Educational pioneer and nematology expert will be remembered for contributions to science and Urdu education
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – Distinguished zoologist and first Vice Chancellor of Hyderabad-based Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Dr Shamim Jairajpuri, breathed his last in Hyderabad on Wednesday. He was 82.
Dr Jairajpuri was born on April 8, 1942, in Jairajpur village in Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh district. He played a crucial role in shaping the educational landscape of the country.
Acknowledged for his outstanding work in nematology, Dr Jairajpuri received the coveted degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc) in Zoology from Aligarh Muslim University at the age of 28 in 1970. His academic journey included roles as a lecturer (1964), reader (1972), professor (1983), chairman of Zoology Department (1989-88 and 1998-97), and dean of faculty (1995-93 and 1998-97) at Aligarh Muslim University.
Dr Jairajpuri was a trailblazing figure in the field of nematology, earning national recognition for his research and dedication. Notably, he was honoured with the Janki Amal National Award for Taxonomy by the Government of India, making him the first scientist to receive this prestigious award.
Beyond his contributions to the scientific community, Dr Shamim Jairajpuri will be remembered for his instrumental role in establishing Maulana Azad National Urdu University in Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana. As its first vice chancellor, he tirelessly worked towards the institution’s establishment and stability during its early years.
His expertise extended to the realm of plant and soil nematodes, a subject on which he authored more than 20 books and hundreds of research papers. The Zoological Survey of India recognized his contributions by awarding him a gold medal in 1998.
Dr Jairajpuri’s legacy is deeply intertwined with the growth of Urdu education and advancement in the field of nematology in India. His death leaves a void in the academic and scientific community, and his contributions will be remembered for years to come.
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