B. P. Pal, Ph. D. Padma Vi Bhushan, , President, ISGPB – 1947 – 1948, 1957, 1977

Born on May 26 , 1906 Mukandpur, Punjab, British . Dr. Pal completed his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees at and completed his Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge. The first Director of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Dr. Pal was one of the foremost scientists in wheat genetics and breeding. He remained a bachelor and donated his property to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

Awards and Honours: He has the distinction of receiving the in 1959, the Padma Bhushan in 1968 and the . He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1972.

Research Area: His main fields of research were Genetics and Plant Breeding.

The Platinum Jubilee Book Prof. M. S. Swaminathan, Ph.D. Padma Vi Bhushan, Padma Bhushan Padma Shri , World Food Prize Laureate, President, ISGPB - 1964, 1975, 1983

Born on August 7, 1925 at Kumbakonam, India, Dr Swaminathan educated at Madras and Cambridge Universities. Former Member of Rajya Sabha, Govt. of India; presently he is UNESCO Cousteau Chair in Ecotechnology; Chairman, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai; Chairman, High Level Panel of Experts to the World Committee on Food Security (2010 onwards). He also served as Chairman, National Commission on Farmers of India (2004-06); President, Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs (2002-07); President, World Wide Fund for Nature (India) (1989-96); President, International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (1984-90); Dir. Gen. International Rice Res. Institute (IRRI), Los Banos, Philippines (1982-88); Chairman, UN Science Advisory Committee (1980); Independent Chairman, FAO Council (1981-85); Member, Planning Commission and Chairman, Scientific Adv. Committee to Cabinet, Govt. of India (1980-82); Principal Secretary, Min. of Agri. and Irrigation, Govt. of India (1979-80); Director General, Indian Council of Agri. Res (1972-79) and Director, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (1966-72).

Awards/Honours: He has the distinction of receiving the several awards, including Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize (1961); Padma Shri (1967); Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership (1971); Padma Bhushan (1972); Albert Einstein World Science Award (1986); First World Food Prize (1987); Padma Vibhushan (1989); UNESCO Gandhi Gold Medal, (1999); Franklin D Roosevelt Four Freedoms Medal, Netherlands (2000); Volvo and Tyler Prize for Environment; Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development (2000); Sahametrei Medal of Royal Govt. of Cambodia (2007); Life time Achievement Award of All India Management Association (2007); Golden Peacock Life Time Achievement Award (2007); Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award (2007); Shining World Leadership Award, Singapore (2007); ISCA Award (2007-2008); Recipient of 70 honorary doctorates from universities around the world. He is a fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences (1957); Indian National Science Academy (1962); National Academy of Sciences, India (1976); Royal Society, London (1973); National Academy of Sciences, USA (1977); Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences (1978); Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry (1983); National Academy of Arts and Sciences, USA (1984); Accad. Naz. Delle Sciencz detta del XL, Italy (1985); European Academy of Arts, Science and Humanities (1988); Am. Assn. for the Advancement of Science and Founder Fellow, TWAS (1983). Research Areas: His main fields of research are Cytogenetics, plant breeding, agriculture, biodiversity & eco-development. The Platinum Jubilee Book T. S. Venkatraman, Ph.D. Padma Bhushan, President, ISGPB – 1941

Born on June15, 1884 was a plant breeder. In response to a call from Pundit Madan Mohan Malaviya, he made it his mission to develop high-yielding varieties of sugarcane for manufacturing sugar and making it available as a sweetening agent and an energy source for the malnourished children of India. Using Saccharum officinarum, then under cultivation in India, as the female parent, he artificially fertilized it with pollen from S. barberi, which grew wild in Coimbatore. After 4-5 recurrent back crossings of S. officinarum Chi wild Sorghum spontaneum with S. officinarum as the female parent, he selected the `rare' interspecies hybrid cane varieties that resembled sugarcane and had approximately 2.5 cm thick juicy stems containing 16-18% sucrose - nearly 35 times more than what occurred in parent stocks. The hybrid canes matured quickly, were resistant to water logging, drought, and to the red-rot disease caused by Glomerella tucumanensis (Sordariomycetes: Glomerellaceae), and to the sereh-virus disease. Most importantly, they were amenable for propagation using stem cuttings.

Awards and Honors: He has the distinction of receiving the titles Rao Bahadur, Rao Sahib, and Sir by the British Government, and Padma Bhushan by the Republic of India.

The Platinum Jubilee Book D. S. Athwal, Ph.D. Padma Bhushan, President ISGPB – 1967

Born on October 12, 1928, Dr. Athwal obtained his B.Sc. degree from Punjab University in 1948, Master in Public Administration from Harvard University and Ph.D. from University of Sydney in 1955. He served as Senior Vice-President & Director, Technical Cooperation, Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Development from 1981-85; Program Officer for Asia, International Agricultural Development Service, 1977-85 and Professor and Head, Department of Plant Breeding, Punjab Agricultural University, 1963-67.

Awards and Honours: He has the distinction of receiving Padma Bhushan in 1975, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Memorial Award, 1964 and Punjab Krishak Samaj Medal, 1966.

Research Areas: His main fields of research are Genetics & plant breeding.

The Platinum Jubilee Book K. S. Gill, Ph.D. Padma Bhushan , President, ISGPB - 1982

Born on September 1, 1930 at Kaleke, Faridkot, Punjab, India, Dr Gill obtained his B.Sc. degree from Khalsa College, Amritsar in 1949, M.Sc. degree from Punjab University in 1951, Ph.D. from University of California, Riverside, USA in 1966. Presently he is Chairman of Akal Academies, Baru Sahib, Himachal Pradesh, India. He has served as Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agric. University, Ludhiana (1990-93); Member, Board of Trustees, CIMMYT, Mexico (1987-93); Director, Extension Education, (1987-89); Director of Research (1983-87); Dean, College of Agriculture (1979-83) and Prof. and Head, Dept. of Plant Breeding, (1968-79) PAU, Ludhiana. .

Awards and Honors: He has the distinction of receiving the Padma Bhushan (1992); Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Memorial Prize (1976); PAU Cash Prize (1978); ICAR Team Research Award (1980); FICCI Award (1985); Great Son of the Soil, All India Conf. of Intellectuals (1991). He is a fellow of Indian National Science Academy; National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Founding Fellow, Third World Academy of Sciences.

