KALIDAS MITRA
KALIDAS MITRA was born on December 22, 1899, as the eldest son of the late Jatindralal Mitra, a renowned lawyer and advocate of the Patna High Court; young K~llidas spent his early days in Arrah, Bihar, where his father had moved to from Calcutta and set up a lucrative legal practice.
After passing his Matriculation examination, he joined the Vidyasagar College at Calcutta wherefrom he passed the I.Sc. examination with dis- tinction; he then entered the Calcutta Medical College in 1919. Being a member of a joint family, love and care was lavished upon Kalidas by his parents and other relations. Having spent his childhood in a Hindi- speaking area, Kalidas learnt Hindi in addition to his mother tongue, Bengali. Later it helped him when he was called upon to edit the medical terminology section of Hindi Scientific Dictionary.
School & University Education, Research Work, etc.
Dr. Mitra's career at the Calcutta Medical College from 1919 to 1925 was marked by good scholastic record; he was awarded merit scholarships and gold medals. After his House Surgeonship, etc. at the Calcutta Medical College, Dr. Mitra returned to Patna to join Bihar Medical Service as Tempo- rary Medical Officer of Health in the Public Health Section. Initially he had to work on Epidemic duty, Malaria survey, Bowel diseases, Sanitary and Conservancy work, etc. ; these varied assignments gave him a wide outlook on public health problems of Bihar. He returned to Calcutta in 1931 to take his D.P.H. from the Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. I n
1935, he went on study leave to England and obtained his D.T.M. & H.
diploma in a record period of three months under Prof. M. Greenwood
F.R.S. After taking a special course in vital statistics in London, he was elec-
ted a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society, London, in 1936. O n returning
to India towards the end of 1936, Dr. Mitra carried out an extensive Malaria
survey work at Muzaffarpur and later Epidemiological and Nutrition Survey
work in scveral districts of Bihar with Patna as his headquarters. He became
intcrestcd also in the comparative nutrition and food habits of adults and
children in the urban and rural areas. He published his findings in the form
of trchnical reports, popular articles etc. I n recognition of his work in this
firld, hc was appointed Officer-in-Charge, Nutrition Scheme of thr Rillnr
Public Hc;r ltll Srrvic-r in 1938.
A remarkable achievement which will stand to his credit is the setting up of the first Nutrition Research Laboratory in Patna where he laboriously worked out, sometimes single-handed, the food values of various components of common diets in those areas; he tried to establish a 'norm' for the essential ingredients and caloric need of the population of several districts of Bihar.
H e continued his nutrition research in collaboration with the experts in the field in the Universities of Calcutta, Patna and Aberdeen (Scotland). At the time of Bengal famine in 1943-44, he came forward to help devising a cheap balanced dietary plan for the famine-stricken people of Calcutta, based on various ingredients of food-stuffs which were then not in common use as items of traditional diet. These activities and other similar social and com- munity services he rendered brought him recognition by the award of M.B.E.
in 1943. Dr. Mitra was elected the President of the Bihar Provincial Medical Conference in 1943. I n 1949, he was elected a Fellow of the National Institute of Sciences of India and the following year the President of the Physiology Section of the Indian Science Congress. I n 1967, he was elected a Fellow of the Indian Standards Institution in recognition of his distinguished services and his contributions to the promotion of standardisation methods of edible starches, confectionery, cereal products, processed cereals and pulses. Dr.
Mitra's work in studying the nutrition and food habits of the population of several districts of Bihar was noticed by the authorities in New Delhi and he was invited to take up the post of Director of Nutrition in the Ministry of Food in 1945. Within a couple of years, he moved to the Ministry of Health as Adviser on Nutrition and later, he assumed full charge of the Public Health work of the Directorate General of Health Services, New Delhi.
Contribution to Science
Dr. Mitra's research contributions may be grouped into four categories:
(1) Diet and Nutrition Survey; (2) Biochemical work to determine the food
\-alue of edibles consumed in Bihar.; (3) work to popularise the importance of balanced dietary in the maintenance of positive health of the population;
and (4) study of deficiency diseases with a view to develop cheap preven- tives.
I n the first group, his main findings have been that in the case of industrial population the rise in income may be expccted to improve the quality of thr diet (both qualitative and quantitative) but not ncccssarily a changc in tllr traditional faulty ill-balanced dietary habits. This is largcly responsible for the deficiency syndromcs noticed in aboriginal people brought in contact writh industrial lai~our in stmi-urban or rural areas. His st~idics strcsscd thc need for improt-cd dietary habits and consumption of morc balanced food rathcr than quantitative incrcasr in the food intake.
i
\
systcrnntic cxamination and cv;~luation of thr calorific v;llur of' morc
than 250 common rdil~lcs b y chc~nical mtthods nncl also thrir protrin, fht,
carbohyclratc, mineral, calcium anti phosphorus contcnts was one of his sigl~i-
Biographical Memoirs
ficant contributions. This area of research was almost a closed chapter when the findings were first recorded by Dr. Mitra. Particular mention may be made 01' his findings that certain cereals, parched grams, fruits of fan palm, Barhal (Arlocarpus lakoocha) and root tubers were rich sources of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. He also contributed to the study of the comparative biologi- cal value of cow, goat and buffalo milk.
