Leading scientist Obaid Siddiqui dead

July 29, 2013
Bangalore, Jul 29: Obaid Siddiqi, National Research Professor at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) died here following a road accident on July 21, which caused him severe brain injuries.

obaid

"He breathed his last in a city hospital," National Centre for Biological Sciences-TIFR official Avinash Chinchure told PTI.

Siddiqi is survived by his wife Asiya, sons Imran and Kaleem, and daughters Yumna and Diba, National Centre for Biological Sciences-TIFR, said in a statement.

Siddiqi, born in 1932 in Uttar Pradesh, received his early education at Aligarh Muslim University. He obtained his Phd from the University of Glasgow, working on microbial genetics with Guido Pontecorvo.

He carried out post-doctoral research with Alan Garen at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and University of Pennsylvania.

"This work led to the discovery of stop codons in the genetic code and the mechanism of chain termination during protein synthesis," the statement said.

In 1962, at the invitation of Homi Bhabha, he set up the Molecular Biology Unit at TIFR in Mumbai. The formation of this unit is widely regarded as a transformational event in the landscape of modern biology research in India.

Thirty years later, he became the founding director of the TIFR National Center for Biological Sciences in Bangalore, the statement said.

In 1980s, Siddiqi and his students at TIFR, Mumbai, carried out pioneering work on the genetic basis of taste and smell in Drosophila. "These discoveries paved the way for the modern understanding of how senses such as taste and smell are detected and encoded in the brain," it added.

Siddiqi was an elected member of the Royal Society, London (FRS), US National Academy of Sciences, The World Academy of Sciences, Trieste, the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore (President 1986-89), National Academy of Sciences (India), Allahabad, and Maharashtra Academy of Sciences.

He has been honoured with Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Bhatnagar Prize, INSA Golden Jubilee Medal, Birla Samarak Kosh National Award, Goyal Foundation Prize, Aryabhatta Medal by INSA, Bhasin Foundation Prize, Science Congress Plaque of Honours, BC Roy Award for Biomedical Research and Firodia Award for Basic Sciences.

Vice President M Hamid Ansari condoled the demise of eminent biologist.

"I am deeply saddened at the untimely and tragic demise of Professor Obaid Siddiqi, National Research Professor at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, one of the most eminent scientists of our country and an alumnus of Aligarh Muslim University," Ansari said in his message.

Ansari said in Siddiqui's departure, the country had lost a pioneer of scientific research and an institution builder.

"I convey my heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family. I pray to the Almighty to give them strength and fortitude to withstand this loss," he said.

Prime minister Manmohan Singh also condoled his death. "I am deeply grieved to learn of the passing away of Dr Obaid Siddiqi, one of India's most eminent molecular biologists, who will long be remembered for his pioneering research in this field," Singh said in his message.

The Prime Minister said Siddiqi was among that crop of scientists who helped lay the foundation of our country's scientific research effort.

"He will be missed deeply by his friends and colleagues as a great researcher, educationist and a very warm human being. I offer my heartfelt condolences and pray for peace of the departed soul," Singh said.

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News Network
December 5,2025

Mangaluru: In a significant step to curb online hate and intimidation, Mangaluru City Police have registered a suo motu case against multiple Instagram accounts accused of circulating alleged provocative and threatening content.

While monitoring social media activity on Tuesday, Kankanady Town PSI Anitha Nikkam identified the Instagram handle ‘team_targetttt_900’ for posting a hate message alongside images of lethal weapons. Another account, ‘team_nagara_900’, allegedly shared a threatening post targeting activist Bharath Kumdelu, tagging additional pages such as KARAVALI-OFFICIAL.

Several other accounts — including ‘immu_bhai.fan’, ‘target_boy_900’, ‘kings_of_manglore’, ‘team_target_boys.900’, ‘arshad_mangalore’, ‘target_ka19_ullal’, ‘team_target__’, ‘troll_tigersz_900’, ‘tr_group_900’, and ‘team_target_900’ — are also under scrutiny for spreading similar inflammatory material, police said.

Authorities have urged citizens, especially young social media users, to report suspicious pages and avoid engaging with groups that glorify violence or threaten individuals. Online hate can quickly escalate into real-world harm, and police stress that sharing or promoting such content can attract legal consequences.

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News Network
November 29,2025

DKSsiddu.jpg

New Delhi: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar on Saturday put up a dramatic display of unity at a closely watched joint press briefing, firmly dismissing weeks of speculation about a power-sharing tussle within the Congress. With the high command nudging both leaders to sit together and settle the dust, the meeting became a political spectacle, ending with the duo declaring that there was “no confusion, no differences.”

Calling the reports of a rift “manufactured confusion,” Siddaramaiah said the talks had gone smoothly, even joking about their breakfast. “Breakfast was very good. All three of us enjoyed it,” he said. “We want to end this confusion once and for all. For local elections and for 2028, our mission is clear — Congress must return to power. There is no difference between me and DKS, not now, not before.”

He blamed the media for fuelling rumours and reiterated absolute adherence to the party leadership. “From tomorrow, let there be no confusion. What the high command says, we will follow.”

Siddaramaiah also assured that the Assembly session starting December 8 would run smoothly and vowed that Congress would take on the BJP and JD(S) “together.”

Shivakumar echoed the chief minister word for word, stressing loyalty and discipline. “People have given us a massive mandate. It is our duty to deliver,” he said. “This government was formed under Siddaramaiah’s leadership. We both have complete trust in the high command. If they tell me to wait, I will wait.”

He added that the two leaders had discussed strategy for the 2028 Assembly elections. “Whatever the CM says, I agree. We are loyal soldiers of the party. The party may be facing challenges nationally, but we will keep it strong in Karnataka.”

Shivakumar also said Siddaramaiah would soon visit his home for lunch or dinner — another symbolic gesture meant to underline their unity.

Both leaders later posted on social media describing the breakfast meeting as “productive” and focused on “Karnataka’s priorities.”

The BJP, however, rejected the show of camaraderie as “pure bunkum,” accusing Congress of trying to paper over an internal power struggle. But Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar insisted their united front would continue — and that there was “no confusion” within the state leadership.

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