Dr. Kushal Konwar Sarma, Professor & Head, Department of Surgery & Radiology, College of Veterinary Science, AAU, Khanapara has brought glory to the University and his faculty as he has been chosen for prestigious “Padmashree” award -2020 by Government of India. It is worth mentioning that Dr. Sarma is the first Veterinarian in the entire country to have bagged this award and also the first Padmashree awardee in the history of Assam Agricultural University.
A graduate of College of Veterinary Science, AAU, Khanapara of 1984, Dr. Sarma did his masters in Veterinary Surgery & Radiology in 1987 and PhD in the same field in 1994 as an in-service candidate. He joined the university in 1987 as Assistant professor and became a Professor in the Surgery & Radiology Department in 2006 and been the Head from 2012. He has authored over 150 research papers in National and International scientific journals, authored 6 books, co-authored or contributed chapters in 7 books, guided 45 students leading to PhD & MVSc and published over 100 popular articles in various English or vernacular journals. He is member of Editorial Board of one international and one high rated National journal. Dr. Sarma has completed two research projects as Principal Investigator and two as co-investigator. His work with IIT Guwahati on Electarospun silk polyaniline conduits for functional nerve regeneration in rat sciatic nerve injury model received critical acclaims.
Dr. Sarma has travelled extensively, served one month in Indonesia as International Elephant Expert and is a guest faculty of North Carolina State University and New Mexico University of US. He took part in the Rhino translocation programme in Royal Citwan National Park in Nepal. He has attended many National and international seminars and workshops and delivered lectures, mostly on elephant, rhino and other wildlife healthcare and welfare issues. He has organized several National and international seminars, conferences and training as the Course Director or Organizing Secretary.
Gold Medalist of 1984 batch of Veterinary Graduates of AAU, Dr. Sarma has bagged many National and International awards/recognitions. He was conferred the prestigious Fellows of Indian Society for Veterinary Surgery and Indian Society of Animal Production and Management. Dr. Sarma has received Certificate of Recognition for commitment for Asian elephant Conservation, Health and Welfare by North Carolina University of Us. Prof. Jagdish Mukhi, Hon’ble Governor of Assam has given him the title, “Elephant Man of Asia”.
Besides the call of duty as a university professor and administrator, doctor Sarma has dedicated his life to the healthcare and welfare of wild animals in general and elephants and rhinos in particular. He has not enjoyed a single holiday or weekend for personal comfort or enjoyment for over three decades, running from forest to forest at the service of wildlife. He attends over 700 elephants annually for preemptive and on call basis, which now includes besides Assam, elephants of other Indian reserves like Dudhwa (UP), Jaldapara(West Bengal), Kanha(MP) etc. He has the distinction of subjugation of a record 139 rogue elephants in the jungles of north eastern region of India. He is the leader of the veterinary team for reintroduction of rhinos in the Manas National Park besides rescue, treatment and translocation of many wild elephants, rhinos, swamp deer, tigers, leopards, bear, bison, wild buffalo etc.
Dr. Sarma is a member of the Steering committee of Project Elephant, Govt of India, Captive Elephant Healthcare and Welfare Committee, Zoo and Circus elephant evaluation committee, Central Zoo Authority, Assam and Tripura State Board of Wildlife etc. He is the serving Chairman of the Blue Cross Society, Assam and also served as the Vice President of Indian Society for Veterinary Surgery and Radiology. He is a member of Asian elephant Specialist Group, IUCN, and EEHV Asia Working Group.
