Prof. (Dr.) Ram Dayal (1930-2016): An Obituary

Dr. Ram Dayal (born in 1930), formerly Professor & Head, Department of Mycology & Plant Pathology, Institute of Agriculture Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, and a researcher, writer, dedicated mycologist and above all a teacher of high repute, breathed his last on Friday, 29/07/2016, morning at 3:30 am at his residence in Varanasi, after a brief illness.

Graduated from University of Allahabad and worked under the guidance of late Prof. R.K. Saksena, a distinguished mycologist of international repute, University of Allahabad, Dr. Ram Dayal worked primarily on biology and taxonomy of lower fungi with special reference to soil-inhabiting nematophagous fungi. He authored several books, viz. ‘Chytrids of India’, ‘Advances in Zoosporic Fungi’, ‘Zoosporic Fungi of India’ and ‘Introduction to Fungi’. Specialized on soil-inhabiting chitrids and nematode-trapping fungi in agricultural soils, he had published more than 150 research papers in journals of national and international repute. He was the Fellow of National Academy of Sciences (Allahabad) and Life Member of Indian Phytopathological Society and Mycological Society of India.

I have known Prof. Ram Dayal, since 2 decades. We had organized a DST-sponsored 10-day duration hands-on workshop on “Techniques in Aquatic Fungi’ at Department of Botany, Goa University, during 1-10 September 1994 and Prof. Ram Dayal was one of the resource persons. A renowned expert on zoosporic soil fungi, he taught the participants everything that he knew during the workshop. Since then, we continued our academic and research interactions and Prof Ram Dayal became a close friend of mine.

He had invited me and my wife to Varanasi which we could accomplish only last year. His former student and presently Professor at the Department of Mycology & Plant Pathology, BHU, Prof. Asha Sinha, organised my visit to Varanasi. I delivered two guest lectures at their Department, in the first week of Nov 2015 and Prof Ram Dayal attended my lectures. It was a moment of immense joy for me. I and my wife visited his residence in Lanka, Varanasi, in the evening. Then at the age of 85, Prof. Dayal was very alert and well-receiving. He was very happy to see us at his place, one of his dreams that he said.

With passing away of Prof. Ram Dayal, we lost a distinguished Indian mycologist and a wonderful human being. I pray Bhagwaan Kashi Vishwanath and Bhagwaan Shri Ram to bless his soul with peace.

D. Jayarama Bhat