Mysore/Mysuru: Lt. Col. Om Parkash Kapur (retd.), former Director of Central Food Laboratory and Head, Food Safety and Quality Control Laboratory at CFTRI (Central Food Technological Research Institute), Mysuru, and a resident of Metagalli, passed away yesterday (Jan. 12) in city after a brief illness. He was 96. 

He is survived by his wife Swadesh Kapur, daughter Dr. Priti Kapur, son-in-law Dr. Murali Mohan, son Pawan Kapur, daughter-in-law Manjusha Kapur, grandson Neal Mohan and a host of relatives and friends.

Last rites were performed as per Arya Samaj at Mukthidhama in Vijayanagar yesterday, according to family sources. 

Profile: Lt. Col. O.P. Kapur was born on April 10,1925 at Lahore (now Pakistan) before partition. He studied at DAV College, Lahore and joined as a Food Analyst in Simla. He was appointed as 2nd Lieutenant, Territorial Army in 1950.  He then obtained M.Sc degree in Chemistry of Foods and Drugs from Imperial College, London. 

 He joined CFTRI in Dec.1957 and was deputed to the Indian Army in 1962.  He  was with  the Composite Food Laboratory, Army Supply Corps, Lucknow  from July 25, 1963 to May 8, 1968 after which he was posted to the headquarters in Delhi. 

He returned to CFTRI as Junior Scientific Officer on Oct.9, 1974. He rose to head the Analytical Quality Control Laboratory and was Founder-Director of Central Food Laboratory, Mysore in 1975.  He retired on April 30, 1985. 

The Central Food Laboratory has become a National Referral Laboratory for analysis of food. His expertise in food analysis was utilised by many countries. when he was with the CFTRI and as a WHO Consultant after retirement.

He was instrumental in establishing of the CFTRI House Building Society, benevolent fund schemes for staff and pensioners, and regularisation of jobs for many of those who worked with him.  He was Founder President of CSIR Pensioners Welfare Association, Mysore Centre.  

Kapur was a wrestler in Amritsar, a badminton player representing Imperial College, London, a WHO/FAO consultant and later remained active in various social causes even in his 90s.