ICRISAT scientist elected President of ICE

Hyderabad, July 29 (UNI) Dr Hari C Sharma, a scientist from the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has been elected as President of the Council of the International Congress of Entomology (ICE).

According to a press release here, Principal Scientist (Entomology) Dr Sharma was elected at the 23rd International Congress of Entomology held from July 6 to 12 at Durban in South Africa. He would hold the office till the next Congress in 2012 in Daegou in South Korea. Over 2,500 delegates from 102 countries participated in the ICE in Durban, release added.

This is for the first time in the 102-year history of the International Congress of Entomology that an Asian has been elected to this post, the highest level of recognition for an Entomologist by his peers.

Congratulating Dr Sharma, ICRISAT Director General William Dar said Dr Sharma's election as the President of ICE was a recognition of the world class talent at ICRISAT.

In his acceptance speech, Dr Sharma said, ''The office bearers of the ICE and I will make all efforts to advance the cause of the science of Entomology for fighting hunger and serving humanity. It was in Durban in 1914 that the 'Great March to Independence' was undertaken by Mahatma Gandhi, and nearly a century later, let us commit ourselves to undertake the Great March to fight hunger, poverty and disease through excellence in the science of Entomology for the service of mankind and the environment.'' UNI VA MDG PK RK1710