Dr. Guduru Venkata Chalam, born in 1909 in a middle class family, was deeply involved in social reforms and the non-cooperation movement of the 1920's. He had his early education in Gudivada and Rajahmundry and completed graduation and post graduation from Kakinada and Benaras Hindu University. As a student, he participated in the freedom struggle and was sent to prison for 14 months. On release, he continued his post graduation and doctoral studies at Benaras Hindu University and Indian Agriculture Research Institute in Agricultural Botany.

He then joined the Orissa  Agricultural Department as a Research Assistant and was responsible for evolving a number of varieties of high yielding strains of rice. He was, the first Professor of Agricultural Botany in Orissa Agricultural College. As an Economic Botanist and the Paddy Specialist of Orissa, he handled the Japonica/ Indica Hybridization Scheme, sponsored by the F.A.O., under which some promising hybrids were evolved.

In 1960, Dr. Chalam joined the Union Ministry of Food and Agriculture and organized several seed production and training programmes in collaboration with the Rockefeller Foundation and the Ford Foundation. He was sent to New Zealand for the International Seed Testing Seminar and on his way back brought a sample of Taichung Native-! seed from the International Rice Research Institute at Manila. In spite of opposition, he persisted with the introduction of this variety in the country and yields of 6000 to 7000 pounds on acre have now become a common occurrence in many areas.

He was the first Member-Secretary of the Central Variety Release Committee which is the forerunner of the Statutory Central Seed Committee. He was also member of the Co-opted Team on Agricultural Implements of the Planning Commission. He produced more than 40 scientific papers and was author of several popular articles. He was awarded Kavikokila prize for extending scientific agriculture to the farmers through his popular book on rice cultivation, styled 'VARI SAGU'. His book in Telugu on rice cultivation was appreciated by the farmers in Andhra Pradesh. He gave away this prize money to the National Defence Fund.

In recognition of his enduring contribution to the agricultural development of the country, he was awarded 'Padma Shri' in 1967 by the Government of India. He passed away on 8th May, 1967.

The Department of Posts is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp on Dr. Guduru Venkata Chalam.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India