Published Online on 28 September 2016

Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 82 No. 4 September 2016 pp. 1325-1338  Printed in .

ACADEMY NEWS

INSA MEETINGS Science, Bengaluru. Several meetings were held during July 25-29, 2016 For developing new classes of Li- and Na- in the Academy premises. These included meetings cathode materials for next generation battery of the different Sectional Committees for and storage application. recommending names of new Fellows and Young 4. Dr Sivaraman Bhalamurugan (b 29.03.1981), Scientist Awardees to be elected by the Council of PhD, Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics the Academy. The Advisory Boards for the various Division, Physical Research Laboratory, INSA Awards also met. These were followed by Ahmedabad. meetings of the Council and General Body on July 29, 2016. For his contributions in low temperature astrochemistry and planetary science and to INSA Medal for Young Scientists 2016 understand the occurrence of IC objects on The Council at its meeting during July 28-29, 2016 planetary surfaces. approved the award of INSA Medal for Young 5. Dr Ashima Bhaskar (b 23.07.1982), PhD, Scientist 2016 to 22 young researchers below the age National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi. of 35. The award carries a medal, a certificate and cash prize of Rs. 25,000. For developing a genetic biosensor to measure cellular and sub-cellular redox changes in HIV/ The following 22 young scientists were selected Mtb/HIV-TB infected macrophages that for the INSA Medal for Young Scientists. provides meaningful numerical indicators of 1. Dr Nazia Abbas (b 18.08.1982), PhD, Plant redox potential changes required to induce HIV- Biotechnology Division, Indian Institute of 1 reactivation from persistence. Integrative Medicine, Srinagar. 6. Dr Kanishka Biswas (b 25.10.1982), PhD, For his research on interaction of CAM7 and New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre HY5 transcription factors in light-dependent for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru. control of plant seedling development. For probing and developing new 2. Dr Sadeem Ahmad (b 22.09.1985), PhD, thermoelectrics for energy harvesting. Boston Children’s Hospital/ Harvard Medical 7. Dr Abhishek Bohra (b 15.06.1983), PhD, Crop School, Centre for Life Science Building, Improvement Division, Indian Institute of Boston, USA. Pulses Research, Kanpur. For his discovery of the mechanism by which For his significant contribution in the area of D-amino acids are uncoupled from tRNA and a development and application of molecular tools primordial mode of function of RNA- protein for facilitating hybrid pigeon pea improvement, hybrid enzymes. and for having developed molecular markers in 3. Dr Prabeer Barpanda (b 24.06.1981), PhD, large number and construction of first genetic Materials Research Centre, Indian Institute of as well as consensus map in pigeon pea that are 1326 Academy News

being used in practical breeding and cited Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian widely. Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.

8. Dr Soumitra Ghosh (b 23.06.1983), PhD, For his contributions to High-Performance, Department of , University of Energy-Efficient, EMI-Aware Mixed-Signal Lausanne, Switzerland. Dynamic Power Management. For providing the critical insights into the 14. Dr Praveen Kumar (b 14.09.1982), PhD, regulation of organization in Department of Materials Engineering, Indian mycobacteria by nucleoid-associated proteins Institute of Science, Bengaluru. (NAPs) and for demonstrating that DNA For discovering electric-field induced changes architectural protein HU is a novel target for in mechanical behavior of CNT cellular anti-bacterial drug development. materials and developed instrumentation to 9. Dr Sai Siva Gorthi (b 05.08.1981), PhD, study the behavior in detail. Department of Instrumentation and Applied 15. Dr Nirbhay Kumar Kushwaha (b Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. 04.02.1981), PhD, Molecular Virology For his contributions to Innovative Optofluidic Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Technologies: In-vitro Diagnostics, Green Nano Nehru University, New Delhi. Synthesis, Analyte Detection. For his significant contribution in elucidating 10. Dr Aditi Gupta (b 25.02.1986), PhD, interactions among chilli leaf curl virus Interdisciplinary Center for Plant Genomics, (ChiLCV) and for developing highly efficient University of Delhi, South Campus, New Delhi. infectious constructs of ChiLCV for screening chilli germplasm that identifies resistant For her studies in sugar signalling to sustain sources. early development and seedling fitness under different environmental conditions. 16. Dr Aastha Mishra (b 06.02.1986), PhD, Prof. Randall Johnson’s Laboratory, Department of 11. Dr Rajat Subhra Hazra (b 12.03.1982), PhD, Physiology, Development and Neurosciences, Theoretical Statistics and Mathematics Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge. Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata. For her outstanding work on the apelin pathway For his significant contributions to the study of under conditions of hypoxia and the correlated spectral limits of patterned Gaussian free fields, aberrations of the same to maladaptation to high random matrix theory and free probability. altitude and the pathophysiology of high altitude 12. Dr Mohd Askandar Iqbal (b 06.04.1983), pulmonary edema and for providing a molecular PhD, Department of Biotechnology, Jamia understanding of disease susceptibility which Millia Islamia, New Delhi. act as a basis of genetic predisposition to the same. For demonstrating the key determinant role of mutation in the Pyruvate Kinase M2 (PKM2) 17. Dr Kiran Kumar Nakka (b 15.08.1982), PhD, isoform in promotion of cancer-specific Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Ottawa metabolism and tumour growth and for Hospital Research Institute, Ontario. identification of factors/pathways that mimic For his important work uncovering the way of PKM2 mutant condition in absence of mutation alternate splicing by specific factors and for in this gene which promote cancer metabolism. elaborating the role of tumor suppressor 13. Dr Santanu Kapat (b 08.11.1981), PhD, SMAR1 in performing such function in cancers. Academy News 1327

