Dr. Virender Kumar Batish (b. 7 Jul, 1947) Secretary, Probiotic Association of India, Molecular Biology Unit, Dairy Microbiology Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal (Haryana)

Dr. Virender Kumar Batish has made outstanding contributions in the field of Biotechnology and Microbiology, particularly in the area of Probiotics. He has isolated more than 100 proven indigenous strains of probiotic microbes. Three high value recombinant rennet, lactoferrin and phytase cloned by him are used for large scale production of Mozzarella cheese. He has developed two highly sensitive and specific PCR kits for rapid detection and economical home-made reaction mix for application in RT-q PCR inhibitor free template DNA from milk. He proved the superiority of Indian probiotic strains over other strains in promoting the gut health of Indians. The TNase test developed is now extensively used by the food / dairy industry, for rapid detection of enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus sources. He has developed PCR assays based on potential functional probiotic biomarkers such as ‘bsh’, ‘mbp’, Cnb’, atpD’ etc. His reference book on “Comprehensive Dairy Microbiology” is extensively used by students, researchers and food Industry people, throughout the world.

Dr. Jitendra S. Chauhan (b. 10 Jan, 1955) Director, Directorate of Rapeseed-Mustard Research, Sewar, Bharatpur (Rajasthan)

Dr. Chauhan has contributed towards the development of rapeseed-mustard varieties for irrigated areas of parts of Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana and for late-sown irrigated areas of parts of Rajasthan, M.P., U.P. and Uttrakhand, and mustard hybrids for irrigated areas of Rajasthan and U.P. He has developed yellow sarson for general cultivation in the country and genetic stocks of mustard tolerant to abiotic stress. Dr. Chauhan has also developed rice culture RR 203-16 recommended by All India Rice Workshop for minikit testing in eastern U.P., M.P. and West Bengal.

Dr. Karabi Datta (b. 25 Sep, 1951) Reader, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata (W.B.)

Dr. Datta has made pioneering contribution in the establishment of genetic transformation system using protoplast in indica rice and in the development of stable marker-free transgenic events in rice. She has contributed to the development of transgenic rice with several important traits such as resistance to sheath blight, bacterial blight and increased pro-vitamin A in indica rice. Further, the Bt rice developed by her has undergone field evaluation in China, Philippines and India with significant advantage over the non-Bt rice, and recommended for commercial release in China. Dr. Datta has also demonstrated gene pyramiding in rice for multiple stress resistance against bacterial blight, insect pest and sheath blight. She is also known for her anther culture technology for generation of stable transgenic rice in the shortest period of time. She has published some landmark papers in the journals of international repute.

Dr. Achamveetil Gopalakrishnan (b. 5 Jul, 1962) Principal Scientist & Officer-in-Charge, National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, NBFGR Cochin Unit, Kochi (Kerala)

Dr Gopalakrishnan has made significant contributions in the field of Fish Genetics and Biotechnology. His research in the identification of distinct genetic stocks, cryopreservation, captive breeding of threatened species and development of cell lines has many practical applications. The work carried out on barcoding of fish and shell fish for resolving taxonomic ambiguity and conservation of fishes of the Western Ghats is widely acclaimed. He has also contributed to green certification of ornamental fishes for its trade promotion.

Dr. Shyam Narayan Jha (b. 2 Apr, 1964) Head, Division of Agricultural Structure & Environment Control, CIPHET, Ludhiana (Punjab)

Dr. Jha has made major contribution in Makhana processing technology. He has developed non-invasive technologies for quantitative prediction of maturity, sweetness, and acidity of major varieties of mango and freshness index of brinjal. These methodologies have applicability to wide ranging fruits and vegetables. He has also developed improved evaporatively-cooled storage structure for short-term storage of horticultural produce in arid region. He has also developed a method for detection of adulteration in mango juice.

Dr. Gouranga Kar (b. 1 Sep, 1968) Principal Scientist, Directorate of Water Management, Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar (Orissa)

Dr. Kar has developed remote-sensing and GIS-based techniques for sustainable land use and water management. The productivity of rainfed areas could be enhanced through designing of rain harvesting and multiple use of water. The techniques developed by him have been widely adopted leading to increased productivity and profitability of farming community.

Dr. Mujeebur Rahman Khan (b. 1 Jan, 1963) Associate Professor, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (U.P.)

Dr. Khan has extensively studied effects of environmental contamination on crop productivity and plant diseases caused by fungi and nematodes. Evaluation of indigenous strains and isolates of microorganism has revealed that Aspergillus niger, Pochonia chlamydosporia, Trichoderma harzianum and Pseudomonas flourescens can control root-knot, root-rot, wilt and fungus-nematode disease complex of vegetables, pulses, and ornamentals. Dr. Khan has invented a process for production of microbial formulations and has produced four biopesticides. He has US and Indian patents. He has four books to his credit. He is recipient of several honours and awards.

