DR. SALIMUZZAMAN SIDDIQUI

19 October 1897 - 14 April 1994

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THEMATIC SUPPLEMENT OCTOBER 19, 2011 Our own Einstein: A visionary Dr Salimuzzaman Siddiqui scientist By Dr Ahmed S. Khan man of the drafting committee many national and internation- Khan to establish the drug re- value systems and peace in Dr. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui, HI, MBE, SI, D.Phil, of the Science Com- al academic honours. search institute in Tibbi Col- modern times, he observed, was a leading Pakistani scientist in Natural IF YOU are thinking a year ahead, mission, Chairman of the Paki- The eminent scientist was lege, . During his 10-year “At the end I would like to cite sow seed. If you are thinking 10 stan Council of Science and born on October 19, 1897, to tenure as the director of the a verse from the great poet-sage Products . As the founder director of years ahead, plant a tree. If you are Technology, Director of the In- Chaudri Muhammad Zaman. institute, he carried out exten- of Shiraz—Sheikh Saadi: ‘Bani thinking 100 years ahead, make stitute of Chemistry, and His elder brother, Chaudhri sive research studies on the Adam A’azai yak Digarand (the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, he people aware. By sowing seed once, founder of Hussain Ebrahim Kaliquzzaman, a prominent isolation and chemical struc- children of Adam are like limbs you harvest once. By planting a Jamal (H.E.J.) Research Institute Muslim League leader, was one ture of and other of one another)’. If there is any revolutionised the research on tree, you will harvest tenfold. By of Chemistry, University of of the founding fathers of Pa- physiologically active constitu- place for the simple wisdom of opening the minds of people, you . He was elected as a kistan. After graduating from ents of a number of plants used this verse in modern times, it of various domestic plants found in South Asia will harvest a hundredfold. fellow of the Royal Society of Aligarh in 1919, Dr Siddiqui for medicinal purposes by the may serve to keep to the irra- — Chinese proverb London in 1961. He published attended the University of Hukaa’mah. tional component of the hu- to extract novel chemical substances of Indeed, people who look over 400 research papers and am Main from 1921- He believed that a scientist man psyche under control, al- 100 years ahead build institu- must study history, literature lowing the peaceful operations medicinal importance. In addition to his tions and spread awareness. Dr and philosophy, in order to of science to overcome the Salimuzzaman Siddiqui played “At the end I would like to cite a become a sophisticated thinker baneful influences of material scientific talents, Siddiqui was also an avid a pivotal role in the promotion or acquire high language profi- and ideology on mankind.” and propagation of scientific verse from the great poet-sage of ciency. Dr Siddiqui conducted In Pakistan, the state of painter, a poet, and a great connoisseur of music education and research in Pa- Shiraz—Sheikh Saadi: ‘Bani Adam extensive research on Neem science and technology educa- By Mohammad Ayaz Abdal his lab where he was totally Born in a well known family kistan. One of the famous stu- (Melia azadirachata) and other tion and research is stagnant, immersed in his work and los- of Subeha () dents of Albert Einstein, Dr A’azai yak Digarand (the children of bitter plants. In the 1990s he even deteriorating. Many sci- IT WAS in the wee hours of ing all context of time. near on 19 October Raziuddin Siddiqui, while pay- was still isolating new com- entists in Pakistan claim to morning that the telephone This story has been narrated 1897, he received his early edu- ing tribute to Dr Siddiqui, ob- Adam are like limbs of one another)’. pounds from Neem. When have published hundreds of rang. I am talking about the to me by my late grandmother. cation in and Persian. He served, “There are not many asked about his perseverance, research papers, but yet their late 50s when having the land- I was just a twinkle in my fa- also developed interest in liter- instances in the history of sci- If there is any place for the simple he humbly recited Faiz: contribution towards the ad- line telephone was a sign of ther’s eyes. ature, poetry and calligraphy ence where great research work- Kai bar iss key khatir zurreh vancement of knowledge re- luxury. My grandfather picked I was reading an interview from his father Sheikh Moham- ers are also great organisers and wisdom of this verse in modern ka jegar cheerah / Magar chash- mains insignificant. Academia up the phone waking up from of Dr. Siddiqui where he men- mad Zaman. His elder brother promoters of the subject. But, may-haran key haraney nahein in Pakistan