Got this via my colleague, journalist Raju Nayak <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> who is incidentally the son-in-law of Mr Sardesai. FN
Entomologist Sardesai completes 75 years By Nandkumar Kamat There are very few persons in Goa who have had such a wide ranging international experience like Dr. Jaiwant Bhalachnadra Sardesai in the field of agricultural entomology and insect control. In the family circle Jaiwantrao is known as "Aku" and he has been father to three loving children-Madhavi, Savita and Vijay. Dr. J.B. completes 75 years today and his life sketch shows that for more than 30 years he has given the benefit of his tremendous knowledge in the field of entomology to the farmers in Britain and Scotland, Portugal, Argentina, Mozambique, east Africa, USA and the southern states in India. His work in California to eradicate Newcastle disease in 1972-3 is noteworthy. The Argentinians have not forgotten him and he once told me that he was chosen to play cricket for the Argentinian national cricket team. From 1969 to 71 he was in Argentina as an UNESCO expert. Born on 20 March 1929 in the illustrious Sardesai family with roots in Bicholim, he completed his graduation from Karnataka university and post graduation from University of Nottingham, U.K. He is a Ph.D. holder from the prestigious University of California. With such credentials and expertise in agricultural zoology, economic entomology, plant pest control he was much in demand in the countries which were promoting agro-horticulture. After 25 years of service he decided to return and settle in Goa. He worked as the secretary of Chowgule education society till 1978. Thereafter he has devoted his full time to agriculture, social work and consultancy in pest control. I met Dr. J.B. at freedom fighter and ex-Panaji MLA, Mr. Madhav Bir's place in 1979. Mr. Bir introduced him as the Unesco-recognised entomologist. Dr. Sardessai was influenced by the "sampoorna Kranti" movement of Jaiprakash Narayan and he actively campaigned for the victory of the Janata party during the Goa assembly elections in 1977. But he was not interested in party politics and later he fully devoted himself to social work. During my post -graduation, I requested him to deliver a few lectures to our biochemistry class on biological control. He educated us on biopesticides and the world of pheromones which were relatively new topics in the eighties. Dr. J.B. was a keen observer and guide of the students movement and almost everyone who has been a student leader in the period 1977-1990 has come into contact with him. As a socially committed scientist and ecologist he never declined any responsibility where the public interests were involved. In 1990, I happened to know him better as a dedicated member of the agricultural land developmental panel nominated by the state government. The work of the panel involved tours of many talukas to study the Khazan lands. Dr. J.B. with his easy going and jovial personality and wide scientific experience was an asset to the panel. It was because of his sustained interest and scientific knowledge that the panel could complete the report on time. Unfortunately when he got appointed on Konkan railway realignment study committee, his integrity was questioned by some people and he was called as a "traitor" -- a title which is actually deserved by those who orphaned the issue of Khazan lands after the agitation was over. Dr. Sardesai weathered this criticism because it is not in his nature to retaliate. Dr. Sardesai's brief report on insect fauna of Carambolim lake is useful even today as a baseline report. I find it surprising that the state government which is confused about the menace of the mites on coconuts and the white flies on flower crops has not been able to consult an expert like Dr. Sardessai. He has developed his coconut farm at Molcornem on the modern lines and he is always ready to offer his scientific expertise on pest control to those who need it. A widely traveled and well read person, Dr. Sardesai represents a rare synthesis of the occidental and oriental. He is fluent in English, Portuguese, French and Spanish but his love, commitment and dedication to his own mother tongue Konkani was transparent in his involvement in the work of Konkani Bhasha Mandal. I have seen him working as a simple volunteer during the literary conferences, away from the glare of publicity. He would himself lift and arrange the chairs if he were not to find the persons assigned to do that work in the pandal. His exposure to Europe and Americas is clearly seen in his conversational skills peppered with interesting anecdotes. He is very fond of all his grandchildren and they are really blessed to have such a loving and caring grandfather. I never found the gulf of age separating us while talking to him. He has always inspired me in research and social work. His humility despite the brilliant scientific career is an example for the younger generation of made in Goa Ph.d.s. At heart he remains a warm, secular, compassionate human being and if you find a person in Margao distributing bread to the hungry street children, call him "Aku". Let us wish him a long life in the service of the society. *** ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
