Background

Born in 1939, I graduated in 1957 and entered King George’s Medical College, Lucknow obtaining M.B; B.S. (1962) and M.D. (Pharmacology, Cum Laude, 1965) degrees.  Having lost our father in 1957 and mother in 1963, things were not easy for me and my 5 younger siblings.  But, fortunately, we all made it well.

During 1962-1966, I worked as a Family Physician in Lucknow, before joining N.V. Organon in Oss, The Netherlands, as a Pharmacologist in 1966.  There, I contributed to development of muscle relaxant Pavulon and antidepressant Tolvon.  In 1970, I moved to the Medical Faculty Rotterdam (now Erasmus Medical Center), where, until retirement in 2005, I was Professor and then Chairman of Pharmacology (1990-2004) and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (1988-91).

Academic Service

My research involved serotonin, migraine and hypertension.  I contributed towards development of Imigran for migraine treatment.  In 1998, I established Erasmus Pharma, being its Managing Director (until 2005) and Chairman Supervisory Board (until 2019).  Some 40 ‘promovendi’ successfully defended thesis under my supervision. With over 600 publications and 23K citations (https://scholar.google.nl/citations?user=8SAQ2-cAAAAJ&hl=nl), I earned title of “Highly Cited Researcher”.  I was office bearer of Dutch Pharmacology Society (Chairman), Dutch Headache Society (Vice-president), Anglo-Dutch Migraine Association (Vice President), European Headache Federation (President), and Serotonin Club (President).

Association, interest and activities related to the Netherlands India Association and the broader Indian diaspora community in The Netherlands

I became a member of NIA more than 50 years ago and have participated in its activities ever since.  I helped my wife, Mukta Saxena, in the organisation of Indian Meela’s.  For four years in early 80s, I was also a Board member of NIA during presidency of Professor George Waardenburg.

Living in The Netherlands, one must advance both Indian and Dutch culture.  Thus, I am/was a (board) member of Foundation for Critical Choices for India (FCCI), Rotary Club The Hague Metropolitan, Indian Diaspora Council, Bridge Clubs Langeland and Schollevaar, Cricket Club VOC and Hockey Clubs Rotterdam and Krimpen.

As FCCI, we approached the European parliament for granting European visa to Indian Diaspora and organised a NRI conference in New Delhi in 1984.   During my active career, I facilitated people-to-people contact between India and The Netherlands promoting exchange visits of Dutch and Indian students and scientists.  Further, I helped some 15 persons of Indian diaspora either to settle in NL, study Medicine or do PhD with me in Rotterdam.

Achievements

Contribution to drug development and supervision of PhD students, from whom I learnt a lot.
Harold Wolff Prize (1973) and John Graham Clinician Award (1996) by American Headache Association for my entire oeuvre
Honorary Membership (2004) by Anglo-Dutch Migraine Association.
Life-time Achievement Award (2001) by Headache Cooperative of New England, USA.
Honorary Membership (2004) by Serotonin Club.

My advice for the Indian diaspora living in this country

Learn the Dutch language and read national/local newspapers. Join a sports club to connect with Dutch society. Do not forget your roots, but be loyal to the host country.  However, you may have ‘loyalty dyslexia’ and disregard the host country when it comes to Cricket/Hockey matches between India and The Netherlands.