Prof. Hemendrakumar Prithviraj Gandhi, known as the ‘Father of Indian Freshwater Diatom Science,’ dedicated his life to diatom research, discovering 299 new taxa. Despite facing challenges like lack of funds and bureaucratic obstacles, his passion for science remained unwavering. After his passing, the world recognized his extraordinary work, leading to the naming of a new diatom genus, ‘Gandhia,’ in his honor. Today, his contributions continue to inspire diatomists and contribute to various fields, including water quality assessment and climate change research.