well as common bath place.

Yet i am afraid if many questions have been answered in noting these records . For instance :

The persons were using what is called 'Indus script" which is still not deciphered.  There is still debate whether script is true writing or proto writing or non-linguistic sign system.

Interestingly the indus valley civilization is said occurring around 3200 BC and this is the period when Egypt is said to develop its writing. But the two writings are different. Does this not indicate that India developed its own writing which later on resulted in development of its own language . What was that period ? Was there any other language prior Brahmi script ?

Another important fact that is told that the persons involved in Indus valley civilization, whose proofs are extended in the form of Mohanjo Deoro or Harrappa  were not Aryan but what is now called Dravidian.

Do we have sufficient grounds to think so ? Probably not .

First, Dravidian is not a genetically defined class. This dravidian is a sanskrit word used for the persons who were speaking Tamil or alike language. Do Sanskrit , spoken by so called Aryans , has no similarity with Tamil language ?

How old these native persons or Dravidians  were residing in Indus valley ? There is no clear cut idea about that. The only fact, said, is that they were earlier settlers than Aryan race.

For our discussion, we should call them  Dravidian. Important question is when they migrated to Indus Valley. Whether they migrated from Mesopotamia and aware about Agriculture , earlier than their settling in Indus valley.  

Or they have migrated in Indus valley ,directly from Africa, much earlier than Mesopotamia developed ?

Perhaps there is no concrete evidence to substantiate either.

SIMILARITY IN CUSTOMS : How we were treating our near and dear ones after death ?  If you read Egyptian civilization they were believing in life after death hence preserved the body (what we now call 'Mummy") along with fulfilling other domestic requirements. The Roman civilization is also burrying dead body.

 BURNING DEAD BODY  However, a unique system was adopted in India and that was "Burning of dead body". 

This fact is very important which has not been highlighted by previous researchers.

We do not have any evidence of preserving dead body or making tombs for dead persons in Indus valley ; neither such practice is followed in present days in South India .This suggests that these Dravidians were following the unique practice of 'burning dead body' and this was also followed by the Aryans. But without a close contact, how the two communities learn a common practice , particularly when it is not followed in any other part of the world ? These facts make me greatly sceptical that Dravidian and Aryan have migrated in different times in India. This fact is indicative that there were close relations between the two .

Interestingly, the two other important religions i.e. Boudh and Jainism, those developed in India around 2000BC are also having same custom of burning the dead body.  

END of CIVILIZATION : Again there appears no conclusive evidence how this great civilization perished. A hypothesis is existing that a flood marooned the whole city and this was responsible for discarding the city . But if you study Egyptian civilization , this was the floods  of Nile river, occurring every year in that geography that brought prosperity and crops to those persons. Actually floods were not considered havoc in those days but a medium of bringing fertile soil which resulted in good harvest. So, how and why floods were considered harmful to human race ,related to  Indus river ?

Even if we consider the floods as the reason  , there is one way how floods might have resulted in perishing the whole human population in Indus valley ; it should be sudden and wide spread that did not give time and means to run away the persons. But then there should be evidence of excavation of large number of skelton from that area. In absence of such evidence it is hard to believe that floods were responsible for discarding the Mohenjodaro .Again, this was a city ,inhabited by traders and artisans , hence question arises what was the distance of this city from Indus river ?

There is , on the other hand, one possibility ; that Indus river might be changing its course slowly , giving problems to the residents and hence they decided to migrate to other places for future prosperity. And this may be the reason, they started migrating towards Gangetic planes .

Or was there risk of occurring any disease or diseases which caused slow migration of these persons ? (Pl see Part 2 in other blog. www.indianschistosomiasis.blogspot.com) 

DR N CHOWDHURY , PAU

After his name, I have tagged him belonging to PAU. But was he belonged really to PAU ? How we decide a person belonging to certain institute or a place ? Obviously either he has graduated, or post graduated from that place or have served the place ,irrespectively whether he merged himself with the culture of that place. In that sense, Dr Chowdhury belonged to PAU as he served this institute , first as Associate Professor of Parasitology and later as Professor of Parasitology and held charge of Head of the Department of Veterinary Parasitology for some time. As this was his last destination from where he took retirement, we may tag him as belonging to PAU. But was he really belonged to PAU ? Scrutiny of his biodata reveals as if he was a cosmopolitan scientist who perhaps felt uneasy at the serving place and was trying to run away to take solace  at some other place.