Research area: His main fields of research are development of disease resistant and high yielding varieties of wheat (bread wheat, durum wheat, triticale), linseed and sesame; development of high yielding and disease resistant hybrids of pearl millet; collection, evaluation and utilization of germplasm of wheat and related species; genomic relationships in Linum species.

The Platinum Jubilee Book B.R. Barwale, Ph.D. Padma Bhushan, World Food Prize Laureate - 1998

Born on 1931 at Hingoli / Jalna, Maharastra, India, Dr. Barwale founded “Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company – Mahyco” – in 1964 to expand sales and production of his seeds across the country. Mahyco initiated its own research program in 1966 to test new India-specific hybrids, the quality of which drew the attention of the government. Dr. Barwale joined Seed Review Team which outlined the development of private seed industry across India, in 1967. Mahyco was the first seed company to receive the Indian government's prestigious First National Award from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology in 1989. He has also been extensively involved in training other developing countries' seed growers to build strong private seed industries. Dr. Barwale created the Mahyco Research Foundation (now known as the Barwale Foundation) to support scientific research in areas crucial to supporting India's growing population. Dr. Barwale is now the chairman of the Bombay Public Community Trust.

Awards and Honours: He has the distinction of receiving the World Food Prize (1998); Padma Bhushan from Govt. of India, award for outstanding commercial and economic achievement in (2001); honorary doctorate in science from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (2002); National Award for Bio-tech Product Commercialization (2003); Chirmule Award (2006). As a youth he sacrificed and put his life at stake in the Freedom struggle in 1947 for which the President of India have recognized this selfless contribution on 9th August 2006. He received Honorary Fellowship Award from The Indian Society for Cotton Improvement (2007).

Research area: His main field of research is Seed technology. The Platinum Jubilee Book V. L. Chopra, Ph.D. Padma Bhushan , President, ISGPB - 1992 - 1994

Born on August 9, 1936 at Adhwal (now in Pakistan), Dr. Chopra obtained his B.Sc. degree from Central College of Agriculture, Delhi in 1955, M.Sc. from Indian Agricultural Research Institute in 1957 and Ph.D. from Institute of Genetics, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK in 1967. Presently, he is holding the position of Chancellor, Central University of Kerala. He has served as the Member of Planning Commission, Govt. of India, (2004-09); National Professor, B.P. Pal Chair, National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, IARI, New Delhi (1994-2002);Director General, ICAR and Secretary, DARE, Govt. of India (1992-94);Chief Technical Adviser, FAO, Vietnam (1990-91); Director, National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi (1985-90); Professor(1970-84) and Head(1977-80), Division of Genetics, IARI, New Delhi.

Awards and Honours: He has the distinction of receiving Padma Bhushan (1985); Borlaug Award (1983); FICCI Award (1986);Watumull Foundation; USA Honor Summus Medal (1987); O.P. Bhasin Award (1987); D.Sc. (h.c.) CS Azad University, Banaras Hindu University(1988); G.B. Pant University, 2003; IARI (2005) and Narendra Dev University (2007);FAO/IAAS World Food Day Award (1993);ISCA BirbalSahni Birth Centenary Award-(1997);INSA Silver Jubilee Commemoration Medal(1991); INSA Aryabhat Medal(2001). Dr Chopra is a fellow of theIndian National Science Academy; National Academy of Sciences, India; Indian Academy of Science; National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, India; European Academy of Arts, Science and Humanities and Third World Academy of Sciences.

Research Areas: His main fields of research are Plant biotechnology, crop genetics and breeding.

The Platinum Jubilee Book R. S. Paroda, Ph.D. Padma Bhushan, President,ISGPB - 1985 - 1987

Born on August 28, 1942 at Ajmer, Rajasthan, India, Dr Proda obtained his Ph.D. degree from Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi in 1968. He did his post doctoral fellowship as Commonwealth Fellow f r o m U n i v e r s i t y C o l l e g e o f W a l e s , Aberystwyth, UK, 1968-70. Presently he is Chairman, Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi. He has served as Chairman, Haryana Farmers' Commission, 2010-2014; Executive Secretary, Asia Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI), 1993-2014; Assistant Director General (Int. Coop.), ICARDA, 2007; Head, CGIAR Program for Central Asia & Caucasus, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 2001-2007; Chair, Global Forum on Agricultural Research (1998-2002); Secretary, Department of Agriculture Research and Education, GOI and Director General, Indian Council of Agriculture Research, 1992-2001; Regional Plant Production and Protection Officer, FAO-RAPA, Bangkok, , 1992-94; Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR, 1987-92 and Director, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, India, 1985-87.

Awards and Honours: He has the distinction of receiving the Padma Bhushan, Govt. of India, 1998; Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Prize, 1982-83; ICAR Team Research Award, 1983-84; Fedn. of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Award, 1988; Om Prakash Bhasin Award, 1992; Asia Pacific Seed Assn. Award, 1995; FAO World Food Day Award, 1995; Gen. President, Indian Science Congress Association, 2000-2001; Dr. B.P. Pal Memorial Award, 2001-02; D.Sc. (h.c.), Ohio State Univ., I.A.R.I., and Agricultural Universities of Pantnagar, Kanpur, Jorhat, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Udaipur, Varanasi, Srinagar, Meerut, Bhubneshwar, Ludhiana and Dharwad; Gold Medal 2006, Armenia; Borlaug Award, 2006; Agriculture Today Lifetime Achievement Award 2008; 1st Dr. A.B. Joshi Memorial Award, 2012; Prof. Kannian Memorial Award, 2012; Gold Medal from Government of Vietnam, 2012; Krishi Siromani Samman by Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. 2013. Dr Paroda is a fellow of the Indian National Science Academy; Indian Academy of Sciences; National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Russian Academy of Agricultural S c i e n c e s ; T h i r d W o r l d A c a d e m y o f S c i e n c e s ;

Academies of Agricultural Sciences of Armenia, Georgia, Tajikistan, Hon. Member of Crop Science Society of America and Agronomy Society of America. TheResearch Platinum Areas: Jubilee His mainBook fields of research are Genetics & plant breeding, cytogenetics, biometrical genetics and plant genetic resources. R. B. Singh, Ph.D. Padma Bhushan, President, ISGPB – 1997 - 1999

Born on July 20, 1940 at Budhanpur, Ghazipur, U.P., India, Dr. Singh obtained his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degree from Govt. Agriculture College, C.S. Azad University of Agri. & Tech., Kanpur in 1958 and 1960, respectively and Ph.D. degree from North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C., USA in 1964. Presently, Prof. Singh is Chancellor, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, India and member of the global Independent Scientific Panel on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security. He has served as Advisor and Distinguished Professor, IFFCO Foundation, New Delhi (2007-11); Member of the National Commission on Farmers, Government of India (2004-2006); Assistant Director General, FAO (2000-2002); other senior FAO positions (1979-1994) at Bangkok and Rome; Chairman of the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (1999-2000); Director and Vice Chancellor, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi (1995-99) and Dean, Head of Department, Sr. Professor, Chair/Member Executive Council at leading Universities (1964-1979).