needs to acknowl- deep sleep and with a fear in tioned the importance of hard Choudhry Khaliq-uz-Zaman as with other such rules, there times, it may serve to keep to the jahtee (Many times I have sliced edge the great services ren- his heart that something has work and research and narrat- was a famous leader of the Pa- are honourable exceptions in irrational component of the human the core of the particle / But dered by Dr Siddiqui by edu- gone wrong somewhere. ed an event when one of the kistan Movement. The young this one also, Dr Siddiqui the curiosity of my curious eyes cating the young generation The voice on the other side scientist was disheartened as Salim uz Zaman and his family belongs to this category of ex- psyche under control, allowing the never vanishes). and by establishing scholar- pleaded to him, “Salam, for he/she was doing research for have been mentioned affection- ceptions.” Then he recited Ghalib: ships, science projects and God’s sake bring him back over one year on a certain as- ately by QuratulAin Hider in He made significant contri- peaceful operations of science to Kaya khoob hay ka sub koo chairs in his name. Nowadays, from the lab. He is there for signment which was not going her autobiography “Kar-e-jahan butions in developing the sci- milay aik sa jawab / aa’oh kay Islamabad needs a visionary the past four days.” anywhere. Dr. Siddiqui ex- Daraaz Hai” as they were quite ence and technology infrastruc- overcome the baneful influences of hum bhi sair karain koh-e-toor key. and pioneer like him, who can Within five minutes, my plained his own experience known in Lucknow society. Af- ture in Pakistan. He laid the (It is not necessary that every- revive the declining state of grandfather was in his Morris when he worked for years and ter getting his graduation in foundations of research and material and ideology on mankind.” one finds the same answer / science and technology educa- Minor driving down to Karachi finally found out his original Persian and Philosophy (a very development work in Pakistan come let’s visit Mount Toor tion and research, and bring University. The person on the premises was not correct. The interesting choice for one of the by establishing PCSIR research Dr. Salimuzzam Siddiqui (Sinai). them to a par with interna- other line was the German wife job of the scientist, he argued, brightest minds of chemistry), labs in Karachi, , Islam- Dr Siddiqui believed in the tional standards. of Dr. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui. is to dedicate himself to pure he proceeded to England to abad, , Rajshahi, and application of science for the Dr Ahmed S. Khan is a profes- When all things fail, she used research and hard work. No- pursue medicine. . Dr Siddiqui was was granted 50 patents. Dr Sid- 27. After completing his doc- service of mankind. In an arti- sor in the College of Engineering to call my grandfather to prac- body can control the results. However upon the advice of the founder of the Pakistan diqui, in recognition of his con- toral degree, he returned home cle titled, Contribution of sci- & Information Sciences, DeVry tice his fine arts of persuasion His life was a true embodi- his elder brother to study Chem- Academy of Sciences, Chair- tributions to research, received and was asked by Hakim Ajmal ence in the context of human University, Addison, IL,US. to bring Dr. Siddiqui out of ment of this principle. Continued on page 02 An eminent chemist, Pakistan Biotechnology a diversified personality Information Center (PABIC) EARLY LIFE: Siddiqui was to study chemistry. In 1924, he PIONEERING RE- treatment of mental disorders born in Subeha (Barabanki married his German classmate, SEARCH: Siddiqui's first and cardiovascular ailments, District) near Lucknow on 19 Ethel Wilhelmina Schneeman. breakthrough in research came especially as antiarrhythmic October 1897. He received his He received Doctor of Philos- when he successfully isolated agents in Brugada syndrome. early education from Lucknow, ophy under the supervision of an in DISCOVERIES FROM both in the Urdu and Persian Prof Julius Von Bram in 1927. 