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Home , Amitabh Joshi, Aryabhata Award, Charusita Chakravarty, Daulat Singh Kothari, Indira Nath, Kankan Bhattacharyya

Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 83 No. 3 September 2017 pp. 721-737  Printed in .

ACADEMY NEWS

INSA MEETINGS 2. Dr Md Mahiuddin Baidya (b 13.11.1983), PhD, Department of , Indian Institute Several meetings were held during April 24-26, 2017 of Technology Madras, Chennai. in the Academy premises. These included meetings of the different Sectional Committees for For his contributions towards development of recommending names of Young Scientist Awardees new protocols and for the synthesis of to be elected by the Council of the Academy. The biologically important molecules. Advisory Boards for the various INSA Awards also met. These were followed by meetings of the Council 3. Dr Priyoneel Basu (b 05.11.1982), PhD, and General Body on April 26, 2017. Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, , Varanasi. INSA Medal for Young Scientists 2017 For pioneering studies on the role of 5-HTP (a The Council at its General Body meeting on April precursor of the neurotransmitter serotonin) in 26, 2017 approved the award of INSA Medal for resetting phase of the circadian activity-rest Young Scientist 2017 to 30 young researchers below rhythm in mice. the age of 35. The Academy had received 596 nominations out of which 30 were selected. The 4. Dr Sanchari Bhattacharyya (b 03.01.1983), award carries a medal, a certificate and cash prize of PhD, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Rs. 25,000. In addition, the recipient may be , Harvard University, Cambridge, USA. considered for research support of Rs. 5 lakh per year For designing minimal protein immunogens for three years. The awardee within five years of based on glycoprotein gp120 of HIV-1 as a receipt of award will be considered for a visit abroad potential future vaccine against HIV with with full support for presenting research work at reduced aggregation properties and higher conferences, and/or participating in collaborative / stability. training research project wherever possible. Those young scientists who have been unable to obtain 5. Dr Vashist Bist (b 21.03.1988), PhD, Texas suitable placement, may be considered for an Interim Instruments India Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru. Fellowship (amount depending on the qualification For his outstanding contribution in the area of and research experience) and contingency of Rs. DC motor drives for low power applications. 25,000/- per year. 6. Dr Anup Biswas (b 20.11.1983), PhD, The following 30 young scientists were selected for Department of Mathematics, Indian Institute of the INSA Medal for Young Scientists. Science Education and Research, Pune. 1. Dr Swati Agarwal (b 24.07.1985), PhD, For his study of the Dirichlet problem for stable- Solomon Snyder Department of Neuroscience, like operators and related probabilistic John Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA. representations of solutions of stochastic For elucidating the effect of Bisphenol A on differential equations with jumps. neuronal progenitor and neuronal cells and the 7. Dr Kunal Chakraborty (b 23.09.1982), PhD, mechanism by which it affects autophagy and ESSO-Indian National Centre for Ocean mitochondrial dynamics. 722 Academy News

Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad. 13. Dr Dipak Gayen (b 17.09.1983), PhD, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New . For his outstanding contributions on modelling of marine ecosystem variability in the Indian For cloning the rice r9- LOX1 gene and showing Ocean. increased viability and storage stability of nutritional components of golden rice seeds by 8. Dr Swetaprovo Chaudhuri (b 01.09.1983), its down regulation through RNAi and for PhD, Department of Aerospace Engineering, studying regulation of iron transport in roots Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. by miRNA. For outstanding contributions in turbulent 14. Dr Sahana Holla (b 10.03.1986), PhD, combustion laser diagnostics and high Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular performance CFD computation. Biology, National Cancer Institute, National 9. Dr Debraj Choudhury (b 21.04.1982), PhD, Institute of Health, Bethesda, USA. Department of Physics, Indian Institute of For providing novel insights into immune Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur. evasion and survival strategies of mycobacteria. For his insights into the physics of multi-ferroics 15. Dr Dinesh Jagadeesan (b 12.12.1982), PhD, and oxide systems, and the discovery of Physical and Materials Chemistry Division, exceptional dielectric properties in a series of CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune. compounds. For his approaches towards development of new 10. Dr Srishti Dar (b 12.02.1987), PhD, Tata catalysts and activation of CO . Institute of Fundamental Research, . 2 16. Dr Smita Kumar (b 24.03.1985), PhD, Centre For developing an elegant assay system of of Biomedical Research, SGPGI Campus, arrayed supported membrane tubes whose Lucknow. dimensions can be controlled to mimic the topology of tubular intermediates generated For significant contributions in understanding during membrane fission and for demonstrating the molecular mechanisms involved in the role of GTP hydrolysis and PH domain in detoxification of heavy metals like As and S in membrane constriction and faster kinetics of plants. dynamin catalyzed fission. 17. Dr Bodhisatta Nandy (b 14.01.1984), PhD, 11. Dr Riddhi Datta (b 28.12.1987), PhD, Dr APJ Indian Institute of Science Education and Abdul Kalam Government College, . Research, Behrampur. For elucidating the molecular mechanisms of For comprehensive experimental evidence, glutathione- salicylic acid- and ethylene using the Drosophila model system, for the interactions in plant defense signaling network. major tenets of the theory of sexual selection and inter-sexual conflict. 12. Dr Yogeshwaran Dhandapani (b 13.12.1982), PhD, Statistics and Mathematics Unit, Indian 18. Dr Joe Philip Ninan (b 25.08.1989), PhD, Statistical Institute, Bengaluru. Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, The Pennsylvania State University, USA. For his significant work on asymptotic behavior of random complexes, topology of dynamic For his studies of outburst phenomena in young Erdös-Renyi clique complexes and asymptotics stellar objects, and development of necessary for geometric functionals of general point instruments. processes. Academy News 723