He has published more than 300 research and policy papers and 12 books. As research and development leader, Professor Singh had developed widely adopted modern varieties of wheat, rice, pulses, oilseeds and cotton.

Awards and Honours: He has the distinction of receiving the Padma Bhushan (2003); International Board for Plant Genetic Resources medal (1984); Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial Award (1987); Vigyan Gaurav Samman (2001); Bharatiya Paramparagat Vigyan Puraskar (2006); Dr. Zhu Shoumin I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o l l e g e o f N u t r i t i o n A w a r d ( 2 0 0 7 ) ;

Distinguished Alumnus Award, B.H.U. (2007); Distinguished Alumnus Award, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, USA (2013); Mahindra and Mahindra Lifetime Achivement Award - Krishi Shiromani Samman (2015); Dr. V. Kurien Memorial Lecture Award, Michigan State University, USA (2015); Dr. D. Sundaresan Memorial Oration Award (2016). He is Immediate past President of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, India.

Research Areas: His main fields of research are Plant genetics, crop Theimprovement, Platinum plant Jubilee biotechnology, Book policies for agriculture, farmers and agricultural research and education for development. G. S. Khush, Ph.D. Padma Shri, World Food Prize Laureate

Born on August 22, 1935 at Rurkee, India, Dr Kush obtained his B.Sc. degree form Government Agricultural College (Now Punjab Agricultural University), Ludhiana in 1955 and Ph.D in 1960 from University of California, USA. Presently he is the Adjunct Professor at the University of California. He served as Head Division of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biochemistry (1986-2002), Head Department of Plant Breeding (1972-86), Plant Breeder (1967-72), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines; Research Assistant (1957-60) and Assistant Geneticist(1960-67) at University of California, Davis, California.

Awards and Honours: He has the distinction of receiving Borlaug Award (1977); Prize (1987); World Food Prize (1996); Rank Prize (1998); Wolf Prize (2000); Padma Shri (2000); TAAS Swaminathan Award (2006); Golden Sickle Award (2007); Mahathir Science Award (2009);

Doctor of Science (h.c.) from fifteen universities including University of Cambridge, England and Ohio State University. Dr Khush is a fellow of the Indian National Science Academy; Indian Academy of Sciences; National Academy of Sciences, India; Third World Academy of Sciences; US National Academy of Sciences; Royal Society; Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences; and Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Research Areas: His main fields of research are genetics, cytogenetics, breeding and biotechnology of tomato and rice.

The Platinum Jubilee Book J. B. Chowdhury, Ph.D. Padma Shri

Born on September 27, 1938 at Delhi; Dr. Chowdhury obtained his B.Sc. degree from Ramjas College, University of Delhi 1958, M.Sc. Degree from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, 1960 and Ph.D. from College of Agriculture, Banaras Hindu University in 1964. He has served as the Vice-Chancellor of G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar (2000-02); Vice-Chancellor, HAU, Hisar (1996-99); Dean, College of Basic Sciences & Humanities, (1983-86) and Professor and Head, Department of Genetics, HAU, Hisar (1972-78).

Awards and Honours: He has the distinction of receiving the Padma Shri (2003); Lifetime Achievement Award from Society for Rapeseed Mustard Research, Bharatpur (2014) and Distinguished Alumnus Award, Banaras Hindu University (2015).

Research Areas: His main fields of research are Plant biotechnology, crop genetics/cytogenetics.

The Platinum Jubilee Book M. Mahadevappa, Ph.D. Padma Shri President, ISGPB – 2002 - 2003

Born on August 4, 1937 at Madapura, Chamarajanagar, Karnataka, India, Dr. Mahadevappa obtained his B.Sc. degree from Hebbal Agriculture College in 1960 and M.Sc. and Ph.D. degree from Coimbatore Agriculture College in 1962 and 1965, respectively. He did his Post doctoral fellowship at CFTRI, Mysore (1966-67), continued his research pursuits at the International Rice Research Institute, Manila (1979-81) and devoted his entire career to the cause of rice research. Presently, he has been serving as Director (Rural Dev.) in JSS Mahavidya Peetha, Mysore - a reputed NGO with 340 institutions in four countries. Prof. Mahadevappa contributed immensely for the overall development of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad as its Vice Chancellor for two terms (1994-2000) each with his broad vision, he strived hard selflessly resulting in confer of the ICAR's “Sardar Patel Oustanding Institution Award for 2000” for UAS Dharwad. In recognition of his scientific contributions, potentials in research and academic administration and institution building activities, the Government of India chose him to be the Chairman of the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), New Delhi in 2001.

He has published 200 research articles and presented 31 papers in International conferences. He lead to release of rice varieties Madhu, Mangala, Pushpa, Pragathi, Intan, Vikram, Mukthi and hybrids which are widely recognized and used by the farming community.

Awards and Honours: He has the distinction of receiving Padmashri (2005); Padmabhushan (2014); Hooker National Award (1981); Sir Chotturam National Award (1996); The Karnataka State Rajyotsava Award (1984); International Watumull Foundation (Hawaii) Award (1987); Nagamma Dattathreya Award by UAS, Bangalore and Bharatha Rathna Sir M. Visvesvaraya Memorial Award (1999). He is a fellow of the National Academy of Sericulture Sciences; National Academy of Biological Sciences; Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding; Indian Society of Seed Technologists; Indian Science Writer's Association and National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, India. The Platinum Jubilee Book Research area: His main fields of research are Genetics, Plant breeding, Seed science & technology, Parthenium weed control. E. A. Siddiq, Ph.D. Padma Shri

Born on July 15, 1937 at Ilayangudi, Tamil Nadu, India, Dr. Siddiq obtained his B.Sc. degree from Madras University; M.Sc. and Ph.D. degree in Cytogenetics from Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi in 1964 & 1968, respectively. He has served as member of various national and international bodies. He held many responsible research and managerial positions like Director, Directorate of Rice Research, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR, National Professor, ICAR, Distinguished Chair, CDFD, Adjunct Professor, University of Hyderabad and Indian Agricultural Research Institute and Hon. Professor- Biotechnology, PJTSAU, Hyderabad.

