By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Dehradun, 3 May: Widely known as the ‘Poplarman’, famous Botanical scientist Dr JP Chandra (82) has passed away. He was associated with the Graphic Era family since its inception. He was considered to be the major source of inspiration for the founding of Graphic Era. His demise has saddened the Graphic Era fraternity deeply.
Dr Chandra was a resident of Pauri district and was living in Rudrapur for the last few years. Dr JP Chandra developed many species of poplar and eucalyptus by introducing new technologies and cloning in their fields. He held patents for around 121 such species. He is also known for bringing a revolutionary change in forestry and developing advanced nurseries. He brought new technologies of forestry in India from Israel.
Dr Chandra was a member of Graphic Era Hill University’s Board of Management and Vimko’s founding member. He gave his services to the Punjab and Himachal Pradesh Forest Departments and, after his long services in the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, he contributed to the Pantnagar Agricultural University while working as a Professor of Horticulture there. He then joined Vimco and conducted research on new species of popular. A few years ago, he was awarded with a Doctorate by Graphic Era Deemed University for his remarkable contribution in the field of Forestry.
He was admitted to hospital after suffering a head injury at home. After deteriorating health, yesterday, he was brought to Dehradun for treatment. He took his last breath here, yesterday evening. He has left his grieving family behind. His final rites were done today in Haridwar.
Graphic Era Group of Institutions Chairman Dr Kamal Ghanshala, Vice Chairperson Rakhi Ghanshala, Dr Chandra’s younger brother VK Chandra, Govind Chandra, family members, Vice Chancellor of Graphic Era Deemed University Dr Narpinder Singh, Vice Chancellor of Graphic Era Hill University Dr Sanjay Jasola and hundreds of people from Rudrapur, Pauri Garhwal and Dehradun reached there to bid him farewell. Dr Chandra’s demise has left a deep impact on Graphic Era.
Today, a condolence meeting was held at the university. Dr Kamal Ghanshala described Chandra’s death as an irreparable loss. He said that Dr Chandra gave new dimensions to Forestry in the country.
