Coluthur Gopalan

Coluthur Gopalan

Coluthur Gopalan (1912–2019) was a pioneering Indian nutritionist and scientist who made significant contributions to the field of public health in India. He is best known for his extensive research on malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies among the Indian population, and his efforts have been instrumental in shaping India's nutrition policy and programs.

Early Life and Education

Coluthur Gopalan was born on July 3, 1912, in Tamil Nadu, India. He pursued his higher education in medicine and graduated from Madras Medical College, where he developed a keen interest in the field of nutrition and its impact on public health.

Career

After completing his medical education, Gopalan embarked on a career dedicated to nutrition research. He joined the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and later became the director of the Nutrition Research Laboratories in Hyderabad, which was later renamed the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN). Under his leadership, the institute became a premier center for nutrition research in India.

Gopalan's research primarily focused on the nutritional problems prevalent in India, including protein-energy malnutrition, vitamin A deficiency, and iron-deficiency anemia. He was among the first to highlight the importance of micronutrients in the Indian diet and advocated for the fortification of foods to combat nutritional deficiencies.

Contributions and Legacy

One of Gopalan's significant contributions was the development of the "Gopalan Syndrome," which describes the effects of chronic undernutrition among children, including stunted growth and delayed development. His work has had a profound impact on understanding malnutrition and its long-term effects on children's health and development.

Gopalan was also instrumental in the establishment of the National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB), which conducts periodic surveys to assess the nutritional status of the Indian population. His efforts have contributed to the formulation of national policies aimed at improving nutrition and reducing the prevalence of malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies in India.

Throughout his career, Gopalan received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to nutrition science and public health, including the prestigious Padma Bhushan award by the Government of India.

Death

Coluthur Gopalan passed away on October 3, 2019, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence the field of nutrition and public health in India and beyond.

See Also

• Public Health in India
• Malnutrition in India
• Indian Council of Medical Research
• National Institute of Nutrition, India