Dr. D.N. Srivastava has left us for his heavenly abode on 17 March, 2000. Born on February 2, 1925 at Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, Daya Nand Srivastava passed matriculation from Gorakhpur High School in 1941, B.Sc. (Ag.) from Government Agricultural Col­lege, Kanpur (then affiliated to the Agra University) in same year 1945. He joined Division of Mycology and Plant Pathology of the IAR1 (then Imperial Agricul­tural Research Institute) as an assistant to the Imperial Mycologist, Dr. Padwick. He also obtained the Post graduate Diploma - Associateship of IARI in 1951 while working with Dr. B.B. Mundkur and Dr. J.F. Dastur. On a three year study leave as a Fulbright Scholar, Dayanand did his Masters and Ph.D. with Dr. John Charles Walker in the University of Wisconsin, USA in 1957 and 1958, respectively. Back to the Division of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, he served in various positions, viz., Assistant Plant Pathologist, Plant Bacteriologist and finally as Professor of Plant Pathology till April 1968. He joined Indian council of Agricultural Research as Deputy Agricultural Commissioner (Plant protection in 1968, which was later renamed as Assistant Director General (Plant Protection) in 1971. He retired from ICAR service as Deputy Director General (Crop sci­ences) on January 31", 1987. He was on deputation to the West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA) in Liberia from 1978 to 1980 as Senior Pathologist funded by the Consultative Group on Inter­national Agricultural Research. 

His post retirement assignments include appoint­ment by ICAR as Emeritus Scientist at the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources for investigations on citrus Dieback disease from 1989 to 1992. He was the Honorary Chairman of the ICAR Scientific Panel of Plant Pathology for more than ten years since 1987. He had been an honorary member of the WARDA Board of Management in Liberia and Ivory coast for several years. He has visited vari­ous teaching and research organisations of Europe, U.K., U.S.A., Japan, Phil­ippines and Thailand. He was elected the Council­lor (1968-73) and the Vice President of the Interna­tional Society of Plant Pathology from 1978 to 1983, Chairman of the Scientific Committee for Quinquen­nial Review of three international reputed Institutions, viz., CMI, CIE and CI of Parasitology. 

He was a FAO invitee to a special group meeting in Bangkok in 1978 to formulate a global FAO project on Integrated Pest Management. 

His professional distinctions include President, Indian Phytopathological Society (1971), Chief Editor of the Society (1973, 1974) and President, IARI Alumni Association (1978, 1989). 

Dr. Srivastava was a sagacious Plant Pathologist and his contributions in the basic and applied aspects of diseases of rice, wheat, maize, pearl millet, sugarcane, mango, citrus and vegetables have been recognized globally. His eloquence, deep insight and command on the discipline had made him an outstanding teacher. He has guided a large number of M.Sc. and Ph.D. students, many of whom are well known scientists today. His dealings in disease management and his love for the subject of Plant Pathology is unique.