Bhagabat Panda: a leader in Poultry Science Research, Education and Extension
Dr. Bhagabat Panda
Dr. Bhagabat Panda was an internationally renowned scientist specializing in the field of poultry science and nutrition. His expertise in these areas is reflected by his significant contributions both in the public and private sectors of poultry science in India and abroad. Bhagabat Panda was born on March 16, 1929 in Orissa, India [1]. He obtained his Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree (with Honors) in 1953, together with the Best All-Rounder Award from Bombay Veterinary College [2]. He worked for the Orissa Department of Animal Husbandry and Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, [3] before joining the University of Maryland at College Park, USA [4] for his postgraduate studies. He received his M.S. degree in 1960 and Ph.D. degree in 1963 from the University of Maryland College Park. His postgraduate work on vitamin A nutrition and resistance to coccidiosis infection received international acclaim by the feed industry and poultry scientists.
Following a brief assignment on behalf of the government of Venezuela, he returned to India in 1963 to be appointed Scientific Officer at the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore, India [5]. Here he developed six technological processes in the areas of egg preservation and the utilization of agro-industrial products. These were released to the industry by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research [6] for commercial exploitation.
In 1969 Dr. Panda moved from CFTRI to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar [7], as head of the Division of Poultry Research. His planning, contributions and achievements at IVRI, brought glory and international repute to the poultry science education and industry. Under the auspices of a United Nations Development Program (UNDP) [8] /Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) [9] project, he transformed the Division of Poultry Research into a "Center of Excellence" in Poultry Science - the first of its kind in the country. In 1972, he was awarded the UNDP fellowship and visited poultry science research and educational institutions in many nations including France, USSR, UK, USA, Canada, Japan, Scotland and Australia.
Dr. Panda developed different disciplines in poultry science in India, attracting postgraduate students to work for higher degrees from within and outside the country. His untiring efforts contributed to the establishment of separate Poultry Science departments and Poultry Science curricula in many agricultural universities and some Institutions in India. Poultry science education grew in size and scope to keep pace with the developing industry and its need for qualified technical staff. It is not surprising that Dr. Panda is popularly known as the "Father of Poultry Education" in India. In 1970 when ICAR launched the All India Co-ordinated Poultry Breeding Research Projects [10] for eggs and for poultry meat, aimed at making the country largely self-sufficient for stock, Dr. Panda took on the additional responsibility of Project Co-ordinator. He made major contributions to establishing these projects and in planning and executing the breeding programs.
His dedication to poultry research, development and education was, in large measure, responsible for the "upgrading" in 1979 of the Poultry Science Division at IVRI to the Central Avian Research Institute (CARI)[11]. He served as the Founder Director of this Institute from 1979 to 1990. Under Dr. Panda's leadership CARI grew from strength to strength. It gained wide recognition and attracted a number of National Awards to the Institute and its Director for outstanding contributions to poultry science research, education and organization. Under Dr. Panda's leadership, CARI received the prestigious National Productivity Award in 1988 by the President of India.
As well as an educator, examiner and technical expert, Dr. Panda became closely involved in the appointment process for senior academic staff in Food Science and Poultry Science at most agricultural universities in India. Amongst Dr. Panda's other achievements can be included the publication of 320 research papers together with six textbooks on Poultry Science and a number of technical bulletins and popular articles. For a number of years he was the Editor-in-chief of the Indian Journal of Poultry Science [12] and a member of the Editorial Board of the World's Poultry Science Journal [13]. In addition to identifying and helping to preserve and utilize indigenous domestic fowl germ plasm, Dr. Panda was largely responsible for the introduction and popularization of Japanese Quail in India and helped to develop systems of production for Guinea Fowl.
In 1965, together with a few poultry scientist colleagues, Dr. Panda founded the Indian Poultry Science Association [14]. He lead this organization as President for 15 years. Since 1962 Dr. Panda has been a Life Member of the World's Poultry Science Association (WPSA) [15] and was a founder member of the WPSA India Branch. He played a prominent role in the organization of the XXth Poultry Congress, and particularly its scientific program. During the XXth World Poultry Congress held in New Delhi India on September 4, 1996, the World's Poultry Science Association elected Dr. Panda to the “International Poultry Hall of Fame” [16, 17] to recognize his contributions made in the field of Poultry research, education and extension.
During his professional career spanning over 35 years, Dr. Panda watched the eventful and turbulent periods of the transformation of the Indian poultry industry from a backyard activity to a modern, sophisticated and sustainable industrial enterprise. His contributions to the Indian poultry industry were well-appreciated. In 2001, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from WPSA. In 2009, the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) to Dr. Panda for his contributions to the development of poultry science research and education. After his retirement, Dr. Panda resided in Bhubaneswar, India, with his wife, Saraswati. It was not surprising that, even in retirement, Dr. Panda continued to be active in promoting the causes of research, education and organization in the poultry industry. On December 16th, 2016, Dr. Panda passed away in Bhubaneswar, due to age-related health issues. He was 87 years old and is survived by four daughters, sons-in law, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. His wife Saraswati, with whom Dr. Panda spent 69 years of marriage, passed away at the age of 85 during May 2020 due to age-related complications.
