Nedumangattu Kesava Panikkar | |
|---|---|
 N. Kesava Panikkar | |
| Born | 17 May 1913 (1913-05-17) Kerala, India |
| Died | 24 June 1977 (1977-06-25) (aged 64) Tiruvanathpuram, India |
| Occupation | Zoologist |
| Known for | Marine biological research |
| Awards | Padma Shri Galathea Medal of Denmark ZSI Sir Dorabji Tata Medal INSA Chandrakala Hora Medal |
Nedumangattu Kesava Panikkar (1913–1977[1]) was an Indian zoologist, a former director of theCentral Marine Fisheries Research Institute,[2] a former adviser to theGovernment of India on fishery development and a former vice chancellor of theCochin University of Science and Technology.[3] He was a recipient of the Indian civilian award ofPadma Shri in 1973.[4]
Panikkar was born 17 May 1913 in Kottayam, Kerala. He was the only son of his parents Sankunni Menon and JJanaki. His father was a Headmaster of a Government High School inTravancore State. Panikkar did his primary, secondary and initial college education from C. M. S. College, Kottayam. A doctoral degree (DSc) holder from theUniversity of Madras, he was reported to have undertaken research on marine organisms,[5] conducted 22 voyages in the Indian Ocean for collecting specimens[6][7] and credited with the compilation of a series of atlases.[3] His efforts were also reported behind the establishment of theNational Institute of Oceanography (NIO), theCentral Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute,Central Institute of Fisheries Technology,Central Institute of Fisheries Education and Central Institute of Fisheries Operatives.[3] He served as the Head of the Zoology Department atUniversity College, Thiruvananthapuram, as the director of the Zoological Laboratory at theUniversity of Madras, as the Officer on Special Duty at theMinistry of Agriculture (India), as the director of theInternational Indian Ocean Expedition, as the director of theNational Institute of Oceanography and as a member of theNational Commission on Agriculture.[3] He also served as a member of theIndian National Science Academy and theKerala State Planning Board and sat on the editorial boards of journals such as Journal of the Zoological Society of India, Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, Indian Journal of Marine Science, and Marine Biology.[3]
Panikkar was an elected fellow of theIndian National Science Academy,Royal Society of Arts, London,National Academy of Sciences, India[8] andIndian Geophysical Union.[3] TheGovernment of India awarded him the fourth highest Indian civilian award ofPadma Shri in 1973.[4] He was also a recipient of the Galathea Medal of Denmark (1953) Sir Dorabji Tata Medal from the Zoological Society of India and the Chandrakala Hora Medal by the Indian National Science Academy.[3] Panikkar died on 24 June 1977.[3]
