Sabour: Dr Abhijit Ghatak has been elected as the zonal president of the eastern region of the Indian Phytopathological Society (IPS), New Delhi, for 2025. Alongside him, Dr Srinivasa Raghavan has been elected as the zonal councillor. Both scientists, currently serving as assistant professors in the Department of Plant Pathology at Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour, will hold their respective positions until the end of 2025.
The eastern region of IPS covers four states – Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. Their selection to these roles is seen as a significant achievement for BAU and the wider scientific community, particularly in the field of plant pathology and disease management.
BAU Vice-Chancellor Dr D.R. Singh praised their appointment, highlighting their contributions to plant pathology research and the university’s growing reputation in agricultural science. Dr A.K. Singh, BAU’s director of research, also lauded their achievements, describing their work as crucial for advancing plant disease control and sustainable agriculture.
Dr A.P. Bhagat, head of the Department of Plant Pathology, encouraged the newly elected officials to organise seminars, workshops, and training programmes to address emerging challenges in plant health.
In response, Dr Ghatak and Dr Raghavan expressed gratitude to the university leadership and IPS Secretary Dr K.K. Biswas, whose support they credited for their success. They emphasised that their new roles would facilitate research collaborations, disease control strategies, and advancements in plant pathology across eastern India.
