Dr Dhirendra th Borthakur passes away

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Feb 3: Eminent agricultural scientist of intertiol repute, former Vice Chancellor of Assam Agriculture University Dr Dhirendra th Borthakur passed away at his Rukminigaon residence in the city on Thursday night. He was 90. Born in 1926 at Jorhat, DN Borthakur graduated from Cotton College with flying colours. Involved with the Quit India and Freedom movements, he rejoined his studies and was among the first batch of PG students in Gauhati University, taking his masters degree in Botany. Beginning his career as a scientist at Tocklai Tea Research Centre, he joined Assam Agriculture University in 1952. Thereafter, he took his MS degree and doctorate degree from Missouri University. He rejoined Assam Agriculture University; in the Sixties, Dr Borthakur was vested with important responsibilities of Economic Botanist and Rice Expert by the Assam government. He was later on associated with Dr MS Swamithan, Father of India's Green revolution. He served as Vice Chancellor of Assam Agriculture University, retiring in October, 1980. He later on served as Deputy Director of ICAR's Research Project at Shillong. Dr. Borthakur was conferred honorary D.Sc degree by Dibrugarh University and Assam Agriculture University. As a front-ranking agricultural scientist, he has numerous popular scientific papers and books to his credit. Expressing grief at his demise, Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal said the immense contribution of Dr Borthakur to the field of agricultural research would always remain a milestone which contributed towards the growth of agriculture science in the State.