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DR. GHULAM RASOOL SOLANGI (1938-1993)
MASHOOD AHMED SIDDIQUI
Obituary: Dr. Ghulam Rasool
Solangi S/O Mr. Alam Khan Solangi was born on 6th December, 1938 at Larkana, Sindh.
After obtaining early education from his home town, he studied at the Sindh Agriculture
College, now Sindh Agricultural University, Tandojam from where he graduated in
Agriculture in 1962. He received his M.Sc degree in Plant Pathology from the Sindh
University, Jamshoro in 1965. In 1968 he went to USA and worked with Prof. H.K.Kiesling
at the North Dakota State University, Fargo, U.S.A. He was awarded the degree
of Ph.D in 1973 for his research studies on the "Genetic systems in Cochliobolus
sativus".
Dr. Solangi started his professional life as a demonstrator
at the Sindh Agriculture College in 1962. He served as Research Assistant, Agriculture
Research Institute, Tandojam (1964-68); Assistant Plant Pathologist, Rice Research
Institute, Dokri (1968-74). In late 1974 Dr. Solangi joined the Department of
Plant Pathology, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam as an Associate Professor
and then became Professor in 1985. Dr. Solangi also had a sound administrative
experience. At the Sindh Agricultural University he was the Co-ordinator Graduate
Programme (1974.80), Chief Co-ordinator (1980-85), Chairman Department of Plant
Pathology (197779), Director Advanced Studies and Research (1985-87) and Dean,
Faculty of Crop Protection (1987-93).
Dr. Solangi also had been involved in
research studies with Dr. M. Kamal on seed borne mycoflora and the effect of seed
treatment on rice (1968), with Dr. K. A. Siddiqui on the Intraspecific transfer
of Lr 9 into high yielding cultivars of Triticum aestivum (1992) and with
Dr. M.M.S. Malik on physiological behavior of Colletotrichum dematium (1971).
Dr. Solangi also had been interested on the viral diseases of Solanaceous crops
in Hyderabad region, nematode linked diseases and prospects of mushroom cultivation
in Sindh. Dr. Solangi had 83 research publications to his credit. He was member
of Alumni Society, Fargo,U.S.A (life member), American Phytopathological Society,
Sindh Science Society, Pakistan Botanical Society and the Nematological Society
of Pakistan.
Dr. Solangi was not only a good teacher but also a good preacher
of faith. Once while I was attending the nematological conference in Karachi in
1992, he emphatically pursed me to offer prayers regularly. His scientific lectures
based on Islamic themes and he presented himself as Lord's humble servant. He
ever ready to help the students. His contribution in setting up the faculty's
library is unforgetable .
The shocking news that Prof. Dr. Ghulam Rasool Solangi's
soul was summoned back by it's BESTOWER on 24th July 1993 following a heart attack
still haunts us. Dr. Solangi's sudden demise is an irreparable loss to its affiliators.
We miss him more as a person than as a teacher. Dr. Solangi is survived by his
wife, three sons and a daughter. May Almighty shower His blessings upon the departed
soul. His charming personality and fairy smile shall always linger in our memories.
Department of Plant Pathology,
Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Sindh, Pakistan.
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