He has published more than 200 research papers in prestigious international/national journals. He has developed several high yielding rice varieties and hybrids, extensive adoption of which enabled the country to achieve self-sufficiency in rice. Significantly, among them are Pusa Basmati 1, the World's first high yielding dwarf basmati variety and Pusa 44, a high yielding rice varietywhich is amenable to combine harvesting and has sustained the most productive and profitable rice-wheat cropping system for over 30 years in Punjab.

Awards and honours: He has the distinction of receiving National Civilian recognition Padma Shri (2011); Hari Om Ashram Trust National Award (1975); VASVIK Foundation National Award (1981); Amrik Singh Cheema Award, (1987-88); Om Prakash Bhasin Award (1994); Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Prize (1995); Borlaug Award (1995); INSA Silver Jubilee Medal (1997); ISCA G.P. Chatterjee Memorial Lecture Award (2001); Agriculture Leadership Award (2008); INSA Sundarlal Hora Medal (2011); NAAS - B.P. Pal Memorial Lecture Award (2012); Hon. Doctorate of Science (D.Sc. Hon. Causa) by OUAT (2013) and CSAUAT, Kanpur (2015); Recognition by ICAR-NAAS-IARI for contribution to India's Green Revolution (2015). He is a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Sciences; National Academy of Agricultural Sciences; National Academy of Sciences (India) and Hon. F e l l o w o f A n d h r a P r a d e s h A c a d e m y o f S c i e n c e s .

Research area: His main fields of research are genetics, breeding and biotechnology.

The Platinum Jubilee Book S. Rajaram, Ph.D. Padam Shri, World Food Prize Laureate

Born on February 10, 1943 at Varanasi, U.P., India, Dr Rajaram obtained his B.Sc. degree from College of Jaunpur, U.P. in 1962; M.Sc. degree from Indian Agricultural Research Institute in 1965 and Ph.D. degree from University of Sydney in 1968. He did his post doctoral Fellowship from CIMMYT, Mexico from 1969 to 72. Presently he is Director, Resource Seeds International, Toluca, Mexico. He has served as the Director, Integrated Gene Management ICARDA, Syria (2006-08); Director, Wheat Program, (1996-2003), Leader Germplasm Improvement Wheat & Head Bread Wheat Breeding, (1989-1996), Head, Bread Wheat Breeding Program, (1972-1988) and Geneticist (1971-1972), CIMMYT, Mexico.

Awards and Honours: He has the distinction of receiving more than 90 awards and honors including, World Food Prize (2014); Padma Shri (2001); Order of Quetzal, Guatemala (1988); CGIAR King Baudouin Award (1988); International Service in Agronomy, USA, (1992); International Service in Crop Science Award, USA, (1992); Borlaug Award (1995); E.C. Stakman Award, USA, (1993); CIMMYT Distinguished Scientist (1997); The Friendship Award, China, (1998); Rassk Prize Award, UK (1998); Jindeng (Golden Summit) Award, Government of Sichuan, China (2000); Monsanto Crop Science Distinguished Career Award (2001); Crawford Fund Direk Trible Award (2001); Centeotl Award, Coordinacion Nacional de Fundacion

(2003); Crop Science Society Presidential Award (2004) and Khwarizmi International Award (2004). Dr Rajaram is a fellow of the Crop Science Society of America; Agronomy Society of America; Academician, Kazakstan Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Academician, Ukranian Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources; National Academy of Sciences, India and National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, India. .

Research Areas: His main fields of research are Plant breeding, plant pathology. The Platinum Jubilee Book Dr. M.V. Rao Padam Shri Secretary, ISPGB

Mangina Venkateswara Rao was born on 21 June 1928 at Perupalem, in West Godavari District along the coast of the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. After securing a master's degree, he continued his research at Purdue University in plant breeding, genetics and plant pathology to obtain a doctoral degree. Joining the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) as Assistant Wheat Breeder in 1956, he was initially involved with wheat research, and became an Assistant Professor in 1958. In 1966, he was promoted as the Genteticist and then as Senior Geneticist, eventually becoming the Coordinator in 1971 and the head of the All India Wheat Improvement Project of ICAR in 1978, a post he held till 1981. During this period, he was associated with the Green Revolution in India, related to wheat production. He became the Deputy Director General (Crop Sciences) of ICAR in 1981 and stayed at the post till he was appointed as the founder director of the Prime Minister's Technology Mission on Oilseeds, in 1986, a post which holds the rank of a Special Secretary. It was during this period that the Yellow Revolution, an integrated programme for the development of oilseeds, was initiated and fostered by the government.[7] In 1989, he was invited to the World Bank as an Agricultural Expert, where he worked till 1990. The next year, he joined Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University as its vice chancellor and remained there till 1997. While holding the vice-chancellorship, he became associated with Agri Biotech Foundation (ABF - formerly known as Andhra Pradesh Netherlands Biotechnology Programme) as its chairman in 1995 and remains active there. Under his stewardship, the institute has developed several genetically modified seed varieties of cotton, sorghum, castor and red gram. Rao was a former vice president of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (2000–2003) and was associated with several Indian state and central government agencies; chairing the Committee of the New National Seed Policy was one such assignment. He was a member of the task group which prepared guidelines for the formulation of the National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP), a TheWorld Platinum Bank project Jubilee for Book the agricultural development in , and sits on the NATP Scientific Advisory Panel on Coastal Eco System. He was a former member of the Board of Directors of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), India, sitting on the board from 1984 to 1989.[12] He has been a member of the Wheat Advisory Committee of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a trustee of the International Rice Research Institute, Philippines and a member of the External Expert Panel of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Mexico. He is a member of the board of the Intercultural Cooperation Foundation India (ICF) along with Arcot Ramachandran, renowned Indian anthropologist. Besides his contributions to the Green and Yellow revolutions in India, he has also mentored over 25 research scholars during his stint at the International Rice Research Institute. He died at the age of 87 on 8 March 2016. Awards and honours Rao is a recipient of the Norman Borlaug Award and the Linker's Award. The Government of India honoured him with the civilian award of the Padma Shri in 1999. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award of Agricultural Today in 2010. The next year, he was awarded the Krishi Shiromani Samman by the Mahindra Samriddhi India. He is also a recipient of Outstanding Agricultural Scientist Award from the Government of Andhra Pradesh and other awards such as Peddireddy Thimmareddy Award, Dr. Srikantia Memorial Award of the Nutrition Society of India, Dr P. Siva Reddy Foundation Award, and Environmental Research Academy Award. Rao was an elected fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS). Purdue University, Indian Agricultural Research Institute and Banaras Hindu University have honoured him with the degree of the Doctor of Science (DSc - Honoris causa).[5] He was an honorary fellow of the Indian Oilseeds Research Society, Andhra Pradesh Akademi of Sciences, Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding and Indian Society of Agricultural Sciences and served as the president of all these institutions during various periods.

