Prof G M Wani
A prominent scientist of the Valley and former director extension education SKUAST-Kashmir, Prof G M Wani, breathed his last this week. The deceased was known for his insightful academics, research record and teaching experience in the field of reproductive biology and agriculture extension education.
Born in Quil Muqam hamlet of Bandipora, Prof Wani was battling for life since May 2011. He is survived by his wife, daughter and son.
He had early education from Bandipora and Sopore. He did his BVSc from Bikaner and joined Animal Husbandry Department as Veterinary Asstt Surgeon in 1974.
However, his inquisitive mind made him to pursue higher studies at GB Pant University of Agriculture Sciences and Technology, Pantnagar where from he earned a PhD.
Prof Wani has written and contributed more than 200 papers in research journals and conferences in the field of biotechnologies of small ruminants. To mention just one of them, his scholarly paper Multiple Management System can be found in the Encyclopedia of Dairy Sciences, published by Elsevier Academic Press, UK.
He has worked in international institutes of repute, including the Veterinary University of Hanover, Germany; and the Veterinary Research Institute in India. He has a number of national and international awards to his credit, and his biography is included in many leading biographies.
His research and academic pursuits took him to Honeheim, Germany to earn Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. He had the distinction of being first Kashmiri Muslim to qualify ARS and work as a Senior Scientist in National Goat Research Institute, Farrah Makhdoom in UP.
He also worked in different capacities in GB PU of Agricultural Sciences & Technology and different ICAR projects. He worked in different capacities in SKUAST including Dean Faculty of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Alesteng and then as Director, Extension Education for 12 years and retired in that capacity in 2010.
A large number of people from different walks of life including scientists and teachers from SKUAST and Kashmir University and several state departments attended his funeral in the Salfiya Institute grounds at Parraypora. The body was later taken for burial to his native village.
