Vulimiri Ramalingaswami
Encyclopedia
Vulimiri Ramalingaswami was an India
n medical scientist.
He was born to an orthodox Brahmin
family of Southern India. His father was a lowly paid government servant. He received his medical education from Andhra Medical College
and then went on a scholarship to Oxford
. His pioneering research on nutrition
got him elected to the National Academy of Sciences
, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences and the Royal Society of London. He was also the director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences
and later on director general of Indian Council of Medical Research
and President of the Indian National Science Academy. He was regarded a teacher
of international repute in the areas of nutritional deficiency.
He became the Director of the institute and served the premier institute for 10 years 1969-1979). He became the Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research
, New Delhi
. In remembrance of his great service, the Indian Government has decided to name the Indian Council of Medical Research building after him (Ramalingaswami Bhavan). He was also President of the Indian National Science Academy
. He was Special Advisor to World Health Organization and President of National Institute of Immunology. He has served as Chair of the International Task Force on Health Research for Development in Geneva (1990–93). He was Secretary-General of the International Conference on Nutrition, in Rome in December 1992, which was held under the auspices of the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. He was appointed to the Board of Governors of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada in 1999. His contributions to pathophysiology of protein energy malnutrition are well known. His classical experiments on correction of Iodine deficiency by supplementation of common salt with potassium iodate laid foundation for the National Iodine Deficiency Control Programme. He has significant contributions in the discovery of new syndrome of Non-cirrhotic Portal Fibrosis (NCPF) and Indian Childhood Cirrhosis
. He has been honored with Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in 1967 and Padma Shri
in 1969, Padma Bhushan
and Padma Vibhushan
by Government of India, KK Birla National Award and Basanti Devi Amirchand Award [No evidence]. Leon Bernard Foundation Award was presented to him by Sir Harold Walter, president of the 1976 World Health Assembly.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n medical scientist.
He was born to an orthodox Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
family of Southern India. His father was a lowly paid government servant. He received his medical education from Andhra Medical College
Andhra Medical College
Andhra Medical College is one of the premier Medical colleges in India. It is affiliated to NTR University of Health Sciences.It is the oldest medical college in Andhra Pradesh & 6th oldest in INDIA.-History:...
and then went on a scholarship to Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
. His pioneering research on nutrition
Nutrition
Nutrition is the provision, to cells and organisms, of the materials necessary to support life. Many common health problems can be prevented or alleviated with a healthy diet....
got him elected to the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences and the Royal Society of London. He was also the director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences
All India Institute of Medical Sciences
All India Institute of Medical Sciences is a premier medical college and teaching hospital based in New Delhi, India. The Institute operates autonomously under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare ....
and later on director general of Indian Council of Medical Research
Indian council of medical research
The Indian Council of Medical Research , New Delhi, the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research, is one of the oldest medical research bodies in the world.-History:...
and President of the Indian National Science Academy. He was regarded a teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
of international repute in the areas of nutritional deficiency.
He became the Director of the institute and served the premier institute for 10 years 1969-1979). He became the Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research
Indian council of medical research
The Indian Council of Medical Research , New Delhi, the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research, is one of the oldest medical research bodies in the world.-History:...
, New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
. In remembrance of his great service, the Indian Government has decided to name the Indian Council of Medical Research building after him (Ramalingaswami Bhavan). He was also President of the Indian National Science Academy
Indian National Science Academy
The Indian National Science Academy , New Delhi is the apex body of Indian scientists representing all branches of science & technology.-History:...
. He was Special Advisor to World Health Organization and President of National Institute of Immunology. He has served as Chair of the International Task Force on Health Research for Development in Geneva (1990–93). He was Secretary-General of the International Conference on Nutrition, in Rome in December 1992, which was held under the auspices of the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. He was appointed to the Board of Governors of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada in 1999. His contributions to pathophysiology of protein energy malnutrition are well known. His classical experiments on correction of Iodine deficiency by supplementation of common salt with potassium iodate laid foundation for the National Iodine Deficiency Control Programme. He has significant contributions in the discovery of new syndrome of Non-cirrhotic Portal Fibrosis (NCPF) and Indian Childhood Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease characterized by replacement of liver tissue by fibrosis, scar tissue and regenerative nodules , leading to loss of liver function...
. He has been honored with Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in 1967 and Padma Shri
Padma Shri
Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...
in 1969, 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:...
and Padma Vibhushan
Padma Vibhushan
The Padma Vibhushan is the second highest civilian award in the Republic of India. It consists of a medal and a citation and is awarded by the President of India. It was established on 2 January 1954. It ranks behind the Bharat Ratna and comes before the Padma Bhushan...
by Government of India, KK Birla National Award and Basanti Devi Amirchand Award [No evidence]. Leon Bernard Foundation Award was presented to him by Sir Harold Walter, president of the 1976 World Health Assembly.
Fellowships
- Indian Academy of Sciences.
- Indian National Science Academy.
- National Academy of Medical Sciences.
- National Academy of Sciences, USA7.
- Royal College of Pathologists (London), UK.
- Royal College of Physicians, UK.
- Russian Academy of Medical Sciences
- Royal Society of London, Mar 1986
Selected publications
- Ramalingaswami, V., Sriramachari, S., and Patwardhan, V. N., Ind. J. Med. Sci., 8, 433 (1954).
- V. Ramalingaswami, Prevention of Micronutrient Deficiencies: Tools for Policymakers and Public Health Workers, The National Academies Press (1998).
- V. Ramalingaswami, The Public health imperative of permanent elimination of iodine deficiency, 2000.
External links
- Obituary
- http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol7no3_supp/memoriam.html
- http://www.searo.who.int/aboutsearo/78-87-6a.html
- http://www.india.gov.in/myindia/images/ps_awards.pdf