Padma Shri Dr J. S. P Yadav, former-Chairman ASRB and Member Editorial Board of IAUA, left for his heavenly abode on 3 April 2010. Born on 30 July 1922, he had a brilliant academic career throughout, and occupied important positions including Chairman, ASRB; Vice-Chancellor, HAU, Hisar; Coordinator and Director, CSSRI, Karnal; and Senior Research Officer (Soils), Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun. Dr Yadav made outstanding contributions, especially in the areas of soil and water management for crop production.

      In view of his significant contributions, Dr Yadav was conferred Padma Shri by Government of India. He received, singly or jointly, several awards such as Guinness Award of Commonwealth Scientific Association, Hari Om Trust Award, Dr Rajendra Prasad Award, Brandis and Schlich Memorial Prize, Honorary Member of Indian Society of Soil Science and Soil Conservation Society of India, Golden Jubilee honour of Indian Society of Soil Science, USAID award for superior performance, All India Pensioners’ Association appreciation for meritorious ICAR service, Samaj Gaurav Samman National Award, Indira Gandhi National Award, and D.Sc. (h.c.) from GBPUAT, Pantnagar. Dr Yadav was elected honorary member of International Union of Soil Sciences in 2008.

      In Dr J. S. P Yadav’s demise the country has lost an eminent Soil Scientist and IAUA an able philosopher guides. The Secretary-General IAUA on his personal behalf and on behalf of all VCs of member Agricultural Universities pays homage to him and prays for peace in the Heaven to the departed soul to rest.