18. Dr Anshu Pandey (b 22.08.1982), PhD, Solid INSA Medal/Lecture Awards 2016 State and Structural Chemistry Unit, Indian The Academy announced the following 10 medal/ Institute of Science, Bengaluru. lecture Awards for 2016. For his outstanding contributions in the area of low threshold quantum dot lasers. International Awards 19. Dr Swathi Srinivasamurthy Rotti (b 1. INSA-Vainu Bappu Memorial Award to Dr 17.07.1982), PhD, School of Chemistry, Indian Anil Bhardwaj, FNA, Director, Space Physics Institute of Science Education and Research, Laboratory, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram. Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

For her contributions on theoretical 2. JC Bose Memorial Lecture to Professor understanding of carbon-based and metal-based Kalyanmoy Deb, FNA, Department of nanostructures. Electrical and Computer Engineering, Michigan State University, USA. 20. Dr Chandan Saha (b 11.01.1982), PhD, Department of Computer Science and Subjectwise Medals/Lectures/Awards Automation, Indian Institute of Science, (A) Medals Instituted by the Academy Bengaluru. 3. The Srinivasa Ramanujan Medal to For his work on arithmetic circuit lower bounds, Professor TN Venkataramana, FNA, School polynomial identity testing and reconstruction of Mathematics, Tata Institute of Fundamental of arithmetic circuits that has led to the Research, Mumbai. discovery of new mathematical techniques and substantial progress on these problems. 4. The Jagadis Chandra Bose Medal to Professor P Chakrabarti, FNA, Department 21. Dr Somlata (b 31.01.1983), PhD, School of of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics Centre, Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Bose Institute, Kolkata. New Delhi. 5. The Silver Jubilee Commemoration Medal For elucidating the mechanism of phagocytosis to Professor Himanshu Pathak, FNA, in E. histolytica and discovering the recruitment Director, ICAR-National Rice Research of a calcium binding protein by the C2 domain Institute, Cuttack, Odisha. containing kinase to the site of phagocytosis and subsequently initiation of action dynamics at 6. The Golden Jubilee Commemoration Medal the site. (Chemical Sciences) to Professor Ashwini Nangia, FNA, Director, CSIR-National 22. Dr Srikanth Srinivasan (b 13.06.1984), PhD, Chemical Laboratory, Pune. Department of Mathematics, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai. (B) Endowed Medals

For his work dealing with the complexity of 7. Professor K Naha Memorial Medal to “algebraic circuits’’ and studies in the problem Professor VP Dimri, FNA, Distinguished of computing the determinant (over non Scientist, CSIR-National Geophysical Research commuting domains), and iterated matrix Institute, Hyderabad. multiplication. He has also made substantial 8. The Chandrakala Hora Memorial Medal to progress in producing lower bounds for Dr SK Gupta, FNA, Emeritus Scientist, “threshold circuits”. Reproductive Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi. 1328 Academy News

