Dec 27, 1999

Raghavendra Gadagkar, 46
Entomologist

THE PREACHER

Raghavendra Gadagkar is smitten by insects. The wealth of information he has on them  is simple awesome. As chairman of the Centre for Ecological Science, the Bangalore University post graduate and IISC PhD in molecular biology, has established an active school of research in the area of animal behaviour, ecology and evolution. By identifying and utilizing crucial elements in India's biodiversity, Gadagkar has added a special Indian flavour to his research.

Gadagkar is keen on seeing scientific knowledge spread in India. "If you cannot stop the first man on the street and explain your scientific  work to him, then you haven't understood yourself," he says.

So Gadagkar is trying too. He has been stopping people and trying to reach science to them. He has given more than 1,000 lectures on science and believes that it's still not fully understood in India. In the next few years, when a student flips through a science textbook, he should be able to read more on Indian contributions to science say Gadagkar. "For the long-term health of the country, each one of us needs to make contribution." That should sting.

 -Stephen David

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