This great Indian scientist did his graduation in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry from Assam Veterinary College, Guwahati  and did his MVSc in Parasitology from Mathura Veterinary College under Dr BP Pandey-the renowned  Indian Parasitologist of twentieth century. Both Dr JP Dubey, USA and Dr BB Bhatia,Pantnagar were his colleagues as all were doing MVSc under Dr Pandey ,at that time. After wards ,Dr Chowdhury joined Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar as a Research scholar for a short period. Then he went to Belgium under some international scholarship and did his DSc. He also visited Japan  under promotion of science and developed great bond with  DR I Tada, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu university, Fukuoka, Japan which culminated in acting of the latter as co-editor for the book “Helminthology”.

The desire of Dr Chowdhury to understand the subject at international level led him to become member or fellow of societies of Veterinary Parasitology, Belgium, Japan and America . Not satisfied from that he became member of World Association for Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology. Though at some time , he became life member of Indian society of Parasitology and that of Indian Association for Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology.

I met Dr N Chowdhury first time in 1981 at IDPL, Hyderabad where both of us were candidates for the post of Senior Biologist, equivalent to Associate Professor. I could not join this post for some reason while Dr Chowdhury joined PAU in 1982 as Associate Professor of Parasitology. Dr Chowdhury came more close to me when he was writing a chapter “ Helminths of domesticated animals in Indian subcontinent” in his book “ Helminthology” (Published in 1994) . He was interested particularly in my review articles on Stephanofilariasis, schistosomiasis incognitum and nasal schistosomiasis. As the latter article was not handy till that time, I send him rough manuscript of the article.

Those who have read this chapter in his book will appreciate how meticulously  Dr Chowdhury has provided authentic information on the subject. I have no hesitation in stating that his chapter is a milestone in reviewing all the relevant literature on helminths in domestic animals in Indian continent that happened after about twenty or thirty years when our predecessors have written on checklist of helminths of domestic animals and alike important articles.   In 2001 , came another important book ‘Helminths of Wild life” of Dr Chowdhury. This was again a first attempt to deal with parasites of wild life at global level.

Then came the difference of opinion which I developed not with Dr Chowdhury but with some of my fellow scientists. I was of the opinion that Dr Chowdhury should be elected as fellow of Indian Parasitology Societies as he has written important books and they are sufficient to recognize this scientist. He has already established his international credentials by inviting international scientists of different institutes  to write chapters for his two books.

However, there were two difficulties. First was that for considering fellowship of the society or academy Dr Chowdhury should apply for the same  in a prescribed format or at least  making an application in that respect. Dr Chowdhury refused to apply as by that time he has retired from services of PAU and this suffix was of little value to Dr Chowdhury . Perhaps, there was a hidden message that this will give credentials to your society to elect a distinguished scientist as their fellow.

Another fact was that the societies have developed a format where the judge has to give marks for every achievement of the candidate scientist like degrees, experiences, research papers , books published, society activities made by the scientist and so on. And the scientists are awarded fellowship on their mark basis.

On this selection basis, I have remarked (though I have remained a judge for the selection of follows for some years) . Thanks God ! our Goswami Tulsidas has not applied for the fellowship otherwise he could not get this coveted title as he has written  “Ramcharitmanas” only to his credit (others are short booklets) or case of Meera Bai or alike personality would have rejected by our Indian scientific academies  .

But Dr Chowdhury was more bitter and outspoken than me. He was highly critical of the standards of so many professionals . He felt pain that these persons are not advancing our science and are engaged only in private works- counting their bank balance or type of car or house ,they are possessing .  I remember how much critical he was when one distinguished Parasitologist constituted  young scientist award on his own name, when he was not only alive but active in his service career. I agreed with Dr Chowdhury that this is against our Indian culture. But we have to keep mum at certain places where we are helpless –in my opinion at least this scientist came forward to encourage our young scientists . We have not taken “theka or contract ” to improve each and every one and we should see ourselves – we should avoid the work which we do not like. But Dr Chowdhury was hard to convince and he has written letters to the distinguished persons where he differed . I came to know about these facts as Dr Chowdhury sent a copy of such few letters to me also.