The Platinum Jubilee Book B. S. Dhillon, Ph.D. Padam Shri, President, ISGPB – 2014 - 2015

An eminent agricultural scientist, Dr. Baldev Singh Dhillon obtained B.Sc. (Agriculture) degree from Khalsa College, Amritsar, M.Sc. from PAU and Ph.D. from Indian Agricultural Research Institute. He had a brilliant academic record and bagged prestigious scholarships/fellowships including post-doctoral fellowships viz. German Academic Exchange (DAAD) Fellowship; Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship; Fellowship to work at UHO, and Alexander von Humboldt Europe Fellowship to work at University of Birmingham, UK.Dr. Dhillon is currently Vice- Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. He earlier served PAU as Director of Research, Director (Seeds), Senior Maize Breeder, Maize Breeder, Assistant Maize Breeder. He also served as the Director of National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) (2000-05), Assistant Director General, ICAR from 1988 to 2000 and Associate Scientist at CIMMYT, Mexico (1993-94).

Dr. Dhillon has published ~ 350 research papers besides authoring scientific books in the area of his specialization. He is associated with development of several maize varieties and hybrids including: Ageti-76 ,Partap, Sangam , Navjot, Sartaj, Parbhat, Kiran, J-1006, Megha, Kesri, Punjab Sathi-1, Paras, Pearl Popcorn, Parkash, and JH 3459.

Awards and Honours: He has the distinction of receiving the Dr B.P. Pal Memorial Award (2014); Om ParkashBhasin Award for Science and Technology (2006); Recognition by National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (2001-2002); Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Memorial Prize by ICAR (1986-87, co-recipient). Dr Dhillon is a fellow of several professional societies including Indian National Science Academy; National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, India; National Academy of Sciences, India; Punjab Academy of Sciences, India.

Research area: His main fields of research are Quantitative Genetics and maize breeding. The Platinum Jubilee Book S. K. Vasal, Ph.D. World Food Prize Laureate

Born on April 12, 1938 at Amritsar, Punjab, India, Dr Vasal obtained his B.Sc. degree from Khalsa College, Amritsar in 1957, M.Sc. degree from Kanpur Agricultural College in 1959 and Ph.D. degree from IARI, New Delhi in 1966. He did his Post-doctoral fellowship from CIMMYT, Mexico in 1970. Presently he is distinguished Scientist, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Mexico. He has served as the Coordinator Lowland Tropical, Maize Program, CIMMYT, Mexico(1991-98); Germplasm Coordinator (1985-90); International Staff (1971-84); Research Associate, Rockefeller Foundation, Thailand, 1967 and Research Assistant (1959-66) and Assistant Botanist Maize-cum- Assistant Professor (1966-67), Department of Agriculture, H.P., India.

Awards and Honours: He has the distinction of receiving the World Food Prize (2000); La Asociacion Mexicana de Semilleros 'Premio Cesar Garza' Award (1993); International Service in Crop Science Award (1996); International Agronomy Award (1999); Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Award by TAAS. Dr. Vasal is a fellow of the American Society of Agronomy; Crop Science Society of America and National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, India.

Research Areas: His main fields of research are Plant breeding & genetics.

The Platinum Jubilee Book N. Parthasarathy, Ph.D. PHOTOGRAPH President, ISGPB – 1952, 1969 NOT AVAILABLE Born on April 8, 1900, Dr Parthasarathy obtained his B.A. degree from Madras University and continued studies to specialize in Agriculture to secure the degree of B.Sc. from the same university. His career started in 1923 as a rice breeding assistant at the Paddy Breeding Station in Coimbatore and later, worked at other stations in and Pattambi. He moved to London in 1936 to secure his doctoral degree (Ph.D.) from the University of London and returned to India in 1938 to resume his work. He served in various capacities with the state and central governments in India as the Geneticist and Second Cane Breeding Officer, Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, a research station of the Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research (1940–47), as the Geneticist and Division Head of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi (1947–52) and as the Director of the Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack (1952–58) from where he retired from government service. In 1958, he worked for Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) as a Rice Expert based in Indonesia for a year and moved to International Rice Research Institute as the Rice Improvement Specialist for the Far East (1959–68). He also served as a board member of the IRRI (1966–69). Subsequently, he was appointed as the Executive Secretary of the International Rice Commission and also worked as the Rice Adviser to the Government of and the Government of Thailand. .

Honors and Awards:

Research area:

The Platinum Jubilee Book S. S. Rajan, Ph.D. President, ISGPB – 1971, 1972

Born on March 29, 1925 at Salem, Tamil Nadu, India, Dr Rajan obtained his B.Sc. degree from Central College, Bangalore (then University of Mysore), in 1944, M.Sc. degree in Agricultural Botany and Ph.D. degree in Plant Breeding and Genetics from the Institute of Agricultural Research, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, U.P. Presently, he is Deputy Director General (for Aisa) of International Biographical Center, Cambridge, England. He joined the Division of Genetics (at that time Division of Botany) of the Indian (then Imperial) Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi in November 1946. At this Division, till 1975, he served in various research positions, Project Coordinator, All India Coordinated Research Project on Oilseeds, (ICAR); Professor of Genetics at the post Graduate School of the IARI, since its inception to 1975; Colombo Plan Fellow in 1957; Visiting Scientist at the National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan in 1968 & 1978 and Visiting Scientist at the research Institute for Cereals and Industrial crops, Fundulea, Bucharest, Romania in 1973. He joined the international Civil Service of the United National in1975 and served as a resident Expert in Myanmar; Senior Advisor to the Food and Agricultural Organization Iraq, where he initiated research programmes for the development of industrial crops like oilseeds, cotton, sugar beet and tobacco; Consultant, Development Programme, New York and undertook review of Plan proposals and Programmes in North Yemen, South Yemen, Sudan and Somalia.

