Close X
Friday, October 11, 2024
ADVT 
India

'Father Of India's Wheat Revolution' Dilbagh Singh Athwal Dies In USA

Darpan News Desk IANS, 15 May, 2017 12:32 PM
    Often called the 'Father of Wheat Revolution', agriculture scientist Dilbagh Singh Athwal has passed away in the US, a Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) official said on Monday. He was 89.
     
    Vice Chancellor B.S. Dhillon, officers and scientists of the university paid tributes to Athwal, who died on Sunday, at a condolence meeting held at the PAU campus here.
     
    Dhillon said the outstanding contributions made by Athwal in the field of agriculture "remain unsurpassable till date".
     
    "Dr Athwal was one of the stalwarts who played a pivotal role in initiating Green Revolution in the country. He was a well-known geneticist, plant breeder and agricultural scientist of international repute," Dhillon said.
     
    "Athwal developed world's first grain pearl millet hybrid 'Hybrid Bajra 1' in 1965 that heralded a new era in cultivation of this important crop," he said.
     
    Athwal was instrumental in developing 'PV 18' in 1966 and the most popular amber grained wheat variety 'Kalyansona' in 1967, named after the village 'Kalyanpur' in Punjab where Athwal was born in 1928.
     
     
    Punjab, known as the 'Green Revolution' state, had heralded India's campaign to ensure food grain security for the country in the 1960s.
     
    Athwal served as founder head of Department of Plant Breeding in PAU, and made contributions to the genetics and breeding of pearl millet, wheat, gram and tobacco.
     
    A large number of genetic stocks developed by him made a significant contribution to future research on bajra breeding and genetics.
     
    In 1967, he joined the management of International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines and eventually served as the Institute's first Deputy Director General. At IRRI, he introduced many innovations in rice breeding.
     
    The University of Sydney bestowed the degree of Doctor of Philosophy on him in 1955.
     
     
    In 1964, he was conferred with Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), which is the highest Indian award in the science category.
     
    He was also decorated with Padma Bhushan in 1975 by the government for his contributions to biological science. After his retirement, he settled in New Jersey, US, where he breathed his last.
     
    The university has named its new guest house after his name as 'Dr. D.S. Athwal International Guest House'.
     
    As a mark of respect to Athwal, the PAU remained closed for half a day.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Punjab's Muslim-Dominated Town Malerkotla Tense After Alleged Quran Sacrilege Incident

    Punjab's Muslim-Dominated Town Malerkotla Tense After Alleged Quran Sacrilege Incident
    Miscreants resorted to burning of vehicles and damaging property following rumours that torn pages of the holy book were found in a cemetery.

    Punjab's Muslim-Dominated Town Malerkotla Tense After Alleged Quran Sacrilege Incident

    Eight CRPF Troopers Die In Kashmir Attack, Two LeT Fidayeen Also Killed

    Eight CRPF Troopers Die In Kashmir Attack, Two LeT Fidayeen Also Killed
    A vehicle carrying CRPF troops back after routine duties was attacked by two LeT terrorists in Fristbal area near Pampore town on Srinagar-Jammu national highway

    Eight CRPF Troopers Die In Kashmir Attack, Two LeT Fidayeen Also Killed

    AAP MLA Arrested For Sexual Harassment; Kejriwal Attacks PM Modi With 'Emergency' Taunt

    AAP MLA Arrested For Sexual Harassment; Kejriwal Attacks PM Modi With 'Emergency' Taunt
    Aam Admi Party (AAP) legislator Dinesh Mohaniya was arrested on charges of "sexual harassment" and sent to judicial custody. The complaint was filed by a woman who visited his office-cum residence in Sangam Vihar over water supply problems. 

    AAP MLA Arrested For Sexual Harassment; Kejriwal Attacks PM Modi With 'Emergency' Taunt

    Punjab Orders Probe After Akali Leaders Pocket Rs 100 Crore Compensation

    Punjab Orders Probe After Akali Leaders Pocket Rs 100 Crore Compensation
    The alleged scam in Hoshiarpur district, 140 km from here, was highlighted by media reports.

    Punjab Orders Probe After Akali Leaders Pocket Rs 100 Crore Compensation

    Chicago University Welcomes RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan Back To Academics

    Chicago University Welcomes RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan Back To Academics
    "We are eager to welcome Professor Rajan back to the Chicago Booth faculty," said University of Chicago Booth School of Business Dean Sunil Kumar.

    Chicago University Welcomes RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan Back To Academics

    India Continues To Get More H-1B Visas Despite Fee Hike: Richard Verma

    India continues to get the "lion's share" of the H-1B visas from the US government despite the fee hike, US Ambassador to India Richard Verma said today.

    India Continues To Get More H-1B Visas Despite Fee Hike: Richard Verma