15 NOVEMBER 2005 333 Prime Minister’s Address

He app- lauded the Address by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh spirit of entre- at the CSIR Diamond Jubilee Technology preneurship and enterprise Award & Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize that was being rewarded with Presentation function the CSIR Tec- am delighted to Sciences—the seventh hnology Award be here toda as I Indian to be so 2004, and called find myself in recognized since 1863 it a true I the compan of — adds one more cele-bration of scientists. You are the feather in his “Techno- creators of a new distinguished cap. preneurship” India; an India that I also that blended is free from the congratulate the both technical shackles of ignorance. winners of our knowledge and It is an India imbued most coveted science enterprise with with scientific temper priz e —the Shanti the spirit of and a liberal outlook. Swarup Bhatnagar entrepreneurship. I am happy to prize for 2004 and recognize the very 2005. I am particularly The 'Bhatnagar important role our happy that this Laureates (2004) scientists and techno- prize is given to Symposium' was logists have played Dr Manmohan Singh at the CDJT award & young scientists, who also held at and will play in the Bhatnagar prize presentation function are in their prime. Vigyan Bhawan, ongoing task of Becoming a Bhatnagar New Delhi, on Nation building. It is a leadership. His recent laureate gives you a that day, where pleasure to honour the election as a Fellow of the U.S. status that you will un- the Bhatnagar very best of Indian science National Academy of doubtedly enjoy. However, it Prize-winners for and technology today. comes 2004 highlighted Several their work. awards have Covered been conferred in this issue today, but let are the Award me begin Presentation by compli- Function at menting Vigyan Bhawan CSIR for and the the good ‘Bhatnagar work being Laureates done under Symposium'. Dr Mashelkar’s A view of the audience

334 CSIR NEWS Prime Minister’s Address

with many responsibilities, cent in 1995-96 to 34.6 per such as the responsibility to cent in 2003-04. This is engage in good science. You comforting. However, it also also have the responsibility to shows that while close to two- serve the best interests of thirds of the students in class mankind and our natural six to eight are satisfied with inheritance. Most the quality of science importantly, you will also teaching, this falls to 40% in have the responsibility to class 11 and 12 ! This shows a improve the quality of life shortage of good science and widen the span of teachers at higher levels. I knowledge in India. My very would like our HRD Ministry best wishes to you on the and State Governments to exciting journey ahead. I hope Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, take note of this and act upon it will be a never-ending releasing the ‘India Science Report’ it. We must lay increased journey of learning and emphasis on improving the creativity. I hope each one of you will role of leadership among quality of teaching in science and dedicate your lives to the cause of developing countries. Science and mathematics at all levels. science, to the welfare of our people technology can be a powerful tool There are other causes for and to the growth and development to achieve this. Therefore, I am concern. The report shows that 20 of our country. happy that these technologies have per cent of science graduates and Last but not the least, I made inroads among larger 14 per cent of Ph.Ds in science do congratulate the team of Media developing countries. I hope this not find gainful employment. What Communication Technologies, who Technology award will inspire is equally worrisome is the finding have won the CSIR Diamond others to develop similarly useful that many people employed in Jubilee Technology Award. I and potentially winning science-centered jobs are applaud this selection for two technologies. insufficiently qualified. There are reasons. Apart from the awards, I am lessons for us here. This Report also First and foremost, these also happy today to release the points to a grave regional imbalance technologies can provide affordable ‘India Science Report’. I in terms of educational institutions solutions for connecting our rural congratulate the Indian National in different states. I am sure the population through internet and Science Academy (INSA) for facts and analysis presented here voice connectivity. I have often taking this important initiative. I will help our policy planners. I trust stressed the need for ‘reaching the also congratulate National Council our Government at the Centre, as unreached’ and ‘connecting of Applied Economic Research well as State Governments, will the unconnected’ in India. I am (NCAER) for their excellent work. take note of these findings and glad that this technology can In fact, I recall when Prof. M.S. evolve policies to remedy these potentially fulfill this goal. The Valiathan discussed this with me, imbalances. telecom revolution and the I had suggested that INSA should development of road, air and rail approach NCAER for such a study. Ladies and gentlemen, linkages have shown that I had a chance to go through the connectivity enhances output and report soon after it was printed. When I spoke here last year, I productivity. Connectivity is The findings of this report are truly had reaffirmed India’s commitment therefore an important economic revealing. to basic science, applied science asset. The Report shows that the and the promotion of excellence. I Secondly, I have always proportion of enrolled students in had committed our government to believed that India must assume a science has gone up from 28.0 per rebuilding the science base in the

