Dr SK Ray: A Veterinarian with a Mission

 

Dr (Prof) Surendra Kumar Ray commonly known as Dr SK Ray to the veterinary fraternity and a household name not only among pet lovers of Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha. Prof. Ray was born on 10^th January 1942 in the district of Jajpur, Odisha as the third among five brothers and one sister. He is survived by his wife and three sons. Dr Ray contributed to the advancement of veterinary profession in many ways. He served as the President, Orissa Veterinary Council, Chairman Technical Committee, Nandankanan Zoological Park; Chairman, Institutional Animal Ethics Committee, Regional Medical Research Centre, ICMR, Institute of Life Science, Post Graduate Department of Zoology and Biotechnology, Utkal University, Orissa Biological Products Institute and National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar. He was also the President of Orissa Livestock Development Society which works for the interest of livestock farmers of Orissa. Dr Ray left for heavenly abode on December, 18, 2021.

Professional Career

Prof. SK Ray graduated in 1964 with BVSc & AH degree from College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry (OVC), Bhubaneswar, under Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT). Dr Ray joined service in the state government as Veterinary Assistant Surgeons. After graduation he joined in State Government as Veterinary Assistant Surgeon / Research Assistant for 3 years and then worked in a multinational pharmaceutical company for around two years. Thereafter, he obtained his Master’s degree from OUAT in 1972 and PhD degree from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana in 1976, both in Veterinary Medicine.

Dr Ray joined OUAT as a Lecturer in Veterinary Medicine at Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology on 10^th May 1969 from where he superannuated on 31^st January 2002 as Professor and Head, Department of Veterinary Medicine. He was on deputation to Government of Orissa as Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Orissa for 3 years (1997-2000). In 1999, Dr Ray successfully organised a national symposium along with the XVII Annual Conference of Indian Society of Veterinary Medicine in OUAT while holding the post of Director of AH and Veterinary Services (Odisha) in collaboration with OUAT. After his superannuation he worked as Emeritus Scientist of Indian Council of Agricultural Research for a period of two years. In 1999, Dr Ray attended the 1^st International Course on “Livestock and Environment Interaction” at International Centre for Agriculture in Netherlands.

Major Scientific Contributions

His contribution to medicine sector is unparallel in many ways. As a team they reported a new coccidian species Eimeria pandel from Indian Mongoose. They studied on the ecology and distribution of Lymnea auricularia var rufescens the intermediate host of Fasciola gigantica along with the life cycle and distribution of Echinostoma revolutum in Odisha. They reported an outbreak of Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection amongst peacocks (Pavo cristatus) for the first time. They demonstrated the differential diagnostic procedure of actinomycosis and actinobacillosis in formalin fixed tissue section by fluroscent antibody technique for the first time in buffaloes. In addition, they reported the viability of arthrospores of Trichophyton verrucosum for more than 2 years in the infected hairs under variable temperature and humidity conditions. They further demonstrated the antifungal activity of chloroform extract of Curcuma longa L against T. verrucosum in in vitro and in vivo conditions in clinical cases of ringworm in calves. Their poignant observations on demodicosis in dog and cattle added new dimension to the poorly understood life cycle and pathogencity of the parasite.

They studied the effect of fluorosis in livestock in and around aluminium smelter plant of National Aluminium Company Limited, Angul and some brick kiln area of the state through two independent research projects on the subject. The team identified areas of endemic (natural hydro fluorosis) and their effect on livestock in Odisha. Besides the team assessed the status of elements Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn in grazing cattle adjacent to National Highway No. 5 (Presently, NH16) between Cuttack and Bhubaneswar which is known as one of the busiest motorways in the country from vehicular point of view. They observed a high level of lead in the blood coupled with contaminated fodder and soil in the villages adjacent to NH5 indicating the effect of heavy traffic on livestock population.

As conservation of biodiversity plays a major role in nature conservation and germplasm preservation, he contributed immensely in the formation of Orissa State Livestock Policy and studied the native Paralakhemundi buffalo in Orissa for its conservation. Further, they documented a report on “Biodiversity of domestic animals in Orissa” for National Biodiversity Action Plan project for Ministry of Environment and Forestry Govt. of India.

Professional Contribution

Dr Ray guided 22 M.V.Sc. and 2 Ph.D. students in Veterinary Medicine in addition to imparting teaching at undergraduate and post graduate level. He has handled three research projects. He had published 65 research publications in reputed national and international journals of repute along with several popular articles to his credit. He has also authored a book “Text book of Veterinary Ethics and Jurisprudence” and compiled two scientific monographs. He organised two ICAR summer courses as course director and several National and State Level Seminars as their Convenor. As an effort to update knowledge and skill of field veterinary practitioners he was instrumental in organizing Continued Veterinary Education programmes on “Pet Animal Health Management and Diagnostic Imaging in canine practice”.

