Dr R K Gupta, former VC SKUAST-J dies; scientist fraternity shocked at sudden demise

Ziraat Times News

Srinagar: Dr R K Gupta, former VC SKUAST-Jammu passed away last night, leaving the agricultural scientists from across Jammu & Kashmir in shock and sorrow over the sudden demise.

In February, 2020, Dr R K Gupta, took over the charge of Vice-Chancellor, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu and held the position until June 2020. Presently, he held the position of Director Research, SKUAST-Jammu.

Meanwhile, NTEA Jammu, in a statement, has expressed its deep grief over the sudden demise of Prof Gupta.

“We lost of dedicated scientist and officer”, NTEA said.

Prof Gupta has had diverse experience of 38 years in academic, research and management. He did his MSc, Ph.D and post doctorate qualifications from institutes of repute in India and abroad. He has developed five varieties and identified over hundred vegetables /spices crops.

A SKUAST Jammu official told Ziraat Times that Dr Gupta has been instrumental in institution building and establishing new Faculty of Basic Sciences, first Plant Tissue Facility in SKUAST-J, Mega Seed Unit, Seed/ Experimental farms. He started four new PG programme (Vegetable Science, Floriculture, Microbiology/Plant Physiology) and three new Ph.D programme (Vegetable/ Biochemistry/ Statistics).