15 NOVEMBER 2005 335 Prime Minister’s Address

universities. I had also made a patent regime that our government objectives. I believe that at our stage commitment to de-bureaucratise has ushered in. Other initiatives will of development we must learn to our S&T institutions, to restructure follow. “walk on two legs” – fulfilling both our S&T support systems. I had Finally, I had also stated that these objectives. committed our government to we would create exciting career The challenge before Indian create career opportunities to retain opportunities for scientists to retain S&T is, therefore, to generate high talent in the S&T sector. I am happy our talent at home. The recently technology, creating wealth and to say that we have made some announced Ramanujam Fellowship, prestige for India, while also ensuring progress on these counts. J.C. Bose Fellowship and also that this technology improves the lives Firstly, I have always felt that Fellowships for Scientists and of the poor. I compliment CSIR it is a pity that a country of a billion Technologists of Indian Origin Society for some of their recent people has only one Indian Institute (STIO) are part of our effort to fulfill breakthroughs in advanced scientific of Science. To rebuild our this promise. areas that have the potential to meet foundations in basic science, the the basic needs of our people. The government is creating two Ladies and gentlemen, high-tech membrane filter, that can institutes dealing exclusively with remove bacteria as well as viruses science education and research, I realize that in a journey of a from water, has enabled CSIR to one in Pune and another in Kolkata. thousand miles, these are just the install in our villages hand pump based We hope that these institutes will first few small steps. We need to do units that do not require electricity. attain world class standard. much more. We have, therefore, At just 4 paise per liter, this Second, the Ministry of formed a Knowledge Commission technology makes safe drinking water Human Resource Development has under the chairmanship of Sam affordable to all. I salute this effort to already set up a Task Force on Pitroda, and with Dr P. M. combine innovation with compassion. rejuvenation of scientific research Bhargava as deputy chairman. I do Let me, in conclusion, pose a in universities. The Task Force has believe that if the 21st Century is challenge before our S&T community. set up a target of doubling the going to be a ‘Knowledge Century’ I urge you to join a race for reaching number of Ph.Ds coming out of then it is not military power or science and the benefits of science to India within the next 5 to 6 years. economic power but ‘brain power’ every nook and corner of our vast The necessary budgetary support for that will determine our place in it. Motherland. You must set targets that this has been promised. We are expecting the Knowledge are ambitious but do-able to increase Third, to strengthen our Commission to come forward with the quantity and quality of our investment in basic science, as well bold initiatives to create excellence scientific manpower. We must aim to as to improve our processes of in research and teaching, especially improve the quality of text-books and funding, a new National Science & in the frontier areas of mathematics, teaching at the school level and to Engineering Research Foundation science and technology. make science an exciting discipline has been approved. It will receive Those of us who are elected to and an attractive career. When people generous funding and it will operate public office in a democracy face the praise Indian science and technology, in an autonomous way. challenge of finding resources for they invariably imply that some Fourth, we have provided a basic human development and the Indians are doing well. I would like fund of Rs. 150 crore per year for resources for advanced research to see a day, when people will say India this specific purpose to Department and technological development. We is doing well. Our country needs each of Science & Technology. I am keen also face the challenge of addressing one of you to do well for us all to be on pushing forward many the demands of promoting equity able to do well. I wish you great meaningful and productive public- and the requirements of success in all your noble endeavours. private partnerships. Research in encouraging excellence. I do May your path be blessed. pharmaceuticals is particularly sincerely believe that these need not critical to us with the change of the become contradictory or contending Thank you.

336 CSIR NEWS Address of Minister for S&T and Ocean Development

Presidential Address by Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of State for Science & Technology and Ocean Development

T is indeed an honour science and technology for for me this morning to decades now. We need to Iwelcome Dr Manmohan publicize these ‘heros’ on the Singh, Prime Minister of national stage. This will India to this CSIR Awards inspire, motivate and attract function. The scientific some of our brightest community is enthused by youngsters to science. his un-flinching support and I must applaud CSIR during the last one year has for not only recognizing demonstrated that it is not achievements at the ‘top of the only capable of producing ladder’ but also in spotting world class science, but and nurturing ‘young bright given the opportunities, can minds’ at the first rung too. produce men of such Like the CSIR Diamond scientific talent and Jubilee Technology Award, excellence, who have the CSIR has also instituted a potential to be world leader. CSIR Diamond Jubilee The mere presence of the Invention Award for school Hon’ble Prime Minister children. The intention is to today is yet another create awareness and arouse Shri Kapil Sibal delivering his address at example of his support for CDJT award & Bhatnagar prize presentation function interest of school students in the scientific community. Intellectual Property – which Today, we celebrate our achievers, regarded as India’s Nobel Prize. You I believe will in course of time be our future Navratnas and in yet all have joined the elite club of India’s major asset and to encourage another sense celebrate the triumph Bhatnagar Laureates today. This inventiveness and out-of-the-box of science. An English Chemist, Sir recognition imposes an onerous thinking. Just two days ago, on CSIR Cyril Herman Hinshelwood, who responsibility on you. You are Foundation Day on the 26th received the Nobel prize in 1956 expected to build on what you have September, Dr Mashelkar once said “Science is an imaginative achieved and be role models for our announced the winners of this year. adventure of the mind seeking truth youth. Congratulations to Mr. I was pleasantly surprised to in a world of mystery”. On this day Purohit, the winner of CSIR hear that the top two awardees, of celebration, all of us are in some Diamond Jubilee Technology Award. children from affluent schools, had sense participating in that I am sure in course of time this inventions that reflected social adventure. We thank you Sir, for award will also come to command sensitivity – one was an inexpensive being on this special day with us. the same high prestige as Bhatnagar lower limb prosthesis – artificial leg At the outset, my heartiest Prizes do today in science. and the other one was for a much congratulations to the Bhatnagar I commend CSIR for improved cycle rickshaw to reduce Prize awardees. This is surely recognizing the best in Indian the pedaling effort.