(C) Endowment Lectures 9. Professor Darshan Ranganathan Memorial Lecture to Professor Mannepalli Lakshmi Kantam, FNA, Dr. B. P. Godrej Distinguished Professor of Green Chemistry and Sustainability Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai. 10. Dr Biren Roy Memorial Lecture to Professor Avinash Khare, FNA, Department of Physics

and Astrophysics, University of Delhi, Delhi. Professor Sudha Bhattacharya, FNA receiving the citation of the award lecture from Professor N Sathyamurthy, FNA and Award Lectures Delivered Professor RC Mahajan, FNA as convener of Chandigarh Local Chapter The Golden Jubilee Commemoration Medal (Animal Sciences) (2015): Professor MD Gadgil, DD Kosambi Visiting Research Professor, Goa INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES University, Goa delivered The Golden Jubilee Commemoration Medal (Animal Sciences) lecture Nominations/Election of Indian scientists for on Human Knowledge: An Evolutionary Perspective various positions at International Council for at Centre for Contemporary Studies, IISc, Bengaluru Science (ICSU) and its different Unions on August 11, 2016. l Professor RB , Head, Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi has been elected as a Member of ICSU Scientific Committee for ‘Health and Wellbeing in the Changing Urban Environment: a Systems Analysis Approach’ for the term 2016-2019 and re-elected as Vice- President of International Geographical Union (IGU) for the term 2016-2020. l 13 Indian scientists have been nominated for Executive Committee (President, Vice- President and Ordinary Members) and various Professor MD Gadgil, FNA receiving a medal and the citation of Commissions of International Union of the award from Professor R Gadagkar, President INSA Crystallography (IUCr) l Professor Rajendra Bhatia, FNA, The Kariamanikkam Srinivasa Krishnan Distinguished Scientist, Statistics and Memorial Lecture (2016): Professor Sudha Mathematics Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, Bhattacharya, School of Environmental Sciences, New Delhi has been nominated for the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi delivered membership of the Nominating Committee of The Kariamanikkam Srinivasa Krishnan Memorial International Mathematical Union (IMU). Lecture on From Information Transfer to Control, Editing, Surveillance and Epigenetic Memory: the l Professor V Rajamani, FNA, School of Many Lives of RNA at IISER, Mohali on August 31, Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru 2016. University, New Delhi has been nominated for Academy News 1329

the scoping meeting for the Inter-Governmental l 13 Indian scientists visited different countries Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report in connection with their scientific studies and on Climate Change and Oceans and the research under INSA Bilateral Exchange Cryosphere. Programme. l Professor YK Gupta, Professor & Head, SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS DURING JUNE - Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute AUGUST 2016 of Medical Sciences, New Delhi has been nominated as Councilor, International Union of l An interactive session of Science Academies’ Pharmacology (IUPHAR) Executive Summer Research Fellows and their mentors Committee for the term 2018-2022. was organized at the INSA premises on June 9, 2016. The meeting was chaired by Professor R. l Professor Harsh K Gupta, FNA, Koteswaram Gadagkar, President INSA along with Professor, National Geophysical Research Professors SC Lakhotia, LS Shashidhara, Vice- Institute, Hyderabad has been nominated for the Presidents INSA, KL Sebastian & Akhilesh membership of ICSU Regional Committee for Tyagi as panel. A large number of summer Asia and the Pacific (ICSU RCAP) for the term research fellows, working in Delhi/New Delhi, 2017-2019. and their mentors interacted with the panel. The l Dr Anita A Rampal, Department of Education, fellows and mentors, while applauding the University of Delhi, Delhi has been elected as programme initiated by the three Academies Member of the Executive Committee of the viz., INSA, IASc and NASI, also discussed International Commission on Mathematical some problems faced by them during the period Instruction (ICMI) for the term 2017-2020. of research. Some local fellows of INSA also attended the session. Support for Visiting Scientists during June - l August 2016 A meeting of the National Organizing Committee (NOC) for International Union of l 26 Indian scientists were supported by the Food Science & Technology (IUFoST) 2018 Academy for attending various ICSU sponsored was held on July 24, 2016 at INSA premises. international conferences abroad. l Annual meetings of 20 National committees and l 33 Indian scientists were supported by the the ICSU National Committee were held on Academy for attending various Non-ICSU ICSU Day on July 25, 2016 at INSA premises. sponsored international conferences abroad.

