V. R. Khanolkar
Encyclopedia
Vasant Ramji Khanolkar M.D. (born 13 April 1895 - died 29 October 1978) better known as V. R. Khanolkar was an eminent Indian Pathologist.
He made major contributions to the epidemiology and understanding of cancer, blood groups, and leprosy. He is often referred as the "Father of Pathology and Medical Research in India."
He was born on 13 April 1895 in Gomantak Maratha Samaj
Family. He has studied Medicine in University of London
and obtained M.D. in Pathology in 1923. He has joined as Professor of Pathology in Grants Medical and Seth G. S. Medical Colleges.
He was also closely associated with the Tata Memorial Hospital
and served as director of laboratories and research. Government of India appointed him a national research professor of medicine which was held for ten years. He helped to organize the Indian Cancer Research Centre and served as director from its inception until 1973.
He was founder President of the Indian Association of Pathologists and Microbiologists
. Dr. Khanolkar has published 3 books on cancer and leprosy and more than 100 scientific papers.
He has received Padma Bhushan
in 1955 from Government of India
for his distinguised service to humanity.
He died October 29, 1978. He was survived by his wife and daughter.
Dr. V. R. Khanolkar Oration has been established from the year 1987 by the National Academy of Medical Sciences in the memory Dr. V. R. Khanolkar, the first President of the Academy.
He made major contributions to the epidemiology and understanding of cancer, blood groups, and leprosy. He is often referred as the "Father of Pathology and Medical Research in India."
He was born on 13 April 1895 in Gomantak Maratha Samaj
Gomantak Maratha Samaj
Gomantak Maratha Samaj is a Konkani speaking community found in Indian state of Goa.They are known as Naik Maratha Samaj and Nutan Maratha Samaj Karwar in Karnataka and Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra respectively.-Origin:...
Family. He has studied Medicine in University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
and obtained M.D. in Pathology in 1923. He has joined as Professor of Pathology in Grants Medical and Seth G. S. Medical Colleges.
He was also closely associated with the Tata Memorial Hospital
Tata Memorial Hospital
The Tata Memorial Hospital is situated in Parel, Mumbai in India. It is a specialist cancer treatment and research centre, closely associated with the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer . One of the fields of specialization of this hospital is in the treatment of acute...
and served as director of laboratories and research. Government of India appointed him a national research professor of medicine which was held for ten years. He helped to organize the Indian Cancer Research Centre and served as director from its inception until 1973.
He was founder President of the Indian Association of Pathologists and Microbiologists
Indian Association of Pathologists and Microbiologists
-APCON:The annual conference of the association is called APCON organized since 1950. It was not held in the years 1962 and 1971. They are held in different cities across India....
. Dr. Khanolkar has published 3 books on cancer and leprosy and more than 100 scientific papers.
He has received Padma Bhushan
Padma Bhushan
The Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
in 1955 from Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
for his distinguised service to humanity.
He died October 29, 1978. He was survived by his wife and daughter.
Dr. V. R. Khanolkar Oration has been established from the year 1987 by the National Academy of Medical Sciences in the memory Dr. V. R. Khanolkar, the first President of the Academy.
Honorable positions
- He was the president of the International Cancer Research Commission from 1950 to 1954.
- He was president of the International Union Against CancerInternational Union Against CancerThe International Union Against Cancer, or UICC is the only non-governmental organization dedicated exclusively to the global control of cancer. Its vision is of a world where cancer is eliminated as a major life-threatening disease for future generations...
. - He was a member of the World Health OrganizationWorld Health OrganizationThe World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
panel on cancer and leprosy. - He was a member of the United Nations scientific committee on the effects of atomic radiation.
- He was a member of the World Health Organization advisory committee on medical research.
- He was a member of the governing body of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.
- He was the vice-chancellor of Bombay University from 1960 until 1963.
- He was chairman of the Biological and Medical Advisory Committee of the Atomic Energy Department, Government of India between 1955 and 1960.
Selected publications
- V. R. Khanolkar, Non-specific training of antibody production. The Journal of Pathology and Bacteriology, Volume 27, Issue 2, pages 181–186, 1924.
- V. R. Khanolkar, T. B. Panse, and V. D. Divekar. Gamma-Sitosteryl Glycoside in Tobacco. ScienceScience (journal)Science is the academic journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and is one of the world's top scientific journals....
, 16 September 1955: Vol. 122. no. 3168, pp. 515 – 516 - L. D. Sanghvi, K. C. M. Rao, V. R. Khanolkar. Smoking and Chewing of Tobacco in Relation to Cancer of the Upper Alimentary Tract. British Medical JournalBritish Medical JournalBMJ is a partially open-access peer-reviewed medical journal. Originally called the British Medical Journal, the title was officially shortened to BMJ in 1988. The journal is published by the BMJ Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Medical Association...
, 1955; 1:1111-1114. - V. R. Khanolkar, Diagnosis of Leprosy, Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 1961, Volume : 27, Issue : 3, Pages : 59–68.