President confers Brigadier rank on Dr Arvind Lal

New Delhi, Sep 1 (ANI): The President, Pratibha Patil, has conferred the honorary rank of brigadier on the Chairman and Managing Director of Dr. Lal Path Labs, Dr Arvind Lal.

The rank has been granted to Dr Lal with effect from July 9, 2009.

Dr Arvind Lal is a pioneer in bringing laboratory services in India at par with the West. Born on August 22, 1949, Dr Lal is an alumni of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, having received his graduate and post-graduate medical degrees from the prestigious institute.

Later he worked as a Demonstrator (Lecturer) in the Department of Pathology in AFMC. In 1977 Dr Lal took charge of the Pathology Laboratory founded in 1949 by his late father.

Under his expert guidance and leadership, Dr Lal PathLabs has become one of the most reputed medical laboratories in Asia.

Dr Lal has revolutionized laboratory medicine in the country by introducing new tests, instruments and ICT systems i.e. Information, Communications-Technology systems. His R and D unit is recognized by the Department of Science and Technology.

A member of many expert and advisory bodies set up by the central and state governments and on the panel of several professional bodies and institutes, Dr Lal has served as a pathologist to many present and past Prime Ministers of India.

Conferred with the Padma Shri award by the President this year, Dr Lal is a recipient of the Indira Gandhi Solidarity Award in 1994, Delhi Ratan Award in 2005, Lifetime Achievement Award in Medicine in 2003 and the International Business Council Award 1994. (ANI)