Dr. Arvind Kumar (b. 4 Jul, 1952) Deputy Director General (Education), Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi

Dr. Arvind Kumar developed several agronomic technologies such as intercropping systems, integrated nutrient management in Indian mustard and control of diseases in oilseed crops. He has made significant contributions towards development of rapeseed-mustard hybrids/ varieties that helped increase oilseed production in the country. Currently, he is providing commendable leadership in National Agricultural Education System.

Dr. Ashwani Kumar (b. 18 Oct, 1952) Director, Directorate of Water Management, Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar (Orissa)

Dr. Ashwani Kumar has made significant contributions in designing drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, micro-water resource development and water management. He implemented rice and rice-based cropping systems for intermediate water-logged areas and developed low-cost liming materials for amelioration of acid soils. He developed computer software and GIS-based techniques to optimize water distribution in canal command area, and conceptualized and implemented integrated pond-based farming systems for deep waterlogged areas of coastal region.

Dr. Subhash Sonyabapu Mehetre (b. 12 Jun, 1952) Director of Research, Directorate of Research, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri (Maharashtra)

Dr. Mehetre has developed cytoplasmic male sterility and restorer system in Gossypium hirsutum which reduced the cost of F1 hybrid seed production and paved the way for large scale cultivation of hybrid cotton in irrigated as well as assured rainfall areas. He has also released three inter- and intra-specific cotton hybrids and one variety for commercial cultivation. Dr. Mehetre’s work on mutation breeding has led to the development of new restorer lines in American cotton. He has also produced and utilized hybrids of American cotton and obtained inter-specific hybrids by crossing them with wild diploids.

Dr. Syed Mohammed Khursheed Naqvi (b. 10 Jul, 1958) Principal Scientist & Head, Division of Physiology and Biochemistry, Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar (Rajasthan)

Dr. S.M.K. Naqvi has made significant contribution in the field of sheep stress adaptation physiology and reproductive biotechnology. He extensively studied physiological adaptability and production performance of native sheep and their crossbreds under various stress conditions. His research on stress physiology has opened gateway to understand the impact of climate change on sheep production. His other innovative accomplishment covers the development and application of indigenous low-cost and efficient reproductive technologies suitable to Indian native and cross-bred sheep. His technique of indigenous production of vaginal device for estrus synchronization and induction in sheep, goat, buffalo and yak has been commercialized. He was the first to report in the country in 1991, on the production of large number of sheep and goat embryos through IVM-IVF-IVC. His team has successfully developed a number of protocols of reproductive techniques like programmable ram semen freezing, transcervical AI, laparoscope-aided embryo transfer, intrauterine artificial insemination and low-cost superovulation. AI programme was launched using liquid ram semen in organized farm and in farmers flocks, which has significantly impacted sheep production. His team has produced 240 elite lambs through ETT and cryoconserved 263 embryos of various sheep breeds.

Prof. Siddapura Ramachandrappa Niranjana (b. 20 Jul, 1959) Professor, Department of Studies in Biotechnology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore (Karnataka)

Dr. Niranjana has identified newer bioagents and developed formulations for seed treatment to improve the seed quality, germination and disease management. He is credited with developing mycopesticides for management of coffee berry borer. He has developed effective formulation of novel strains of Trichoderma and Pseudomonas fluorescens to control seed borne pathogens and fumonisins in maize and improvement of seed quality by using bioagents in chilli. He has identified novel antifungal factors from medicinal plants and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. He is a recipient of several national awards.

Dr. Prajneshu (b. 30 Jul, 1951) Head, Division of Biometrics & Statistical Modelling, Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi

Dr. Prajneshu has made outstanding contributions, both basic and applied, in non-linear time series modelling for which he has been recognized globally. His research in modelling with applications in fisheries, plant pathology, horticulture and economic phenomena, using fuzzy regression, Wavelet theory, Kalman filter, non-linear time series analysis, ANN, Statistical learning theory, genetic algorithm, etc. have been widely appreciated. The use of neuro-fuzzy forecasting model, a combination of ANN and fuzzy logic approaches, has been able to produce forecasts with high level of accuracy. His research on the use of Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedastic (ARCH) model to explain high price volatility in the time series data is note-worthy.

Dr. G.S. Vijaya Raghavan (b. 10 Nov, 1944) James McGill Professor, Department of Bioresource Engineering, McGill University, Quebec, Canada

Dr. Vijay Raghavan has made significant contributions in the area of grain drying and dehydration using novel concepts of heat and mass transfer. He developed techniques for juice extraction from alfalfa mash using pulsed electric field pretreatment and extraction of lignans complex from flax seed. He pioneers in developing linkages between Indian and Canadian institutions that provided training opportunities for Indian students and scientists in Canadian Universities in joint degree programme promoting post-harvest technology education, research and development. He has been recipient of many reputed awards and recognitions based on his scientific contributions.

