Introduction

The Fellowship of the Academy represents the best research workers in the field of horticultural sciences including its various subdisciplines. The provision for induction of Fellows in the society as a part of the constitutional amendments was discussed and adopted in the Executive Committee meeting and subsequently in the Annual General Body meeting held on August 30, 2003 at Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow. As per rule No. IV of the revised Constitution, there is a provision of recognizing excellence in scientific research and development by awarding fellowships (FHSI) to suitable life members of the Society. As per rule No. 4.2 , the initial admission to the fellowship of the Horticultural Society of India was to be decided by the executive council by considering the list of life members of the Horticultural Society of India in various sub-disciplines of Horticultural Sciences and fulfilling the following criteria (irrespective of age);

i. Those scientists who have already been elected Fellows of the National Academy of Horticultural Sciences before 1st January, 2004
ii. Those scientists whose contributions in the R&D field have already been recognised by way of awards and medals
iii. Those office bearers of the society who have actively served the society for a minimum of 10 years in any capacity in the Executive Council

Based on these criteria 33 fellows were selected for fellowship of the society and designated as Founder Fellow during 2004. Out of these 33 Founder Fellows, 23 received the Fellowship in person and rest in absentia on November 6th, 2004 during the 1st Indian Horticulture Congress held at National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi.

As per rules and constitution of the society adopted w.e.f. 1.1.2004, it was decided that the maximum number of fellows at any time shall not exceed 200. After the initial admission, each year a maximum of 5 Fellows (excluding recipients of the awards made by the Horticultural Society of India) may be selected from among various sub-disciplines in Horticulture and related sciences. Further it made provision that the Executive Council of the society may, from time to time, alter the number and types of categories of Fellowship as well as the criteria of admission. The fellows will have all the rights of a life member. In addition, they shall be eligible

to become elected members or office-bearers of the Executive Council. After the initial admission to the fellowship (Founder Fellow), nominations for fellowship are invited every year in the March issue of the journal with a last date of June 30. For 2004, five new members were inducted to fellowship of the HSI, namely, Dr V.A. Parthasarthy, Dr P. Rethinam, Dr S.K. Pandey, Dr G.L. Kaul and Dr S.P. Singh based on their outstanding contributions to the horticultural research and development.

Over the period, several professional societies have instituted Fellowships in different sub-disciplines of Horticulture. A large number of Horticultural Institutes and Horticultural Universities were also created, which have subsequently enhanced the number of research workers in various fields of Horticulture. Certain subdisciplines of Horticulture, namely, Post harvest Technology and Floriculture were not attracting enough number of nominations for HSI awards to select deserving candidates for fellowships/ awards through competitive mode. Further, scanning the research workers in the HSI membership showed that a bulk of the Life members of HSI represents the Fruit Science and they were not getting enough opportunity to be recognised. In view of the above facts, it was decided to enhance the total number of fellowships awarded by HSI per annum from 5 to 10. Accordingly, it was agreed that there would be a maximum of 5 fellowships in fruit and plantation crops, 3 in vegetable, tuber and spice crops and 1 each in floriculture & medicinal plants and post harvest technology of horticultural crops subject to availability of suitable candidates. This was approved during the Annual General Body meeting held on May 26, 2013. Till date 166 scientists have been inducted to the Fellowship of the Society.

The society made a provision of Corporate Fellowship in the year 2007. This fellowship is open to industries/ companies & organisations engaged in promotion of Horticulture. The Corporate Fellow is required to contribute a token amount of Rs. 5.0 Lakhs and is conferred a certificate. A corporate fellow enjoys the privileges of a Fellow of the Society. Till date three firms, namely, HSI-Sivashakthi Bioplantec Ltd., MAHYCO and VNR Seeds Pvt. Ltd. have been awarded the Corporate
Fellowship.

In the Executive Council meeting held on November 5, 2006 at Parker House Ludhiana, the provision of Fellowship to the scientists working abroad (Foreign Fellows) and Indian Citizen other than Life members of the Society (Honorary Fellow), who have contributed to the horticultural development in the country, were made. Honorary Fellowships are given to the individuals associated with R&D organisation, NGO, private sector, industry, progressive farmers, farmer’s cooperative etc. This facilitates the recognition of non-members in the society who have made significant contributions in development and promotion of Horticulture. Some of the eminent personalities who have been being recognized are Dr Balram Jhakhar, (Kinnow & grape cultivator); Dr (Mrs.) Vidya Stokes (Apple), Sh. R.A. Rane (Cashewnut) etc.

The provision of Foreign Fellow was made for the scientists working abroad who are well known in their field for their contributions to horticultural sciences related to Indian context. It was decided to receive the nomination for such category only through the members of Executive Council. However such fellow are required to pay a fee of $ 200/- as Induction Fee. Dr Zora Singh from Curtin University, Australia was inducted as the first FFHSI.