He was a member of the Veterinary Council of India (VCI) for two terms where he officiated as the Chairman of the Education Committee and Member, Executive Committee and Regulation Committee of VCI. He was also a member of Executive Council of West Bengal University of Fishery and Animal Sciences, Kolkata and Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University, Nagpur.

He was intimately associated with several scientific, social and cultural bodies. He is Founder President of Indian Society for Advancement of Canine Practice, Founder Honorary Secretary, Orissa Kennel Club and Member of several scientific societies. He was the President of Indian Society for Veterinary Medicine. He served as the Honorary Secretary of the “Utkal Gomangal Samiti” and “Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Orissa” for 3 years.

Awards and Recognitions

Prof. Ray was associated with scientific publishing as the Chief Editor of Indian Journal of Veterinary Medicine, The Utkal Veterinarian and member of the Editorial Board of national monthly “Pet India”. Dr Ray has been conferred the Degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology during 2012 for his contribution to the cause of Veterinary Medicine.

For his contribution to veterinary medicine and in general the profession, Dr Ray was inducted as a Fellow of many scientific societies of repute, i.e., the National Academy of Veterinary Science, India; Indian Society for Veterinary Medicine, Association of Public Health Veterinarians and Indian Society for Advancement of Canine Practice. For his contributions to care and treatment of pets, he received PET CARE award for Canine Excellence in 2001. He also received Dr P.L. Narayan Gold Medal by Indian Society for Veterinary Medicine and Major (Mrs.) Malika Trivedi IAAVR Award by Indian Association for Advancement of Veterinary Research.

Veterinary profession will be indebted to the services of Dr SK Ray for his contribution to the society. On the occasion of "AAZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV" we respect his contribution to the farming community for popularization of veterinary medicine and strengthening veterinary sector in Odisha.

Durga Prasad Das and Ranjan Kumar Mohanta

World Rabies Day Awareness Campaign 2022 by KVK Cuttack

 

KVK Cuttack organized an awareness campaign on rabies and rabies awareness quizzes in different schools and colleges of Cuttack district covering about 3500 school children from September 23-30, 2022. Rabies, a disease that is 100% fatal after clinical signs appear, but is 100% curable if vaccinated after post-exposure. Around 60000 people succumb to rabies annually out of which 40% are children. The dog-bite wound has to be washed in mild soap for about 15 minutes after bitten by rabid animal. The viral disease affects the brain and travels through the nervous system before moving to saliva and infecting people. The affected people fear water and other liquids as they are unable to drink due to muscle spasm and many times show neural signs. Dr Ranjan Kumar Mohanta conducted the quiz competition among children of schools and colleges along with discussing elaborately about the graveness of the disease and steps to be taken to prevent the disease. Dr. S Sethy, Head, KVK, Cuttack and Headmaster/ headmistress distributed the prizes to the winners. Students from Auroshree Institute of Pharmacy Education and Research, Kadei, Mahanta Bidyapitha, Ucchapada, Siddhagiri Bidyapitha, Govindpur, Nuabazar High School, Cuttack, CRRI High School, Bidyadharpur, Bidyadharpur Girls High School, Global Indian Model School, Gopinathpur High School, Sri Aurobindo Institute for Integral Education, Gopinathpur, Sai Saraswati Bidya Mandir, Gopinathpur, Ucchapada UP School, Kadei UP School and Bidyadharpur Nodal UP School participated actively in these programs. Sri Arabinda Bisoi and Ranjit Rout coordinated the program. #worldrabiesday2022 #worldrabiesday

KVK Cuttack Organized a Training Program for Pranimitras

 Krishi Vigyan Kendra Cuttack, a unit of ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack organized a capacity-building program for grass root level extension functionaries on “Advances in Sheep and Goat Management” from 1-5 August 2022 at its Santhapur campus. Thirty-three pranimitras and seven MBKs working in Odisha Livelihood Mission from Banki and Tangi block of Cuttack district participated in the program. The course director, Dr Ranjan Kumar Mohanta, discussed the various aspects of small ruminant sector like breeds, housing, feeding, breeding, disease, vaccination, and treatment aspects. The practical aspect of taking vital signs, like temperature, administering medicines and vaccines, deworming and feed preparation from locally available feeds were demonstrated to the participants. As they are working at grassroot level, they were made equipped with basic and applied knowledge for helping the farming community. One post-mortem examination was conducted on a goat demonstrating its vital organs and how they function. It was a wonderful training experience where linkage with animal husbandry and veterinary services was discussed to be optimized in a one-day program with the GPLF secretary and president for optimal utilization of services of pranimitras. In the valedictory function, Dr Padmini Swain, Director, ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, advised the participants for utilization of the learning and experience gained at the training for fieldwork. She further urged them to make the best of the small ruminant and poultry sector for providing livelihood and nutritional security in the rural areas. Dr MJ Baig, Principal Scientist, NRRI, Cuttack praised the participants for their efforts and zeal for learning. Dr Sujata Sethy, OIC KVK welcomed the participants and Dr DR Sarangi offered the vote of thanks. All the KVK staff provided the necessary help for conducting the training.