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Dr. Nambiyath P. Balakrishnan was born on July 27, 1935.  He received his M.A. degree in Botany from Madras University in 1958 and M. Sc. in Plant Taxonomy from Liverpool University in 1967.  his thesis on the flora of Jowai, Meghalaya fetched him Ph.D. degree from Gauhati University, Assam in 1972.  He worked in the Botanical Survey of India from August 1958 to July 1993 and worked in the offices at Coimbatore, Howarah, Shillong, Prot Blair and Allahabad.  At the time of retirement he was Joint Director and head of the office of Madras Herbarium, Coimbatore.  He made extensive botanical explorations and collection of specimens from various forest areas of Peninsular India, Central India, Assam, Meghalaya, Bhutan, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.  His collections amounting to more than 10,000 field numbers are deposited in MH, CAL, ASSAM, PBL, K and L.  On his retirement he continued his research work as Emeritus Scientist at Southern Circle of Botanical Survey of India, Coimbatore.  He guided 4 students for Ph.D. degree.  His research work in Plant Taxonomy yielded 180 scientific articles in various Indian and International journals.  He authored 5 books and edited Volumes 1 & 2 of Flora of India.  He discovered 2 new genera, 72 new species and several new varieties.  He is continuing his interest and research on the family Euphorbiaceae.