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Pushpa Mitra Bhargava: Scientist who returned his Padma award

Dr P.M. Bhargava was known for his courageous conviction; he put forth ideas and stood by them with no desire for power.

Hyderabad: Dr P.M Bhargava’s outspokenness earned him admirers and foes in equal measure. The best example of his forthrightness was his decision to return the Padma Bhushan in 2015 for what he termed as growing intolerance in the country under the Narendra Modi government.

He did not mince his words while announcing his decision. He called for a ban on the RSS for fanning a sense of fear among minorities and Dalits.

“The government must change its way of functioning as it is going on a path laid by Hindu religious autocracy,” he had said, citing the reason for joining the protest by intellectuals, writers, filmmakers and social activists from across the country.

While there were some who congratulated him for the decision, some others like actor Anupam Kher strongly criticised him. Kher had said, “Some more usual suspects who never wanted Modi to become PM in the first place have joined the Awardwapsi gang. Jai Ho.” But whether praised or critiqued, the fact remains that with Dr Bhargava’s passing, a void has been created in the scientific community that would be hard to fill.

Retired professor and activist G. Haragopal said, “Dr Bhargava’s passing away will leave a void in the intellectual world but his courageous conviction which was a rare quality will truly be missed. Democratic India that is going through winds of change needed a voice to fight for the masses and his voice was one of the strongest. He was the first person to resign from the post of the Vice-Chancellor, stating that he did not like the way the commission was working. His resignation raised quite a few eyebrows. But his conviction in what he believed was right was unshakeable. He put forth ideas and stood by them with no desire for power or position. He was a truly a great scientist and courageous gentleman.”

Dr Lalji Singh, who worked with him at CCMB said, “Dr Bhargava used to say whatever was in his mind without thinking about consequences. He used to say what he felt. This landed him in trouble on a few occasions. However, he was very accessible to subordinates and young scientists and took several steps to ensure best of facilities were available for research at CCMB.”

For young scientists he was ‘Bheeshmapitamaha’
Dr. P.M Bhargava was looked upon and revered as a ‘Bheeshmapitamaha’ by the biologists’ community as well as young scientists in Hyderabad and in the rest of the country. His quest to aim for research that would benefit the ordinary countryman was the inspirational code of many a young scientist.

Relatives and friends pay floral tributes to scientist P.M.Bhargava at his residence at Uppal on Tuesday. (Photo: DC)Relatives and friends pay floral tributes to scientist P.M.Bhargava at his residence at Uppal on Tuesday. (Photo: DC)

He always stressed on fearless research that focused on socially relevant subjects and brought about a positive change in the life of the common man. He was against stereotype researches.

Dr Lalji Singh, reputed scientist, who is also called as the Father of Indian DNA fingerprinting recalled his three decades’ association with Dr Bhargava.

Dr Singh worked as CCMB Director for 11 years before retiring in 2012.

It was Dr Bhargava, who was instrumental in bringing Dr Lalji Singh, who was a research associate in Edinburgh University, United Kingdom, to CCMB in 1987.

“Dr Bhargava was like a guru to me. He was very happy with the work I did on DNA fingerprinting technology,” Dr Singh said.

Recalling Dr Bhargava’s contribution, Dr Lalji said the late scientist had been a remarkable person besides being an excellent scientist, the reason why he had held such key and prestigious posts at the highest level in his career.

Meanwhile, IICT (Indian Institute of Chemical Technology) Director Dr.S.Chandrashekar called Dr Bhargava as an institution builder par excellence.

“The work ethics and culture he created at CCMB and the momentum he gave to it is the reason why the institution is regarded as one of premier institutions in the world,” he said in Dr Bhargava’s honour.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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