The Banaras Hindu University was founded by Mahamana Madan Mohan Malaviyaji in the early years of the twentieth century for upliftment of the Indian society by expanding and elevating the level of higher education that conforms to the ethos of the land and at the same time incorporates the latest developments in Science and Technology. People from all walks of life responded to the call of Mahamana and contributed their mite to the structuring of the University. The BHU is an unique institution which initiated courses in a wide variety of areas and disciplines, many for the first time in any institution in India. The Holy city of VARANASI is also unique in being the seat of all learning since times immemorial. “When Babylon was struggling with Nenerch for supremacy, when Tyre was planning its colonies, when Athens was growing in strength, before Rome had become known, or Greece had contended with Persia or Cyprus had added lusture to Persian monarchy or Nebuchandnezzer had captured Jerusalem and the inhabitants of Judea had been carried into captivity, Benares had already risen to its glory”. - Rev. M. A. Shering (in “Benaras, the Sacred City of Hindu”, 1868) Objectives of the University To promote the study of the Hindu Shastras and of Sanskrit literature as means of preserving and popularizing the best thought and culture of the Hindus and all that was good and great . To promote learning and research in arts and science in all branches. To advance and diffuse such scientific ,technical and professional knowledge as is best calculated to help in promoting indigenous industries and in developing the material resources of the country. To promote the building up of character in youth, by making religion and ethics an integral part of education. MOLECULAR AND HUMAN GENETICS The subject of GENETICS is an important area for a trans-disciplinary approach since its present pre-eminent position is the result of close interactions between specialists in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Informatics etc. Keeping in view the urgent need for developing state-of-the art teaching programs in Molecular & Human Genetics, the Faculty of Science has introduced, under the auspices of the Center for Advanced Studies in Sciences, beginning from the 1999-2000 session, a two year M. Sc. course in Molecular & Human Genetics with Prof. S. C. Lakhotia as the Course Coordinator. The nodal group of teachers of this course belongs to the Cytogenetics and Biochemistry sections of the Department of Zoology which, under the pioneering stewardship of the late Prof. S. P. Ray-Chaudhuri, established itself as the leading department of Zoology since the early 1960s. Subsequent introduction of the M.Sc. courses in Biochemistry and Biotechnology, has equipped the University with a highly learned and experienced faculty well known for its quality of teaching and research in various areas related to GENETICS. Since August 2004, a separate Department of Molecular and Human Genetics has been established in the Faculty of Science with Prof. S.C. Lakhotia as the Head of the Department. The new department has already recruited some teaching staff of its own and continues to have close interactions with other departments. The expertise of internationally reputed faculty members of the Cytogenetics and Biochemistry sections of the Department of Zoology and a keen interest and motivation of teachers in other departments of the Faculty of Science and in the Institute of Medical Sciences, have all together constituted a formidable combination of expertise that would go to make it one of the best courses in this field of specialization. Due to its trans-disciplinary nature, the course is open to Graduates in any branch of Science or Agriculture or Medicine. Admissions are made on all-India basis using the merit-index derived from performances at 10, 10+2 and the under-graduate examinations. . LINK TO http://bhu.ac.in/ (BHU’s Home page)