Following a brief assignment on behalf of the government of Venezuela, he returned to India in 1963 to be appointed Scientific Officer at the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore, India [5]. Here he developed six technological processes in the areas of egg preservation and the utilization of agro-industrial products. These were released to the industry by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research [6] for commercial exploitation.
In 1969 Dr. Panda moved from CFTRI to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar [7], as head of the Division of Poultry Research. His planning, contributions and achievements at IVRI, brought glory and international repute to the poultry science education and industry. Under the auspices of a United Nations Development Program (UNDP) [8] /Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) [9] project, he transformed the Division of Poultry Research into a "Center of Excellence" in Poultry Science - the first of its kind in the country. In 1972, he was awarded the UNDP fellowship and visited poultry science research and educational institutions in many nations including France, USSR, UK, USA, Canada, Japan, Scotland and Australia.
Dr. Panda developed different disciplines in poultry science in India, attracting postgraduate students to work for higher degrees from within and outside the country. His untiring efforts contributed to the establishment of separate Poultry Science departments and Poultry Science curricula in many agricultural universities and some Institutions in India. Poultry science education grew in size and scope to keep pace with the developing industry and its need for qualified technical staff. It is not surprising that Dr. Panda is popularly known as the "Father of Poultry Education" in India. In 1970 when ICAR launched the All India Co-ordinated Poultry Breeding Research Projects [10] for eggs and for poultry meat, aimed at making the country largely self-sufficient for stock, Dr. Panda took on the additional responsibility of Project Co-ordinator. He made major contributions to establishing these projects and in planning and executing the breeding programs.
His dedication to poultry research, development and education was, in large measure, responsible for the "upgrading" in 1979 of the Poultry Science Division at IVRI to the Central Avian Research Institute (CARI)[11]. He served as the Founder Director of this Institute from 1979 to 1990. Under Dr. Panda's leadership CARI grew from strength to strength. It gained wide recognition and attracted a number of National Awards to the Institute and its Director for outstanding contributions to poultry science research, education and organization. Under Dr. Panda's leadership, CARI received the prestigious National Productivity Award in 1988 by the President of India.
As well as an educator, examiner and technical expert, Dr. Panda became closely involved in the appointment process for senior academic staff in Food Science and Poultry Science at most agricultural universities in India. Amongst Dr. Panda's other achievements can be included the publication of 320 research papers together with six textbooks on Poultry Science and a number of technical bulletins and popular articles. For a number of years he was the Editor-in-chief of the Indian Journal of Poultry Science [12] and a member of the Editorial Board of the World's Poultry Science Journal [13]. In addition to identifying and helping to preserve and utilize indigenous domestic fowl germ plasm, Dr. Panda was largely responsible for the introduction and popularization of Japanese Quail in India and helped to develop systems of production for Guinea Fowl.
In 1965, together with a few poultry scientist colleagues, Dr. Panda founded the Indian Poultry Science Association [14]. He lead this organization as President for 15 years. Since 1962 Dr. Panda has been a Life Member of the World's Poultry Science Association (WPSA) [15] and was a founder member of the WPSA India Branch. He played a prominent role in the organization of the XXth Poultry Congress, and particularly its scientific program. During the XXth World Poultry Congress held in New Delhi India on September 4, 1996, the World's Poultry Science Association elected Dr. Panda to the “International Poultry Hall of Fame” [16, 17] to recognize his contributions made in the field of Poultry research, education and extension.
During his professional career spanning over 35 years, Dr. Panda watched the eventful and turbulent periods of the transformation of the Indian poultry industry from a backyard activity to a modern, sophisticated and sustainable industrial enterprise. His contributions to the Indian poultry industry were well-appreciated. In 2001, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from WPSA. In 2009, the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) to Dr. Panda for his contributions to the development of poultry science research and education. After his retirement, Dr. Panda resided in Bhubaneswar, India, with his wife, Saraswati. It was not surprising that, even in retirement, Dr. Panda continued to be active in promoting the causes of research, education and organization in the poultry industry. On December 16th, 2016, Dr. Panda passed away in Bhubaneswar, due to age-related health issues. He was 87 years old and is survived by four daughters, sons-in law, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. His wife Saraswati, with whom Dr. Panda spent 69 years of marriage, passed away at the age of 85 during May 2020 due to age-related complications.
With his wife, Mrs. Saraswati Panda in Bhubaneswar, India during December 2002.