15 NOVEMBER 2005 337 Address of Minister for S&T and Ocean Development

I was so impressed that I science has to offer in India. In turn, government’s thinking is strongly wanted to know more about the past I assure you on behalf of my influenced by the study and advice awardees. Dr Mashelkar told me Ministry that you will get the very that it receives from the science that the first awardee was Madhav best we can give you to compete academies. I believe we need to Pathak, a Jabalpur school boy who with the best in the world. Indeed create a similar ‘connect’ in India developed an improved Braille slate the very best must be retained in too. To the distinguished fellows of to make writing and reading easier India and return to India. INSA, that are present in this for the blind. This invention later The other day, Dr Mashelkar audience, I wish to assure that my received an international prize. This told me about how Mrs Indira Ministry will be most happy to reassures me that our future is in the Gandhi sent Dr Nayudamma, the create such a bridge. hands of youngsters who have a then DG, CSIR, abroad to pick up The India Science Report, that social conscience and are thinking the very brightest and the best and will be released by the Hon’ble of improving the quality of life of offer them jobs on the spot. No Prime Minister today, is truly their unfortunate brethren. formal interview, no application, no revealing of the state of science and We have seen the wonderful form filling. That is how Dr technology in the country – it will work that Media Communication Mashelkar was brought back. But help quell the many myths that are Technologies has done to connect he lamented the fact that what a spread about Indian S&T. At the the unconnected. This has a huge Nayudamma could do to a same time, it has given us ample food significance for India. When you ‘Mashelkar’, today a Mashelkar for thought and analysis as to what have to deal with large distances, a cannot do to another Mashelkar. needs to be done either by executive huge population and lack of Society has become so litigative. actions or remedial policy measures. resources, technology is the only tool Appearing to be right appears to May I suggest Sir that to begin with, through which this connectivity is consume so much energy. I wish to if you consider it appropriate, remit possible. But I also heard stories on assure you that in science, the report to SAC-PM for their study how tough they found it to get this meritocracy is not only necessary , and recommendations so that we technology accepted in India. it is essential . I can assure you that could incorporate their findings in Surprisingly this technology was we will leave no stone unturned to the Eleventh Five Year Plan. We first accepted abroad and then here. bring the very best back to the need to act now, and act decisively. We need to learn from our past. When country. We have started this I can assure you that much has Cray denied us the supercomputer, process by instituting Ramanujam happened during the last year to put Shri Rajeev Gandhi took the initiative Fellowships. But this is only the first Indian S&T on the world map. to create our own supercomputers. step. We will do a lot more. Initiation of much higher levels of This ‘denial driven’ innovation drive I am happy that our Prime funding to basic scientific research finally helped us to join the select Minister is releasing the India through the creation of an club of countries capable of Science Report today. I am happy overarching NSF like structure, manufacturing teraflop range that Indian National Science institution of Fellowships, not only supercomputers. The same Cray Academy (INSA) took up this to attract the very best talent from Company wanted to set up shop in challenge. INSA, with its 750 abroad but also to encourage talent India a few years ago. I therefore distinguished Fellows, represent – within India, initiation of the process strongly believe that we need to the very elite – the most for creation of new institutes of support indigenous technology at accomplished of Indian scientists. I science, education and research, the earliest and not wait for others find that in other countries evolving new policies and strategies to embrace it before we do. government depends greatly upon for bio-technology, creating new I am happy to see 21 Bhatnagar the ‘academies’ for policy advice and public-private partnerships, awardees amongst us – they are our other matters connected with facilitating ‘hassle-free’ regulatory super stars – the very best that science. I have heard that the US processes, which will help the

