Presidents of 'THE INDIAN SOCIETY OF HUMAN GENETICS'
Dr. K.C. Malhotra, Ph.D (Pune) - 1979-80 & 1987-88
One of the most popular
personalities in the field of human genetics and physical anthropology
in India. Prof. Malhotra is well known for his academic and human
qualities and organizational abilities. Beginning his career under Prof.
Iravati Karve of Decan College, Pune, Prof. Malhotra put forth
fundamental theories on the origins of caste system in India, on the
basis of his studies on the Dhangar caste cluster of Maharashtra and
other population groups. His Dhangar studies took him to Dr Sanghvi for
collaboration which turned out to be fortuitous for ISHG. His subsequent
settlement at the Indian Statistical Institute resulted even in more
extensive studies of the genetics of Indian population groups and the
genetics of dermatoglyphics, where again he made significant
contributions on the inheritance of palmar ridge counts. There is
virtually no tribal population of India whose origins, cultures and
genetics Dr Malhotra is unaware of. This intimate knowledge and affinity
with the tribals seems to have driven him to studies on the environment
and ecology of these populations, more importantly those of the western
ghats. Today he is more an environmentalist and participated in the
World Environment Summit as a delegate of the Govt. of India.
A gifted person in the art of popularizing human genetics, Dr Malhotra
lectured extensively in India and abroad and participated in scores of
International Conferences on human genetics, physical anthropology and
social biology. He edited several books and monographs. The book on
"Statistical methods in Human Population Genetics" and
"Human Variation and Adaptation" in two volumes are the most
acclaimed.
Prof Malhotra occupied many positions of responsibility and received
many honours. He is an elected Fellow of the Indian National Academy of
Sciences and the Indian Academy of Arts and Sciences. He was elected
twice to the Governing Council of ISHG and became its President first at
the very young age of 40 and again during 1987-88. His leadership was
marked by initiation of activities like publication of bibliographics,
modules and books by the Society. He was also associated with bodies
like the University Grants Commission and the Department of Science And
Technologies on their Committees. He is a Member of the National
Committee on Environment and the Genome Diversity Group of the Human
Genetics Task Force.
