Srinagar: The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Kashmir observed the 51st death anniversary of Prof M L Shroff, popularly known as the Father of Pharmacy Education in India.
In this connection, the department held the valedictory function of ‘Pharmacy Jagrukta Yatra (Part-II)’ of Team Pharma Lok, a national-level organisation of eminent pharmacy professionals of the country headquartered in New Delhi.
Prof Nahida Tabassum, 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.
Members of Team Pharma Lok led by Mr Amit Jha, 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.
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 Mr Amit Jha, Dr Santosh Verma, Mr Rishabh Bhanot, Dr Hayat Mukhtar, Prof Geer M Ishaq, Prof M H Masoodi, Prof Nahida Tabassum 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.
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.
Prof Nahida Tabassum 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.
Prof. Geer M. Ishaq, also a mentor of Team Pharma Lok, 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.
Dr Shahid-ud-Din Wani conducted the proceedings of the session and Aneeza presented the vote of thanks.