19. Dr Ashutosh Pandey (b 25.12.1983), PhD, liposomes and gold nanoparticles, which is Faculty of Biology, Chair of Genome Research useful for both imaging and therapeutics. & CeBiTec, University of Bielefeld, Germany. 25. Dr Arnab Sen (b 22.11.1982), PhD, For metabolic engineering of flavonoid and Department of Theoretical Physics, Indian carotenoid biosynthesis in higher plants. Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata. 20. Dr Rucha Kiran Patil (b 28.04.1986), PhD, Genetic Research Center, National Institute for For his outstanding contributions towards Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai. developing quantum Monte Carlo methods to probe quantum critical points. For identifying novel roles of cell derived micro particles in important clinical conditions like 26. Dr Sunil Shetty (b 18.09.1987), PhD, recurrent pregnancy loss and dengue fever Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland. complications. For providing novel insights about roles of the 21. Dr Kartik Prasad (b 23.09.1982), PhD, 3GC pairs in initiator tRNA in translation. Mechanical Behavior Group, Defence 27. Dr Kumar Singh (b 14.11.1982), PhD, Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Hyderabad. Center of Excellence in Genomics, International For his outstanding contributions in the Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid development of indigenous instrumentation for Tropics, Hyderabad. thermo-mechanical fatigue (TMF) crack growth For developing large scale genetic and genomic experiments, its utilization for studying TMF resources, including sequencing–based in aerospace grade Ti and Ni alloys, and mapping, for fusarium wilt resistance and subsequently for using such knowledge in sterility mosaic disease resistance in pigeon pea enhancing the remaining life of aeroengines. and for contribution to development of 22. Dr Sanjay Pratihar (b 01.03.1984), PhD, molecular breeding lines in rice. Department of Chemical Sciences, Tezpur 28. Dr Devanjan Sinha (b 07.10.1984), PhD, University, Tezpur. Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, For his outstanding contributions to multi-metal Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. complexes, theoretical understanding, selective For delineating the complexity and substrate sensing of Hg2+ ions and important applications specificity of mitochondrial transport machines in agriculture. and for establishing their role in maintenance 23. Dr Uday Kumar B Reddy (b 10.09.1982), of mitochondrial function in diverse PhD, Department of Computer Science and physiological states. Automation, Indian Institute of Science, 29. Dr Jitendra Thakur (b 23.06.1984), PhD, Fred Bengaluru. Hutchinson Cancer Research, Washington, For his stellar work in automatic parallelization USA. in high performance computing. For elucidating mechanisms of centromere and 24. Dr Aravind Kumar Rengan (b 09.08.1983), kinetochore formation in Candida species. PhD, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 30. Dr Vikram Vishal (b 12.07.1985), PhD, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute Hyderabad. of Technology Bombay, Mumbai. For devising a novel way of nano delivery using 724 Academy News

For his outstanding contributions on hydro- Dr Anil Kumar Tripathi, FNA, Director, dynamics of fluid flow in unconventional CSIR-Central Institute for Medicinal and reservoirs. Aromatic Plants, Lucknow.

