Professor Prem Narain
Brief Profile of Prof. P. Narain
Prem Narain was born on 3 January 1934 in Lucknow (UP). He obtained BSc., BSc. (Hons), and MSc. degrees from Lucknow University (INDIA) after which he worked for brief periods in Lucknow and Delhi before joining, in 1958, the Drosophila Laboratory of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar (UP) to do research work on quantitative inheritance. Here he was exposed to quantitative genetic studies that became his life-long passion. During 1961 to 1967 he taught post-graduate courses at the Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute (IASRI), New Delhi before going to the Institute of Animal Genetics, Edinburgh (UK) under Colombo Plan to work with Professor Alan Robertson, FRS and earning his PhD degree from Edinburgh University in 1969. Thereafter he returned to India and continued his research work in the methodology of statistical genetics at the same Institute and got several promotions to finally become the Director of the Institute in 1981. His research work published in Indian and foreign journals of repute led to the award of DSc. degree of Edinburgh University to him in 1984. In 1992 he moved to Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi from where he retired in 1994 holding the position of Dean & Joint Director (Education). He is presently INSA Honorary Scientist. Prof. Narain has authored over 300 research articles, written and edited several books including a treatise on statistical genetics, and was on the editorial board of several journals including Corresponding Editor of the Journal of the Proceedings of the Royal Society, London. He mentored a large number of students including about 22 PhD students.
Research contributions: Professor Narain studied the effect of linkage in inbred systems by generalizing Malécot's concept of coefficient de parenté to an arbitrary number of linked loci for the first time. He investigated the genetics of quantitative variability by extending Hayman's method of representing mathematically the laws of genetics to multiple allelic systems. He developed a new concept of the distribution of time taken for the fixation of a gene in finite populations, independently of similar work by Japanese workers Kimura and Ohta, which has since found useful applications in animal breeding and evolution. He introduced the method of conditioned diffusion equations in relation to population genetic problems but applicable to other areas also such as economics and structural engineering. He developed efficient methods of progeny testing, sire evaluation, phenotypic and selection indices for use in animal breeding as well as efficient designs of partial diallel crosses for use in plant breeding. He also collaborated with Prof. P. V. Sukhatme on the study of intra-individual variation in food and human nutrition and gave a new genetic interpretation of this variation. Recently, he developed a 'dialectical approach to agriculture' as well as a general theory of the Transmission Disequilibrium Test (TDT) for two linked flanking marker loci used in interval mapping of a disease gene.
Other Contributions:
As Director of IASRI, Prof. Narain was instrumental in developing efficient statistical and computer techniques for agricultural research and development that had a world-wide impact. At the instance of the Commonwealth Secretariat, London, he presented the Indian method of Crop Estimation Surveys for use in African countries in the Workshop on Food Supply Information Systems in Africa held at Narobi in 1989. As FAO expert, he developed a manual on Training Programs in Food and Agricultural Statistics and reviewed the program on the Organization of Agricultural Pilot Census in China (1993-96). He got established a UNDP project ' Centre of Advanced Studies in Agricultural Statistics and Computer Applications' at the IASRI. He was the first to develop a blue-print of KRISHINET – a nation-wide agricultural research and education information system – which found a place in Limca Book of Records. He was Member, National Statistical Commission (2000-2001) - an apex body
constituted by the Government of India to revamp the Indian Statistical System.
Association with Scientific Societies
Prof. Narain has been associated with several scientific societies in various capacities both in India and abroad such as, to name a few, International Statistical Institute (Council Member), International Biometric Society (President of the Indian Region), Indian Science Congress (Sectional President), Indian Society of Agricultural Science (President), Federation of Indian Societies for Agricultural Sciences and Technology (Secretary-General) and Indian Society of Agricultural Statistics (Executive President).
Travels
He has traveled widely and lectured extensively in several countries such as UK, USA, Europe, Japan, Thailand, Phillipines and Africa.
Awards: Professor Narain was conferred National Award in Statistics of the Government of India in 2003. He was elected to the fellowship of INSA in 1978. He is also a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore and the National Academy of Sciences, India, Allahabad as well as a Founder Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi. Among several honors and prizes that he received are Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Memorial Prize (1977), Sankhiyi Bhushan (1991), OP Bhasin Foundation Award (1992), Distinguished Service Award (1993), Dr. MS Randhawa Memorial Award (1997-98) and Dr. BP Pal Memorial Lecture Award (2007) besides GP Chatterjee Memorial Lecture Award (1987) of the Indian National Science Academy.
