Keeping the tradition alive, the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu celebrated the 143rd Birth Anniversary of Col. Sir R. N. Chopra, the Founder Director of IIIM, here today. Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM Jammu, along with Scientists, Technical & Administrative Staff, Research Scholars, and other employees paid homage to Col. Sir R. N. Chopra by offering floral tributes to his statue. The CSIR-IIIM fraternity came together to remember and honour the vision and dedication of this eminent son of the soil.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed recalled Colonel Chopra’s immense contributions to the growth of pharmacology and Indian systems of medicine. He emphasized how Col. Sir R. N. Chopra, recognised as the Father of Indian Pharmacology, laid the foundation for the preparation of Ayurvedic and Unani pharmacopeias’, bringing traditional knowledge into the fold of scientific study and evolved a way forward for the global relevance of centuries old Indian traditional knowledge. He further mentioned that Col. R.N. Chopra was first to introduced the commercial cultivation of the Mint in 1968, and thus from simply an importer of Mint, India is currently the world’s largest producer, exporter, and consumer of mint oil and related products related share of worldwide output is currently between 80 and 85%.

Dr. Ahmed said, “Col. Chopra carried forward his work at a time when research facilities were very limited, yet he was able to make remarkable progress on Cannabis and other medicinal plants. His passion for science and his commitment to serve humanity continue to inspire all of us.” He further reminded the CSIR-IIIM community that the best tribute to Col. Chopra would be to work with sincerity and dedication to fulfil his vision of taking India’s indigenous knowledge systems to the global stage. Dr. Ahmed also noted that CSIR-IIIM’s recent progress in medicinal cannabis research, innovations in lavender-based products, and partnerships with the national institutions and industries are in line with the values Col. Chopra stood for. Prominent among those present were Heads of various research divisions and other senior faculty and staff, including Er. Abdul Rahim, Dr. Asha Chaubey, Dr. Rajkishor Rai, Dr. Suphla Gupta, Dr. PP Singh, Dr. Ajay Kumar, Rajesh Kumar Gupta, and others.