Now  , he is no more. When I look back at his achievements , I feel the Indian scientific fraternity has not done justice to Dr Chowdhury. He could not get from them what he deserved most . Our some scientists have not liked his critical character though that is important for improving ourselves or at least assessing ourselves. This has long back  been narrated by our poet Kabir das  “nindak niyare rakhiye, angan kuti chawai, binu pani bin sabuna, nirmal kare subhaw.” ( keep your critic close to you; give him shelter in your courtyard. Without soap and water he cleanses your character).

I pray Almighty God to give peace to the soul of  my dear friend Dr N Chowdhury.

Dr PD Juyal , Vice Chancellor of Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary University, Jabalpur was associated with Dr N Chowdhury as Dr Juyal was also Professor and Head of Parasitology, PAU and has close acquaintance than me with Dr Chowdhury. Therefore, I requested him to provide an authentic brief of Dr Chowdhury which he very kindly did and I am copying  the same as under 

CHOWDHURY, NIRMALENDU ; BVSc , MVSc, DSc; 

Born on 1st February, 1942,Karimganj, Assam (Father late R.M.Chowdhury) , Married with Mrs Amita Chowdhury and blessed with a daughter. Did BVSc from Guwahati Veterinary College, MVSc from UP College of veterinary science , Mathura; DSc from State university of Ghent, Belgium ; Kumamoto university medical school, Japan;

Served  in 1969-70 as Research scholar at IVRI, Izatnagar; state univ of Ghent 1971-75; Associate Professor at Assam Agriculture University 1975-80; Associate Prof at PAU,Ludhiana 1982-87; Professor of Helminthology 1988-2002 (Head of the dept for some time ) . Retired in the year 2002 from PAU, Ludhiana and settled there 

He was research fellow of CSIR and ICAR 1969. Belgium Ministry of Education 1970; Japan society for promotion of science 1980.

Fellow of Belgian society of Parasitology; ex member Japan society for parasitology, American society of Parasitology. Member Indian Society of Parasitology, World association for advancement of veterinary Parasitology;

He has edited and published the book "Helminthology" in 1994; Helminths of wildlife (2001), Perspectives of Helminthology(2001). 

He contributed 5 book chapters and 35 research papers, 1 review paper. He won many awards and was a distinguished international Parasitologist.

Dr N Chowdhury expired on 24th March 2016. We condole his death and pray to the Almighty for eternal peace to his soul  and to give courage to his family to bear this loss.

….

OUR OUTSTANDING PARASITOLOGISTS

It is a matter of great pride and pleasure that some of our Parasitologists have out shined in their professional life . This is not only in the specific field of Parasitology but they have proved their leadership being selected as Deputy Director General (Animal Sciences),ICAR ,Assistant Director General,ICAR, Vice Chancellors of Veterinary Universities , ICAR national fellow or Emeritus Scientists of ICAR. Here I am mentioning name of such distinguished scientists who have brought laurels to our profession. I will highly appreciate to know the names  of those who have left in this list. This may be mentioned either in the comments or to me via mail or whattsapp etc

DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL (ANIMAL SCIENCES) ICAR

PARASITOLOGIST  K.M.L. PATHAK

This was the first time in the history of ICAR , that Dr KML Pathak , a renowned Parasitologist, was selected on this coveted post in the year 2010 . He completed his term in the year 2015 .In his tenure he took many important decisions- one was arranging brain storming workshops in veterinary universities to augment research and extension activities in vety universities beside  taking policy decisions at central government level.His brief resume is mentioned below.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR GENERAL (EDUCATION), ICAR

DR SC DUTT 

In  independent India, just after partition, Dr SC Dutt started his scientific career from IVRI,Izatnagar and joined as Prof and Head of Parasitology at Jabalpur in 1969. However, he realized that the place is not conducive for scientific research (or came here only to teach me as I did my MVSc under him as inservice candidate between 1970 to 1974) hence left this place in 1974 to join ICAR as Assistant Director General, education; from this place he was taken to PAU, Ludhiana as Prof and Head in 1975 by Dr BS Gill, then Dean of Vety Faculty . All these  details and memorial lectures etc are published in a book form "Remembering DR SC Dutt : The Parasitologist" in 2015 by Har Anand Publishers Pvt Ltd, New Delhi