INSA Medal/Lecture Awards 2017 9. Bires Chandra Guha Memorial Lecture to Dr SC Mande, FNA, Director, National Centre The Academy announced the following 13 medal/ for Cell Science, Pune. lecture Awards for 2017. 10. Memorial Lecture to Subjectwise Medals/Lectures/Awards Professor Anunay Samanta, FNA, School of Chemistry, University of Hyderabad, (A) Medals Instituted by the Academy Hyderabad. 1. Homi Jehangir Bhabha Medal to Professor 11. Dr Yellapragada Subba Row Memorial Chanda Jayant Jog, FNA, Department of Lecture to Dr AC Banerjea, FNA, Emeritus Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. Scientist, National Institute of Immunology, 2. Sunder Lal Hora Medal to Professor Mewa New Delhi. Singh, FNA, Distinguished Professor, 12. Professor Har Swarup Memorial Lecture to Department of Psychology, University of Professor , FNA, Evolutionary Mysore, Mysore. and Organismal Biology Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru 3. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis Medal to Centre for Advanced Scientific Research Professor Rajendra Bhatia, FNA, (JNCASR), Bengaluru. Distinguished Scientist, Statistics & 13. Dr MR Das Memorial Lecture to Dr Rajan Mathematics Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, Sankaranarayanan, FNA, Chief Scientist, New Delhi. Structural Biology Laboratory, CSIR-Centre for 4. Medal to Professor GD Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad. Yadav, FNA, Vice Chancellor & RT Mody AWARD LECTURE DELIVERED UNDER Distinguished Professor, Institute of Chemical LOCAL CHAPTERS Technology, Mumbai. Professor K Naha Memorial Medal (2016): 5. Kalpathi Ramakrishna Ramanathan Medal Professor VP Dimri, Formerly Director and to Professor Sulochana Gadgil, FNA, A18, Distinguished Scientist, CSIR-National Geophysical Spring Flowers, Panchavati, Pashan, Pune. Research Institute, Hyderabad delivered Professor K (B) Endowed Medals Naha Memorial Medal Lecture on Modeling of Complexity in Earth System using Fractals and 6. Professor KP Bhargava Memorial Medal to Beyond Fractal Theory at University of Hyderabad, Professor SK Sarin, FNA, Director, Institute Hyderabad on March 7, 2017. of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi. Memorial Lecture (2016): 7. Professor Bhim Shanker Trivedi Memorial Professor D Balasubramanian, Distinguished Medal to Professor Kumaravel Scientist & Director of Research Emeritus, LV Prasad Somasundaram, FNA, Department of Eye Institute, Hyderabad delivered Daulat Singh Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute Kothari Memorial Lecture on Science and of Science, Bengaluru. Humanities: the Twain is Beginning to Meet at University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad on March 7, (C) Endowment Lectures 2017. 8. Professor Bal Dattatraya Tilak Lecture to Academy News 725

Dr Dimri and Professor Balasubramanian receiving the citation of the award lectures from Professor Vipin Srivastava, Pro Vice-Chancellor, UoH along with Professor P Reddanna, Dean, School of Life Sciences, UoH and Professor AS Raghavendra, School of Life Sciences, UoH

Meghnad Saha Medal (2015): Professor BC Sinha, for Popularization of Science Formerly Director, Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, (2017): Mr. Pallava Bagla, Science Editor, New Delhi Department of Atomic Energy, Kolkata delivered Television (NDTV) and Correspondent, Science Medal Lecture on The Microcosmos Magazine delivered Indira Gandhi Prize for and the Macrocosmos from Collider to Cosmology Popularization of Science Lecture on When Science at NISER, Bhubaneswar on March 24, 2017. Meets the Public: Are Scientists Losing the Plot? at INSA, New Delhi on July 24, 2017. Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Lecture (2017): Professor Sankar K Pal, Distinguished Scientist and former Director, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata delivered Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Lecture on Granular Data Mining and Uncertainty Modeling: Data to Knowledge and Challenges at Department of Geography, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune on July12, 2017.

