1996-97 - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany

1996-97
The concluding function of Golden Jubilee Celebrations was held on January
20, 1997. Sri B.N. Swaroop, Adviser to the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Dr S.K. Misra,
Director, National Centre for Medium Range Forecasting, New Delhi, Prof. H.Y.
Mohanram, FNA, Former Chairman, Governing Body, BSIP; Dr S. Varadrajan, FNA,
President, Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi and many other distinguished
persons graced the occasion. Dr S. Varadrajan released the Golden Jubilee publications
- Golden Jubilee Volume of the Journal The Palaeobotanist, Volume 45 and a Brochure
on the Institute. Dr S.K. Misra read out the message of compliments from the Secretary,
DST on the occasion. On behalf of His Excellency, The Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Sri
B.N. Swaroop presented the mementos to distinguished persons for their contributions
to the growth of the BSIP and to the science of Palaeobotany. Mementos were also
presented to the retired and serving employees of the Institute on the occasion of Golden
Jubilee celebrations.
Three Golden Jubilee Lectures were delivered during the year:
Prof. S. Ramaseshan, EA.Sc., EN.A., Professor-Emeritus, Raman Research
Institute, Bangalore delivered 3rd Golden Jubilee Lecture on "Shells, corals
and geophysics".
Dr Anupam Verma, EN.A., Head, Advanced Centre for Plant Virology,
Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi delivered 4th Golden
Jubilee Lecture on "Plant disease management in sustainable agriculture".
Dr S. Varadrajan, EN.A., President Indian National Science Academy, New
Delhi delivered 5th Golden Jubilee Lecture on "Science for economic and
social
goals of India."
Founder's Day
On November 14, 1996 Founder's Day was celebrated with great reverence by
floral tributes at the Samadhi of the Founder by Professor C. V. Subramanian, Professor
S.Z. Qasim, Professor J .S. Singh, Staff of the Institute and other distinguished persons.
On this occasion two Memorial lectures were organised. Professor C. V. Subramanian
presided over the Founder's Day Function. Professor J .S. Singh, FNA, Banaras Hindu
University delivered 26th Birbal Sahni Memorial Lecture on "Causes and consequences
of global climatic changes". The 42nd Sir Albert Charles Seward Memorial Lecture on
"Exploitation and sharing the economic wealth of the Indian Ocean" was delivered by
Professor S.Z. Qasim, FNA, Ex-member, Planning Commission, Government of India
and Vice Chairman, Society for Indian Ocean Studies, New Delhi. The staff paid homage
to the Founder, Professor Birbal Sahni on his death anniversary - the April 10. 1997
by Pushpanjali at his Samadhi.
Besides the scientific activities, the Institute celebrated the National Festivals
- Independence Day and Republic Day. On the Independence Day outdoor games and
cultural programmes were organised by the Staff Welfare Committee.
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