Dr P.B.MATHUR

Another Parasitologist who did his MVSc in 1961 under Dr SC Dutt at IVRI,Izatnagar and worked as ADG (education) from 1984 till his retirement , during which period he also worked as acting Deputy Director General (Education).
Dr Pramod Bihari Mathur MVSc,Ph.D was born on 15.06.1936 in Shikohabad, district Firozabad, UP. He graduated in 1958 from UP college of veterinary science, Mathura, MVSc in 1961 from IVRI and was offered a scholarship in 1964 by German Academic Exchange Services west Germany. On his return he worked in different capacities as Head of animal health division,Avikanagar, joint director , animal health officer,FAO and ultimately as ADG in ICAR. After retirement , he also joined private veterinary college at Jaipur.
 Beside receiving many awards and being follows of many scientific academies ,Dr Mathur was also President of Indian Association for Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology. Dr Mathur has expired in 2014 while travelling to USA to meet his son who is residing there.

VICE CHANCELLORS OF VETERINARY UNIVERSITIES

PARASITOLOGIST K.M.L. PATHAK

Prof. Pathak has joined as Vice Chancellor of UP PanditDeenDayalUpadhyayaPashu-chikishaVigyanViswavidyalayaEvam Go-AnusandhanSansthan, Mathura, UP on 3^rdMarch, 2016. 

Prof. K.M.L. Pathak, born in village Naraura, District Etah, UP, did his B.V.Sc. & A.H; M.V.Sc. Ph.D with academic excellence from G. B Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar. He obtained Post - Doc in Biotechnology from University of Salford, United Kingdom.He has served various prestigious organizations since 1981 in various capacities namely Senior Research Fellow, Research Associate and faculty member at G.B.P.U.A.&T Pantnagar; Professor, HOD and PG Faculty and Director Research at Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, Director, National Research Centre on Camel, Bikaner and Deputy Director General(Animal Sciences), ICAR (2010-15). For his excellent academic services, he has been conferred with numerous prestigious honors and awards including Doctor of Science (Honoriscausa) from NDUVS, Jabalpur and DUVASU, Mathura, Life Time Achievement Award, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Award, Dr. B.V.Rao Gold Medal, Dr.R.S. Swami Nath anagyer Memorial Award, Best University Teacher Award, Smt.Niranjani Parija Oration Award, Distinguished Veterinarian Award,Agriculture Leadership Award and PuratchiThalaiviSelvi JJayalalithaa Endowment Award. Various Societies also recognized his work and awarded Honor of Fellow viz., National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Academy of Veterinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Research and Indian Association for Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology. His leadership skills are well evident through his functioning as President, National Academy of Veterinary Sciences (2014-2016); President, Indian Association for Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology ,Member Adhoc Working Group on Non-Tsetse Transmitted Animal Trypanosomosis, OIE, Paris, member in Boards of Management/Governing Bodies of National Research Institutes, DADF, State Universities of Agriculture/Veterinary & Animal Sciences, State Go Seva Ayog and Expert Member in many National Committees dealing with Livestock and Poultry Science Policies, Biotechnology, Food and Bio-safety and regulatory issues. Moreover, his contribution in the field of science and research is well recognized by his more than 130 original research papers in National/International Journals of repute, 6 books,three book chapters, three Laboratory Manuals and 5 Monographs in the field of Infectious Animal Diseases and Veterinary Parasitology, Parasitic Zoonoses, deposition of 18 Gene Sequences with Gene Bank and  standardization of several technologies related to Diagnostics. He has visited more than 16 countries.

PARASITOLOGIST C RENUKA PRASAD 

Prof Renuka Prasad assumed the post of  third Vice- Chancellor of Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar on 21 ^st Sept.2012.

Dr.C.Renuka Prasad completed B.V.Sc (1976) and M.V.Sc degree (1978) in Veterinary Parasitology  at the Veterinary College, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore and Ph.D at the Indian Institute of Science (1991). The masters and doctoral degree programes included extensive work on morphology and immunology of Theileria species of bovines. Started his career as Instructor in the Department of Parasitology, Veterinary College, Bangalore in 1978 and joined the Institute of Animal Health & Veterinary Biologicals as Scientist  and worked in different capacities such as Deputy Director (Research), Joint Director (Operations SRDDL, Research and Investigations) and rose to the position of Director  in June 2006.

