Public lecture on topic “Who are we? And what makes us unique: A tale behind our origin, health and disease” 

Chandigarh, September 30, 2024: Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, Chandigarh organized a public lecture on the topic “Who are we? And what makes us unique: A tale behind our origin, health and disease” by the eminent speaker Dr. K. Thangaraj. The lecture was organized by Dr. JS Sehrawat, Chairperson of the Department of Anthropology, with Prof. RenuVig, Vice Chancellor, Panjab University, Chandigarh as chief patron. 

Dr. K. Thangaraj is presently a JC Bose Fellow & CCMB-TIGS, Outstanding Scientist at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad. He was the former Director of the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad before that. He has many laurels to his name with being a recipient of several awards, including J C Bose Fellowship, Sun Pharma Research Award in Medical Sciences, Raman Research Fellowship, Life-time achievement Award, Excellence in Science Award, Distinguished Scientist Award, Sir CV Raman Memorial Lecture Award, Sir Dr. UN Brahmachari Award, and delivered several Orations. Dr. Thangaraj has extensively worked and researched on the aspect of evolution of humans and genetic progression for more than 30 years; the very heart of the discipline of Anthropology. 

The lecture was delivered to the students of Anthropology and other allied departments with its prime focus on the aspect of genetic evolution of human species and its relativity to different hominids, health and disease patterns. Dr. Thangaraj lecture captured the inquisitiveness of the students and rendered explanations for the mystery behind the movement of various human species from the cradle of civilization i.e., Africa. With extensive evidence and research, Dr. Thangaraj presented the fact how tribes of Andaman and Nicobar (Andamanese, Onges, Sentinallis) have followed direct route of evolution from Africa. He also emphasized how Indian population and race is the most diverse globally. He synthesised his lecture by relating this diversification in terms of how genes express in disease manifestation in populations that can help in understanding and tackling diseases and health at a global level. For curious minds excited about knowing the how abouts of humans and gene expression, this lecture gave them a horizon of understanding with real research evidences. 

Dr. Sehrawat wholehearted thanked the distinguished speaker, an authority in application of DNA research for understanding human evolution, disease prevalence and forensic anthropology for genetic characterisation of global populations. He inspired the budding researchers to come with innovative and novel ideas to solve human problems with genetic anthropology inputs. Dr. JS Sehrawat presented a memento and a token of respect to Dr. Thangaraj and offered him consider the department join as a Professor of Practice, if he agrees and gives his consent in this regard.