Ludhiana mourns Dr GS Kalkat’s demise

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 27 

The Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, has expressed deep condolences on behalf of the varsity fraternity on the sad demise of Dr Gurcharan Singh Kalkat in Chandigarh today. 

Remembering Dr Kalkat, Dr Dhillon said, “He was a man of varied attainments, who dedicated a substantial part of his time, energy and life to the farming community. The right mix of brain, heart, talent and faith, Dr Kalkat worked with farmers at the grass-root level to solve their problems and understand their needs.” 

“Not only did Dr Kalkat have the ability to communicate a vision clearly and contagiously, he also possessed the determination for its logical transference and precise execution to reach a valid conclusion,” he added. 

 “This thinker and a feeler rolled into one played an important role in the agricultural development of the country. He will be truly missed,” said the VC.

Dr AS Nanda, Vice-Chancellor, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, said, “The vacuum created by the death of Dr Kalkat can never be filled. He was a man with a vision, far sightedness and a good strategist. He was a patient listener and used to adopt good points from others. He was a link between the government and farmers. He could feel pulse of farmers. As he was not linked with any political party everybody gave due respect and importance to his advice. We have lost a son and visionary today.” 

Prof Gurbhajan Gill, Editor (retd), Centre for Communication and International Linkages, PAU, said, “Dr Kalkat’s death is a personal loss to me as he was a good friend of mine. He was a cool headed, soft spoken and fatherly figure for many. Many people sought advise from him. During the time of Green Revolution he was given had responsibility of co-ordination between co-operatives and the Agriculture Department. He worked day and night for its success. He was a man, who worked hard in the background and brought results. He used to speak with same politeness as with a Dean and a class four employee. He will be greatly missed.”  

Basic schooling in Sahiwal

Born at village Sahora in Hoshiarpur on June 17, 1926, Dr Kalkat had his initial schooling at Sahiwal in Montgomery district, now in Pakistan. He did his BSc (Agriculture) from Punjab Agriculture College, Lyallpur (now Pakistan), in 1947. He was declared the “all-round best student” of the year 1946-47. He did his masters in agriculture from the Panjab University, Solan, in 1956. As a Rockfeller Fellow, he joined the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio (USA) in January 1957 and completed his PhD in agricultural zoology entomology in December 1958. Later, he was honoured with the “Distinguished International Student Award” of the Ohio State University, USA.

Career as Deputy Director

Dr Kalkat became Deputy Director Agriculture, Punjab (India), in 1960. He was appointed as Director Agriculture, Punjab, in 1971. His perceptive thought for successful agriculture moved him towards building a system in which transfer of technology could be supported by all the necessary inputs. 

System of coordination

He developed a system of coordination with Punjab Agricultural University, both at the headquarters and at the field level, which ensured coordinated approach for timely flow of technical information to the agricultural field staff and farmers. 

Synchronising programmes 

He was appointed as Agriculture Commissioner/Additional Secretary Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India (1973-1978). At the national level, he coordinated various agricultural development programmes of the states with Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) and National Seeds Corporation for requisite production of seeds of varieties/hybrids needed for different regions of the country. He was ex-officio Vice Chairman of Central Commodity Committees for major commodities established by the Government of India. 

Stint with World Bank

The vast repertoire of assignments that Dr Kalkat undertook also includes working as a Senior Agriculturist with the World Bank. He was stationed at Washington DC, USA, from 1978-1989. During this period, he worked on agriculture and rural development programmes of Nigeria and Ghana. He was pioneer in introducing shallow tubewells for irrigation and hand pumps for the purpose of drinking water in Nigeria. He also supervised the implementation of World Bank assisted programmes in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Indonesia. He ably held the reins of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, as the Vice-Chancellor from April 1998 to March 2001. 

Member of commission

Dr Kalkat worked as a member of the Steering Group of the Planning Commission, Government of India, which helped devise “National Agriculture Development Programme” .

Chairman of farmers’ panel

Dr Kalkat was appointed as the first Chairman of the Punjab State Farmers Commission since June 2005. He worked on this position for 12 long years.

Role in Green Revolution

During Dr Kalkat’s tenure as Director, Agriculture, Punjab, and Agriculture Commissioner/Additional Secretary, Government of India, the country witnessed ‘Green Revolution’ and became self reliant in food. The chairman of the NAAS in his communication to Dr Kalkat stated, “The deliberations recalled your contributions that turned food shortage to self-sufficiency in the country.” 

“I will like to once again thank you for your leadership in Green Revolution in the country and guidance over the years,” he further added.

Quotes

• "He was a man of varied attainments, who dedicated a substantial part of his time, energy and life to the farming community. A right mix of brain, heart, talent and faith, Dr Kalkat worked with farmers to solve their problems. He will be truly missed." — Dr BS Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University
• "Today, I lost a very good and close friend of mine. He was a dependable advisor also. Society has lost a fine human being and an agriculture scientist. His death has resulted in a great loss to me personally and to society. It is a void, which cannot be filled." — Dr SS Johl, Chancellor, Central University of Punjab
• "The vacuum created by the death of Dr Kalkat can never be filled. He was a man with a vision, far sightedness and a good strategist. He was a patient listener and used to adopt good points from others. We have lost a son and a visionary today." — Dr AS Nanda, VC, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University 
• "Dr Kalkat’s death is a personal loss to me as he was a good friend of mine. He was a cool-headed, soft spoken and fatherly figure. Many people sought advise from him. He worked hard in the background and brought results. He will be greatly missed." — Prof Gurbhajan Gill, Editor (retd), Centre for Communication, PAU