He has 51 research papers to his credit, 2 SRDDL reports, 12 Research Projects from different funding agencies amounting to several crores of rupees, Institutional Collaborative Projects in USA and Germany, Academic Council Member and Member of Board of Studies of KVAFSU and Davangere University, member of Governing Council Zoo Authority of India,  Karnataka Livestock Development Agency, Karnataka Sheep & Wool Development Corporation.

Guided 3 M.V.Sc students in Veterinary Parasitology, 1 in Wildlife Medicine, Member of Advisory Committee of 20 M.V.Sc and 12 Ph.D students.

Member of ASRB, VIT Vellore and Bangalore University students.

He was responsible for developing State of Art Laboratory Facilities for Animal Disease Investigation and Diagnosis and also for developing  New Vaccines like Pentavalent Blue Tongue Vaccine for sheep, Freeze Dried  Cell Culture Vaccine for CSF(Classical Swine Fever).

He received Best Veterinarian Award by Karnataka Veterinary Association and Best Paper Award at National Symposium on Wild animal diseases.

Course Director for 14 Training programe for Veterinary Officers of South Indian States and also Co Course Director for many National Training in Veterinary Parasitology at the Centre of Advanced Faculty Training in the Veterinary College, Bangalore.( thanks to Dr PS Banerjee,IVRI for providing this input) . 

PARASITOLOGIST  P.D. JUYAL 

On 26^th February’ 2016, Prof (Dr) Prayag Dutt Juyal, a noted Veterinary Parasitologist, academician and administrator joined Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University (NDVSU), Jabalpur as Vice Chancellor.

Born in a tiny village of Uttarakhand  on 5^th January’ 1955,after his family shifted to western UP,  he completed his graduation from Meerut University,Meerut in 1973.  Realizing his bent of mind, pursued Veterinary Science as career and graduated from GBPUAT,Pantnagar (1977) and  completed his Masters in Veterinary Parasitology from GBPUAT (1979) and Doctorate from Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU), Hisar (1987). He garnered a rich experience of  35 years of academic, research management and administration remaining in association with different universities viz GBPUAT, Pantnagar; RAU (Pusa), Bihar; CCSHAU, Hisar; Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana. He became Professor and Head of Department of Veterinary Parasitology and  his sincerity, devotion and commitment to work raised him to the position of Registrar, GADVASU where he served the university for a period of 4.8 years (2010-2015) .He also held the additional responsibility of Comptroller, GADVASU during the period.  About a year ago, after superannuation, he worked as Director (R & D), in PTU affiliated College.

 During his academic career, he has been honored with awards and recognition viz college merit certificate; graduate teaching assistant ship  (1978); ICAR Senior Research Fellowship (1983); Travel Bursary Award (1993), Prof B V Rao Gold Medal (1998); Fellow of National Academy of Veterinary Sciences, NAVS (2005); Prof V S Alwar Memorial Award (2006); Shiksha Rattan Puruskar (2007); Fellow of Indian Association for Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology,IAAVP (2007); Scientist Award from Indian Society for Veterinary Immunology and Biotechnology, ISVIB (2010 & 2013) and Fellow of National Academy of Dairy Sciences,(India) NADSI (2014).

He has to his credit more than 200 publications and 3 books. He has also been associated with Societies and Councils in different scientific initiatives and held the position of Vice – President of IAAVP. He had been the member, Academic Council, CSK HPKVV, Palampur (HP), Chhattisgarh Kamadhenu University, Raipur,(Chhattisgarh), and  Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) Izatnagar and on the editorial board of Journal of Parasitic diseases ( Springer India ), Journal of laboratory physicians (AIIMS New Delhi) ,Journal veterinary and animal sciences, Lahore and Journal of animal research. During his scientific endeavor, he visited   United Kingdom, Japan and China.