338 CSIR NEWS CSIR DJT Award & S.S.B. Prizes creation of enterprises in emerging techno- CSIR Diamond Jubilee Technology Award 2004 logies represents some of the path SIR instituted the CSIR Diamond products in collaboration with TeNeT breaking decisions Jubilee Technology Award, to be (Telecommunication and Computer taken. We have Cgiven annually, in commemoration Network), IIT Madras (Chennai). stepped up funding in of its Diamond Jubilee from the year 2003. The Midas systems provide a frontier areas, such This award is instituted to acknowledge flexible solution for extending subscriber as in nano-technology. the most outstanding technological service from local exchange to a remote I assure you that innovation that has brought prestige to the location near subscriber premises. The with the unstinted nation. It is hoped that it will become the Fibre•in-the Loop system and the designed patronage of our hallmark for Indian technological architecture carry very high bandwidth to Hon’ble Prime excellence in the years to come. cater to several thousand subscribers cost Minister for science The award consists of a cash prize effectively. The systems have contributed and technology, we of Rs 10 lakh, a citation and a shield. It is greatly in providing affordable and cutting will not be found given to a technology that is developed in edge telecom solutions to interconnect the wanting in supporting the country by Indian innovators and rural population through Internet and voice any new initiatives meets the highest global standards. connectivity. These products have to strengthen and Technologies leading to commercially contributed to transform the safeguard our Science successful products, processes and telecommunication services in India and and Technology services, which give India a sustainable abroad. These are employed by leading infrastructure. competitive advantage, are considered for communication service providers in the Finally, next year the award. For the year 2004, CSIR country. The quality product has enabled we will celebrate the received 117 nominations, out of which the company to make inroads into several Awards function with ‘Midas Communications Technologies countries including Argentina, Brazil, yet another set of Private Limited’ was selected for the Egypt, Iran, Kenya, Nigeria, Oman, South scientists. We will award. Africa, Srilanka and Russia. The continued celebrate their R&D efforts have helped Midas to maintain achievements and the CITATION their lead in the area. triumph of science. As long as the scientific The ‘Midas community continues Communications to get the support of Technologies Private extraordinary leaders Limited’ has been like Dr Manmohan conferred with the Singh, the Prime CSIR Diamond Jubilee Minister of India, the Technology Award 2004 cause of science will for design, development always serve India and commercialization well. of corDECT WLL I welcome all of (Wireless in Local you and thank you all Loop) access system for being with us and optiMA, a Fiber-in- today. Local Loop (FLL) access system. Midas Communication Shri Shirish Purohit, CEO of MCTPL, Chennai, receving the developed these CSIR Diamond Jubilee Technology Award Shield

15 NOVEMBER 2005 339 CSIR DJT Award & S.S.B. Prizes

Shri Shirish Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize Purohit, CEO of For Science And Technology 2004 MCTPL, Chennai CITATIONS responds Biological Sciences characteristics into the genetic HRIShirish Purohit, CEO of background of the commercially MCTPL, Chennai, in his important Samba Mahsuri rice Sbrief response, expressed Dr Gopal Chandra Kundu variety. happiness at receiving the Award. Dr Gopal Chandra Kundu He said, he was ‘humbled by the of the National Centre for Cell Chemical Sciences acknow-ledgement of a grand vision Science, Pune, has made of a technology designed from outstanding contributions which scratch.’ He said, ‘Midas has have resulted in the molecular Dr Vinod Kumar Singh broken new ground to bring dissection of the regulation of Dr Vinod Kumar Singh of broadband to the masses. It is the metastatic potential of melanoma the Indian Institute of Technology, largest exporter of telecom and breast cancers by a chemokine Kanpur, has made significant equipment.’ He placed on record like, extra-cellular matrix protein contributions to asymmetric his thanks for ‘the sustained support – osteopontin. He has further synthesis, especially for enantio- received from the S&T community, demonstrated the existence of a selective reactions using rationally the policy makers, the visionary novel signaling pathway that designed chiral ligands. leaders and support from all involves protein tyrosine kinase in personnel.’ His promise to ‘Make regulating the motility of breast And India a telecom technology cancer cells. powerhouse,’ was greeted with Dr enthusiastic response from an And Dr Siva Umapathy of the appreciative audience. Indian Institute of Science, Dr Ramesh Venkata Sonti Bangalore, has made significant Dr Ramesh Venkata Sonti contributions to the area of laser of the Centre for Cellular & spectroscopy, in particular Raman Molecular , Hyderabad, spectroscopy, in the investigation of has made outstanding contributions molecular dynamics. in the area of plant-pathogen interactions. His work has led to Engineering Sciences the identification of novel virulence genes which led to a better Dr Subhasis Chaudhuri understanding of pathogenic Dr Subhasis Chaudhuri of function of these genes. This the Indian Institute of Technology, has also provided insight into Bombay (Mumbai), has done the different ways by which seminal work in the area of host plant specialization might be computer vision. He has developed achieved. His work on marker- sophisticated techniques for assisted breeding has led to the obtaining the super-resolved depth Shri Shirish Purohit, CEO of MCTPL, delivering his address incorporation of disease resistance map from defocus. His work has

340 CSIR NEWS CSIR DJT Award & S.S.B. Prizes

been used in many different areas, Mathematical Sciences Medical Sciences such as cytology, microscopy, material, biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences. He Dr Dr Chetan Eknath Chitnis pioneered the research area called Dr Arup Bose of the Indian Dr Chetan Eknath Chitnis motion-free super-resolution. Statistical Institute, Kolkatta, has of the International Centre for made significant contributions to the Genetic Engineering and And second order accuracy of the Biotechnology, New Delhi, has bootstrap for dependent models. His done significant work in Dr Vivek Vinayak Ranade work on resampling has provided identification and mapping of new and robust techniques for a Dr Vivek Vinayak Ranade of receptor-ligand interactions variety of models; these provide the National Chemical Laboratory, involved in red cell invasion and deep understanding of the bootstrap Pune, has made important cyto -adherence by malaria from theoretical as well as applied contributions in advancing parasites. He has also used this point of view. understanding of bubble column, knowledge to develop novel vaccine concepts for Plasmodium vivax and stirred and trickle bed reactors by And developing various novel CFD Plasmodium falciparum malaria models. The models have helped in Dr Sujatha Ramdorai that have been taken up for further predicting unsteady as well as time- Dr Sujatha Ramdorai of the development. averaged flow characteristics of Tata Institute of Fundamental chemical reactors. They have Research, Mumbai, has made Physical Sciences provided new insights about significant contributions to the areas multiphase systems and helped to of Witt groups and levels of varieties, Dr achieve significant performance unramified cohomology of quadrics, Dr Madan Rao of enhancements in industrial Hasse principles and Iwasawa the Raman Research Institute, practice. theory of p-adic representations. Bangalore’s, contributions include non- equilibrium properties of membranes, martensite transfor- mation and important issues in biological physics such as chirality- induced budding and dynamics of intracellular trafficking.