Interactive session of Summer Research Fellows and panel members 1330 Academy News l A brain-storming session on ‘the impact of Combinatorics from GommatasÈra of Nemicandra; science on Indian society’ was organised in Records of VyatÏpÈta in Stone Inscriptions; INSA premises on July 26, 2016 by Pathophysiology and Treatment of Urolithiasis in Professor LS Shashidhara, Vice-President, Unani Medicine; Techno-Engineering Education and INSA to discuss appropriate ways to the Railways in Colonial India; Sahib Singh quantitatively project impact of S&T activities Sokhey (1887-1971): An Medico-Pharmaceutical in the country which can be used by public/ Professional. The papers under Historical Notes Govt. officials/policy makers. include Revisiting the Calendar Tradition of Ancient India; Genesis and Progress in Concepts of Preventive l A meeting of the subject editors of Proceedings Cardiology; Girish Chandra Bose and Agricultural of the Indian National Science Academy was Journalism; Radhanath Sikdar and Measurement held on July 27, 2016 in the Academy premises. Peak XV. The issue also includes a book review and AWARDS AND HONOURS TO INSA FELLOWS project reports on Study of the Indus Valley Scripts through Linguistic and Markov Chain Methods and Professor NK Gupta, FNA, Department of Applied English Translation of Second part of SiddhÈnta Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi has áekhara of ƒripati. been nominated as honorary member of International Society of Impact Engineering. Indian Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics (IJPAM) Professor Sulochana Gadgil, FNA, Centre for Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences, Indian Institute of Volume 47, No. 2 (June 2016) issue of IJPAM has Science, Bengaluru has been awarded with the been published. Lifetime excellence award for 2016 of the Ministry of Earth Sciences. OBITUARY Uppugunduri Aswathanarayana RECENT PUBLICATIONS OF THE ACADEMY Uppugunduri Aswathanarayana (b 01 July 1928; d 07 March Proceedings of the Indian National Science 2016) obtained his DSc from Academy Andhra University, now Volume 82, No. 2 (June 2016) issue of Proceedings Visakhapatnam University. A has been published as a thematic issue on pioneer of nuclear geology in Computational Mechanics with Professor Tarun India, he did his post doctoral Kant, FNA being the Guest editor. The issue contains research at Caltech, Pasadena 21 research papers. and Oxford. He joined Andhra University as Lecturer and later worked as Reader Volume 82, No. 3 (July 2016) issue of Proceedings till 1966. Thereafter, he moved as Professor and is a special issue on Glimpses of Geosciences Director of the Centre of Advanced Study in Geology/ Research in India: The Indian Report to IUGS 2012- Dean, Faculty of Technology, at University of Saugar 2016 containing 39 review articles and 14 institutional in 1967. He was also Visiting Professor/Professor at reports. Professor AK Singhvi, FNA and Professor several international universities during his career. DM Banerjee, FNA were Guest Editors for this issue. During 1990-2001, he was appointed as Commonwealth Visiting Professor/Adviser on Indian Journal of History of Science (IJHS) Environment and Technology, Government of Volume 51, No. 2 (June 2016) issue of IJHS has been Mozambique/World Bank Consultant, Maputo, published. This issue includes main papers on Mozambique. He was also the founder and honorary Agricultural Practices of the Sangam age; Director of Mahadevan International Centre for Water Academy News 1331