1931 from the roots of Rauwol- NEEM: Siddiqui was the first languages, and soon developed On his return, he established fia serpentina. He named the scientist to bring the anthelm- The Pakistan Biotechnology Information Center (PABIC), located at interest in literature, poetry, the Ayurvedic and Unani Tibbi newly discovered chemical intic, , antibacterial, Latif Ebrahim Jamal National Science Information Center, is a first and calligraphy from his father Research Institute at the Tibbia compound as , after and antiviral constituents of Sheikh Muhammad Zaman. College Delhi, under the guid- his mentor the Neem tree to the attention national non-profit organization under the patronage of International He graduated in Philosophy ance of Hakim Ajmal Khan. who was one of the illustrious of natural products chemists. and Persian language, from He was appointed its first Di- practitioners of Unani system In 1942, he extracted three Service for Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA) and M.A.O College (that would rector. However, soon after the of medicine in South bitter compounds from neem National Commission on Biotechnology. The initiative of the later become Aligarh Muslim death of Hakim Ajmal Khan, Asia.Later on, Siddiqui also oil, which he named as University) in 1919. Siddiqui left the post. In 1940, extracted other alkaloids from nimbin, nimbinin, and nimbi- establishment of Pakistan Biotechnology Information Center is an In 1920, Siddiqui proceed- he joined Indian Council for Rauwolfia serpentina that in- din respectively. The process ed to University College Lon- Scientific and Industrial Re- cluded Ajmalinine, Ajmalicine involved extracting the water attempt to promote the multidisciplinary research and enhance the don to study medicine. How- search where he worked until (C21H24N2O3), Isoajmaline, insoluble components with awareness and appreciation of biotechnology at the local and national ever, after one year of pre- 1951 when he migrated to Pa- Neoajmaline, Serpentine and ether, petrol ether, ethyl acetate medical studies, he moved to kistan on the request of PM Serpentinine. Many of these and dilute alcohol. The provi- levels. The PABIC also work to design educational approaches to train Frankfurt University in 1921 . are still used worldwide for Continued on page 02 interdisciplinary scientist in emerging area of health, agriculture, bioinformatics and environmental biotechnology. Pakistan has several good institutions currently working on various aspects of biotechnology. There are a number of universities which offer various degrees in this discipline. However there is a serious lack of appreciation of biotechnology at the public and industrial levels PABIC and ISAAA are working with the aims to enhance the global distribution of information about the biotechnology specifically about crop biotechnology to fight against the hunger and poverty in Pakistan.

Contact: Director, PABIC L.E.J. National Science Information Center International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan For more details kindly visit our website: http://www.pabic.com.pk/ 2 THEMATIC EDITION - DR. SALIMUZZAMAN SIDDIQUI DAY

Continued from page 01: Dr. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui - An eminent chemist, an exemplary artist sional naming was nimbin (sul- en the Sitara-e-Imtiaz for distin- until 1990. Later on, he contin- ents, Siddiqui was also a re- culture. In 1966, he was at the phur-free crystalline product guished merit in the fields of ued research in his personal fined poet, musician, and a forefront for setting up the A dedicated, enthusiast with melting point at 205 °C, science and medicine, in 1962. laboratory. painter. In August 1924, he Central Institute of Arts and empirical composition Siddiqui remained the director DEATH AND LEGACY: held his first international ex- Crafts in Karachi He also com- C7H10O2), nimbinin (with and chairman of PCSIR until Siddiqui died on 14 April 1994 hibition of paintings in Frank- piled a selection of poetry of similar principle, melting at the time of his retirement in due to cardiac arrest after a furt. Later in 1927, his works into Intekhab-e- and exemplary painter 192 °C), and nimbidin (cream- 1966. In that year, the President brief illness in Karachi. He was of art were exhibited at the Meer. In 1983, he published a coloured containing amor- portfolio collection of charcoal AS A man of diversified inter- Main in August 1924. the Goethe Institute in Paki- phous sulphur, melting at 90–- drawings from 1920 to 1950s. ests and capable of performing In 1928, he sent some of stan, issued his painting of 100 °C). Siddiqui identified Born: 19 October 1897, Lucknow, British On 14 April 1999, the Paki- various functions side by side, his drawings and paintings to Amir Khusro on its greeting nimbidin as the main active Died: 14 April 1994 (aged 96), Karachi, Pakistan stan Post, as part of its 'Scien- Dr. