CSD MOURNS PASSING OF A GREAT INTELLECTUAL
Pushpa Mitra Bhargava 1928-2017
In the passing away of Professor Pushpa Mitra Bhargava, India has lost an eminent scientist, an influential public intellectual and a unique institution-builder. P M Bhargava breathed his last on 1 August 2017 at Hyderabad at the age of 89.In his death the Council for Social Development lost one of its great mentors. P M Bhargava was a Life Member of CSD , Chairperson of its Research and Publication Committee and Chairperson of the Managing Committee of the Southern Regional Centre, Hyderabad.
Founder of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, which he built as a global institute of excellence, P M Bhargava conducted pioneering research in biotechnology on the basis of which he influenced many of India’s policies on genetic engineering. Among his many outstanding researches, the discovery and analytical documentation of some 90,000 species of traditional plants from various parts of India will remain a lasting contribution to the welfare of humankind.
On the burning issues facing the country, he always took steadfast positions in public and presented objective critiques of policy. On the promotion of scientific temper and secular values in society as well as universalising school education he passionately pursued his efforts through his writings and joining various initiatives. His return of the Padma Bhushan award in 2015 was a unique gesture of protest against the increasing climate of intolerance.
As a mentor in CSD PM Bhargava guided research and advocacy programmes of CSD both in Delhi and in Hyderabad with insights and critical advice. In the past two decades he helped CSD to grow into a national centre for research on core issues of social development that concerned the marginalised . Under his leadership CSD undertook several new programmes on themes on the borderline of natural sciences and social sciences. His insistence that good research should not only meet rigorous academic standards but must also be presented to the public for leading to fresh policy initiatives and social action to benefit the common people will always remain the inspiring canon before CSD. Under his leadership the CSD Southern Regional Centre developed into a major centre for innovative research and purposeful public initiatives.
CSD community deeply mourns the passing of Pushpa Mitra Bhargava and sends sincere condolences to his family.
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