He had published 3 books and over 80 research papers and four book reviews.

Awards and Honors: He has the distinction of receiving fellow of several professional societies, national and international. He served for two terms as the President of the Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding. He was a Founder Member, Society for Advancement of Breeding Research in Asia & Oceania (SABARAO).

Research area: His main fields of research are the cytogenetic and improvement of oilseed crops like the Brassicae, linseed, Sesamum.

The Platinum Jubilee Book S. Kumar, Ph.D. President, ISGPB – 1994 – 1997

Born on December 14, 1940 at Delhi, India, Dr Kumar obtained B.Sc.; M.Sc.; Ph.D. degree from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi in 1960, 1962 and 1965 respectively. He did his Postdoctoral Fellowships at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Long Island, New York (1966-67), University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin (1968-70) and University of Toronto (1970-71). Presently, he is associated with SKA Institute for Research, Education and Development, New Delhi. Dr Kumar has served as the INSA Senior Scientist, National Institute for Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi (2006-2010); CSIR Emeritus Scientist (2001-05); Director, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow (1993-2000); Director, National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow (1998-99); Scientist G, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (1989-93); Director, Human Resource Development Group, CSIR (1997); Principal Scientist (1983-89); Professor of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (1985-89) and Senior Scientist (1971-82) at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India.

He has published over 300 research articles, 20 books and has 85 International and 35 Indian Patents. He has developed many varieties in medicinal plants including “Jeevan Raksha” of Artemisia annua. The use of his mint and Artemisia varieties are earning from export of their products mint oil and artimisinin more than Rs 1000 crores/ year.

Awards and Honors: He has the distinction of receiving IARI Gold Medal (1962); Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding Prize (1965); Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award (1981); National Academy of Sciences Distinguished Scientist Award (1986); FICCI Science Award (2000);

Bhasin Award (2000); INSA Lecture Award (2002) and B.P. Pal Memorial Lecture Award (2003). He is a fellow of the Indian National Science Academy; Indian Academy of Sciences; National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, India.

Research area: His main fields of research are Plant and microbial genetics and genomics; food and industrial crop breeding; biotechnology; biodiversity and biosafety.

The Platinum Jubilee Book R. S. Rana, Ph.D. President, ISGPB – 1987 – 1989

Dr Rana obtained his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degree from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Presently, Dr. Rana is member of the National Biodiversity Authority of India and Chairs its expert committee on agro- biodiversity and the core expert group on implementing the CBD-Nagoya Protocol on Access & Benefit Sharing. He has been actively involved in inter- governmental negotiations under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) since 1992 and has represented Asia & Pacific region for six years on Compliance Committee of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. He has served as Director of the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) at New Delhi (1989–1995); Head of the Division of Genetics and Plant Physiology at the Central Soil Salinity Research Institute at Karnal (1974); honorary Professor for guidance of post-graduate students enrolled by the Haryana Agricultural University and the Kurukshetra University. Over 30 students have obtained their M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees by working under his guidance. He has also served as senior member of the Post- Graduate Faculty in the Division of Genetics (1963-1974).

Awards and Honors: He has the distinction of receiving IARI Jubilee Merit Award (1959); Indo-UK Exchange Award for Young Scientists (1968- 1969); ICAR awards of the National Fellow (1980); Professor of Eminence (1985) and Dr. H.B. Singh Memorial Award (2012-2013). Dr Rana is Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India; President of the Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding (1987-89) and Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources (1993-95)..

Research area: His main fields of research are Plant Genetic Resources and PGR Policy.

The Platinum Jubilee Book M. Rai, Ph.D. President, ISGPB – 2000 - 2001

Born on June 30, 1947 at Ghazipur (U.P.), India, Dr. Rai obtained his B.Sc. (Ag.) degree from Gorakhpur University in 1967; M.Sc. (Ag.) and Ph.D. degree from Banaras Hindu University in 1969 and 1973, respectively. He has served as Vice-Chancellor, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar (2015-16); Member/Vice President, Board of Governors viz IRRI, ICRISAT, CIMMYT, Biodiversity Board, Rome, IIM, Bengluru, etc. varying between 2-7 years; Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education, GOI & DG, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (2003-09); Deputy Director General (Crop Sciences) (1997-2003); Assistant Director

General (Policy & Perspective Planning) (1994-97); Assistant Director General (Seeds) (1988-94); OSD (Technology Mission on Oilseeds) (1986-88); Project Coordinator (Linseed) (1981-86); Plant Breeder-cum- Reader, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar (1978-81); Scientist (S-1/S-2), Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (1975-78) and Junior Plant Breeder at R.B.S. College, Agra. .

Awards and Honors: He has the distinction of receiving the D.Sc. (h.c.) from 16 universities. He is a fellow of a number of professional bodies.

Research area: His main fields of research are Genetics, plant breeding, seeds, management, policy and perspective planning.

The Platinum Jubilee Book M. C. Kharkwal, Ph.D. President, ISGPB – 2007 – 2008

Born on June 5, 1948 at Champawat, Uttarakhand, India, Dr. Kharkwal obtained his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degree in Botany from D.S.B. College, Nainital and Ph.D degree from Agra University in 1966, 1968 and 1978 respectively. He has served as Scientist, Senior Scientist, Principal Scientist and Project Leader for more than 40 years at Division of Genetics, IARI, New Delhi. He was Trustee of the XV Genetics Congress Trust for six terms from 1994 to 2009 and Secretary, Genetics Club, Division of Genetics, I.A.R.I., New Delhi (1996-97 & 1997-98).

He has published more than 135 research papers and book chapters. He has made significant contributions in the field of mutation breeding by developing four high yielding chickpea mutant varieties – Pusa-408, Pusa-413, Pusa-417 and Pusa-547 and has also contributed 172 chickpea mutant genotype entries, several mutant entries from this are BGM-405 (desi), BGM-418 (desi), BGM-425 (desi), BGM-429 (kabuli), BGM-430 (kabuli), BGM-448 (kabuli), BGM-456 (green seeded), BGM-505 (desi) possessing high yield, disease resistance. .