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui an exhibition in Bangalore; his card in 1985. anti-bacterial ingredient, and tists of Pakistan' series, issued proved his skill equally well in unorthodox representation of By 1989, Dr. Siddiqui had the highest yielding bitter com- Nationality: Pakistani a commemorative stamp to ho- the field of arts. He was actively the sitting Buddha created attained the age of 92 years ponent in the neem oil. These Fields: Organic chemistry nour the contributions and interested in literature, poetry quite a law and order situation, and his general health condi- compounds are stable and services of Siddiqui. In the and calligraphy. He was in- while the art critic of 'The Hin- tions were not good. He fell found in substantial quantities Institutions: Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial same year, the street leading to volved in drawing, painting du daily 'Venkatachalam wrote seriously ill and was hospital- in the Neem. They also serve PCSIR Laboratories Complex and even in sculpture right a charming critical appreciation ized at the Aga Khan Hospital, as natural insecticides. Research (PCSIR), H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, in Karachi was named as from his school days. in his defence. He also held Karachi. The same year he un- In acknowledgement of Karachi University, Alma mater Aligarh Muslim University Shahrah-e-Dr. Salim-uz-Zaman He used to watch his elder occasional exhibitions of his derwent an operation for cata- these revolutionary discoveries, Siddiqui. Siddiqui was also brother Samiuz-zaman at his paintings in Delhi. His visit to ract. He was not suffering from he was awarded the Order of Doctoral advisor: Julius Von Bram, Doctoral students: r$emembered by his students painting work for hours. With Jamini Roy's exhibition in Cal- any major disease but of dete- the British Empire in 1946. and colleagues, many of whom this background, he became cutta in 1940 led to a highly riorating physique. He was re- In his later career, Siddiqui Prof. Dr. Bina S. Siddiqui and Prof. Dr. Abdul Malik continued to dedicate their keenly interested in various productive period. admitted in Aga Khan Hospi- continued to discover and iso- Known for: Natural Products Research, Chemical international research and pub- modern trends of painting in Dr. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui tal in the last week of February late numerous unique anti- lications to his memory.In Europe when he was studying also took keen interest in poet- 1994 due to cardiac arrest. He bacterial compounds from var- Constituents of Neem and Rauwolfia serpentica 2002, a research article was chemistry in . He was ry. Having a flair for Arabic breathed his last in the hospital ious parts (leaves, bark, etc.) of Notable awards: Fellow of the Royal Society, Hilal-i- published in the journal Tetra- overawed by the paintings of and :Persian, more specially for in the early hours of April 14, the Neem and other plants. He hedron in which, authors Faizi VanGogh, Franz Marc and the Ghalib and Meer, he also com- 1994. His Nimaz-. Jinazawas had more than 50 chemical Imtiaz, MBE, Pride of Performance, Sitara-i-Imtiaz, and Naz dedicated their break- early period of Picasso. He ven- piled his own 'Intekhab-i-Meer'. attended by the elitesof the city compounds patented in his through research to the mem- tured on his first drawing at After migration to Pakistan and notable persons belonging name in addition to those dis- Tamgha-i-Pakistan ory of Siddiqui, their mentor. the age of 24 in early 1922. Dr. Siddiqui continued his in- to all walks of life. covered as a result of his joint Dr. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui is In 1927, he managed to dulgence mostly in drawing in Dr. Siddique contributed research with other colleagues consider one of the prominent hold the exhibition of his charcoal and Chinese ink. His more than 400 research papers, and students. Most of these of Pakistan awarded him the buried in the Karachi Univer- Uzielli Gallery, Frankfurt. Dur- Chemist Scientist in Pakistan. paintings at the Uzielli Gallerie selected works were reproduced developed about 50 formula- discoveries still remain vital nat- Pride of Performance Medal sity Graveyard. Despite his ing his stay in Germany, he AWARDS AND HO- in Frankfurt and earned about in a folder by M/s Elite Pub- tions of pharmaceutical in por- ural ingredients of various med- for the respectable completion death, the academic and re- also translated Rainer Maria NOURS: Siddiqui was a a 1,000 gold Marks, from the lishers. He `released his port- tance and guided a large num- icines as well as biopesticides. of his service. search institutes that he Rilke's poetry into Urdu, which founder-member of the Indian sale of his paintings. Before folio of 15 charcoal drawings ber of Ph.D students in the RESEARCH LEADERSHIP: In 1967, Siddiqui was invited founded during more than 65 was published in the journal and Pakistan Academies of Sci- this he held his first paintings on April 7,1983 which covers field of natural products chem- After the emergence of Pakistan by University of Karachi to set years of his research career are of . ences, and later a founder exhibition at Gallerie