Dr. Mitra carried out a controlled study of deficiency diseases in Jail population and in a school hostel. His findings based on accurate statistical analysis were later corroborated by other workers and formed the basis of the G o \ ~ c r ~ ~ m c n t ' s dietary plans and were used in the planning of diet for school children and, various deficiency syndromes. Dr. Mitra also took a lead in the publication of popular pamphlets to educate the mass on the reorienta- tion of food habits and correcting faulty dietary habits. When he was the Chairman of the Nutrition Advisory Committee of the Indian Council of hIedical Research and the Central Committee on Food Standards, Govern- ment of India, Dr. Mitra applied his new ideas and views to solve the nutri- tional problems of India. As the Convener of the Sub-Committee of National Nutrition Advisory Committee, he put out a report on the standardisation of dietary patterns, and the menus to be served in restaurants and other eating establishments in India, which has formed the basis of many Railway and public catering institutions. Dr. Mitra was a realistic exponent in applied nutrition and has left his impact on the practical aspects of nutrition plann- ing in India.
Reminiscences of Private Life
Dr. Mitra married the daughter of Prof. A. C. Bose who was the Controller of Examinations of the Calcutta University and had two sons and one daugh- ter. All of them were given good professional training. His wife predeceased him a few months earlier. Dr. Mitra was a dutiful son, loving husband and a benevolent father. He was always generous in giving good counsel to his brothers, sons and near and distant relations. His personality and amiable manners coupled with his easy and gracious hospitality made hill1 a popular and easily approachable figure.
Author of this biography had the privilege to know him as far back in 1925 when he was a House Surgeon at the Calcutta Medical College. He came in close contact with him in 1936 in London when Dr. Mitra was carrying on his studies for D.T.M. & H. there. I t was Dr. Mitra's research intercst in nutrition that brought this writer in close touch with him. (The author was then a post-graduate research worker in Pharmacology at the National Institute of Mcclical Rcscarch, Hampstcad, London.) O n many week days, invari;thly on weck-rntls, wc jointly planned to attend symposia, confcrenccs
; ~ n d seminars, or to visit inrlscums, botanical gardens
-and health ccntrrs.
\V{: also rrtrlrnrtl to I n t l i ; ~ togcthcr enjoying
npleasant fortnight ~'acation
in thc ship.
X-alidas Mitra
Social Virtues, Ideas and Outlook
Dr. hlitra had good leadership qualities and could easily play the dollti- nant role in committee meetings. He was a keen student ancl usually kcpt
-llimself up-to-date in literature on applied nutrition. His arguments and dis- ctlssions in such meetings were always supported by logic, reliable data, and generally led to valid, acceptable conclusions. As Chairman of several Corn- mittees, Dr. Mitra displayed a remarkable ability in summing up the vicws of the participating members and to draft the final report himself. He had the knack and patience to discuss all the points threadbare ancl ultimately to arrive at a compromise formula which was generally acceptable to all.
Dr. Mitra retired from the Directorate General of Health Services, New Delhi, in 1958 after a creditable period of service, winning the confidence of the colleagues and co-workers with whom he maintained excellent rela- tions throughout, both administratively and socially. After retirement, he decided to move to Calcutta and take up journalistic work as the Managing Editor of Science @ Culture. Later in 1960, he was appointed as the first Director of the Jagadis Bose National Science Talent Search. I n both these positions, his organising and administrative ability found useful outlets.
Both these positions afforded Dr. Mitra to play
avital role in the science planning and education of the country. Dr. Mitra was elected the President of the Physiology Section of the Indian Science Congress Association for 1948-49. Earlier in 1946, he was chosen to represent India at the Nutrition Conference of the South East Asian countries at Singapore. I n recognition of his distinguished services to the Indian Standards Institution, he was elec- ted a Fellow of that body in 1967. Dr. Mitra's interest and contributions to preventive and social medicine, public health education, epidemiology and nutrition research are rich and impressive. Some of his original findings in the field of malaria and dietary survey are very popular; they arc quoted in scientific monographs and text-books.
Dr. Mitra was a lover of art and a student of both English and Bcnqali
Cliterature. H e was blessed with extraordinary inemory and could rccitc easily poems and couplets from Kalidas's 'Meghdoot' and Tagosc's songs and writing. He occasionally contributed to literary and cultural jo~wnirls.
His sad demise on May 16, 1968 at the age of 68, no doubt, rcmo\.cd
nmiin of great pioneering spirit and intellectual potential from the Indian mcdicirl science.
