Share your feedback and win gifts! RN Chopra provided a strong scientific foothold for Ayurveda and other indigenous systems of medicine by carrying out various scientific studies on drugs mentioned in these systems. He also collaborated with experts from allied disciplines such as chemists and botanists to make Indian pharmacology a self-sufficient system. His publication Indigenous Drugs of India still remains an important source for research. With the help of his associates, he also authored Glossary of Medicinal Plants and Poisonous Plants of India. One of his better-known works was his study on Rauwolfia serpentina. In 1946, the Government of India created the Chopra Committee, with RN Chopra as its chairperson, to discuss Ayurveda and Unani research. The Chopra Committee recommended “harmonizing” western and indigenous systems of medicine. After superannuation from the Calcutta School, he returned to Jammu and Kashmir where he served as the Director of Medical Services and Research Center. He was also the Director of the Drug Research Laboratory in the same center. Ranks and Recognitions In 1921, RN Chopra was awarded the rank of a Major in the IMS and was promoted as the Lieutenant Colonel in 1927. In 1933, he was elected as a fellow of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. He also received Barclay Medal of the Asiatic Society. In 1934, his work in the Drugs Enquiry Committee was recognized in the new year honors list and was conferred the Knighthood Award in 1941. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/himalaya-infoline-feedback Tell Us What You Think About Himalaya Infoline OR Scan the QR code below or visit the link to share your feedback! Colonel RN Chopra Seated (Center) With the Drugs Enquiry Committee Photo courtesy: Br Colon Drug. 1931;84:148. He was elected as the President of the National Institute of Sciences. The School and the University of Calcutta awarded RN Chopra with the Minto Medal, Mouatt Medal, and Coatos Medal. Brevet Colonel Chopra was also awarded honorary memberships of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, and as a corresponding member of the Belgian Society of Tropical Medicine. In 1948, Colonel Chopra became the General President of the Indian Science Congress. Indian Pharmaceutical Association elected Colonel Chopra as an honorary member and conferred him the Dr ER Squibb Award for his outstanding contributions. Thus, Colonel RN Chopra’s remarkable foresight helped in the development of Indian pharmacology. Colonel RN Chopra’s unflinching dedication resulted in tremendous developments in ethical drug manufacturing and the growth of the pharmaceutical industry in India. Colonel RN Chopra passed away on June 13, 1973, at his home in Srinagar, Kashmir. Himalaya pays tribute to this legend. Himalaya Infoline • Vol 19 • No. 2 • May–Aug 2023 • 17
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