xv
‘Today’s pansy is tomorrow’s hawthorn’. With the fervent prayer that this
humble piece of work will benefi t the people of this land, the undersigned
offers his heartfelt gratitude to the numerous benevolent souls, who had never
grudged him any help in his strenuous and hazardous fi eldworks spread over
more than 40 years. The village folk who had kept a vigil with him in many a
stormy night could neither be named nor their help fully acknowledged.
May the undersigned utilise the privilege of this opportunity to express
his profound regards and dutiful reverence to his respected late parents,
Dr. Himangshu Jyoti Kar (father) and Mrs. Sunity Kar (mother), without
whose blessings this humble piece of work would not possibly have seen
the light of the day.
The undersigned utilizes the privilege of this opportunity to pay his very
humble profound regards to Professor M. S. Swaminathan, FRS, Ex-Director
General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and Chairman, Swaminathan
Foundation, Chennai, for his very kind Foreword.
The undersigned also records his deep sense of gratitude and regards to
his respected teachers, notably Dr. Subhas Chandra Dey, retired professor
of Gauhati University; Dr. Naresh Chandra Datta, retired professor of
Calcutta University; and Dr. Martin Monk and Dr. R. G. Bailey of King’s
College, University of London, for their constant encouragement, guidance
and blessings.
The undersigned also expresses his deep sense of appreciation and
gratitude to his family members, notably Prof. Mrs. Radha Rani Dev,
Mr. Devapriya Kar, Mr. Devajyoti Kar and Dr. Deva Prasad Kar for their help
and encouragement. Last but not the least, this humble piece work would,
perhaps, been nipped in the bud if my wife Dr. Prof. Mrs. Swarupa Kar and
my children, Miss Devarati Kar (daughter) and Master Dyutiman Kar (son),
would not have been with me like a shadow. I must say here that I am fortunate to have the intellectual stimulation, companionship and association with
a band of excellent, intelligent and obedient students who had been with me
at different stages of preparation of this humble piece of work. In particular,
Ramen Barman made some essential contacts. Ratnabir, Romen Singh,
Binku, Geeta and Sangeeta helped in some typing works. Rani helped in
much typing. Puinya did some typing and a big part of arrangement works.
Sulata, Papia and Uma also helped me much in typing works and in the
arrangement of the manuscript. Biplab helped me substantially by numbering
Acknowledgement
‘Today’s pansy is tomorrow’s hawthorn’. With the fervent prayer that this
humble piece of work will benefi t the people of this land, the undersigned
offers his heartfelt gratitude to the numerous benevolent souls, who had never
grudged him any help in his strenuous and hazardous fi eldworks spread over
more than 40 years. The village folk who had kept a vigil with him in many a
stormy night could neither be named nor their help fully acknowledged.
May the undersigned utilise the privilege of this opportunity to express
his profound regards and dutiful reverence to his respected late parents,
Dr. Himangshu Jyoti Kar (father) and Mrs. Sunity Kar (mother), without
whose blessings this humble piece of work would not possibly have seen
the light of the day.
The undersigned utilizes the privilege of this opportunity to pay his very
humble profound regards to Professor M. S. Swaminathan, FRS, Ex-Director
General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and Chairman, Swaminathan
Foundation, Chennai, for his very kind Foreword.
The undersigned also records his deep sense of gratitude and regards to
his respected teachers, notably Dr. Subhas Chandra Dey, retired professor
of Gauhati University; Dr. Naresh Chandra Datta, retired professor of
Calcutta University; and Dr. Martin Monk and Dr. R. G. Bailey of King’s
College, University of London, for their constant encouragement, guidance
and blessings.
The undersigned also expresses his deep sense of appreciation and
gratitude to his family members, notably Prof. Mrs. Radha Rani Dev,
Mr. Devapriya Kar, Mr. Devajyoti Kar and Dr. Deva Prasad Kar for their help
and encouragement. Last but not the least, this humble piece work would,
perhaps, been nipped in the bud if my wife Dr. Prof. Mrs. Swarupa Kar and
my children, Miss Devarati Kar (daughter) and Master Dyutiman Kar (son),
would not have been with me like a shadow. I must say here that I am fortunate to have the intellectual stimulation, companionship and association with
a band of excellent, intelligent and obedient students who had been with me
at different stages of preparation of this humble piece of work. In particular,
Ramen Barman made some essential contacts. Ratnabir, Romen Singh,
Binku, Geeta and Sangeeta helped in some typing works. Rani helped in
much typing. Puinya did some typing and a big part of arrangement works.
Sulata, Papia and Uma also helped me much in typing works and in the
arrangement of the manuscript. Biplab helped me substantially by numbering
Acknowledgement