Prof. V.L. Chopra: Born in Adhwal, a small village near Rawal Pindi in British India (now Pakistan) Prof. Chopra studied at Ramjas School, Delhi and Central College of Agriculture (later Indian Agricultural research Institute, IARI) and obtained Ph.D in Genetics from the University of Edinburgh. He also worked as a Humboldt Fellow in the University of Cologne, Germany. Moving back to India, Prof Chopra served his alma mater IARI as Professor of Genetics and Founder-Director of Biotechnology Centre (currently National Institute of Plant Biotechnology). An inspiring teacher, Prof Chopra specialized in Wheat Genetics and pioneered Plant Biotechnology in India. ‘Pusa Jai Kisan’, a bold seeded, high yielding variety of Indian Mustard stands ‘tall and high’ among mustard varieties even today. Prof. Chopra was honoured with Padma Bhushan, World Food Day Award, Borlaug Award, Om Prakash Bhasin Award and B.P. Pal Award. He served as the Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Member, Planning Commission, GoI. He was also Chancellor of the Central University of Kerala
Prof. Chopra passed away today (April 18, 2020).
We on behalf of the Pashudhan praharee team express our deepest condolences over the Sad demise of the departed soul.
May his soul rest in peace.