Bhatnagar Prize-winners (2004) with Dr Mannohan Singh, Shri Kapil Sibal and Dr R.A. Mashelkar

15 NOVEMBER 2005 341 CSIR DJT Award & S.S.B. Prizes

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes 2005 CITATIONS

Biological Sciences Chemical Sciences Engineering Sciences

Dr Tapas Kumar Kundu Dr Samaresh Bhattacharya Dr Kalyanmoy Deb Dr Tapas Kumar Kundu Dr Samaresh Dr Kalyanmoy Deb of of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre Bhattacharya of the Jadavpur the Indian Institute of for Advanced Scientific Research, University, Kolkata, has made Technology, Kanpur, has made Bangalore, has done outstanding outstanding contributions to the fundamental contributions to the research in the area of platinum group coordination development of multi-objective . He has identified compounds and their evolution algorithms and their PC4 as a functional component applications to activation of applications to a number of of chromatin and as a unique organic molecules. complex engineering problems. activator of P53. He has also established the role of And And in chromatin transcription and histone chaperone activity, Dr S. Ramakrishnan Dr Valipe Ramgopal Rao besides using this process Dr S. Ramakrishnan of Dr Valipe Ramgopal Rao for identifying new drug the Indian Institute of Science, of the Indian Institute of candidates. Bangalore, has made outstanding Technology Bombay, (Mumbai), contributions to the area of design has made outstanding And and synthesis of controlled contributions to the area of silicon polymer structures with a view CMOS device design and Dr Shekhar Chintamani to confer on such materials optimization, using single halo Mande specific property. (SH) or lateral asymmetric Dr Shekhar Chintamani channel (LAC) technologies, and Mande of the Centre for DNA their impact on analog/RF circuits. Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Earth, Atmosphere, Hyderabad,. has contributed very richly to the area of Ocean and Planetary Mathematical Sciences structural biology of proteins. Sciences His studies have thrown Dr light on the unrecognized Dr Probal Chaudhuri of function of chaperonin-10 of Dr Nibir Mandal the Indian Statistical Institute, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Dr Nibir Mandal of the Kolkata, has made outstanding His studies have provided Jadavpur University, Kolkata, has contributions to diverse areas of unusual insights to the made fundamental contributions theoretical and applied statistics. mechanism of action of heat in experimental, theoretical and His work ranges from statistical shock proteins and those involved field-related studies towards smoothing in non-parametric in oxidative stress from elucidating the evolution of estimation and a multi-scale M. tuberculosis. geological structures. approach in statistical pattern

342 CSIR NEWS CSIR DJT Award & S.S.B. Prizes

recognition to the exploratory analysis of large DNA sequences. Medical Sciences Physical Sciences

And Dr Javed Naim Agrewala Dr Sandip Parimal Trivedi Dr Dr Javed Naim Agrewala Dr Sandip Parimal Dr Kapil Hari Paranjape of the Institute of Microbial Trivedi of the Tata Institute of of the Institute of Mathematical Technology, Chandigarh, has Fundamental Research, Sciences, Chennai, has made made significant contributions Mumbai, has made pioneering outstanding contributions to the in understanding of the contribution towards the field of algebraic geometry, bidirectional regulation of resolution in string theory of the especially the theory of algebraic Th1 and Th2 cells. He has cosmological problem of an cycles. He has made highly developed a novel and unique accelerating universe and significant contributions in connecting Hodge Theory to the vaccination strategy for inducing providing a credible mechanism study of Chow Groups. He has protective immunity in for generating a small, positive also established deep relations Mycobacterium tuberculosis cosmological constant. between Calabi-Yau varieties and infection. modular forms.

Bhatnagar Prize-winners (2005) with Dr Mannohan Singh, Shri Kapil Sibal and Dr R.A. Mashelkar