Schames his collection from 1920 to istry. The span of his research in 1947, Siddiqui was entrusted up a Postgraduate Institute of still contributing to the inter- Though, his passion for arts member of the international also in Frankfurt-on-the-river- 50s. A painter par excellence, activities spread over 65 years. by the Chemistry in affiliation with national level research in nat- was superseded by the enthusi- body, the Third World Acade- in 1951 to organise scientific the Department of Chemistry. ural products chemistry. asm in scientific research, he my of Sciences. He received research activities. In 1953, he He was designated as the insti- As a person of multiple tal- continued to patronise arts and multiple awards and honour. founded the Pakistan Academy tute's Founder Director, of Sciences as a non-political whereas the additional research Courtesy: Dr Ghulam Nabi Kazi Dr Salimuzzaman think tank of distinguished sci- staff was provided by PCSIR. Siddiqui and entists in the country. During In 1976, the institute was of- Dr Kamal seen in this the same year, he also estab- fered a generous donation from PCSIR group. lished the Pakistan Council of Hussain Jamal Foundation, as Scientific and Industrial Re- a result of which it was renamed search (PCSIR) in Karachi. The as Hussain Ebrahim Jamal Re- aim of PCSIR was to support search Institute of Chemistry. the industrial infrastructure In due time, Siddiqui trans- through research and develop- formed the institute into a ment. The regional laboratories distinguished centre of inter- Dr Salimuzzaman Sid- of the institution were located national excellence in the field diqui as a young child in Dhaka, Rajshahi and Chit- of chemistry and natural tagong (), and in products. In March 1975, he Lahore and (West headed the National Com- Pakistan). In recognition of his mission for Indigenous Medi- scientific leadership, Frankfurt cines. His tireless efforts for the University granted him the de- promotion of science and gree of D.Med. Honoris causa technology earned him Hilal- in 1958. Also in 1958, the Gov- e-Imtiaz by the Government of ernment of Pakistan awarded Pakistan in 1980. In 1983, he him with Tamgha-e-Pakistan. played a major role in the es- In 1960, he became the Presi- tablishment of the Third World dent of Pan-Indian Ocean Sci- Academy of Sciences and be- ence Association. The next came its Founding Fellow. He year, in 1961, Siddiqui was remained the director of the The Last Renaissance Man made Fellow of the Royal Soci- Hussain Ebrahim Jamal Re- ety, following which he was giv- search Institute of Chemistry

Continued from page 01: Dr. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui - The scientist who painted istry in Germany as they were and isolate 50 chemical com- versity for organizing scientific efforts for the promotion of Dr. Siddiqui breathed his the best in Chemistry, he later pounds (patented in his name) activity in Pakistan. An inter- science and technology earned last on April 14, 1994 at the decided to go to Germany to from Neem just as a result of esting point to note is that both him Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Sitara-i- age of 97. His continuing leg- study Chemistry and completed his own research in addition Dr. Salimuzzaman and Ch. Imtiaz, Hilal-i-Pakistan and acy, perhaps are his great stu- his PhD in 1927. In 1924, he to those discovered as a result Khaiquzzaman are perhaps the Pride of Performance from the dents who are continuing the married his German classmate, of his joint research with other only brothers in the history of Government of Pakistan in fine traditions of research and Ethel Wilhelmina Schneeman colleagues and students. Most Pakistan to have received Hilal- 1980. In 1983, he played a ma- service to humanity taught to (who changed her name to Talat of these discoveries still remain e-Pakistan medal. jor role – along with Dr. Abdus them by this great scientist and and was nicknamed Tilly). One vital natural ingredients of var- In 1967, Siddiqui was invited Salam – in the establishment human being. Perhaps Sade- of the interesting facts of that ious medicines as well as bio- by University of Karachi to set of the Third World Academy quein’s rubayi hold true in Dr. stay is that Ch. Khaliquzzaman pesticides. In acknowledge- up a Postgraduate Institute of of Sciences and became one of Salimuzzaman case too. provided him Rs. 10,000 for his ment of these revolutionary Chemistry in affiliation with the its Founding Fellow. He re- Chalo es baar Saahiri kar kay expenses and when they were discoveries, he was awarded the Department of Chemistry. He mained the director of the HEJ dekhoon eaten up by inflation, Hakim Order of the British Empire was designated as the institute’s Research Institute of