The science luminary who spent precious years of his career at the place and got recognition from the United States has no takers back home! Ranchi College and its Zoology Department where Dr Akhouri Sinha taught from 1956 to 1961 have information only what has been published in the newspapers after the US named a mountain peak after him in Antarctica in the honour of the eminent Indian-American scientist.
When contacted to know whether the institution had any memory of the luminary left with it, Principal of Ranchi College Dr UC Mehta replied in negative. "I do not know exactly. Whatever I have come to know is through the media in last couple of days. I far as I know none of the teacher working here at present is of his time," said the Principal.
Moreover the College even after coming in news is reluctant to even go through in details or find out some kind of information about Akhouri Sinha and try to organise any programme or seminar in his honour so that the students can draw inspiration from.
Sinha, who graduated from the Allahabad University in 1954 and did M Sc from the Patna University in 1956 was invited to conduct research on reproduction of Antarctic seals by the National Science Foundation Antarctic Program by the US. He is Adjunct Professor in the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development at the University of Minnesota and was recognised by the US Geological Survey for his work as an explorer in 1971-72. Sinha originally belongs to Buxar in Bihar.
Dr Sinha has published over 100 papers and has been teaching graduate level courses for almost 25 years. His pioneering biological research expedition has provided critical data about animal populations. His contribution in cataloging population studies of seals, whales and birds in the pack ice of the Bellingshausen and Amundsen Seas and Glaciers in 1972 and 1974 made the pick named after him as 'Mt Sinha'.
Even the Department of Zoology that could have been greatly benefited by discussing the works of Dr Sinha and making the students aware more about him is still in state of loss. "I joined here in 1981. We do not have any record of him or information whatsoever. We know just what has been coming in the media," said Dr B Mukherjee, Professor of Zoology.
The cold shouldering in the part of it also baffles students of the College. "I got surprised to know about Dr Akhouri Sinha and his association with Ranchi College. I was expecting that the Department would at least update us officially and organise a seminar kind of thing on him and his works. But I am disappointed that no teacher even serious mentioned about him in the class or discussed about the feet. This is how we could have got some inspiration and feel proud," said Akhilesh Rajan, a student.
Nevertheless the College, when inquired, looked open to hold function in this regard.
"We can consider your suggestion. A programme can be organised to honour him," said Dr UC Mehta, adding that the feat achieved by Akhouri Sinha had made the College proud, especially when the teachers from here not quite often earn name at national or international stages.