ICAR NATIONAL FELLOW

PROF M.C. AGRAWAL 

On 12 January 1995 , Prof MC Agrawal was selected as ICAR national fellow which happened first time in the history of Parasitology in India as well as in the history of Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur to work on different aspects of schistosomiasis. He developed many unique techniques that will help in future studies of schistosomiasis- special mention may be made about cultivating and infecting large number of snails in polythene bags or artificial cement tank , ear-pinna polythene method of infecting large animals (goats,pigs) with counted number of schistosome cercariea and tullu vertical water pump for perfusing large animals for recovering alive schistosomes.The domestic animals behaved differently with different schistosome species. For instance local cattle breed at Jabalpur do not show clinical form of nasal schistosomiasis while S.spindale is more pathogenic in them; goats when infected simultaneously with cercariea of S.spindale and S.incognitum were able to get rid off latter schistosome species with presence of only male S.spindale at the end of the experiment.Interestingly, Praziquental was  not very effective while triclabendazole at the dose rate of 20mg /kg body weight was effective in curing nasal schistosomiasis in Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh

Dr Agrawal fulfilled a great gap by publishing a book entitled "Schistosomes and schistosomiasis in South Asia"  from Springer in 2012 as there was no book on the subject although work on the topic was continued in this subcontinent since more than a century. 
The biodata and list of publications of Prof MC Agrawal can be viewed in this blog itself by going to the specific site. 

ICAR EMERITUS SCIENTIST

I do not have complete list of the Parasitologists who were awarded emeritus scientist by ICAR. I am mentioning only few names which I remember as emeritus scientist with the request to add the list. (My request to DDG HRD, ICAR has not resulted any response till date).

DR B. P PANDE , He was perhaps the first retired Parasitologist (Prof of Mathura Veterinary College) who was awarded emeritus scientist. perhaps in 1970 or so.  He worked at Lucknow

DR B V RAO  He was retired Prof of Tirupati. Perhaps he has worked on some aspects of amphistomes.

DR B B BHATIA He was retired Prof of Pantanagar .He has worked on some aspects of sarcocystosis. Perhaps it was in the year 1996-98

DR MC AGRAWAL He was retired Prof of Jabalpur. He was awarded  to work on field control of schistosomiasis. he worked from  July 2005 to June , 2007

DR MOHD HAFEEZ He was retired Prof of Tirupati. He was awarded to work on some aspects of cysticercosis , perhaps in the year 2011-2013.

                

DR SC DUTT MEMORIAL KEY NOTE ADDRESS IN NCVP

7th Dr SC Dutt memorial lecture

I am pleased to post Dr SC Dutt memorial key note address that was presented by Dr Kolandaswamy in the 25th National Congress of Veterinary Parasitology in Feb 2016. This is the continuation of Dr SC Dutt memorial lectures that were initiated in 1996 at College of Veterinary Science and AH,Jabalpur MP but faced with problems hence requested to IAAVP to transfer it in the national congress of Veterinary Parasitology so that the lecture can be held every year in the presence of the Parasitologists. In that sense this may be considered as 7th Dr SC Dutt memorial lecture.
I am reproducing the para informing about the decision of IAAVP , for record :

 It is a matter of great pleasure that 24th general body meeting  of  IAAVP ( Indian Association for Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology ) ,held at Kerala Veterinary College , Mannuthy  on  7^th Feb 2014 has approved our  request and IAAVP executive council’s decision as communicated  by its secretary Professor SK Gupta, Hisar  to me on  26th March 2014 . Accordingly, it is resolved vide its Agenda no. 8 that hence forth the keynote address, delivered by an eminent Parasitologist , in the annual national conference of IAAVP will be termed as  DR SC DUTT MEMORIAL KEYNOTE ADDRESS/lecture . Obviously, this key note address will be available on the website of IAAVP, as and when it becomes operational though I will be glad to upload the same on my blog www. Indianparasitologists.blogspot.com  as soon as it becomes available . By this gesture, Dr SC Dutt will be remembered each year by the Parasitologists of the country and hopefully more and more young Parasitologists will read the book “Remembering DR SC Dutt :The Parasitologist “ to know more about this eminent scientist and to study the previous lectures delivered at College of Veterinary Science & AH Jabalpur (the book is published in 2015 by Har Anand Publications Pvt Ltd, New Delhi ); perhaps, following lines of an anonymous poet are most suitable for late Professor SC Dutt   :

Where have they all gone, those simple men with great character,

those unsung heroes with fine minds, but little riches.