Resources Management, Hyderabad which is now and organized the fermentation chemistry. He later recognised as a part of the UNESCO-TWNSO established the Department of Microbiology and Network. He also established the modern Biotechnology Centre at the University of Baroda. Geosciences Institute at University of Dar-es-Salaam, He was also a Visiting Scientist at Nagoya University, Tanzania. Japan. After his superannuation, he served as INSA Professor Aswathanarayana did pioneering Senior Scientist from 1989-92. research in the area of nuclear geology. He delineated Professor Modi’s research was focused on the geochronology of peninsular India on the basis rhizobial , hydrocarbon metabolism, of the radiogenic isotopes of Pb, Sr and Ar. He used regulation of fruit ripening and fermentative the radioactivity of rocks as a guide to ore to decipher production of beta-carotene. He conducted courses the petrogenesis of rocks. His long stint in sub- in microbial genetics and at Baroda saharan Africa from 1980-2001 convinced him of the University with active support from the University urgent need to refocus the applications of geosciences of Edinburgh and Dr Heniz Saedler of Germany to to human welfare. He developed comprehensive attract students from different places for postgraduate models for the endemicity and mitigation of geo- teaching. environment related diseases, such as fluorosis, goitre Professor Modi was elected as National and stomach cancer on the basis of geochemical and President of the Association of Microbiologists. He isotopic studies. He has major publications in various was elected Fellow of the National Academy of international journals. He also published eight Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi. internationally acclaimed books. Professor VV Modi was elected to the Professor Aswathanarayana received the Fellowship of the Indian National Science Academy Excellence in Geophysical Education award and the in the year 1984. International Award of the American Geophysical Union. He was also awarded the Lifetime Janardan Nanda Achievement Award of the International Association Janardan Nanda (b 15 of Geo-Chemistry (IAGC), Cologne. He was elected August 1937; d 16 August Fellow of the Indian Academy of Science, Bangalore 2016) obtained his PhD and the Geological Society of India. from the Moscow Power Professor U Aswathanarayana was elected to Institute and worked there the Fellowship of the Indian National Science as Postdoctoral Fellow. On Academy in the year 1976. returning to India, he joined as Reader at Banaras Hindu Vinod Venilal Modi University and then moved to IIT Delhi and became Vinod Venilal Modi (b 10 May Professor in 1973. Later, he served as Head, 1929; d 18 June 2016) obtained Department of Electrical Engineering, Dean, and his PhD from University of Member, BOG at IIT Delhi. Upon his superannuation, Liverpool while working on he continued to work as NTPC Chair Professor/ ‘Mechanism of Carotene Emeritus Professor and as INSA Senior Scientist and Biosynthesis’. He subseque- Honorary Scientist. He also served as a Visiting ntly, joined the Hannah Professor/ Visiting Fellow at several other Research Institute at Ayr, universities. Scotland as a Scientific Officer and worked on the problems of metabolism during Professor Nanda made significant contributions lactation. On his return to India, he joined related to analysis, stability, control, optimization and Biochemistry Department of MS University, Baroda computational intelligence application to large-scale 1332 Academy News power systems. He was a pioneer in the use of technology, relate to: the discovery of the computer applications to power systems. He was bidirectional transcription of H1 histone gene, the actively involved in initiating postgraduate programs binding site of RNA polymerase I, the transcription in Power System, Energy Studies and Power of glycyl transfer RNA gene of rice, cloning and Electronics at IIT Delhi. partial sequences of many genes, complete sequence of the lysozyme gene of colitis phage and the Professor Nanda received several award, production of structural protein A of foot and mouth including the Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Gold disease as a vaccine. Medal of IE (IND); System Society of India Prize; PC Mahalanobis Medal of INSA; Syed Hussain Professor Padayatty was conferred Astra Zaheer Medal of INSA; Life Time Achievement Professorship by IISc. He was a Member of the Award in Power System Engineering and Professor Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee of the SN Mitra Memorial Award of INAE. He was elected Department of Biotechnology, Government of India; Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Advisory Committee and Governing Council of the Engineering, Academy of Sciences for the Amala Research Centre, Trichur and the Advisory Developing World (TWAS) and Institute of Electrical Committee, Little Flower Hospital, Angamaly. He and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), USA. was also an Editorial Board Member of Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics. He was a Professor J Nanda was elected to the Fellowship leader of the delegation to the first World Conference of the Indian National Science Academy in the year on Biotechnology, 1983, London. 