Eminent Scientist PM Bhargava Passes Away

Hyderabad: Founder-director of Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) Dr PM Bhargava died on Tuesday. He was 89.

Bhargava, popularly known PM Bhargava, had been suffering from multiple health problems for some time and the end came around 6 pm. The staff of the CCMB expressed deep sadness at the demise of Dr Pushpa Mitra Bhargava. Dr Bhargava's pioneering vision and efforts led to the founding of the CCMB in 1977 as an institution for research in basic biology and for seeking its application for the benefit of society. He belonged to the generation of nation building scientists, who built the edifice of Indian science. He was an internationally recognized molecular biologist, thinker, and institution builder.

Bhargava was born in Ajaymeru in Rajasthan on 22 February 1928 in a middle-class family, to Dr Ram Chandra Bhargava, a public health professional and his wife, Gayatri Bhargava. When he was 10 years old, his family shifted to Varanasi. He was formally admitted to Besant Theosophical School in Varanasi for the first time at the age of ten, directly into class nine.

Bhargava had also received Padma Bhushan from the President in 1986, but returned it in 2015 as an act of protest against the Governments active erosion of spaces for dissent within the country.

Several scientists expressed deep condolences to Dr Bhargava's daughter Vaneeta and son Mohit.

YS Jagan Condoles PM Bhargava’s Death

YSR Congress Party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy condoled the death of CCMB founder-director PM Bhargava’s death.

“In the passing away of Bhargava, India has lost an eminent scientist who contributed immensely to science specifically in research and application of biology for the general good of society,” YS Jagan said.