PM Bhargava The founder director of ccmb

Dr Pushpa Mittra Bhargava, whose vision, foresight and selfless efforts were intstrumental to the establishment of this centre, the contributions of which are now known around the world. Dr Pushpa Mittra Bhargava, widely regarded as the architect of modern biology in India, has conceived the idea of establishing the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and saw to it that it was built, equipped and staffed to uncompromising standards.

It is his vision that - `a Centre for research in frontier areas of modern biology at par with those in Western countries can be built and maintained in India too' - led to what CCMB is today as acclaimed by many distinguished people. His vision of the establishment of CCMB fulfilled a long-felt need in the country for providing the necessary thrust in molecular and cellular biology. CCMB is the first institution in India devoted exclusively to research in frontier-areas of modern biology and it has played a key role in the development of Biotechnology programme in the country.

The results of the care and attention to detail that Dr Bhargava evinced at every step are visible - in the laboratories as well as in the beautiful green surroundings. His experiment in forging a novel framework for the sharing of all facilities, equipment and chemicals amongst the scientific groups is unique in Indian set-up. In effect, this means that the CCMB functions as one integrated laboratory; and so far this experiment has been successful. He is a firm believer in that science and art are the two facets of creative human activity and they go hand in hand. His penchant for aesthetics reflects at various places in the CCMB campus. Dr Bhargava's continued association and support to CCMB is a great help to maintain and improve these traditions.

The Centre, formally set up as an autonomous organisation in 1977, moved to its own modern building complex and was dedicated to the nation by the then Prime Minister, Mr Rajiv Gandhi, on 26th November 1987. The inaugural function was attended by a galaxy of distinguished scientists including few Nobel Laureates such as Dr F H C Crick, Dr C D Gajdusek, Dr B S Blumberg, Dr J C Kendrew, Dr Georges Kohler and Dr S O Choa.