1. Introduction: A Multi-Faceted Genius

When one hears the name of Prof. D. D. Pant, it is hard to imagine a single individual possessing such diverse talents and monumental achievements. A brilliant student of Sir C.V. Raman, an internationally acclaimed physicist, the first Vice-Chancellor of Kumaun University, and a pioneer who built a world-class photophysics laboratory out of scrap, his life remains an unparalleled inspiration.

2. Early Life & Education

• Birth & Roots: Prof. Devidutt Pant was born on August 14, 1919, in the remote village of Devradi, Gangolihat block, in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand.
• Academic Journey: After completing his primary schooling locally, he passed his High School and Intermediate examinations from Almora in 1936 and 1938. He subsequently earned his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Physics from Banaras Hindu University (BHU).

3. Mentorship under Sir C.V. Raman & BHU Roots

• At BHU, he studied under the renowned Head of Department Prof. R.K. Asundi. Recognizing his extraordinary potential, Prof. Asundi sent him to Bangalore to work under the legendary Nobel Laureate Sir C.V. Raman at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), where young Pant conducted groundbreaking research on the photoconductivity of diamond and luminescence spectra of uranyl salts from 1942 to 1944. Later, he earned his D.Sc. from BHU in 1949.

4. Establishing the Modern Photophysics Lab at DSB College

• In the 1950s, when DSB College was established in Nainital, Prof. Pant joined as the Head of the Physics Department.
• Here, he laid the foundation of the famous Photophysics Laboratory, turning it into a premier hub for spectroscopic research. His pioneering research on uranyl salts gained international acclaim, receiving extensive citations in global literature. He also served as the Principal of DSB Government College (1962–71) and later became the first Vice-Chancellor of Kumaun University (1973–77).

5. Political Vision & Founding of Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD)

• Prof. Pant deeply understood the struggles, pain, and systemic neglect of the hill regions. Driven by the vision of a self-reliant and progressive mountain society, he—along with other prominent statehood leaders—founded the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) on July 24–25, 1979.
• While the demand for a separate hill state had been raised through various platforms since 1938, Prof. Pant gave it a formal, organized political agenda, famously emphasizing the preservation of the hills’ vital resources: “Pahar ka Pani aur Jawani” (Water and Youth of the Mountains must stay in the mountains).