Message from the Principal It is a great Joy to know that the department of Botany is starting its newsletter: E-FLORA. This newsletter will realise the dreams of students and research scholars in publishing their articles. This newsletter being an online endeavour will reach many a students. Department of Botany is always known for its high standards in academic and in extra-curricular activities. I wish them all success. STAFF MEMBERS OF BOTANY DEPARTMENT Rev. Dr. J. K. LAL PRINCIPAL S. No Name Qualification Designation Specialization Teaching & Research Experience (i) Dr. S. K. Verma M.Sc, Ph.D Associate Professor Cytogenetics 41 (ii) Dr. (Mrs.) P. Abbasi M.Sc, Ph.D Associate Professor Plant Pathology 21 (iii) Dr. C. O. Samuel M.Sc, Ph.D Associate Professor Plant Pathology 18 (iv) Dr. Neeraj Srivastava M.Sc, Ph.D Associate Professor Mycology & 18 Plant Pathology (v) Dr. (Mrs.) K. Sarita Das M.Sc, Ph.D Assistant professor Forest Ecology 7 (vi) Dr. S. Dominic Rajkumar M.Sc, Ph.D Assistant professor Cytology, & 17 Taxonomy (vii) Dr. (Mrs.) Nidhi Lal M.Sc, Ph.D Assistant professor Plant Pathology 6 (viii) Dr. Ashutosh Isaiah M.Sc, Ph.D Lecturer (Part -time) Forest Ecology 3 ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT It is a matter of pride for the college to complete its 114 years of successful existence. The college is recognized not only for its quality and standard education, but also for its co-curricular activities. To enhance the leadership qualities in bio-students, Biology Department established an organization named Biology Association. However, in 1970 when P. G. Department in Botany came into existence, the association was renamed as Botany Study Circle. 1
The main objective of Botany Study Circle is to prepare students for life, with a mind that reasons the right attitude and a spirit of goodness backed by solid academic excellence. Botany Study Circle organizes many competitions like Quiz competition, G.K. competition, Debate competition, essay writing competition, Charts & model making competition, flower and rare plants show competition etc. In addition, Botany Study Circle also organizes excursion trips for B. Sc. & M. Sc. students. In the academic year 2012-13 too, Botany Study Circle organized various competitions, under the leadership of Dr. S. K. Verma, The Head of Botany Department, in which students participated with full enthusiasm. Competitions like Botanical quiz, G.K., debate and essay writing were organized to enhance knowledge and to prepare them for competitive examinations. Chart & model making competitions were organized to enhance the creative & innovative ideas in the students. To increase interest in Botany, competitions like flower show was also organized. 1. Students exhibiting rare plants 2. Judges assessing the Charts and Models Botany Study Circle inaugurated its program on 1 st of November, 2012 with Debate Competition under the supervision of Dr. C. O. Samuel, on a topic Microorganisms are friends or foes. No doubt, the students performed with full confidence. 2
In the series, the next was General Knowledge Competition. It was organized on 5th of November, 2012, under the supervision of Dr. S. D. Rajkumar. 127 students participated in this competition. On 8 th of November, 2012, Essay Writing Competition was conducted. It was organized under the supervision of Dr. (Mrs.) P. Abbasi and Dr. (Mrs.) Nidhi Lal. The topic for essay writing was Conservation of Biodiversity. In the sequence, Botanical Quiz Competition was organized on 10 th of November, 2012, under the supervision of Dr. Neeraj Srivastava. 95 students participated and performed brilliantly. Chart & Model competition was held on 13 th of November, 2012, under the supervision of Dr. (Mrs.) Kanchan Sarita Das and Dr. (Mrs.) Nidhi Lal and on the same day Rare plants & Flower Show Competition was organized under the supervision of Dr. Ashutosh Isaiah. 42 students participated and showed their creative skills. The Department of Botany also organized an excursion trip on 18 th of January, 2013 to Butwal, Nepal for B. Sc. third year students. A field trip to Kusmi Jungle was organised for all the M.Sc. students on 21 st February 2013. 3. M. Sc. Students posing for Group photo with the Teachers in the field; 4. Students & Teachers enjoying food in the field 3
kj E-FLORA: DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY NEWSLETTER -2012-13 (Vol.1) CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS & POPULAR LECTURES CONDUCTED 1. The Department of Botany had conducted a one day Workshop on Biodiversity Conservation with the funding from Ministry of Environment and Forests and Star College Scheme on 1 st November 2012. The Chief Guest for the function was Prof. Wazahat Husain, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. 5. Prof. Wazahat Husain delivering the lecture 6. Dr. (Mrs.) Faiza Abbasi delivering the lecture during the one day workshop 2. Two day popular Lecture series was also conducted to popularise Biotechnology. The lecture series was conducted with the funding from Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi and DBT Star College Scheme. About four lectures were delivered on the following topics. I. BIOTECHNOLOGY IN BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION Dr. S. C. Tripathi II. III. IV. BIOTECHNOLOGY IN MEDICINE Dr. Alok Gupta BIOTECHNOLOGY IN FOOD SECURITY Dr. C. O. Samuel BIOTECHNOLOGY IN HORTICULTURE Dr. (Mrs.) Abbasi 4
7. Students singing the College Song 8. VIP s on the dais during the popular lecture 3. The Department of Botany had also conducted a National Conference on Biodiversity Conservation & Sustainable development with the funding from DBT, New Delhi, Ministry of Earth Sciences and DBT Star College Scheme on 6 th & 7 th February 2013. The Souvenir & Abstract and the proceedings were also released. 9. Rev. Dr. J. K. LAL reading the Prayer 10. Releasing of the Souvenir & Abstracts and the Proceedings by the dignitaries 4. The Department also organised a Guest lecture on The world of Biomass Gasifier for Low cost Power generation with the funding from DBT Star College Scheme on 7 th March 2013 5
Notice 11. VIP s on the dais 12. Group photo of the participants The Students are here by informed that E-Flora, the on-line Newsletter of the Department of Botany will be published twice in a year. Hence therefore you are requested to contribute articles. THE EDITOR Dr. S. DOMINIC RAJKUMAR 6