Mr. Bagla receiving the medal and citation of the award lecture from Professor Sood, President INSA along with Professor Anurag Sharma, Vice-President INSA

Dr Yellapragada Subba Row Memorial Lecture (2017): Dr AC Banerjea, Emeritus Scientist, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi delivered Dr Yellapragada Subba Row Memorial Lecture on HIV Biology, Pathogenesis and Gene Therapy at Biotech Professor Pal receiving the citation from Professor Anil Kumar Centre Auditorium, DU South Campus, New Delhi after the lecture on July 28, 2017. 726 Academy News

INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES DURING From January 15 to February 4, 2017, I had the MARCH-JULY 2017 pleasure to visit India supported by the INSA Dr DS Kothari Chair. I have visited several institutions, in Nominations/Election of Indian scientists for three different cities: , Hyderabad and various positions at International Council for Delhi. Professor , JNCASR, Bangalore Science (ICSU) and its different Unions and Professor Sanjay Jain, have l Dr V Prakash, Distinguished Scientist of kindly hosted me. Their hospitality was superb. In CSIR-India at JSS-MVP, JSS Technical Bangalore, I have delivered talks at the Jawaharlal Institutional Area, JSS CMS, Mysore was re- Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research and nominated for the position of Vice-President, at the Raman Research Institute. I have also visited International Union of Nutritional Sciences the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) (IUNS) for the term 2017-2021. and the Indian Institute of Science. In Hyderabad, I delivered a talk at the TIFR Center for Inter- l Nine Indian scientists were nominated for disciplinary Sciences. In Delhi, I delivered talks at various positions at the International Union of Delhi University, at the Indian Institute of Technology Pure & Applied Physics (IUPAP) Commissions. and at Jawaharlal Nehru University. l Dr Ch. Mohan Rao, FNA, CSIR-Centre for In my talks, I have presented the researches I Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad has have been involved in the last years. Specifically, I been elected as Member of International Union have discussed how the experimental investigation of Pure & Applied Biophysics (IUPAB) of the collective behavior of DNA made nanoparticles Council. can help us understand the physics of limited valence colloids, mesoscopic particles interacting with highly Workshop/Symposia/Conference supported by directional interactions. Following a long-standing the Academy tradition of exploiting colloids to test theoretical l Xth IGU International Conference on ideas, these DNA nanoparticles have allowed us to Urbanization, Health & Wellbeing and investigate among others the phase behavior of highly Sustainable Development Goals was held at directional colloids and the stability of network fluids Osmania University, Hyderabad during March respect to crystal phases. I have also presented our 17-19, 2017 under the convenership of Dr B very recent investigation of a DNA-particle gel that Srinagesh, Department of Geography, Osmania forms both on heating and on cooling, a nice example University, Hyderabad. of a material with unconventional mechanical properties. Visit of Overseas Delegates to INSA In all these institutions, I had the pleasure to l INSA Chair Awardee meet and discuss with several colleagues and friends, Ø Dr DS Kothari Chair Award (2016-17) learning about their most recent researches. In particular, I like to mention Professor Chandan Professor Francesco Sciortino, Dipartimento di Dasgupta and Professor (IISc- Fisica, Universita’ di Roma “La Sapienza” Roma, Bangalore), Professor Subir Das (JNCASR- Italy awardee of Dr DS Kothari Chair of INSA visited Bangalore),Professor (NCBS- India during January 15-February 4, 2017 as Bangalore), Professor Surajit Sengupta (TIFR- distinguished overseas scientist nominated by Hyderabad), Professor Shankar Das (JNU Delhi), Professor Srikanth Sastry, Theoretical Sciences Unit, Professor Ranjini Bandyopadhyay (RRI-Bangalore), JNCASR, Bengaluru. Professor Sciortino’s report on Professor Sunjin Babu (IIT-Delhi) & Professor Vashia the visit is as below. Benerjee (IIT-Delhi). I expect several collaboration to emerge from this visit. I have also had the pleasure Academy News 727 to meet and interact with many PhD and young Post- Support for Visiting Scientists during March-July doc, establishing new links. 2017

I was also fortunate to be able to participate in l 13 Indian scientists were supported by the the first Memorial Lecture at Academy for attending various ICSU sponsored the St. Stephen College in Delhi. Late Professor international conferences abroad. Charusita was among the leading women scientists l 36 Indian scientists were supported by the of India. She gave important contributions in the area Academy for attending various Non-ICSU of theoretical and computational chemistry. I had the sponsored international conferences abroad. pleasure to meet and discuss with her several time at international conferences during her too short life. l 26 Indian scientists visited aboard under INSA Bilateral Exchange Programme with overseas Despite modern technologies having made it academies. possible to overcome geographical distances and thus facilitating long distance interactions, human l 10 Indian scientists visited Australia and one contact remains, in my opinion, the most effective Australian scientist visited India under the Indo- and pleasant way of exchanging ideas and building Australia Early and Mid-Career Researchers contacts that can bring novel collaborations. I have Fellowship Programme 2016-2017. no doubt that it has been a very enjoyable and productive period and I am very grateful to INSA for SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS DURING MARCH- making this visit possible. JULY 2017

