Srinagar: The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Kashmir on Saturday observed the 51st Death Anniversary of Prof M L Shroff, popularly known as the Father of Pharmacy Education in India.
According to the statement issued by the PRO KU here, the department held the valedictory function of ‘Pharmacy JagruktaYatra (Part-II)’ of Team PharmaLok, a national-level organisation of eminent pharmacy professionals of the country headquartered in New Delhi.
On this occasion, Prof NahidaTabassum, Dean, School of Applied Sciences KU was the guest of honour, while Head of the Department, Prof M H Masoodi, other faculty members and students were also present.
The Members of Team PharmaLok led by MrAmitJha, who undertook the 10-day yatra from New Delhi to Srinagar covering more than 1100 km and visiting over 50 pharmacy colleges of north India were received and welcomed by the department head and faculty.
On this occasion, glowing tributes were paid to late Prof Shroff who established the first pharmacy department in Banaras Hindu University and started the first degree course in Pharmacy there in 1932.
Besides,AmitJha, DrSantoshVerma, RishabhBhanot, Dr Hayat Mukhtar, Prof Geer M Ishaq, Prof M H Masoodi, Prof NahidaTabassum also spoke on the occasion commemorating the services and contributions of Prof Shroff. They paid rich tributes to him and other legends and stalwarts of pharmacy like Col. R.N. Chopra, who is known as the father of Pharmacology in India and whose house still exists in Chopra Lane of Shivpora, Srinagar, because he spent first and last few years of his life in Srinagar.
The HoD Prof M H Masoodi declared that this day will be commemorated every year and awareness will be created about the current status and future prospects of pharmacy profession in the country.
Meanwhile, Prof NahidaTabassum paid tributes to Prof Shroff and also remembered the stalwarts of pharmacy department of KU like Prof P Kachroo and acknowledged their contributions to the department.
Later on, Prof. Geer M. Ishaq, also a mentor of TeamPharmaLok, highlighted the problems being faced by trained and qualified pharmacists in Jammu and Kashmir and underscored the need to work in a concerted and collaborative manner to resolve the genuine grievances of the pharmacists.
In the session, DrShahid-ud-Din Wani conducted the proceedings and Aneeza presented the vote of thanks.