Awards and Honours: He has the distinction of receiving “Outstanding Contribution” award from the Vice-President of India (2005). He served the Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding as President (2007-08), Secretary (2000-01, 2002-03, 2004-06), Treasurer (1994-97, 1997-99) and Editor (2004–06). Dr. Kharkwal is a fellow and life member of Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding, New Delhi; Indian Society of Pulses Research & Development, Kanpur, U.P.; Indian Nuclear Society, BARC, Mumbai and Indian Society for Nuclear Techniques in Agriculture & Biology, NRL, New Delhi.

Research Area: His main fields of research are mutagenesis and mutation breeding.

The Platinum Jubilee Book P. L. Gautam, Ph. D. President, ISGPB – 2009 – 2010

Born on December 12, 1947 at Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, India, Dr. Gautam obtained his B.Sc. degree from Himachal Agriculture College, Solan in 1968, M.Sc. and Ph.D. from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi in 1970 and 1974, respectively. Presently, he is the Vice Chairman of Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences and Vice Chancellor of Career Point University, Hamirpur (HP). He has served as president of National Academy of A g r i c u l t u r a l S c i e n c e s ; C h a i r p e r s o n , P P V E R A , Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare; Chairman, NBA, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change in the rank of Secretary to Govt. of India; DDG (Crop Science-ICAR); National Director, NATP-ICAR; Vice Chancellor (two terms) G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar; Director, NBPGR- ICAR; Dean, College of Forestry, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan (HP) and Managing Director, U t t r a k h a n d S e e d s & T e r a i D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n .

He has published several research papers and was actively involved in the development and release of 12 improved varieties of wheat, foxtail millet, soybean, rice bean, amaranth and buckwheat. He has contributed for many national and international initiatives/events, to name the few are: drafting of the Biological Diversity and Protection of Plant Variety and Farmers' Right Acts, negotiation of International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for food & Agriculture of the FAO and UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

Awards and Honours: He has the distinction of receiving the Agriculture Today Life Time Achievement Award; Dr. Harbhajan Singh Memorial Award; Life Time Achievement Award; Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial Award; Indira Gandhi Priyadarshni Award; CABI Award, Indra Ghandi Sadbhavana Award and Amit Krishi Rishi Award. He is a fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding; Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources; National Academy of Biological Sciences and National Academy of Environmental Sciences. He was the President of the Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources and the Indian Society of Genetics & Plant Breeding. He is Vice Chairman of Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences and immediate past president of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Research Areas: His main fields of research are Genetics and Plant Breeding, Plant Genetic Resources.

The Platinum Jubilee Book H. S. Gupta, Ph.D. President, ISGPB – 2011 - 2013

Born on July 1, 1953 at Rudrapur, U.P., India, Dr Gupta obtained his B.Sc. degree from National Degree College, University of Gorakhpur in 1971, M.Sc. degree from G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar in 1974, Ph.D. from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur in 1978. He did his postdoctoral fellowship from University of Nottinghum, U.K. (1987-88) and Washington State University, Pullman, USA (1993-94). He has served as Director General, Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA), New Delhi (2014-16); Director, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi (2009-14); Director, Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Almora (2000- 2009); Joint Director (H.Q.), (1999-2000) and Head, Division of Plant Breeding (1989-1999) at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Barapani.

Awards and Honors: He has the distinction of receiving ICAR Team Award (1994-96, 2006-07 and 2008-09); Dr. Rajendra Prasad Award (2004); NRDC's Meritorious Invention Award (2006); Hari Om Asharam Trust Award (2007); NRDC's Societal Invention Award (2007); WIPO Gold Medal (2008); Dr. Amrik Singh Cheema Award (2010). He was President, Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding from 2011-13. He is a fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Science, Indian Society of Agricultural Biochemists; Indian Society of Genetics & Plant Breeding; Indian Society of Agricultural Engineering (Hon); Rockfeller Foundation's Career Fellow.

Research Areas: His main fields of research are Crop breeding and biotechnology.

The Platinum Jubilee Book Dr. Jeet Singh Sandhu President, ISPGB – 2016-2017

Born in Sri Ganaganagr, Rajasthan, India on 1 August 1955. Educated at Senior Secondary School, Bundi, 1973-75; Govt College, Bundi, 1975-78; G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, 1979-85; M.Sc. Plant Breeding 1982 & Ph.D. 1985.

Vice-Chancellor, ND University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad, Febuary 2018 to date.

Assistant Plant Breeder (Pulses), 1986-91; Plant Breeder (Pulses), 1991- 99, and Senior Scientist (Pulses),1999-07, Incharge Pulses, 2007-10 Department of Plant Breeding, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana; Assistant Director General (Seed), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, 2010-13; Agriculture Commissioner, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, GoI, 2013-15; Deputy Director General (Crop Science), Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, 2015-17.

Awards/Honours: Team Award (Chickpea): CGIAR'S King Baudouin Award 2002 and ICRISAT Doreen Mashler 2002; Award of Plaque to Best Research Worker for the year 2007-08, PAU, Ludhiana; and Indian Society of Pulses Research and Development (ISPRD) Recognition Award, 2009. President (Acting), 2011-12; Vice President, 2010-2012; Indian Society of Pulses and Development, Kanpur; President, Indian Society of Genetics & Plant Breeding, 2016-2017 and Vice-President, Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources, 2016-2017.

Fellow: Indian Society of Pulses Research and Development, Kanpur; Honoary Fellow: Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding

Research Areas: Plant Breeding and Genetics (Pulses genetics and breeding)

The Platinum Jubilee Book Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra President, ISGPB – 2018-2019

Born in Kharibil, Cuttack, India on 20 April 1962. Educated at Laxmi Narayan High School, Eranch, Cuttack, 1973-78; Ravenshaw College, Cuttack, 1978-80; Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, 1980-85, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, 1985-91; B.Sc. 1985; M.Sc. 1987; Ph.D. 1992.

Secretary to Government of India, Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE) and Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, 2016 to date.

Scientist, 1992-99, Senior Scientist, 1999-2005, and Principal Scientist, 2005-12, National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, IARI, New Delhi; Director, Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Odisha, 2012- 15; Director, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 2015- 16.

