THE FATHER OF WHEAT REVOLUTION DR D.S. ATHWAL PASSES AWAY, PAU HOLDS CONDOLENCE MEETING

Ludhiana, May 15, 2017: The Father of Wheat Revolution, Dr Dilbagh Singh Athwal who was one of the most outstanding scientists of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), passed away on May 14 in USA. A condolence meeting was held at PAU today where Dr B.S.Dhillon, VC, PAU; officers and scientists of the University, paid tributes to Dr Athwal and prayed to God for the peace of the departed soul.

Dr Dhillon said the outstanding contributions made by Dr Athwal in the field of agriculture remain unsurpassable till date. “Dr Athwal was one of the stalwarts who played a pivotal role in initiating Green Revolution in the country. He was a well-known Geneticist, Plant Breeder and agricultural scientist of international repute” he stated. “Dr Athwal developed world’s first grain pearl millet hybrid ‘Hybrid Bajra 1’ in 1965 that heralded a new era in cultivation of this important crop” he highlighted.

Dr Athwal was instrumental in developing PV 18 in 1966 and the most popular amber grained wheat variety ‘Kalyansona’ in 1967, the later named after the village ‘Kalyanpur’ in Punjab where Dr. Athwal was born in 1928. He served as Founder Head, Department of Plant Breeding, PAU and made contributions to the genetics and breeding of pearl millet, wheat, gram and tobacco. A large number of genetic stocks developed by him made a significant contribution to future research on bajra breeding and genetics. Later, in 1967, he joined the management of International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Philippines and eventually served as the Institute’s first Deputy Director General. At IRRI, he introduced many innovations in rice breeding. The University of Sydney bestowed the degree of Doctor of Philosophy on him in 1955. In 1964, he was conferred with Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, which is the highest Indian award in the science category. He was also decorated with Padma Bhushan in 1975 by the Government of India for his contributions to biological science. After his retirement, he settled in New Jersey, USA, where he breathed his last.

The University has named its new guest house after his name as Dr. D.S. Athwal, International Guest House. As a mark of respect to the departed soul, University was closed for half day.