15 NOVEMBER 2005 343 Symposia

Bhatnagar Laureates (2004) Symposium

HE Bhatnagar Laureates Environment Description.’ that there is tremendous potential symposium is a forum where Dr Vivek Vinayak Ranade, for creative use of these modes for T the best of Indian sci-ence NCL, Pune, spoke on ‘Reactor, better reactor, process and product can be glimpsed and heard under Process & Product Engineering via engineering. one roof. It is therefore not a Flow Modelling.’ He began by In the Physical Sciences surprise that in his Welcome pointing out that every field is section, Dr Madan Rao, RRI, Address, Dr R. A. Mashelkar touched by chemical industry/ Bangalore presented a talk entitled expressed his wish that the young engineering. The fields are diverse ‘Need for an Interdisciplinary researchers take every advantage of —Energy/power, Automobiles/ Approach to Cell-Biology.’ the presentations made here today. Aerospace, Materials, Computer Prof. Maithili Sharan It was evident that his concern was chips, Pharmaceuticals/Healthcare/ chaired the Mathematical Sciences that the knowledge of the Shanti Agrochemicals, Food and section. Swarup Bhatnagar Prize winners Biotechnology being some Dr Arup Bose, Indian should percolate down and make representative sectors. He said that Statistical Institute, Kolkata, gave fertile the impressionable young the final aim could be summed up an extremely erudite presentation minds. That echoes of the in one sentence, ‘Designing of entitled, ‘Resampling in Dependent interaction here today linger on. process equipment to transform Models.’ That today’s teachers should open cheaper raw material into value- Dr Sujatha Ramdorai, Tata the windows of the minds to show added products without ‘Institute of Fundamental Research, beginners glimpses of new horizons compromising safety, environment Mumbai, the only lady winner of the that are waiting to be discovered and economics’. ‘The question was Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes for and explored by the scientists of how to have better engineering. the year presented the next talk. It tomorrow. Referring to Shri Ashok Computer models that could predict was entitled, ‘Elliptical curves and Jhunjhunwala, Chairperson for the what could/should happen for a number theory.’ Engineering Sciences section, Dr specific design thereby steering the Dr K. N. Ganesh was the Mashelkar said that he was a ‘Role design in promising directions Chairperson for the Chemical model who demonstrated the would no doubt be on every Sciences section. concept of connecting the engineer’s wish list. He detailed the Dr Vinod Kumar Singh, IIT, unconnected and reaching the work being carried out at the Kanpur, gave the first of the two unreached.’ Dr Jhunjhunwala said National Chemical Laboratory talks presented in this section. His that computer vision is an area in (NCL), Pune. He elaborated on the topic was ‘Chirality Transfer in which a boom is about to take place fluid dynamics of multiphase Asymmetric Synthesis.’ shortly. reactors and applications to Dr Siva Umapathy, Indian Dr Subhasis Chaudhuri, Industrial practice/products. He Institute of Science, Bangalore, IIT-Bombay (Mumbai), presented explained about Bubble column spoke on ‘Studies on Possible Routes the first talk of the afternoon. His reactors in detail as also its of Isomerisation in Transazo- lecture was distinguished by application in Industry. In benzene.’ His talk largely centred extreme simplicity of language and continuation, he went on to detail on Raman spectroscopy and lucidity of expression. It effectively the continuous stirred reactors, gas- lasers used to study the structural masked the sophistication and liquid stirred reactors, SAN dynamics of a molecule. He briefly complexity of his scientific reactors and Trickle bed reactors. touched on solvent effect. He endeavors. Dr Chaudhuri spoke on He said that multi-scale modelling also spoke on the potential ‘Image Retrieval: From Mining to capabilities were developed and applications in Biology of Raman

344 CSIR NEWS Symposia MoUs spectroscopy. Dr Kanuri V. S. Rao CGCRI signs Agreement with NeST was the Chairperson of the Medical Sciences and also the Biological Sciences section. Dr Chetan E. Chitnis, ICGEB, New Delhi, presented a talk entitled ‘Molecular Interactions in Red Cell Invasion by Malaria Parasites and Vaccine Development.’ Two talks were delivered in the Biological Sciences section. Dr Gopal Chandra Kundu, NCCS, Pune, delivered Dr H. S. Maiti, Director, CGCRI, and Shri U. M. Shafi, Sr. Corporate Vice President, NeST , exchanging the documents of MoU after signing the talk entitled ‘Deciphering the molecular mechanism of HE Central Glass & Ceramic CGCRI, Kolkata. Dr Javad K. tumour progression, Research Institute (CGCRI), Hassan, Chairman, NeST Group of angiogenesis and metastasis by TKolkata, has developed Companies along with his team osteopontin, a member of optical amplifier for optical fibre members were present on this SIBLING gene family.’ He network in collaboration with its occasion. Shri B Bhattacharjee, dwelt at length on the structure industrial partner Network Systems Special Adviser to Chairman, and function of osteopontin and Technology (NeST), Cochin. The Atomic Energy Commission and the fact that cancer progression amplifier is designed using CGCRI Chairman, CGCRI Research depends on an accumulation of made erbium doped optical fibre. Council, Shri S N Sharma, Head, metastasis. The importance of The amplifier gain block has R&D Planning Division, CSIR, this work became clear as the all the necessary controls and a Shri R S Buttoo, Sr. Director & statistics were quoted. Each computer interface commensurate Head, Photonics Division, year 10 million people are with cable TV (CATV) network. The Department of Information diagnosed with cancer globally process developed at CGCRI will Technology, Government of India, and it is expected that by 2020 help implementing in future Fibre Shri U. M. Shafi, Sr. Corporate Vice there will be 15 million people to the Home (FTTH) technology in President, NeST and Dr K Suresh with cancer. There are 6 million India. Nair, Director, R&D, NeST were deaths a year, about 12 per cent The amplifier, a key also present. of total deaths worldwide. component of CATV networks, is an Welcoming the dignitaries, Dr Ramesh V. Sonti, assembly of a special kind of optical Dr H. S. Maiti, Director, CGCRI Centre for Cellular and fibre and a series of electronic expressed that it was a remarkable , Hyderabad, inputs which, when fitted day for the institute and the MoU delivered the last talk of the intermittently along cable lines, will bear a mark of close research- evening with great panache. restores energy loss during industry linkage in our country The topic of his talk was ‘Attack transmission and ensures high conducted in public-private and Defense in Pathogen-plant quality picture, sound and partnership mode. This is a Interactions’. Closing Remarks connectivity. On this process, a great contribution of CGCRI to were addressed by Dr Kanuri commercial agreement has been industry public-private partnership V. S. Rao. signed between NeST, Cochin, and mode.