Alas, times have changed , there are many making loud noises,

some with much riches, but few with Sense and substance---Anon

I am thankful to Dr A Sangaran, Professor of Parasitology, Chennai and Dr SK Gupta, Hisar for forwarding me the key note address which i am posting with out any modifications.

CURRENT SCENARIO ON ZOONOTIC AND VECTOR BORNE DISEASES IN TAMILNADU 

DR KOLANDASWAMY, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH , GOVT OF TAMIL NADU

Under the dynamic leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, all the Health programmes including Zoonotic and vector borne diseases control activities are being implemented effectively by the Health and Family Welfare Department with the long term objectives of Vision 2023.

Zoonotic diseases are infections that are naturally transmitted, either directly or indirectly, between vertebrate animals and humans. The pathogens that cause zoonotic diseases are bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites or protozoa.  The pathogen infects directly through skin to skin contact from an infected animal or by consuming of diseased animal products. These products can be infected faeces, urine, saliva, blood, milk or other bodily fluids. A bite of an animal also directly transfers the pathogen to humans as well.

In prevention and control of Zoonotic and Vector Borne Diseases in the State, various measures were taken in coordination with various stakeholders. The budget allotted for control of Zoonotic and Vector Borne Diseases are considerably increased by the State and Central Governments every year.

Rabies is considered to be one of the Zoonotic diseases of importance in the state. In early 2000, around 50 to 60 deaths happen in the state. Now, with 24 recorded deaths in 2013 and around 8 lakh dog bites, there is a 50% reduction in the rabies cases. This is achieved by reducing the exposure of people to the rabid dog, by reducing the stray dog population and increase in the awareness of the community. State government have also introduced anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulins at primary health centre level, so that dog bite patients can access to immediate care. Also, a new initiative of Rabies-free district is planned and is under implementation. For this The Nilgiris district is identified.

Anthrax is a disease caused by the spores of bacteria Bacillus Anthracis It causes enlargement of spleen. It is carried from animal to human population. This disease was not reported in humans in routine, although cases from cattle were reported sporadically. Surveillance of the people who have close contact with the cattle including, dairy farm workers and meat handlers are under surveillance for occurrence of the illness.

Leptospirosis being one of the reemerging infections of zoonotic origin, it requires timely diagnosis, treatment and control measures. Leptospirosis is being reported from most of the districts of Tamil Nadu. To strengthen the surveillance system and for early diagnosis of leptospirosis, 7 leptospirosis clinics are functioning in Thiruvallur and Madurai Districts. For screening of fever cases, IgM ELISA kits are procured and supplied to the 9 Zonal Entomological Teams, Institute of Vector Control & Zoonoses, Hosur, District Public Health Laboratories and Medical college labs. Outbreak investigation of leptospirosis is carried out by Zonal Entomological Teams and IVCZ, Hosur. Ensuring of chlorination in drinking water and pipeline breakage survey in the affected area are carried out for the control and prevention of the disease.  A State Level Reference Laboratory is functioning at State Head Quarters to provide laboratory confirmation and training. During the year of 2011-12, 3616 Leptospirosis cases recorded in the State and it has been gradually reduced to 1556 during the year 2014-15.  For the current year, 1190 cases were recorded as on December 2015.

The State have taken effective steps on control of JE /AES Cases in multi-pronged strategy a comprehensive National  Programme on Prevention and Control of JE/AES with the  participation of concerned Ministries/Departments has been launched. The goal of the Programme is to reduce morbidity, mortality and disability in children due to JE/AES.

While the state recorded 24 deaths due to rabies and more than eight lakh dog bites in 2013, data available with the department of public health shows that the number of rabies deaths has reduced by close to 50% over the last four years, thanks to concentrated sterilization and vaccination drives.

As per the records, 29 rabies deaths were recorded in 2010. There was a steep rise in 2011 which saw 42 such deaths. The following year, 28 rabies deaths were recorded. On the average, state government hospitals see 100 dog bite cases daily. "In the early 2000s, around 50 to 60 deaths were recorded annually," said the While the state recorded 24 deaths due to rabies and more than eight lakh dog bites in 2013, data available with the department of public health shows that the number of rabies deaths has reduced by close to 50% over the last four years, thanks to concentrated sterilization and vaccination drives.

