Sir,

This is regarding the very informative article by Prof. A.V. Narasimha Murthy on Prof. H. Yoganarasimham and his famous son H.Y. Sharada Prasad (SOM dated Dec. 21). I wish to point out about another famous son of Prof. Yoganarasimham — Dr. H.Y. Mohan Ram (HYMR), Botanist, who was in Delhi University and a legend in his field.

Dr. HYMR (Sept.1930-June 2018) was a well-known Botanist, who inspired numerous students. His research areas included studies in floral biology, plant physiology, insectivorous plants and on the family, Podostemaceae. He was a pioneer in plant tissue culture in India.

Dr. HYMR grew up in Mysore, studied in Sarada Vilas High School (1943-46) and Intermediate College (1946-48), receiving his B.Sc from St.Philomena’s College, under M. Ananthaswamy Rau. He later did his Master’s in Botany from Balwanth Rajput College, Agra. He was a Fulbright Scholar and got Doctorate from Cornell University.

He had published 240 research papers, edited four books, guiding 32 Ph.D students. HYMR was a Honorary Scientist at Indian National Science Academy and Vice-President of Indian Academy of Sciences (1988-1990). He was awarded JC Bose Award in 1979, Dr. Prakash Bhasin Award in 1986, Sergei Navashin Medal of USSR and numerous other recognitions. He was listed as a Living Legend in Indian Science by Current Science Journal in 2011. A great family indeed !

[For more details, see Current Science106-2:306-309.2014]

– M.N.S.Iyengar, Saraswathipuram, 24.12.2019

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