K V Venkatasubramanian (Senior Journalist)
Dr. Coluthur Gopalan, former Director-General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and father-figure of nutrition research in India, passed away on Thursday in Chennai after a brief illness. He was 101, an ICMR release said.
During his seven decades’ active research career, Gopalan occupied many prestigious positions. He served as the Director National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad from 1961 to 1974 and as Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi from 1974-79. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1970 and Padma Bhushan in 2003.
Dr. C Gopalan was a scientist of international eminence and has spearheaded the cause of Nutrition science for several decades. His contribution toward betterment of nutrition of population has benefited not only India but also other developing countries, especially Southeast Asian. His contribution has helped strengthen and inspire movements for eradicating under-nutrition in many other Third World countries.
