B.C. Shekhar
Encyclopedia
Tan Sri Dr B.C. Sekhar revolutionised and modernised Malaysia’s natural rubber industry and put the crop on the world map. He was fondly known as Mr Natural Rubber. He was also involved in the development of the nation's palm oil
industry. Sekhar is of ethnic Indian origin.
, which he developed during his tenure into one of the most comprehensively equipped research centers.
He started as a chemist
at RRIM in 1949 and led research, particularly in physiochemical changes in natural rubber. He turned the institute into a world class research centre able to conduct in-depth research into the manufacture of nearly every conceivable rubber application from tubes, tyres and gloves to earthquake disaster prevention devices.
Under his leadership, the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia (RRIM), Tun Abdul Razak Rubber Research Centre (TARRC) in Hertford, Britain
, and the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) rose to great heights and gained international recognition for excellence in research, modernisation of the rubber industry and the vigorous promotion and expansion of rubber usage.
He was actively involved in the formation of the Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute and evolved the Malaysian Rubber Development Corporation from a desk in his division to what it finally became.
His efforts in setting up central processing units throughout the country and spearheading small holder support and development systems lead to their achieving impressive levels of performance and viability, while contributing substantively to the nation's economy.
Sekhar also oversaw the development of stimulants to paint on rubber trees to double and in many cases triple latex yields. He was directly involved in the invention and subsequent development of the Standard Malaysian Rubber (SMR) process whose final product allowed for grading to buyers’ specifications to a very high level of consistency. This was one of its most significant developments as an industrial raw material.
On the international front, Dr. Sekhar, in his capacity as chairman of the International Rubber Research and Development Board, was instrumental in converting the organization into a dynamic institution. The membership increased threefold under his leadership.
The IRRDB successfully implemented the expedition into Brazil
for collection of new germplasm. The organization also established an international R&D program, three parts of which were financed through UNIDO Member institutes.
Dr. Sekhar traveled widely and attended numerous conferences in all parts of the world. His able and effective advocacy of the strength and stability of natural rubber carved a “niche” for him in the international elastomer industry.
With numerous patents to his name some of his more recent innovations were in the areas of rubber recycling (Delink), low protein latex and rubberised textiles.
for Government Service and many other awards, local and international, for his efforts.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong
(King) and Government of Malaysia, in recognition of his excellent service to the nation, bestowed upon him the title of 'Tan Sri'.
A new School of Medicine at the University of St Andrews
will be named in his honour.
A Biography has been released of Tan Sri Sekhar by The Academy Of Sciences Malaysia.
, India
at 9am (5am India time). He was 77. His remains were cremated at the Cheras crematorium in Malaysia.
Palm oil
Palm oil, coconut oil and palm kernel oil are edible plant oils derived from the fruits of palm trees. Palm oil is extracted from the pulp of the fruit of the oil palm Elaeis guineensis; palm kernel oil is derived from the kernel of the oil palm and coconut oil is derived from the kernel of the...
industry. Sekhar is of ethnic Indian origin.
Personal history
Sekhar was born on November 17th, 1929 at the Ulu Bulu Estate (now Malayan Glass). His place of birth is located quite near the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia’s (RRIM) 3,400 acre experimental station at Sungai BulohSungai Buloh
Sungai Buloh is a subdistrict of Petaling District in the state of Selangor, Malaysia, bordering Gombak District. It is a 15-minute drive from Sungai Buloh to Kuala Lumpur, the national capital...
, which he developed during his tenure into one of the most comprehensively equipped research centers.
He started as a chemist
Chemist
A chemist is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties such as density and acidity. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms...
at RRIM in 1949 and led research, particularly in physiochemical changes in natural rubber. He turned the institute into a world class research centre able to conduct in-depth research into the manufacture of nearly every conceivable rubber application from tubes, tyres and gloves to earthquake disaster prevention devices.
Rubber
Sekhar served the natural rubber industry for about 50 years in various capacities. He was the first Asian Director of the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia in 1966 and, subsequently, become the first Asian Controller of Rubber Research and chairman of the Malaysian Rubber Research and Development Board.Under his leadership, the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia (RRIM), Tun Abdul Razak Rubber Research Centre (TARRC) in Hertford, Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) rose to great heights and gained international recognition for excellence in research, modernisation of the rubber industry and the vigorous promotion and expansion of rubber usage.
He was actively involved in the formation of the Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute and evolved the Malaysian Rubber Development Corporation from a desk in his division to what it finally became.
His efforts in setting up central processing units throughout the country and spearheading small holder support and development systems lead to their achieving impressive levels of performance and viability, while contributing substantively to the nation's economy.
Sekhar also oversaw the development of stimulants to paint on rubber trees to double and in many cases triple latex yields. He was directly involved in the invention and subsequent development of the Standard Malaysian Rubber (SMR) process whose final product allowed for grading to buyers’ specifications to a very high level of consistency. This was one of its most significant developments as an industrial raw material.
On the international front, Dr. Sekhar, in his capacity as chairman of the International Rubber Research and Development Board, was instrumental in converting the organization into a dynamic institution. The membership increased threefold under his leadership.
The IRRDB successfully implemented the expedition into Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
for collection of new germplasm. The organization also established an international R&D program, three parts of which were financed through UNIDO Member institutes.
Dr. Sekhar traveled widely and attended numerous conferences in all parts of the world. His able and effective advocacy of the strength and stability of natural rubber carved a “niche” for him in the international elastomer industry.
With numerous patents to his name some of his more recent innovations were in the areas of rubber recycling (Delink), low protein latex and rubberised textiles.
Palm Oil
He was also instrumental in setting up the Palm Oil Research Institute of Malaysia and was its founder and Chairman. Sekhar established Porim as one of the premier centers for oils and fats research in the world.Plantation Workers
Sekhar was a tireless champion for the rights of Malaysian plantation workers and their progeny, mostly ethnic Indians, and made it an important part of his life's work to make sure that they received a monthly wage and due recognition from the government for their contributions to the economy of the nation.Awards and recognitions
As one of Asia’s most effective scientists, Sekhar received the 1973 Ramon Magsaysay AwardRamon Magsaysay Award
The Ramon Magsaysay Award is an annual award established to perpetuate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay's example of integrity in government, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society. The Ramon Magsaysay Award is often considered Asia's Nobel...
for Government Service and many other awards, local and international, for his efforts.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
(King) and Government of Malaysia, in recognition of his excellent service to the nation, bestowed upon him the title of 'Tan Sri'.
A new School of Medicine at the University of St Andrews
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
will be named in his honour.
A Biography has been released of Tan Sri Sekhar by The Academy Of Sciences Malaysia.
Death
Tan Sri B.C Sekhar died of a heart attack on September 6, 2006 at the Kaliappa Hospital in Raja Annamlaipuram, ChennaiChennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
at 9am (5am India time). He was 77. His remains were cremated at the Cheras crematorium in Malaysia.