Prof. Lal Chand Rai (b. 15 Jul, 1950) Professor of Botany, Molecular Biology Section, Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (U.P.)

Prof. Rai has made significant contributions in the field of cyanobacteria on biomonitoring metal toxicity, enumerating photosynthetic and enzymatic variables prone to metals, unfolding the role of ATPase and phytochetalins in metal toxicity. He has developed a mechanistic model to explain the survival strategies of acid-tolerant algae under heavy metal stress and also demonstrated salinity-induced shift in diversity of N₂-fixing cyanobacteria. His current research interest is in the field of cyanobacterial biology in relation to protection against abiotic stress. He is a Fellow of National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad and the Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, and recipient of many awards and honours in addition to the prestigious J.C. Bose Fellowship award from the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, New Delhi.

Dr. Manchikatla Venkat Rajam (b. 2 Feb, 1955) Professor, Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi

Dr. Rajam has made significant contributions in the area of polyamine research using transgenic approach and demonstrated that polyamines are important determinants of plant regeneration. He has also developed a novel strategy for the control of fungal pathogens by targeting polyamine biosynthesis using siRNA specific to fungal ornithine decarboxylase gene. Dr. Rajam has contributed in developing an effective control of insect pest, Helicoverpa armigera by knocking down the acetylcholinesterase gene. For the first time, he has developed Agrobacterium-based transformation protocols for chlamydomonas.

Dr. Surapaneni Koteswara Rao (b. 8 Mar, 1952) Dean, College of Agriculture, Rewa and Director, Farms, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishva Vidyalaya, Jabalpur (M.P.)

Dr. Rao has developed several crop varieties such as chickpea (JG 322, JG 63), wheat (JW 3173, LW 3211 etc.), mungbean (TJM 3), soybean (JS 97-52) and fababean, and also rice hybrids (JRH 4, JRH 5 and JRH 8). He conceptualised and brought into practice maintenance breeding and enhanced the quality of nuclear seed and breeder seed production in the country. This has led to enhanced life of crop varieties. He also developed production technologies for hybrid rice, maize and pigeonpea in Madhya Pradesh.

Dr. Debi Prasad Ray (b. 15 Aug, 1949) Vice Chancellor, Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar (Orissa)

Dr. D.P. Ray has made significant contributions in the field of horticulture especially in the development of new varieties of vegetables resistant to bacterial wilt which is a very serious problem in Orissa. This has led to increase in vegetable production in the bacterial wilt prone area. He also contributed significantly to the development of new varieties of cashew. His research on production technology of fruits has improved orchard efficacy in Orissa. He has worked on propagation techniques of mango, banana, jackfruit, cashew, sapota, bel, etc., post-harvest technology and quality analysis, to increase the production and productivity of horticultural crops in the country. He promoted the horticultural technology in Orissa especially for the upliftment of tribals.

Dr. Uttam Chand Sharma (b. 8 Sep, 1941) Retd. National Coordinator, 222 - Adarsh Enclave, Trikuta Nagar, Sector - I, Extension, Jammu (J&K)

Dr. Sharma has contributed immensely towards integrated water resource management and soil hydrology. He has standardized farming systems for north-eastern states to replace shifting cultivation, and established critical limits for P, K and Zn in potato-growing soils. He established nutrient diagnostic norms such as use of boundary lines and DRIS approach. Dr. Sharma designed and developed lysimeter-leachate collection system in high rainfall areas and modelled hydro-meteorological predictions for assessing floods in Brahmaputra basin.

Dr. Ram Jag Singh (b. 8 Nov, 1945) Agronomist - Soybean Cytogenetics, Department of Crop Sciences, National Soybean Research Center, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL (USA)

Dr. Singh has made significant contributions in cytogenetics of major cereals like rice, wheat, oats and barley. Genomic relationships among species of the genus Glycine subgenus Glycine Wild, based on cytogenetics, biochemical and molecular methods have been established and species were assigned genome symbols for the first time for extensive use by molecular taxonomists worldwide. He has also developed improved soybean varieties with several useful traits of economic importance.

Dr. Kamlesh Narayan Tiwari (b. 1 Feb, 1955) Professor, Agricultural & Food Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (W.B.)

Dr. Tiwari has made significant contributions in the field of irrigation engineering with special emphasis on pressurized irrigation. He has developed the concept of using drag reducing polymers to reduce power requirement in sprinkler irrigation, designed and developed the variable flow rate drippers and automated micro irrigation system. He designed ventilated greenhouse for floriculture. His current research interest is in the application of remote sensing and geographical information system to derive watershed parameters to assess runoff and sediment yields.