GU Campus News
Obituary
Prof Dhruva Kumar Jha
a life cut short suddenly
Prof Dhruva Kumar Jha, who was a professor in the Department of Botany, Gauhati University breathed his last on 4th of February, 2023, following an accident a few days ago, when he sustained serious head injuries. Prof Jha is survived by his wife and only son. It's an extreme loss to his family and the dear and near ones and an incalculable loss to the university, the GU Community, particularly the Department of Botany, where he has served for over 30 years. It's a loss to the entire scientific community as he has been one of the finest botanists of the country, the region, and a rare asset the university had. A very familiar and prominent face in the university, who will be dearly missed by all of us.
A pall of gloom descended over the entire campus when the residents came to know about his accident and the grave nature of the injuries.
Prof Dhruva Kumar Jha did his MSc in Botany from Patna University with specialisation in Plant Pathology and completed his PhD in Microbial Ecology from NEHU, Shillong. He joined Gauhati University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Botany in 1991 and became a Professor in 2010. He published extensively in the field and successfully guided several doctoral students leading to the degree of PhD. His research paper on plant-growth promoting rizhobacteria with PN Bhattacharyya, published in the journal World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology (Springer) remains one of the best cited papers from Gauhati University and also in the subject with a citation over 1400 till date. His academic profile can still be accessed in the GU Website.
May his soul rest in peace.
National NSS Award to GU
GU receives prestigious national NSS award
With yet another recognition of Gauhati University in its strive toward excellence, the Honourable Vice Chancellor of GU, Prof Pratap Jyoti Handique and the NSS Coordinator of GU, Dr Ranjan Kumar Kakati have received the prestigious National NSS Award on behalf of the university on 24th of September, 2021 from the Honourable President of India at a virtual ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The event was live webcast by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
For the year 2019-20, GU has been adjudged among the two universities from the entire country to receive this prestigious National Service Scheme Award in the category University / +2 Council. The other recipient of this award is Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bengaluru. This award is given annually to two institutions with outstanding record of services by the students toward various government initiated community services. This award could not have come at any better time when the university has been able to grab top positions in the latest NIRF 2021 rankings, highlighting the commitment of the university toward academic excellence as well as excellence in social services.
The GU fraternity feels immensely proud for this unique achievement and also for the very reason that the university has been able to keep up to the promises made to the people of Assam to Enlighten the Banks of the Mighty River Brahmaputra, rightly scripted by none other than Dr Bhupen Hazarika in his immortal song and the anthem of the university - জিলিকাব লুইতৰে পাৰ (Jilikābo Luitore Pāār).
