I consider soliciting and collecting these memoirs to be a brilliant accomplishment. It has been a great joy to know and at times collaborate with Govindjee over nearly the past half-century. He has been an inspiring colleague and a magnificent force in photosynthesis research. On the occasion of his 80th birthday I wish him continued success in all of his many endeavors. [There are two things to mention here: (1) a research paper Ogren and Govindjee published together, it was GANT61 mw Spalding
et al. (1984)—and dealt with both CO2 and the light reactions; and (2) the article Govindjee wrote, with Archie Portis, on William Ogren (Portis and Govindjee 2012), when he received the Rebeiz Foundation’s Lifetime Bucladesine clinical trial Achievement Award for Excellence in Basic Sciences in 2011 http://www.vlpbp.org/ltaawardogrenceremony091011a.html—Govindjee had been its very first recipient… JJE-R.] Anju Okhandiar Gordon, Berwickshire, UK I have known Professor Govindjee since my childhood. He is a wonderful person. He is my maternal Uncle. In my view he is a true Scientist. He has the ability to inspire others and within a context this has allowed development to take place, based on reason and the search for truth inevitably leading to the betterment of all Society and Humanity. His thirst for knowledge, its applications at present
and its implications for the future exhibit his true ingenuity. An amazing fact about Govindjee is his untiring and uncompromising work schedule. His success pertinently mirrors his individualistic, innovative and unparalleled contributions that he began years ago in the field of Plant Biology, in particular—Photosynthesis. He still continues to write and make contributions to his field relentlessly. Govindjee has impressed me since my childhood. I remember he would bring me beautiful books when he visited us in India. Not to mention the many gifts that I have received from him over the years. As an elder learned family member he has always shown the path that has had a positive influence over
my education and work. I admire him greatly. I find his honesty, generosity, kindness and his original wit as truly remarkable qualities. I wish him Love, Peace, Happiness and Best Regards on his 80th Birthday. Bill Casein kinase 1 Rutherford Professor in Biochemistry of Solar Energy Imperial College London Bill to Gov: Happy Birthday, Govindjee. Good health, Professor G, all the best… Reminiscences When I arrived in the University of Illinois (as a Postdoc in Tony Crofts lab) (more than 2 weeks later than expected) there were three messages on my desk “Dear Bill, welcome to U of I, your seminar will be on Monday at 4 o’clock, all the best, Govindjee”, the second one was the same but started, “since you missed your last seminar it has been rescheduled for next Monday” and the third message was the same again but a rescheduling for the next Monday which was coming up.