Thread by @karthickbala

1/n: Today is the birth centenary of Hemedrakumar Prithviraj Gandhi (HP Gandhi) (20/09/1920-05/06/2008) - The father of Indian freshwater #diatomology. This thread details about his life and contribution. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._P._Gan…

2/n: A globally celebrated diatomist / algologist and still unknown in India. He worked on #diatoms all his life. Diatoms are a group of algae responsible for 25 % of global O2 production. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatom

3/n: Gandhi described 300+ new species of diatoms from Western India covering #Rajasthan, #Gujarat, #Maharashtra and #Karnataka. Maybe he is the ONLY INDIAN #botanist who described 100+ species? List of species by Gandhi: diatombase.org/aphia.php?p=ta…

4/n: Gandhi started his career as a Lecturer from a college in #Mumbai, then transferred frequently across (#Kolhapur, #Dharwad, #Ahmedabad, #Rajkot, #Valsad, #Junagad) the erstwhile Bombay presidency

5/n: He used this transfer opportunity to collect samples across these regions and recorded 1000+ species of diatoms and produced 30+ papers and 1 book on diatoms

List of Publication of Gandhi: diatombase.org/aphia.php?p=so…

6/n: His contribution to #diatom science range from #taxonomy, #systematics, #ecology, #biostratigraphy and microbial distribution from India

7/n: In the entire country, he is the first one to talk about the #endemism and range/distribution in #microorganism

8/n: He did all his research without single penny support from any government or private agencies. All his research is supported by his meagre teacher’s salary. People even made fun of him as "120wala" referring to his salary.

9/n: At one point of time he was frustrated with Indian editors and reviewers and from then, he published only in reputed international publications such as Hydrobiologia, Nova Hedwigia, etc.

10/n: His papers are extremely informative in terms of detailed figures of diatoms, description, ecological and distribution information.

11/n World-leading diatomists Husdedt, Round, Reimer, Stoermer, Jurji was in touch with Gandhi & discussed diatom science by letters. He borrowed books from his friends and copied them by taking photos, develop & pasting on a book. Then return it to the original owner of the book

12/n: Gandhi requested his fellow diatoms for “Diatom Mountant” as a Christmas Gift, as diatom mountants are unavailable in India, even today. Heard this from Gene Stoermer en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_F.…

13/n: His research was discouraged by University Professors, Scientists because he was a small college teacher. His own comments about Indian reviewers and guide available here: drive.google.com/file/d/1uasN8y…

14/n: When I met him in 2006 and he narrated his story of being a college teacher cum diatomist. He donated all his sample collection to me to study further, the parts of the collections are available at IISc and ARI Pune for study.

15/n: Gandhi was extremely unhappy about the #academic environment and discouragement he received from multiple ends to do good science in India. He discouraged all his children to take science as a career. None of them is in academic today #AcademicTwitter @VoicesofIndAcad

16/n: Gandhi’s wife Zamku Bai said he used to sit inside his room with a microscope for the entire weekend without even food. He sits with a microscope on the floor and keeps observing, making camera lucida drawings and writing notes.

17/n: All his papers are scanned and available here for free:
wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/biodiversity/s… Thanks to Dr TVR Prof. NVJoshi @CES_IISc

18/n: We displayed Gandhi's work and legacy to many researchers and school children as a part of Lake 2006 conference held at CES, IISc. Gandhi's family also participated in that function #legacy

19/n: We planned to celebrate his centenary year by conducting a conference/gathering/training program on diatoms, due to the pandemic we need to postpone it. Something needs to be done to remember this legendary worker. He is the definition for #scientifictemper

20/20: Many friends helped me to spread the work and legacy of HP Gandhi I am happy to mention them here @Sudhira @Gururajakv @naaravind @Alaka_Diatom @DavidMyWilliams @paul_diatom and many. Gita @gilienv & Ram @vraman16 spoke about Gandhi recently in @INYAS_INSA meetings. END

I am tagging friends/colleagues to spread the news about HP Gandhi and his legacy
CC: @aparanjape @joshiamitabhevo @KaushikLab @Abhadra7 @vishuguttal @dagarsumit @BShravage @DeepakNModi @young_isdr @nagarajanmk @VoicesofIndAcad @ITMERG1 @damotra