7 Obsessed with excellence

Kamal Ranadive (by R Bhisey)

amal Samarth was born in in 1917. Her father taught biology at Ferguson College, Pune and ensured that all K his children, including his daughters, were well educated. Of all his children, Kamal was the brightest. She went to a girls high school ‘Huzurpaga: the H.H.C.P. High School for girls’ and studied botany at Ferguson College. Further she joined the Agri- culture College, Pune where she worked on the cytogenetics of annoneacae for her Master’s degree. Following her marriage to J.T. Ranadive, Kamal Ranadive moved to Bombay close to Tata Me- morial Hospital which brought her in contact with V.R Khanolkar, a renowned pathologist and great visionary, who founded the In- dian Research Centre. Kamal worked under his guidance for the Ph.D. degree from the University of Bombay. After a post doctoral stint in the laboratory of George Gey who developed the HeLa cell line at Johns Hopkins University Hospital, Kamal Ranadive returned to India and established the first tissue culture laboratory at the Indian Cancer Research Cen- tre. In the early 1960s tissue culture media and other reagents had to be prepared in the laboratory. To fulfill these needs Dr Ranadive recruited a team of biologists and bio chemists. OBSESSED WITH EXCELLENCE 25 Quick to recognize talent, sincerity and integrity in her integrity and sincerity talent, to recognize Quick models for understanding patho- physi- Her work on animal by her colleagues Dr Ranadive, fondly addressed as “Bai” Association Scientist Women founded the Indian She colleagues and students, Kamal Ranadive encouraged them to work Ranadive encouraged and students, Kamal colleagues scien- believed that strongly She of cancer biology. areas in various In- should return to work went abroad for postdoctoral tists who perspective laborato- research in their new areas of dia and develop col- spirit in her she instilled the same nationalist, ries. A staunch in India, most of them returned to work leagues, enough that for cancer Institute a renowned centre making Cancer Research tal- quality for allowing individual scientific research. Her unique new divi- fact resulted in the formation of three ents to bloom, in tissue and besides sions, carcinogenesis, culture. the first extremely important. She was among ology of cancer was and in- between cancer susceptibility to recognize the connection The so called In- hormones and tumor virus.teraction between mouse studied by her group (ICRC) Institute dian Cancer Research for work on leukemia, breast turned out to be an excellent model addition to this she continued cancer and cancer of oesophagus. In eventually led to the prepara- her work on leprosy bacteria, which tion of a Leprosy vaccine. A strict disciplinarian, and students had an imposing personality. in her students; her lab was she instilled the spirit of hard work the recipient of many awards busy till late in the night! She was award Foundation Watumal the and Vibhushan including Padma of leprosy. in the field for her work science to masses particularly (IWSA) with the goal of spreading for working women and a women and children. IWSA, a hostel centre besides IWSA office, building that houses a community her retirement, After today. continues to hold many activities even and health of tribal women Dr Ranadive worked on the nutrition was a huge This project in Rajur in . and children success, providing awareness about nutrition and medical care to tribals and training women health workers as primary health care givers. 26 LILAVATI’S DAUGHTERS ence, DrRanadivemadeanindelibleimpressiononmymind. ity, integrityandobsessionwithadvancementofexcellence insci- hearted andhighlyrevereddaughterofIndia?Withhergeneros- to findoutifanyofthemwouldreturnIndia. whom shecouldhaveaninformalchat. The reason was obviously fore thevisit,shehadaskedustoinviteIndianpost-docswith ment tosciencewhenshevisitedusinPhiladelphia1969.Be- later acolleague.Icametorealizehertotalsincerityandcommit- under heralthoughmyhusbandwasdoctoralstudentand pursued andwasrelevant tothecountry’s need.Ididnotwork veer toscience,newideas,achievementsandwhatneededbe recall hergenerosity andhospitality. Discussions wouldalways How wouldonerememberthissomewhatprivate,yetwarm Those ofuswhowerefortunatetoknowDrRanadiveclosely