Professor K.R.Samaddar Life time Acievement award
(01.03.1935 – 18.02.2019)
Professor Kanak Ranjan Samaddar was born on 1st March, 1935 at Barishal (now Bangladesh) and started his early education in Hindu Academy at Barishal. In1945 his entire family shifted and started to reside at Shibpur, Howrah, West Bengal. He obtained his B.Sc (Hons.) degree in Botany from Presidency College in1954 securing highest marks among the science students and he was awarded the Jogmaya Medal for this. In1956 he passed the M.Sc.Examination in Botany from University of Calcutta and obtained 1st class 1st position and received University Gold Medal. He also obtained highest marks among the science students and obtained the Brahmamohan Mallick Gold Medal for the same. He did his research under the supervision of Dr.S.N.Banerjee of the Department of Botany, University of Calcutta. In 1961 he joined as lecturer in the Department of Botany, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, West Bengal. In 1965 he got the Full Bright Scholarship and joined the laboratory of Professor R.P. Sheffer at Michigan University, USA. In 1968 he obtained his Ph.D. Degree of the Michigan State University,USA. His research work was highly praised by all the research scientists of the world. He came back India and joined the Department of Botany, Kalyani University in1969 and served there till his retirement from the service. He also visited Cornel University again as Visiting Professor in 1978 and came back in 1980. He was very popular teacher and loved and regarded by all students. All his elegant, deliberations made the audience spell bound.
His research interest was Molecular Biology of Host and Parasite interactions, Nitrogen fixation, Plasmids,Viruses and Environmental pollution. Several students obtained their Ph.D.(Sc.)Degree in Botany of University of Kalyani under his able guidance. He published several authentic research articles in the national and international Journals.
After retiring from regular service from Kalyani Universityin 1995, he was Visiting Professor of Burdwan University and Vidyasagar University. He was guest teacher in the Department of Botany, University of Calcutta for sometime.
Professor K R Samaddar was the President of the Indian Mycological Society during 1990-1992. He died on 18th February 2019 due to severe heart attack.
Prof .K.R.Samaddar Life Time Achievement Award has been instituted by IMS, Kolkata during 2023
First K.R.Samaddar Life time Achievement Award, 2023 was conferred on Professor Balen Nandi, Former Professor, Department of Botany, Burdwan University during Inaugural function of National Conference of IMS on 6th December, 2024.
Professor Balen Nandi, Former Professor, Department of Botany, University of Burdwan was born on 1st November, 1938 at Kolkata. Graduated in 1958 and Post graduation in 1960 from University of Calcutta. Obtained his PhD degree from Calcutta University in 1964 under the supervision of Professor S.N.Banerjee in the area of Wood rot fungi. Visited Upsala University, Sweden and worked extensively in the area of Seed Pathology and Received another PhD degree in1976 from this University. He was the Founder Faculty of the Department of Botany, Burdwan University and joined on 14th September, 1964 and served the Department for 39 years 6 months. Under his guidance 24 research students obtained their Ph.D degree from University of Burdwan. He was the President of IMS, Kolkata during 1997-2000.
Second K. R. Samaddar Life time Achievement Award, 2024 was conferred Posthumously on Professor Nirmalendu Samajpati, Former Professor, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta during Inaugural function of National Conference of IMS on 6th December, 2024
Professor Nirmalendu Samajpati, Former Professor, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, in his professional career spanning over 47 years has served as Professor and Head, Department of Botany, CU. Made significant contributions on taxonomy, physiology, biochemistry, nutritive value, neutraceutical value, molecular biology and cultivation of edible mushrooms. Supervised 49 students for their PhD(Sc.) degree and published 155 scientific papers in different National and International journals. Along with his research team investigated ectomycorrhizal association of Sal trees in different forests of North-Eastern India. Worked out endomycorrhizal association of crop plants in different agricultural fields of West Bengal, microbial retting of Jute sticks, cultivation of legume crop in saline belts of Sunderban, West Bengal, through introduction of salt tolerant Rhizobium strains and Glomus strains; studied diseases of betel vine and sugarcane occurring in West Bengal. He formulated for the first time the microbial consortium for retting of jute fibers which was patented under the Govt. of India Patent regulation. His dedicated services in the Indian Mycological Society, Kolkata at different capacities ( President, Editor-in-Chief, Executive Council Member) for a long period will be remembered by all of us.
Third K. R. Samaddar Life time Achievement Award, 2025 was conferred on Professor Gauri Dutt Sharma, Vice Chancellor, University of Science and Technology Meghalaya during Inaugural function of National Conference of IMS on 15th November, 2025
Prof. Gauri Dutt Sharma , Vice Chancellor, University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (Former Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University; Former founder Vice Chancellor of Bilaspur University; Former Pro Vice Chancellor of Assam Central University) has made significant contributions in the field of Microbial ecology . His ground breaking notable researches are on Mycorrhizae, including ectomycorrhizae, VA Mycorrihiza and Orchid mycorrhiza and the symbiotic relationship between microbes and plants . The research paper on tripartite association published in the New Phytologist, UK opened the new area of microbial symbiosis . One of his research paper was also awarded Dr. Narsimhan Medal award as best research paper. He has investigated the use of microbial applications to increase the productivity of agriculture, forestry and horticulture . Being a prolific researcher, mentor and educational administrator, he has guided 62 students for their Ph.D. degree and published 365 research papers in National and International journals, besides authoring /editing 13 books. His work has been widely cited and recognised through several national and international awards including Life time Microbiology Devotion Award, 2024.