CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI), Lucknow, remembered its Founder Padma Bhushan Professor Kailash Nath Kaul by holding its 4thProf. KN Kaul Memorial Lecture on 26 February 2021. On the same day, the institute also celebrated the National Science Day with the theme ‘Future of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI): Impacts on Education, Skills and Work’.

On this occasion, Prof. K.N. Ganeshaiah, F.N.A., Former Professor, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru, was the Chief Guest and Mrs Deepa Kaul daughter of Prof. K.N. Kaul and former Cabinet Minister, UP Government, was present as a Guest of Honour.

Prof. Kailas Nath Kaul was a great Indian botanist, naturalist, agricultural scientist, horticulturist, herbalist and plant collector. On behalf of the State Government of Uttar Pradesh, Prof. Kaul originally conceptualised the establishment of the National Botanic Gardens (NBG), currently known as CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute. It was taken over by the CSIR in 1953.

Prof. Ganeshaiah presented the Memorial Lecture on "Do Plants Behave like Animals" and explained through various examples that plants do not have sensory organs like eyes, nose or ears to understand the environment around them. However, they have sensory signals, on the basis of which they adapt themselves and behave according to the environment. Prof. Ganeshaiah said that plants receive the signals from their environment to obtain necessary information and draw necessary conclusions to change their behaviour based on those findings.    

Mrs Deepa Kaul shared the memories of her father Prof. K.N.Kaul. She also mentioned that this corona pandemic has not only given us a unique opportunity but also provided us with a new perspective of looking at life. She also appreciated the contribution of the CSIR-NBRI in preserving traditional knowledge and heritage.

Prof. Ganeshaiah also felicitated the retirees and declared the winner of the ‘Pushpangadan Biodiversity Access and Benefit Sharing Award-2020’. The award is given for contribution to tribal welfare in India and carries a cash prize of one lakh rupees and citation.

For the year 2020, Dr Topi Basar, Associate Professor, National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam and Dr R.L.S. Sikarwar, AKS University, Satna, Madhya Pradesh, shared the award. Dr Basar contributed to creating awareness amongst tribal communities about the significance of IPR, mainly the use of Geographical Indication law, biodiversity law and plant variety and farmers rights act for their socio-economic empowerment. Whereas DrSikarwar contributed to tribal social organisations, cultural relationships, rituals, traditional ways of conservation of biodiversity through totems, taboos ethnobotany and among different tribal communities.

Earlier, the programme started with a floral tribute to Prof. K.N.Kaul. While welcoming the guests, Prof. S.K. Barik, Director, CSIR-NBRI, commemorated the priceless contribution of Prof. Kaul to the field of science. He said that CSIR-NBRI is the result of the foundation laid by Prof. Kaul. He also called upon all the scientists to work on the dream objectives of Prof. Kaul.

Prof. Barik also briefed about the National Science Day celebration and said that it is celebrated all over India with great enthusiasm on the 28thof February every year to commemorate the announcement of the Raman Effect in India by the Indian physicist, Sir C.V. Raman. For his great success in the field of science in India, Prof. Raman was honoured with the Nobel Prize in Physics in the year 1930.

Dr P.A. Shirke, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NBRI presented the vote of thanks.

DrP.A.Shirke
Chief Scientist, CSIR-NBRI