Contributions of Dr. Birbal sahni
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Birbal Sahni, the founder of palaeobotanical research in India, was a dreamer and a visionary. He founded the Institute of Palaeobotany at Lucknow, which was later renamed as Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany after his death. Sahni was a great teacher. He believed that to be a good teacher one has to be a good researcher. He was a superb communicator of science at all levels. Sahni was a great patriot. To quote one of his students, T. S. Sadasivan: “To his students he was an ideal to be emulated, he was loved and respected. A nationalist to the core, his personality was one that attracted attention of the entire scientific community. He never sought anything from anyone. In fact, he was sought after for his wise Counsel both Administrative and Academics. A man of taste. Everything about him was spick and span; his attire was simple and elegant, a flowing ‘Achkan’, ‘Churidars’ and a Gandhi Cap, all from handspun, handwoven khadi. All this added to his charm. Even after forty years of his passing away, we, the students of this enchanting Guru have nothing but fond memories of the many years we were privileged to spend with such a one. His philosophy of life was one of attached detachment like a true Vedantin, for, that is what in his outlook. Duty was his main forte.”lojavirtual