15 NOVEMBER 2005 345 Lectures

“This is a great contribution of First Prof. A. S. Paintal Memorial CGCRI to industry in a total packaged Lecture at NPL system,” he added. He also narrated THE National Physical the future Laboratory (NPL), New Delhi, programmes of the and the Society for Scientific institute on R&D Values (SSV) organized the and its applications First Memorial Lecture to pay in industry. Dr tribute to Prof. A.S. Paintal, Javad K Hassan, FRS, FNA Founder President Chairman, NeST of SSV and former Director Group of General of Indian Council of Companies Medical Research in the NPL thanked all who auditorium. The lecture participated in entitled ‘Responsibility & developing this Ethics in Science & entertainment and Technology’ was delivered by information Prof. M.G.K. Menon, FRS, technology FNA. Prof. Paintal, a Past- indigenously President of the Indian Prof. M.G.K. Menon, FRS, FNA, delivering the suitable for use in National Science Academy, Prof. A. S. Paintal Memorial Lecture at NPL the strategic was a towering figure in Indian sectors also. Shri B science, distinguished for his contribution national concern, as the knowledge society Bhattacharjee, to the field of physiology. and related economic aspects continue to Special Adviser to This memorial lecture was grow. He proposed that a National Science the Chairman, attended by about 450 scientists, and Technology Ethics Committee be Atomic Energy technocrats and young researchers, from created in the country. Commission and NPL and also from many other Prof. Menon opened his lecture by Chairman, CGCRI institutions from Delhi and elsewhere. stating that the title of his talk was Research Council Prof. A.R. Verma, Dr A.P. Mitra, Prof. S.K. identical to that of the Inter-Academy in his deliberation Joshi and other distinguished personalities Committee set up by the Indian National welcomed the were present on the occasion. Dr R.K. Science Academy, (when Prof. M.S. team members of Kotnala, senior scientist, NPL, felicitated Valiathan was the President). This Panel NeST. He also Prof. M. G. K. Menon. Then followed the consists of representatives of all the three congratulated the welcome address of Prof. Vikram Kumar, academies of science in India as well as scientists of Director, NPL. He laid stress on morality the Academies of Agriculture, Engineering CGCRI as well as and ethics being practiced judiciously by and Medicine. Prof. P.N. Tandon is the those of NeST led scientists on their own. Co-Chairman. by their Chief of Prof. K.L. Chopra, President of Prof. Menon said that the R&D Dr Suresh the Society for Scientific Values introduced committee was dealing with ethical Nair, a member of the distinguished speaker complimenting aspects that come up in a variety of fields CGCRI Research him on his well-known leading role in in science and technology: agriculture, Council. science and technology. Prof. K.L. Chopra biological sciences, environment, emphasized that ethical issues were engineering sciences, education and becoming a matter of global as well as research, energy, food security, health

