PAU pays rich tributes to its grand old, erudite Soil Scientist, Dr Dev Raj Bhumbla

Ludhiana, October 21, 2019: Punjab Agricultural University, paid rich tributes to its grand old, erudite Soil Scientist, Dr Dev Raj Bhumbla, a luminary who has etched his name in the chronicles of Indian Agriculture for his landmark contributions to Green Revolution that transformed the face of the nation. 

Expressing profound grief on the sad demise of Dr Bhumbla, Dr BS Dhillon, Vice Chancellor, PAU, and Padma Shri Awardee, said, “On behalf of the entire fraternity of scientists at the PAU, I feel that the final departure of the great Indian agricultural stalwart, Dr Dev Raj Bhumbla will not only leave an irreparable vacuum in the field of agricultural science, but also a deep and personal loss to the University, where Dr Bhumbla had contributed his distinguished services for a notable tenure. I pray that the noble departed soul may rest in peace.”

Born and brought up in a non-descript village, Malewal, tehsil Balachour, district Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Punjab; Dr Dev Raj Bhumbla excelled to become a name to reckon with. A brilliant student, Dr Bhumbla was perhaps the only student to have been awarded the ‘Distinguished Alumni Award’ by all three universities from where he received his education- Agriculture College and Research Institute, Lyallpur; Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana; and Ohio State University, USA.

Dr Dev Raj Bhumbla was an institution in himself. He was a courteous and generous gentleman, who rose from his humble beginnings to capture the highest echelons of office. On the professional level, he earned accolades in his chosen research areas, viz., Soil Science, Water Management, Dryland Farming and Soil Reclamation. While at PAU, Dr Bhumbla had indeed been an integral part of the immense contribution made to Green Revolution that turned the country from a food deficit to a self-sufficient nation.

His long and distinguished professional journey saw him occupying several top-notch positions, namely, the Director, ICAR- Central Soil Salinity Research Institute; Deputy Director General (Soils, Agronomy and Engineering), ICAR; Agriculture Commissioner, Government of India; Vice Chancellor, Haryana Agricultural University; President, Indian Society of Soil Science; or as the Vice-President, International Society of Soil Science; Dr Bhumbla did justice to all the reputed offices he held.

Dr Bhumbla was decorated with several awards and recognitions for his outstanding contributions. The highest ICAR Award ‘Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award’ was awarded to him in 1972-73, for his work on ‘Reclamation of Alkali Soils’. The Commonwealth Scientific Organization too conferred upon him the ‘Guinness Award for Scientific Achievements’ for the year 1978-79. He was also a recipient of ‘IAUA Plaque’ for outstanding work in Agricultural Education and Research 1979. The PAU felicitated Dr Bhumbla with an Honorary D.Sc. degree in 1987, which was conferred upon him by the eminent scientist Dr Norman Borlaug. The University also recently named its Regional Research Station for Kandi Area, Ballowal Saunkhri as “Dr DR Bhumbla Regional Research Station for Kandi Area, Ballowal Saunkhri” in recognition to his contributions to agriculture in general and soil science in particular.

Dr Bhumbla was an encyclopaedia of knowledge, owing to his deep perception and intellectual grasp of diverse fields. He was truly a dynamic agricultural researcher, whose perseverance and commitment to his passion in science never diminished. His integrity and unquestionable strength of character made him take several tough decisions in his professional career. Who can forget his historic decision to quit the post of the Vice Chancellor of Haryana Agricultural University that set an example of how to stand up for righteousness?

It is the good fortune of PAU to have had a visionary of his stature as one of its most illustrious alumnus. As a mark of respect to his larger-than-life mission, the PAU published his Biography in 2018, “Dr Dev Raj Bhumbla: The Pulse of Indian Agriculture” detailing his outstanding work and glorious journey which shall serve as a perfect example for many young researchers to emulate.