2, 589.
1077. F(*rtility and its relation t o SO(-i;il c-onditio~ls-:\ snlrly of t l l r \.itill s t ; l t i \ t i c s of 1.onclon i t 1
1930-32.
.7.
1!y.c,. I,'c~rnh., XXXVI.I'I38, I n < rwsc of A1;~1;1riil i l l ~ ~ ~ I I ~ I I I I ~ I I I , 1936. J . ~ I I ( Z I O Y , 11, t t . I t ~ d i ~ i * 1.
1338. \$'hat is balatlccd clict. Itlc/rtrtl ttlcti. J . , 32.
Biographical Mmoirs
1'338. Nutrition studies in Bilzw-Zart 11, chemical composition of some local edibles, J . Indian chm. Sw., XV.
1939, Malnutrition in children. Patna J. Md,, XX.
1939. Requirenlerl t for a "'Square Meal," Calcutta msd,
J,,
35.1939. F d intake and physique of the university students in Bihar. Palnu
3.
Md.,XIV.
1940. (With H. C . MITRA) Studies of edibles from Borassub Flabellifer (Palmyra-Palm) will1 special reference to Nira or Sweet Toddy. Indian J . agric. Sci:, X. Part V.
1940. (With
K.
C. MITRA AND A. C . ROY) Nutrition studies in Bihar Part 111. Estimation of Carotene and Ascorbic acid in common fruits and vegetables. J . Indian chern. Soc., XVII.1940. Dietary and Nutrition survey a t Jamshedpur, an industrial town in Bihar. Indian
3.
m d .&.,
27, 887-906.
1940. Investigations into the dietary and physique of aboriginal in Santal Parganas, a district of Bihar. Indian J. rned. Res., XXVHI, 1 17- 13 1.
1941. (With H. C . MITRA) Effects of supplementary feedings with limed Nira (sweet toddy) on growth. Potnn
J.
Med.? XVI.19-1: 1. Dietary of physique of mining population in Jharia coal fields (Bihar). Indian
J.
md. Res.,XXIX,
194 1. (With H. C . MITRA) Estimation of the proximate principles of food in a few edibles by che- mical methods. Indian J. med. Res.,
XXIX.
1942. The national wheat meal or fortified flour. Patna J . Med., XVU.
1942. The role of nutrition in the causation and prevention of tuberculosis. Patna
J.
Med. XVII.1942. (With A. K. GHOSE) Ascorbic acid value of Indian gooseberry. Ann. Biochem. exp. Med., II.
1942. (With H. C. MITRA) Investigations into the biological value of milk proteins (Part I-by the Rat-Growth Method). Indian
J.
med. Res., XXX.1942. (With H. C. MITRA) Estimation of food value by chemical methods of another series of edibles consumed in Bihar. Indian J. med. Res., XXX.
1942. (With H. C. MITRA) Investigations into the biological value of milk protein (Part I1 by the balance sheet method). Indian
3.
med. Res., XXX.1942. Observations on the diet and nutritional state of an aboriginal (HOS) tribe. Indian
J.
rned.Res., XXX.
1943. Positive Health-Newer conception in preventive medicine. Patna J. Med., XVIII.
1943. (With H. C. MITRA) Determination of the biological value of proteins from red Ants (Oeco- phylla smaragdina) by the balance sheet method. Indian J. med. Res., 35.
1943. Orogenial syndrome in Avitaninosis-Effect of treatment with B, (Complex) Vitamins.
Indian mad. Gaz., LXXVIII.
1943. (With
H.
C. MITRA) The determination by chemical methods of the food values of yet another batch of edibles. Indian J. med. Res., XXXI.1945. (With H. C. MITRA). The food values of further batch of edibles, estimated by chemical methods. Indian J. med. Res., 33.
1945. (With H. C. MITRA) Biological value of proteins from muscle meat of cow, buffalo and goat.
Indian
J.
med. Res., 33.1945. Gastric acidity in orogenital syndrome. J. Itzdiatl med. Res., XV.
1947. (With S. K. VERMA) The biological value of the proteins of rice, pulse and milk fed in different proportions to human beings. Indian J. med. Res. 35.
1947. The food habits of the Muslims of Bihar and the nutritional state of their children. Indian J . m d . Res., 35.
1948. (With S. K. VERMA AND S. AHMED). Investigations of biological value of cereal mixtures in rice eater's diet by human. Indian J. med. Res.? 36.
1951. A note of the management and technique of dlet surveys in India. Rep. Indian Council Med.
Res.
Spl. No. 2 1.1953. T h e results of diet surveys in India 1935-48. Spl. Rep. Indian Council Med. Res. No. 25.
1960, Food Adulteration-a menace to national health.
Sci.
Cult., 25, 1962. Problems of undergraduate medical education.Sci.
Cult., 28.