Chemistry Kia farq hai shyari kar kay dekhon Ajmal Khan arranged Rs. 400 (OBE) in 1946. Founder Director, whereas the until 1990 when he turned the Tasweeron mein ashaar kahen per month for him to complete Dr. Salimuzzaman was given additional research staff was pro- reins to Dr. Ata Ur Rehman. hein mein nay his studies. the task of fostering scientific vided by PCSIR. In 1976, the However, he continued research Shayari mein mussawari kar kay Upon his return to India, research activities in Pakistan. institute was offered a generous in his personal laboratory. dekhon. he established and became the In 1953, he founded the Paki- donation from Hussain Jamal Dr. Salimuzzam Siddiqui, in Author blogs Ayaz Abdal’s blog. first Director of Ayurvedic and stan Academy of Sciences as a Foundation, as a result of which the tradition of many other Unani Tibbi Research Insti- non-political think tank of dis- it was renamed as Hussain Ebra- great scientists, was interested tute at the Tibbia College Del- in more than just science. He hi, under the guidance of was a refined poet, musician, Hakim Ajmal Khan. He was and a painter. In August 1924, able to observe the various he held his first international plants and herbs being used exhibition of paintings in by the great Hakim as medi- Frankfurt. Later in 1927, his cine for various ailments. works of art were exhibited at He observed that Hakim the Uzielli Gallery, Frankfurt. Ajmal Khan used snakeroot During his stay in Germany, he for ailment of mental disor- also translated Rainer Maria ders. He started his research Rilke’s poetry into Urdu, which and his first breakthrough was published in the journal of came when he successfully iso- Jamia Millia Islamia. Though, lated an antiarrhythmic agent his passion for arts was super- in 1931 from the roots of Rau- seded by the enthusiasm in wolfia serpentina. He named scientific research, he continued the newly discovered chemical to patronize arts and culture. compound as Ajmaline, after Courtesy: Dr Ghulam Nabi Kazi In 1966, he was at the forefront his mentor Hakim Ajmal Prof Salam, Dr Mehdi Hasan and Prof Salimuzzaman for setting up the Central In- Khan. Later on, Siddiqui also discuss an issue in the PCSIR stitute of Arts and Crafts in extracted other alkaloids from Karachi. He also compiled a Rauwolfia. Many of these are Salimuzzam Siddiqui was the first selection of poetry of Mir Taqi still used worldwide for treat- Mir into Intekhab-e-Meer. In ment of mental disorders and scientist to bring the , 1983, he published a portfolio cardiovascular ailments, espe- collection of charcoal drawings cially as antiarrhythmic agents antifungal, antibacterial, and from 1920 to 1950s. in Brugada syndrome. After antiviral constituents of the Neem I still remember when he the death of Hakim Ajmal, he attended a literary program of joined Indian Council of Sci- tree to the attention of natural PTV where he spent about half entific and Industrial Research an hour just explaining the and later migrated to Pakistan products chemists. He was able to meaning of the first line of Gha- in 1951 upon the request of identify and isolate 50 chemical lib’s Divan Naqsh Faryadi hai Prime Minister Nawabzada Li- kis ki shauqi-e-tehreer ka (About aquat Ali Khan. compounds (patented in his name) whose mischievousness of writ- He later shifted his focus to from Neem just as a result of his ing is the image a plaintiff). He Neem. Salimuzzam Siddiqui traced the origin of this line to was the first scientist to bring own research the first couplet of Misnavi the anthelmintic, antifungal, Maulana Raum. He also related antibacterial, and antiviral con- tinguished scientists in the him Jamal (HEJ) Research Insti- this to the Sufi philosophy of stituents of the Neem tree to country. He also served as one tute of Chemistry. Wahdatul Wajood, that we are the attention of natural prod- of the founding member of In due time, Siddiqui trans- all part of the same light and ucts chemists. In 1942, he ex- Pakistan Atomic Commission formed the institute into a dis- we all feel unhappy as in our tracted three bitter compounds in 1956 and established Paki- tinguished centre of internation- physical form we are being sep- from Neem oil, which he stan Council of Scientific and al excellence in the field of arated from the great light or named as nimbin, nimbinin, Industrial Research (PCSIR) chemistry and natural products. Noor. His method of explana- and nimbidin respectively. in Karachi. He was awarded In March 1975, he headed the tion was so simple that it is still From 1942 to the end of his various medals by the Govern- National Commission for In- fresh in my memory after quar- career, he was able to identify ment and the Frankfurt Uni- digenous Medicine. His tireless ter of a century.