1937 and served as its Treasurer (1999-2000) and Professor JP Padayatty was elected to the Vice President (2000-02). Fellowship of the Indian National Science Academy in the year 1987. Joseph Devassy Padayatty Joseph Devassy Padayatty (b Neelamraju Gangaprasada Rao 10 July 1928; d 26 August Neelamraju Gangaprasada Rao 2014) obtained his PhD from (b 05 September 1927; d 27 St Louis University July 2016) obtained his PhD specializing in Biochemistry. from University and was After completing his awarded DSc (hc) by the Postdoctoral research at St Chandrasekhar Azad Louis University, he joined the University of Agriculture and Department of Biochemistry at Technology. He held various Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore as Pool officer ranks and positions such as and subsequently became Professor. He was also a Sorghum Breeder at IARI; All India Sorghum Visiting Professor at University of California and Improvement Project Coordinator and Head, IARI University of Edinburgh. After his superannuation Regional station at Hyderabad; Professor of in 1988, he served as Visiting Professor for two years Eminence; ICRISAT’s Sorghum Breeder in West in the Department of Cochin University of Science Africa; Vice-Chancellor, Marathwada Agricultural and Technology, Cochin. University; and Chairman, Agricultural Scientists Professor Padayatty’s doctoral studies focused Recruitment Board, New Delhi. on lysine peptides and the enzyme E-peptidase. His post postdoctoral work was on the molecular biology Professor Rao was well-known for basic and of T4 bacteriophage. He continued researches on T4 applied research in breeding and agronomy of several phage and carried out studies on the molecular dry land crops. He is referred to as Father of Hybrid biology of colitis phage and germination of rice seeds. Sorghum for his contributions to sorghum His significant findings, using recombinant DNA improvement in India. Subsequently, the sorghum Academy News 1333 hybrids CSH1m CSH5 and CSH9 became very Psychology in 1962. After returning back, he joined popular and were cultivated over 8-10 million Department of Physiology, St John’s Medical hectares. The growth rates of sorghum during the 70s College, Bangalore as Professor and Chairman and 80s were comparable to irrigated wheat and rice. (1964–1976). In 1976 he joined the University Kharif sorghum represented a revolutionary change College of Medical Sciences, Delhi as Professor of in the dry land agriculture of India. The advent of Physiology and thereafter became its Principal. He hybrid sorghum gave rise to the sorghum seed also served as Director of Centre for Brain Research industry on a large scale. He also made significant and Human Development, University of Delhi. He contributions to the improvement of dry land crops, was Consultant to Defence Institute of Physiology particularly long staple desi cotton, red gram, castor, and Allied Science, DRDO and Visiting Consultant and development of novel cropping systems. He to the US Army Food Science Laboratory and published around 200 research papers in reputed Behavioural Research Division, US Army Labs. He national and international journals. also worked as Consultant to Government of India and for Health Sciences wherein he aided Professor Rao received several awards and establishing of B.P. Koirala Institute of Health honours including the C Subramaniam Gold Medal Sciences in Dharan, Nepal. He was an Executive for the development of the first Sorghum Hybrid; SS Director and Advisor at MS Ramaiah Group of Bhatnagar Prize for Biological Sciences; Rafi Ahmed Medical Institutions and Hospitals, Bangalore. Kidwai Award for Plant Breeding; and the VASWIK Award for Agricultural Sciences. He was conferred Dr Sharma made stupendous contributions upon The Atma Gaurav Award (2003) and the particularly in the field of neurophysiology, behaviour Distinguished Agricultural Scientist Award (2008) by and nutrition, which helped delineate fundamental the Government of Andhra Pradesh. He was elected concepts and their clinical significance in the areas: Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, feeding behavior and neural control systems, ecology Allahabad; National Academy of Agricultural of hunger and malnutrition, systems organization in Sciences, New Delhi and Andhra Pradesh Academy homeostatic motivations and spatio-temporal of Science. delineation of neuro humoral events linked to nociceptors, pain mechanisms and management. He Professor NG Rao was elected to the Fellowship also authored over 200 original scientific papers, eight of the Indian National Science Academy in the year monographs and chapter contributions in important 1979. text books. Kamal Nath Sharma Dr Sharma received several awards, including Kamal Nath Sharma (b 17 ICMR Award; Amrut Mody National Award by CSIR; November 1929; d 21 June Gen SL Bhatia APPI Oration; Anokhin Medal by 2015) obtained his MBBS and USSR Academy of Medical Sciences; Sechenoy MD from King George Medal in Neurophysiology by USSR Academy of st Medical College (KGMC), Science; Bicentenary Award by 1 Moscow Medical Lucknow, following which he Institute, USSR; Indian Science Congress Platinum joined KGMC as faculty and Jubilee Oration; MM Basu and PC Mahalanobis later moved to All India Orations; American Biographical Institute Leadership Institute of Medical Sciences Award for outstanding contributions in (AIIMS), Delhi. In his long career spanning over 5 Neurophysiology and Behavior; Kamala BK Anand decades, he worked in different capacities ranging International Award in Neurosciences; Life Time from faculty to manager and director of institutes of Achievement Award APPICON; Academician of national importance. He joined the University of International Academy of Sciences, International Illinois, USA as Professor of Physiology and Council for Scientific Development; Best Citizens 1334 Academy News