346 CSIR NEWS Lectures Honours & Awards care (including medical ethics and but the latter have often become basic thesis relating to the need for drug delivery systems) information synonymous with ritual and inculcating right value systems technology, space and water. This fundamentalism. amongst all – in educational was somewhat the coverage of areas Prof. Menon said that, based institutions, professional bodies and that was being handled by the on the report of a High Level society at large. Thus, legal Committee on Ethics in Science and Committee, President Clinton had sanctions relating to ultrasound Technology (COMEST) constituted given his Presidential finding on clinics, and harassment of those by UNESCO. The main difference research misconduct. In this area we involved, will not stop the abortion between what COMEST is doing are concerned with issues of of the female child; social values are and what the Inter-Academy Panel fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, responsible for this demand by has worked on, is that we are credit-not-due, and such aspects. society. Again, drinking water approaching these issues from the He mentioned that issues of ethics cannot be treated as a commercial viewpoint of the developing came to the fore in a stark manner activity, since denial of water countries, particularly India which after the atomic bombings in 1945; constitutes denial of life. Prof. are at a different stage of since then, the area of weapons of Menon emphasized the need for development and characterized by mass destruction have occupied major programmes of awareness different cultural traditions. The centre stage. More recently, issues involving the public as well as the reason for handling this wide range of climate change have arisen which education system, concerning of subjects is because issues relating pose issues of equity. In the health ethical values, and the need for to ethics arise in all of these, sector, there is the need for ensuring institutional set-ups at various levels whereas academics very often think the greatest good for the largest with, a high level National Science that ethical issues in science are number. With increasing and Technology Ethics Committee, largely those faced in education and commercialization in a market as an apex body, as proposed by the research. economy, and the advance towards society for Scientific Values. These Prof. Menon pointed out that a knowledge society, knowledge is bodies can examine the issues and ethics covers morals, moral fast becoming intellectual property; cases that arise, monitor the principles and rules of behaviour. It this gives rise to many contentious developments and see that action is essentially attempts to distinguish issues that bear on the very conduct taken where there are blatant right from wrong; this cannot be of science e.g. openness, violations. something absolute and calls for transparency etc. It is, therefore, At the end of the illuminating judgments grounded in values. important to look at the fundamental talk, Dr N. Raguram, GGS, IP There are aspects of human rights, principles underpinning all of this. University, extended the vote of human dignity, equity, social justice, Prof. Menon gave many examples thanks to the speaker, and all privacy and confidentiality and from different areas to illustrate his present. distributive justice that have to be kept in view. One has to ensure harmony with nature, culture, traditions and religion, respect for NAAS Fellowship for Dr R.K. Jain the law, protect the interests of the underprivileged and weaker DR Rakesh K. Jain, Scientist F, Institute of sections, and ensure that the Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, has been implications of actions should not be honoured with the Fellowship of National disastrous for the future. Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), New Many of the underlying Delhi. The fellowship was recently conferred upon relevant value systems are Dr Jain by Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, President, essentially embedded in NAAS at a special function of the Academy at civilizational cultures and religions; New Delhi.

15 NOVEMBER 2005 347 Honours & Awards Dr (Smt) Suman Lata Jain, Dr Alok Dhawan Dr Srivari selected for award of awarded Chandrasekhar gets INSA Medal for Shakuntala Amir A.V. Rama Rao Young Scientist, 2005. Chand Award Research THIS prestigious award INSA Medal is given DR Alok Dhawan, by Indian National Science Academy to the Foundation Award Scientist, Industrial brilliant young scientists as adjudged from Toxicology Research DR Srivari Chandrasekhar, their outputs. For the year 2005 Dr (Smt) Centre (ITRC), Scientist E-II, Organic Suman Lata Jain, Research Associate, Indian Lucknow, has been Chemistry-II Division, Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), Dehra Dun has awarded the Shakuntala Institute of Chemical been selected for this award which carries a Amir Chand Award of Technology (IICT), Hyderabad, Bronze Medal and a cash prize of Rs 25,000. Indian Council of has bagged the prestigious A.V. In addition the recipient is considered for start Medical Research for Rama Rao Research Foundation up research support with seed money. Within the year 2002, for his five year of receipt of award, the awardee is Young Scientist Award-2004 for work on ‘Genetic and also considered for a visit abroad with full his significant contributions to Neurotoxicology’ at a support for presenting research work at the field of organic synthesis, glittering ceremony held conferences or participating in collaborative development of anti-cancer at Vigyan Bhawan, New training research projects. Dr (Smt) Jain is chemicals, etc. The Award Delhi. This award was working in Synthetic Organic Chemistry Area carries a cash prize of Rs 25,000 instituted in 1953 by late of Chemical and Biotechnology Division and a memento. Dr Major General Amir (CBD) of the Institute. Earlier she completed Chandrasekhar’s research Chand for significant Ph.D. Degree on ‘Studies on Transition Metal interests include: Total synthesis research contributions Catalysed Synthetic Transformation’ awarded of biologically important natural by young scientists in by H.N.B. Garhwal University while working products, Development of new biomedical sciences. Dr as Senior Research Fellow (SRF) in IIP. Alok Dhawan has made methodologies, Multi- During 6 years research tenure at IIP she pioneering contributions component reactions in has published 28 research papers in in the upcoming area of polyethylene glycol, Solid international journals with total impact factor modern toxicology. His supported and solid state organic 62.25 coming to average impact factor 2.22. contributions have far chemistry, Combinatorial She has also presented seven papers in reaching clinical chemistry, etc. He has published various conferences. Dr (Smt) Jain has applications in 113 research papers and five developed a number of new synthetic monitoring the adverse students have been awarded Ph. methodologies related to oxidations using health effects of drugs D. under his guidance. He is also environ-economic oxidants such as molecular and chemicals on human the recipient of a number of other oxygen, hydrogen peroxide etc. and for health. In recognition of prestigious awards and carbon-carbon and carbon-nitrogen bond his work, Dr Dhawan formation which have direct relevance to fellowships such as the INSA has also been awarded petrochemicals and specialty chemicals. Medal for Young Scientist (1996), the INSA medal for Award will be presented to Dr Jain by the CSIR Young Scientist Award Young Scientist and INSA President during the INSA Anniversary (1997), Alexander von Humboldt CSIR Young Scientist General Meeting in December 2005 to be held Fellowship (2000) and the B.M. Award. at Hyderabad. Birla Science Prize (2001).

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