New Delhi : The Indian Phytopathological Society (IPS), a
leading national body in plant pathology and agricultural sciences, has
instituted the prestigious “Prof. L. V. Gangawane Young Scientist Award and
Oration”, a national platform to recognise and encourage outstanding young
agricultural scientists. The new award commemorates Prof. L. V. Gangawane
(1944–2018), an eminent Indian plant pathologist, soil microbiologist and
former IPS President, celebrated for his steadfast commitment to farmer-centric
research.
The announcement was made by IPS President-Elect Prof.
Rajendra M. Gade, who described Prof. Gangawane as “a scientist who
consistently bridged rigorous agricultural research with the real needs of
farmers and rural communities.” The Award and Oration, which will commence in
the 2026–2027 academic year, has been established with an initial endowment of
₹10 lakh donated by Mrs. Sushila Gangawane. The family has further pledged ₹90
lakh to support young scientist recognition, research encouragement and related
academic initiatives in Prof. Gangawane’s memory, bringing the total family
support for these initiatives to ₹1 crore.
The initiative has been conceived and shaped with the
support and guidance of senior members of the scientific and academic community,
including IPS President Dr. R. Viswanathan, IPS Secretary Dr. Malkhan Singh
Gurjar, Professors and Heads of Botany Departments Dr. Vikram Khilare and Dr.
Shivaji Kamble, and the Vice Chancellor of Mumbai University, Dr. Ravindra
Kulkarni. Together they share the objective of promoting excellence in plant
pathology and agricultural sciences nationwide.
Prof. L. V. Gangawane was widely respected across Indian
agricultural science for his unique ability to combine scientific rigour with
practical, farmer-oriented research across a career spanning more than four
decades. Born into an agrarian family, he made pioneering contributions in
rhizosphere microbiology, fungicide resistance, integrated disease management,
biofertilizer technology and sustainable agriculture, with particular relevance
to semi-arid farming systems.
As Head of the Department of Botany at Dr. Babasaheb
Ambedkar Marathwada University and later as Emeritus Professor, he played a
pivotal role in strengthening research infrastructure in plant pathology and
microbiology and in mentoring successive generations of scientists and
researchers. His international engagements included research collaborations and
invited lectures at institutions such as the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
(London), the University of Cambridge, the University of Bristol, Swansea
University, Cairo University, Kasetsart University (Thailand), the University
of Malaya (Malaysia) and Al Ain University (UAE). The Government of India also
selected him under its Cultural Exchange Programme to deliver scientific
lectures in Egypt.
Notably, during the 1970s; a period when advanced facilities
for human viral research were limited in India, Prof. Gangawane experimentally
demonstrated that the Hepatitis-B virus could be propagated on tobacco leaves.
This work opened new experimental pathways for subsequent virological and
vaccine-related research and was acknowledged in the internationally renowned
medical journal The Lancet in 1976.
A prolific scholar, Prof. Gangawane authored more than 280
research papers and developed recognised methods for controlling seed-borne
diseases in pigeon pea. Deeply committed to public outreach, he appeared on
Doordarshan’s “Aamchi Mati Aamchi Manse,” delivered talks on All India Radio,
and wrote Marathi-language scientific literature to communicate agricultural
science to farming communities. He guided 42 Ph.D. scholars and served as
President of the Indian Phytopathological Society in 2006. His contributions
were recognised with several honours, including the Maharashtra State Ideal
Teacher Award (2002), the Prof. M. S. Pavgi Award and the P. R. Verma Award.
In the foreword to the national seminar volume Biofertilizer
Technology Transfer, renowned agricultural scientist and architect of India’s
Green Revolution, Dr. M. S. Swaminathan, wrote: “We owe a deep sense of
gratitude to Dr. L. V. Gangawane for this labour of love.”
The Award and Oration have been designed to uphold the
values Prof. Gangawane embodied throughout his life; scientific excellence,
translational agricultural research, institution building, mentorship and
dedicated service to farming communities. IPS stated that the initiative is
expected to evolve into a distinguished national platform encouraging young
scientists working in sustainable agriculture, plant health and food security.