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LS- International Journal of Life Sciences

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OBITUARIES

Obituary

Kant

Uma

Professor

Online Published on 7 April, 2023.

071-42023

1216263

2022

IndianJournals.com

It is with great regret that we note the recent passing of a great personality in Indian Botany, Professors Uma Kant. He will be greatly missed and remembered long by the botanical community across the world.

Professor Uma Kant

M.Sc. Ph.D. Post Doc. (USA), FBS, FMA

(June 1, 1936 to November 25, 2022)

Professor Uma Kant was born on June 1^st 1936 in Ajmer, Rajasthan. He received his early education in this very city. He obtained M.Sc. in 1959 and Ph.D. (Plant Tumors & Tissue Culture) in 1967 from the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur.

Professor Kant started his teaching career at Government College, Ajmer as Lecturer in 1959. Thereafter in 1962, he joined the Rajasthan University as Assistant Professor. In 1968 he proceeded to U.S.A. as Post-Doctoral Fellow and worked with Professor A.C. Hildebrandt, the renowned Plant Tissue Culturist, at Wisconsin University, Madison U.S.A. He became Reader in 1979 and Professor in 1989. He was Head, Department of Botany, University of Rajasthan during 1992-95. In 1995 he was appointed Director, School of Life Sciences and remained in that position till retirement.

Professor Kant was internationally known for his researches in the field of Plant Pathology & Tissue Culture. He had made significant contributions in the field of Animal Plant interaction with special reference in biotechnological studies of plant tumors and insect- induced galls. He developed micropropagation protocols of several desert plant species. He had a long and active research and academic career. He was a great teacher who was loved by all. He published more than hundred research papers in reputed National and International Journals and Books. He had supervised 30 Ph.D. scholars who were awarded Doctorate degree under his guidance. Several Research Projects sponsored by Department of Biotechnology, Department of Science and Technology, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, University Grants Commission & Rajasthan State DST were successfully completed by him.

He participated in a number of National/International Conferences in India and abroad and chaired sessions & also delivered invited talks at many Institutes / Universities. He traveled abroad extensively for research work ; some of the Institutes / Universities are Wisconsin University, Madison, U.S.A. (1968-1978); Ohio State University, Ohio, U.S.A. (1969) ; University of Calgary, Calgary Canada, (1978); University of Kiel, Kiel, Botany Institute, Der Heidelberg, Philipps Universtit, Marbarg and Institute for Plant Nutrition, Giessen, Germany, in 1984; Danish Govt. Institute for Seed Pathology, Denmark (1984); Botany Institute, Zurich Switzerland (1984); and Institute of phytopathology Research Wageningen, Netherland (1990).

Professor Kant was a Fellow of Indian Botanical Society, Fellow of the Society of Sigma XI Wisconsin University (U.S.A.) Chapter. He was a member of Plant Tissue Culture Association, India and Society of Mycology and Plant Pathology. He was Treasurer, Indian Botanical Society (1993-1998); Local Secretary, 81^st Science Congress, Jaipur, 1994; Member, Editorial Board, Indian Botanical Society (1997-1998). He was General Secretary (Out stn.) of Indian Science Congress Association (1998-2001) and Secretary of International Cecidological Society. He was Member of Rajasthan State Biotechnology Advisory Board (Since 2005) and Member of Rajasthan State council Science and Technology (since 2006).

He was awarded Chatterji Merit Cup and Gold Medal for Best Academic and Cultural record, Government College, Ajmer in 1958-59, P. Maheshwari Gold Medal for outstanding contribution in the field of Plant Sciences by Indian Botanical Society in 2000, President’s Gold Medal by Indian Science Congress Association for contribution in the field of Biotechnology and contribution towards enhancement of Science and Technology in 2008 and Professor H.C. Arya Memorial Medal from PTCA(I).

Professor Kant was member of many committees of Govt. of India’s Science Agencies. He had a wide experience in educational administration too. Professor Uma Kant was a great human being, who was always eager to help others. He was a large-hearted, generous person who will not just be known for his research in the botanical world but also as a great philanthropist. He was a gem, we have lost forever. He passed away on November 25, 2022. May his soul attain salvation.