India Award and Bharat Jyoti Award. He was elected Dr Sivaraman was bestowed with the VASVIK Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore award in Biology for his work on immobilized and National Academy of Medical Sciences. penicillin acylase for production of 6-APA in 1986. Dr KN Sharma was elected to the Fellowship Dr Churya Sivaraman was elected to the of the Indian National Science Academy in the year Fellowship of the Indian National Science Academy 1978. in the year 1986.

Churya Sivaraman Chirayathumadom Venkatachalier Subramanian Churya Sivaraman (b 02 Chirayathumadom December 1923; d 24 June Venkatachalier Subramanian 2014) obtained his PhD on (b 11 August 1924; d 05 dietary fats in relation to liver- February 2016) obtained his fat deposition from the PhD and DSc from the University of Madras. He University of Madras. He did joined National Chemical his postdoctoral work in Laboratory, Pune as Scientist in Botany School, Cambridge 1950. While on deputation and Commonwealth from NCL he was accorded staff privileges at the Mycological Institute, Kew, University of Leeds, UK. He superannuated as UK. He was appointed as Senior Lecturer in the Deputy Director and Head, Division of Biochemistry University of Madras in 1951 followed by elevation at NCL in 1983. After his retirement, he continued to to Readership. He was then appointed to the newly work as Consultant in NCL and later in the created Chair in Plant Pathology at IARI, New Delhi, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government the first ever Chair in the country. He later became of India to review the DBT-sponsored teaching and Professor in Plant Pathology at the Indian Agricultural training programmes. Research Institute, New Delhi. He organized the new Department of Botany in the University of Rajasthan Dr Sivaraman pioneering contributions included where he was the first Professor and Head of the purification of bacterial citrate lyase, a multienzyme Department. He moved to Madras University as complex of a molecular weight of more than half a Professor and later became Director of Centre for million. The complex built up of 6 copies each of Advanced Study in Botany, Madras University. three distinct subunits: acyltransferase, acyl-lyase and acyl carried protein (ACP), catalyses the cleavage of Professor Subramanian’s research focused on citrate to oxaloacetate and acetate in the presence of mycology, plant pathology, and . His early Mg2+. His other notable studies relate to: divalent research in soil mycology and soil-borne plant metal binding behaviour of the complex, using diseases, focused on taxonomy and ecology of equilibrium dialysis and radioactive Mn2+ as a probe; Fusarium. His fungal exploration of the tropics, p-Azido (14C) benzoylcoenzyme A as a photoaffinity especially southern India, the Kumaon Himalayas, reagent for specifically labelling the active site of the far-east, and Australia leading to discovery and the acyl-lyase subunit of the complex; the presence description of many new genera and species, is a of a single large fused ACP subunit in a strain of major contribution. His studies of the perfect states . Dr Sivaraman’s group developed a of Aspergillus, conidiogenesis-based classification of novel immobilized penicillin acylase system in which Hyphomycetes and taxonomy and biology of fungi the enzyme was covalently attached to activated are widely recognized. Exploration of the Western cellulose powder. It was used for the production of Ghats brought forth an inventory of its remarkably 100 tonnes 6-APA during 1986-97. rich mycodiversity. His researches spanning four Academy News 1335 decades are summarized in the publications: prestigious Dr E.K. Janaki Ammal Award. He founded Hyphomycetes (ICAR, 1971) and Hyphomycetes: the Mycological Society of India in 1973 and Taxonomy and Biology (Academic Press, 1983). launched the journal Kavaka and worked as its Chief Editor till 1998. He was also Vice-President and Professor Subramanian won many awards President of the International Mycological including Pulney Andi Medal by Madras University; Association. He was elected Fellow of the Indian SS Bhatnagar Prize by CSIR; Rafi Ahmad Kidwai Academy of Sciences, Bangalore and National Prize by ICAR; Birbal Sahni Medal by Indian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi. Botanical Society and Lifetime Achievement Award. His lasting contributions to plant taxonomy were Professor CV Subramanian was elected to the recognized by the Ministry of Environment and Fellowship of the Indian National Science Academy Forests, Government of India by awarding him the in the year 1960. 1336 Academy News

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Nomination for Election of Fellows The last date for receiving nominations for election of Fellows is October 17, 2016. Nominations received on or before October 17 will be included for consideration in the year 2017, while those received after October 17, 2016 will go for the year 2018. Nomination form can be downloaded from the INSA website www.insaindia.res.in.

