The Weatherman

Be it weather forecasting, or devising modern forecast methods, or dedicatedly serving the nation and mankind, eminent agrometeorologist and scientist Dr Laxman Singh Rathore has done it all with amazing mastery.

- Joseph Rozario

For someone who started his life imbibing knowledge under a khejri tree in Rajasthan, Dr Laxman Singh Rathore has come a long way to earn renown and acclaim with his many contributions to both India and the world as a topnotch technocrat, agrometeorologist and scientist. Besides holding numerous prestigious positions, Dr Rathore’s contributions by way of application of weather and climatic information in various sectors, accurate forecasts of extreme weather events (like Phailin and Hudhud cyclones) and his role in devising a modern agrometeorological service continue to be reasons to celebrate his indomitable will to serve the nation and mankind at large.

Humble beginnings

Born in a farming family in Sukhwasi, Nagaur, Rajasthan, Laxman Singh Rathore’s early years were far from easy. His superior intellect and dedication, however, saw him overcome all impediments to carve both a name and status for himself in life. After passing out from Chopasani School in Jodhpur, he graduated from Bhupal Nobles College, Udaipur with first division and then acquired his master’s and doctoral degrees in Agriculture (Soil Science) from Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur, the latter with the help of a scholarship from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).