Milestone

Milestones

1905 :  Botany Division, Imperial Agricultural Research Institute

1946 :  Plant Introduction Section/Service, Botany Division, Imperial Agricultural Research Institute

1956 :  Plant Introduction and Exploration Organization Botany Division, Indian Agricultural Research Institute

1961 :  Plant Introduction Division, Indian Agricultural Research Institute

1974 :  Plant Introduction Division, Indian Agricultural Research Institute

1976 :  National Bureau of Plant Introduction

1976 :  National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources

  Indian Vavilov Dr. Harbhajan Singh (1914-1974) 

Dr. Harbhajan Singh was the most distinguished plant explorer, renowned as the “Indian Vavilov”. He imparted a distinct identity to the discipline Plant Genetic Resources in India. Dr. Singh introduced large germplasm of wheat and rice that contributed to the Green Revolution in India. He also introduced several new species such as soybean, sunflower, low chilling and temperate fruits (peaches, apples, West Indian cherry, Chinese gooseberry) and a wide range of ornamentals. He also made outstanding contributions in the field of vegetable breeding, Pusa Sawani cultivar of okra being the crowning example.

Born at Pusa, Bihar he received early education at Kharar and Amritsar. Dr. Singh post graduated in Botany from Agra University and then completed Diploma course of associateship in Economic Botany from Imperial Agricultural Research Institute (now Indian Agricultural Research Institute). He later joined Division of Botany, IARI as regular research staff. Later, he adorned the position of Head of Plant Introduction Division of IARI with great distinction, taught and guided many postgraduate students with an unusual blend of scientific and human qualities.

His contributions to the field he loved most have been multifarious. He organized a number of systematic explorations and evaluation programmes in India and abroad. Dr. Harbhajan Singh published over 130 research papers, bulletins, monographs and popular articles. He served as consultant to several organizations and represented the country in international fora. The President of India conferred on Dr. Singh the Padma Shri award in 1971. Punjab Agricultural University decorated him with the degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris causa).

Dr. Harbhajan Singh believed and worked relentlessly with the firm conviction that example is better than percept. He was a human being par excellence. We feel greatly honoured by dedicating this volume to the memory of the person who was a pioneer in the field of plant genetic resources and was an outstanding plant breeder.

NBPGR Directors

	Mr. M.W. Hardas*#   01.08.1976 - 26.01.1977
	Dr. K.L. Mehra   27.01.1977 - 31.12.1983
	Dr. R.K. Arora*   01.01.1984 - 28.02.1985
	Dr. R.S. Paroda   01.03.1985 - 01.11.1987
	Dr. R.K. Arora*   02.11.1987 - 01.01.1989
	Dr. R.S. Rana   02.01.1989 - 18.09.1995
	Dr. K.P.S. Chandel*   19.09.1995 - 30.04.1997
	Dr P.L. Gautam   24.05.1997 - 13.04.2000
	Dr. G.D. Sharma*   13.04.2000 - 10.09.2000
	Dr. B.S. Dhillon   11.09.2000 - 27.07.2005
	Dr. J.L. Karihaloo*   27.07.2005 - 31.01.2006
	Dr. A.K. Singh*   01.02.2006 - 14.06.2006
	Dr. S.K. Sharma   15.06.2006 - 05.02.2010
	Dr. D.C. Bhandari*   05.02.2010 - 27.10.2010
	Dr. K.C. Bansal   27.10.2010 - 26.04.2016
	Dr. S.C. Dubey*   27.04.2016 - 10.08.2016
	Dr. Kuldeep Singh   11.08.2016 - 10.08.2021
	Dr. Ashok Kumar*   11.08.2021 - 27.10.2022
	Dr. Gyanendra Pratap Singh   28.10.2022 - Continuing

Name	From	To
Mr. M.V. Hardas*#	01.08.1976	26.01.1977
Dr. K.L. Mehra	27.01.1977	31.12.1983
Dr. R.K. Arora*	01.01.1984	28.02.1985
Dr. R.S. Paroda	01.03.1985	01.11.1987
Dr. R.K. Arora*	02.11.1987	01.01.1989
Dr. R.S. Rana	02.01.1989	18.09.1995
Dr. K.P.S. Chandel*	19.09.1995	30.04.1997
Dr. P.L. Gautam	24.05.1997	13.04.2000
Dr. G.D. Sharma*	13.04.2000	10.09.2000
Dr. B.S. Dhillon	11.09.2000	27.07.2005
Dr. J.L.Karihaloo*	27.07.2005	31.01.2006
Dr. A.K.Singh*	01.02.2006	14.06.2006
Dr. S.K.Sharma	15.06.2006	05.02.2010
Dr. D.C. Bhandari*	05.02.2010	27.10.2010
Dr. K.C. Bansal	27.10.2010	26.04.2016
Dr. S.C. Dubey*	27.04.2016	10.08.2016
Dr. Kuldeep Singh	11.08.2016	10.08.2021
Dr. Ashok Kumar*	11.08.2021	27.10.2022
Dr. Gyanendra Pratap Singh	28.10.2022	Continuing

* Acting Director
# National Bureau of Plant Introduction