Entomology Students’ Conclave 2024 marks ESI foundation day at the University of Agricultural Sciences – Bengaluru
01 March 2024, New Delhi: On February 22, 2024, the Entomological Society of India (ESI) commemorated its Foundation Day by hosting the inaugural Entomological Students Conclave (ESC) 2024, in collaboration with the University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru, alongside the ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru, and ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Spanning from February 21st to 23rd at GKVK, Bengaluru, the event aimed to cultivate entomological research among students across the nation. Dr. S. N. Sushil, Director of ICAR-NBAIR, Bengaluru, commended ESI’s pioneering effort in conceptualizing this distinctive conclave, marking a significant milestone in entomological discourse within the country.
The ESC 2024 provided a platform for 284 students to showcase their research through oral and poster presentations on various themes, including Biodiversity and Taxonomy, Beneficial Insects, Integrated Pest Management, Insect Toxicology, Biological Control, Insect Physiology, Molecular Advances in Entomology, Climate Change, Industrial Entomology, and Host Plant Resistance. Additionally, 146 students engaged in virtual poster presentations, broadening the scope of entomological dialogues.
Esteemed agrochemical companies such as Dhanuka, UPL, and PI Industries were invited to acquaint students with industrial research in entomology. Dr. S. N. Sushil underscored ESI’s enduring commitment to the field since its inception in 1938, emphasizing its pivotal role as one of India’s premier professional societies serving entomologists and related researchers. The society has been publishing the Indian Journal of Entomology since 1938, the Bulletin of Entomology since 1967, Bionotes since 2020, and the Indian Entomologist since 2020. With a membership base exceeding 1500 entomologists, ESI continues its legacy into its ninth decade of advancing Entomology in India.
ESI has undertaken various activities over the years, including initiatives aimed at identifying excellence in entomology to provide motivation and encouragement by recognizing and honoring the best achievements in the field. This effort has led to the acknowledgment and honoring of outstanding accomplishments in various fields of Entomology. Notably, the society has recently introduced awards for both young and senior Entomologists, along with recognizing the best PhD theses. Furthermore, this year saw the addition of awards honoring the Best Teachers and a Lifetime Achievement Award for established Entomologists. Additionally, some Life Fellows (FESI) have been recognized as Honorary Fellows for their significant contributions.
As part of this initiative, ESI awarded the lifetime achievement award to twelve legendary entomologists, including two from the industry, and appointed ten honorary fellows. Among the lifetime achievement awardees are luminaries such as Dr. S. N. Puri, Dr. B. V. David, Dr. C. A. Viraktamath, Dr. G. P. Gupta, Dr. Krishan Singh Khokhar, Dr. Mohammad Hayat, Dr. N. Ramakrishnan, Dr. S. Chelliah, Dr. Samiran Chakrabarti, Dr. Swaraj Ghai, Sri Rajnikant Shroff, and Sri Ram Gopal Agarwal. ESI’s honorary fellows include distinguished individuals like Dr. Anand Prakash, Dr. B. Subrahmanyam, Dr. H. C. Sharma, Dr. J.R. Faleiro, Dr. J. S. Bentur, Dr. Jagbir Singh Kirti, Dr. Lakshmi Kanta Hazarika, Dr. N.K. Krishna Kumar, Dr. R.K. Seth, and Dr. T.P. Rajendran.
Additionally, awards were presented to young and senior entomologists for their contributions to Entomological research. The ESI young entomologist awardees include Dr. U. Amala, Dr. Basana Gowda, G., and Dr. Suresh M Nebapure, while the ESI senior entomologist awardees are Dr. Poonam Jasrotia and Dr. Sanjay Kumar Sahoo. Beginning this year, ESI initiated the recognition of teachers through the ESI Best Teacher Award, which was bestowed upon Dr. Prabhuraj A. Furthermore, to encourage budding entomologists, ESI presented the Best PhD Thesis Awards to Dr. Saranya M., Dr. Anamika Kar, Dr. Ranjith M, and Dr. Rashmi Manohar M.
On the occasion of the Entomological Society of India Foundation Day 2024, marking its 86th year of existence since its establishment in 1938, celebrations took place at the University of Agricultural Sciences Bengaluru. Dignitaries including Dr. S. N. Puri, Chairman and Chief Patron of ESI, Dr. V. V. Ramamurthy, President of ESI, Dr. K. N. Ganeshaiah, INSA Senior Scientist at UAS Bengaluru, Dr. S. Subramanian, Convener and Zonal President of ESI, Dr. Sachin S. Suroshe, General Secretary of ESI, and Dr. Sagar D, Organizing Secretary and Zonal Councilor (Delhi), graced the event. Dr. K. N. Ganeshaiah delivered a lecture titled “Creativity of Haldane’s God: are insects really diverse and why so?” wherein he shed light on the rich diversity of insects, particularly beetles while questioning the perceived extent of this diversity. He proposed that the organization of diversity within insect groups follows a specific hierarchical pattern consistent across biological groups, potentially stemming from autocatalytic feedback processes. Concluding, he suggested that Haldane’s fondness may lie more in the patterns observed in nature rather than solely in the beetles themselves, garnering a standing ovation from the audience. The program concluded with Dr. S N. Puri endorsing Dr. Ganeshaiah’s views and a formal vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Sagar D.
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