Nomination for Election of Foreign and Pravasi Fellows

Nominations are invited from the Fellows of INSA for election of Foreign Fellows and Pravasi Fellows for the year 2017. Nomination form can be downloaded from the INSA website www.insaindia.res.in.

INSA Medal for Young Scientists - 2017

Nominations are invited for INSA Medal for Young Scientists – 2017. Those born on or after January 1, 1982 are eligible for consideration in the year 2017. The awardee shall receive a certificate, a bronze medal and cash award of Rs. 25000/-. Nominations may be submitted by a Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy or by earlier recipients of this award. Scientific societies of national standing, university faculty, post-graduate departments of research institutions may also nominate eligible candidates. The last date for receiving nominations for INSA Medal for Young Scientists is October 31, 2016. Nomination proforma can be downloaded from the website www.insaindia.res.in.

Proposal for Lectures in the Remote/Rural Areas The Academy has launched a programme under which INSA Fellows, Young Scientists & Teacher Awardees are encouraged to deliver Popular Lectures to young students and teachers of schools and colleges in remote/rural areas in India. Proposals are invited from Fellows, INSA young scientists and INSA teacher awardees with details like name and address of the school/college where they wish to deliver lectures, title/s of lecture/s, proposed dates and the quantum of required travel support. Proposals may be sent to Executive Director, INSA at [email protected] and to [email protected] at the earliest. Academy News 1337

Call for Research Proposal in History of Science The Indian National Commission for History of Science approves, under the guidance of a Research Council, Research Projects on various subjects pertaining to history of science and technology in India. Through this programme, the Investigator can take up source and theme oriented study and compilations of important sources with commentaries; translation of important technical primary sources on mathematics, astronomy, medicine, alchemy, agriculture, natural products, life sciences, scientific traditions including oral traditions of scientific nature, metals and metallurgy, architecture and irrigation technology, for critical assessment relating to ancient and medieval periods. The Commission gives equal emphasis for historical evaluation of science and technology scenario in India during the 19th and 20th centuries. Study of pioneering institutions, popular perceptions of science development, tools, techniques and how the knowledge in each area of science has grown conceptually on the basis of International perspectives, are some examples of the research areas. Themes may also be selected depending on candidates’ own aptitudes and specializations. The last date for submitting research proposals is December 31, 2016. For all other details and application form, visit the website www.insaindia.res.in or mail at [email protected].

Nomination for INSA Awards The last date for receiving nominations for the following INSA Awards due for the year 2017 is October 17, 2016: 1. The Homi Jehangir Bhabha Medal 2. The Sunder Lal Hora Medal 3. The Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis Medal 4. The Syed Husain Zaheer Medal 5. The Kalpathi Ramakrishna Ramanathan Medal 6. Professor KP Bhargava Memorial Medal 7. Professor Bhim Shanker Trivedi Memorial Medal 8. Professor Bal Dattatraya Tilak Lecture 9. The Bires Chandra Guha Memorial Lecture 10. Professor Sadhan Basu Memorial Lecture 11. Dr Yellapragada SubbaRow Memorial Lecture 12. Professor Har Swarup Memorial Lecture 13. Dr MR Das Memorial Lecture Nomination form can be downloaded from the INSA website www.insaindia.res.in. 1338 Academy News

Call for INYAS Membership (2017-2021)

INYAS is happy to announce the second call for new members for the term 2017-2021. Interested young scientists are welcome to apply for membership through the online application system only. The last date for receiving applications is October 15, 2016. Interested candidates need to login using a Google login and password to apply at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1IhOFkUV_J8bK9Qisej7N7F9dRZ4kze LuN6fOzIEdIoU/edit?usp=sharing The applicants should

(i) not be over 40 years of age on January 1, 2017 (ii) have a PhD (iii) hold an academic position (regular or temporary) in India

Letters of recommendation can be provided by Heads of Institutes, Deans, Fellows of any of the Science Academies of the country.

More details about INYAS can be found at: http://insaindia.res.in/INYAS.php and on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/INYAS-1662728413946122/