As per the records, 29 rabies deaths were recorded in 2010. There was a steep rise in 2011 which saw 42 such deaths. The following year, 28 rabies deaths were recorded. On the average, state government hospitals see 100 dog bite cases daily. "In the early 2000s, around 50 to 60 deaths were recorded annually," said the While the state recorded 24 deaths due to rabies and more than eight lakh dog bites in 2013, data available with the department of public health shows that the number of rabies deaths has reduced by close to 50% over the last four years, thanks to concentrated sterilization and vaccination drives.

As per the records, 29 rabies deaths were recorded in 2010. There was a steep rise in 2011 which saw 42 such deaths. The following year, 28 rabies deaths were recorded. On the average, state government hospitals see 100 dog bite cases daily. "In the early 2000s, around 50 to 60 deaths were recorded annually," said the

The National Filaria Control Programme is being implemented in Tamil Nadu since 1957. There were 14 filaria endemic districts namely, Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur, Vellore ,Cuddalore, Villupuram, Trichy, Perambalur, Pudukottai, Thiruvannamalai, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Ariyalur, Nagapattinam, Kanniyakumari in the State. Under Filaria Control Programme , 25 Filaria Control Units have been established filaria control activities are carried out in 43 urban areas through Night Clinics (44) and Filaria and Malaria Clinics(42) and conduct anti larval operation. Larvicides and tablets (Di-ethyl Carbamazine (DEC) and Albendozole) are procured from Government of India funds.

Single dose Mass DEC Drug Administration programme (MDA) is being carried out from 1997-98 in all endemic districts. The Mass Drug Administration programme was conducted in endemic districts with the objective to bring down the mf rate to less than 1.

The filarial cases are in declining trend due to the continued effort of the department.  During the year 2008, 89 micro filarial positive cases were recorded in the endemic districts of the State and now drastically decreased to 9 micro filarial cases in three endemic districts.

Although the incidence of malaria declined significantly, it continues to remain an important public health issue. No death have been recorded under malaria affected districts. While the number of cases has shown a steady decline, still it is reported in few urban and rural areas in Tamil Nadu viz., Chennai, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tiruvannamalai and Kanniyakumari Districts. The total number of positive cases recorded in the State last year was 8714.  Till now in the current year, 379 malaria cases have been reported.  The vector control initiatives are now taken up by the local bodies in a comprehensive manner.

For the prevention and control of Dengue, various steps are taken by the department including

•         State Level and District level Epidemic co-ordination committee meeting for action plan against implementation of Dengue control.

•         Intensive driving being undertaken for source reduction of mosquitoes and effective case management of fever cases.

•         Indigenous traditional Indian Medicine such as Nila Vembu, Malai Vembu and papaya leaf juices are given to public based on the guidance of our Hon’ble Chief Minister which had a remarkable effect.

•         Daily fever surveillance is done in all Primary Health Centres, Taluk Hospitals, District Hospitals, Medical College Hospitals and Private Hospitals.

•         Medical camps are conducted to check fever.

•         All doctors are oriented on Dengue case management protocols.

•         People are educated on the care of Dengue affected patients.

•         IEC materials with message on Dengue and Chikungunya like corrugated boards have been prepared and displayed.

•         Short film has been prepared and distributed to all districts screening

Daily fever admission for all fevers in the Government and Private Medical Institutions are monitored and analysed.  We have taken specific precaution steps for Zika viral diseases and alert the important stakeholders in the state.

Health awareness activities among the various stakeholders were taken effectively for the control of Vector Borne Diseases and Zoonotic diseases. The State Public Health Department established 104- Health Help line functioning round the clock at the Directorate. A 24x7 epidemic control room is functioning for effective real time disease monitoring and media scanning.

In recent times, emerging zoonotic diseases are posing threat to Tamil Nadu including Ebola and ZIKA from other countries and Kyasanur forest disease from nearby states. Constant vigil on the disease surveillance is needed for better prevention and control of zoonotic and vector borne diseases.

Organised public health efforts, inter-sectoral coordination, community participation and international collaboration are needed for prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging diseases. One health approach is a strategic way of controlling zoonotic diseases. Govt. of Tamil Nadu is taking above measures for the prevention and control of the zoonotic diseases in the state.