Awards/Honours: INSA Young Scientist Award, 1994; INSA Prof. L.S.S. Kumar Memorial Award, 1994; NAAS-Tata Young Scientist Award, 2001; IARI B.P. Pal Memorial Award, 2002; DBT National Bioscience Award, 2003-04; NASI-Reliance Industries Platinum Jubilee Award 2007; Indian Science Congress Platinum Jubilee Lecture 2014; Indian Genetics Congress Lifetime Achievement Award 2014; Lifetime Achievement Award of the Indian Genetics Congress 2015; Shri Om Prakash Bhasin Award 2016; IMS Diamond Jubilee Memorial Award 2016; Dr. D. Sundaresan Memorial Oration Award 2017; Dr. Amrik Singh Cheema Award 2017 by the Young Farmers Association, Punjab; NASI Lecture Award 2017; Life Time Achievement Award 2017 by the Indian Society of Agricultural Biochemists; Life Time Achievement Award 2017 by the Society for Community Mobilization and Sustainable Development Associate Editor, BMC Genetics, 2011 to date, Associate Editor, Journal of Genetics, 2012-14; D.Sc. (honoris causa) from YS Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, H.P., Amity University U.P., Siksha `O' Anusandhan University, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Veterinary & Animal Sciences University, U.P.

Fellow: National Academy of Sciences, India; Indian National Science Academy, Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding The Platinum Jubilee Book Research Areas: Molecular genetics and genomics. Dr. G.P. Singh President, ISGPB – 2020

Born in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India on 17 March 1964. Educated at Central Hindu School, Varanasi, 1979-81; Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, B.Sc. (Hons), 1981-84; M.Sc. (Ag.), 1986-88, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Ph.D. 1992.

Director, Indian Institute of Wheat & Barley Research, P.B. No. 158, Kunjpura Road, Karnal.

Scientist, National Research Centre for Soybean, Indore, 1993-94; Scientist, Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, 1994-96; Scientist & Scientist (Senior Scale), Directorate of Wheat Research, Karnal; Senior Scientist & Principal Scientist, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 2001-2008 & 2009-2016.

Awards/Honours: V.S. Mathur Memorial Award, 2014, Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding, New Delhi.

Fellow: Society of Advancement of Wheat Research, Karnal; Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding, New Delhi, India; Society for Scientific Development in Agriculture and Technology, Jhansi.

Research Areas: Wheat improvement, abiotic stress, physiological phenotyping, MARS & MABB

The Platinum Jubilee Book Dr. Shiv Mangal Singh Tomar

Secretary, ISGPB – 2007-2011

Born in Dahemun, Budaun, Uttar Pradesh, India on 5 January 1946. Educated at Radhey Lal Inter College, Kachchla, Budaun 1958-64; N.D. College, Shikohabad, 1964-67; Govt. Agricultural College, Kanpur 1967-69; Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 1979-83; Plant Breeding Institute, Cambridge, U.K. 1988; B.Sc. (Ag) 1967; M.Sc. (Ag) 1969; Ph.D. 1984.

Senior Research Assistant (Off-season Nursery, IARI RS Wellington, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu) 1971-75; Scientist S0, 1975-76, Scientist S1 1976-82, Scientist S2, 1983-85, Senior Scientist, 1986-98, Principal Scientist, 1998-2008, and Emeritus Scientist, Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 2008-11.

Awards/Honours: Gaya Prasad Maheshwari Memorial Gold Medal 1967; DWR Plaque of Honour 1997; Dr. B.P. Pal Memorial Award 2000; IARI Certificate of Appreciation for developing variety, 2001-02 & 2006; TNAU Recognition Certificate for developing variety, 2010; Secretary, Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding 2007-11; Editor, Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding, 2014 to date..

Fellow: Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding; Member, National Academy of Sciences, India.

Research Areas: Wheat genetics, cytogenetics and breeding, rust genetics, heterosis breeding

The Platinum Jubilee Book Dr. Sanjay Singh

Secretary, ISGPB – 2016-2019

Born in Mau, Uttar Pradesh, India on 16th July 1966. Educated at N.D. University of Agriculture & Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, B.Sc. (Hons), 1988; N . D . U n i v e r s i t y o f A g r i c u l t u r e & Technology,Kumarganj, Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh M.Sc. (Ag.), 1990, N.D. University of Agriculture & Technology, Kumarganj,Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, Ph.D. 1994. Principal Scientist, ICAR-National Research Centre on Plant biotechnology, New Delhi, 2013- till date Senior Scientist, Division of Crop Improvement, Regional RainfedLowland Rice Research Station Garua Assam under CRRI, Cuttack (ICAR), 2001-2004; Senior Scientist, Division of Crop Improvement, ICAR-CRRI, Cuttack 2004-2008; Senior Scientist & Principal Scientist, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 2008-2009 & 2009- 2013. Awards/Honours: Eminent Scientist Award 2014, Bharat Jyoti Award 2011, Beat extension worker awarded, Best Paper awards, National conference on Recent trends in rice management, Cuttack . Fellow: Applied Zoologists Research Association, , CRRI, Cuttack, Odisha, Bioved Research Society of Bioved Research Institute of Agriculture & Technology, Allahabad, National Environmental Science Academic, Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding, New Delhi ISGPB Fellow Directory Research Areas: Rice & Wheat improvement, biotic & abiotic stress, MARS & MABB

The Platinum Jubilee Book Dr. Ram Kumar Sharma

Secretary, ISGPB – 2020

Born in Haridwar, Uttarkhand, India on 1st Sept 1958. Educated at PB Municipal I n t e r m e d i a t e C o l l e g e , H a r i d w a r , Uttarakhand, 1968-1975; College of Science, Gurkul Kangri University, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, B.Sc ., 1976-78; G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUA&T), Pantnagar Udam Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand, M.Sc. (Ag), 1981; G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUA&T), Pantnagar Udam Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand, Ph.D.,1995 Principal Scientist, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 2008- continue Scientist, Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan VPKAS, Alomra, Uttarakhand, 1985 - 1992; Scientist (Sr Scale), Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan VPKAS, Alomra, Uttarakhand, 1992 - 2003 and Senior Scientist, Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan VPKAS, Alomra, Uttarakhand, 2003 - 2005, Senior Scientist, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 2005 – 2008 Fellow: Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Society of Advancement of Wheat Research, Karnal Research Areas: Crop improvement in Rice, Lentil, Soybean, Forage sorghum and presently working for development of rust resistance, terminal heat tolerant varieties of bread

The Platinum Jubilee Book