Overseas Visits by INSA Delegations l An interactive session of Science Academies’ Summer Research Fellows and their mentors l Professor Indira Nath, FNA, participated in was organized at the INSA premises on June 9, Science20 Dialogue Form organized by German 2017. The meeting was chaired by Professor National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina Ajay K Sood, President INSA, with (GNASL) in Halle, Germany on March 22, N Mukunda, FNA, & 2017. NR Jagannathan, Vice-Presidents, INSA as panel members. During the event, Professor N l Professor AK Sood, President INSA attended Mukunda, FNA, Member, Science Education the Royal Society Commonwealth Science Panel, gave a brief presentation about Joint Conference- 2017 held in Singapore during June Science Education Programme following which 13-16, 2017. a lecture on A physical Technique that

Interactive session of Summer Research Fellows and panel members 728 Academy News

Revolutionized Clinical - Magnetic SCIENCE & SOCIETY PROGRAMME Resonance was delivered by Professor NR Jagannathan. A large number of summer INSA-NII Joint Lectures research fellows, working in Delhi/New Delhi, The following lectures were organised by Delhi Local and their mentors interacted with the panel.The Chapter at National Institute of Immunology, New fellows and mentors, while applauding the Delhi under the convenership of Dr programme initiated by the three Academies Gupta, Reproductive Cell Biology Laboratory, NII, viz., INSA, IASc and NASI, also discussed New Delhi. These are: some problems faced by them during the period l HIV-1 and Influenza Immunogen Design by of research. Professor Kankan Bhattacharyya Professor , FNA, extended his vote of thanks to all the summer Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of research fellows, mentors and some of the local Science, Bengaluru on March 21, 2017. fellows of INSA who attended the session. l Molecular Insights into Meiotic Chromosome l The Apex Committee for the INSPIRE Faculty Pairing from Single Molecule Analysis by Fellows met on June 9, 2017 in INSA and Professor K Muniyappa, FNA, Department of selected 118 candidates out of the 1113 Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, nominations that were received during first Bengaluru on March 27, 2017. Session (January-July 2017) of the award. This was the 12th session for the selection of INSPIRE Faculty Fellows. Out of the 1113 applications, 327 candidates were shortlisted for interviews by eight subject committees which had met during the month of May. The committees recommended 118 candidates for final consideration by the APEX Committee. The list of selected candidates along with their detailed biodata/proposals has been handed over to the Department of Science and Technology for further action. Professor Raghavan Varadarajan delivering lecture at NII l Annual meetings of 19 National committees and the ICSU National Committee were held on RECENT PUBLICATIONS OF THE ACADEMY ICSU Day on July 24, 2017 at INSA premises. Proceedings of the Indian National Science l The Academy at its Council Meeting during July Academy 24-27, 2017 recommended names of new Volume 83, No. 1 (March 2017) issue of Proceedings Fellows to be elected to the Fellowship of the has been published. This issue contained two Academy. It also announced to institute a new commentaries, an opinion, seven review articles, six endowment award named Professor Subramania research papers and a book review besides guest Ranganathan Memorial Medal. The Medal will editorial by Professor , FNA. be awarded to an eminent scientist for outstanding contributions in any branch of Volume 83, No. 2 (June 2017) issue of Proceedings Chemistry. The award carries an honorarium of has been published as a thematic issue on “Recent Rs. 25,000/-, a bronze medal and a citation. The Antarctic Research in India: The National Committee first medal will be awarded in 2018. Report to SCAR (2017)”. This issue contained 12 review articles and 10 research papers besides guest editorial by Professor Shailesh Nayak, FNA. Academy News 729

Indian Journal of History of Science (IJHS) OBITUARY

Volume 52, No. 1 (March 2017) issue of IJHS has Komaravolu Chandrasekharan been published. This issue includes papers on Features of the Solutions of Kuttaka and Komaravolu Chandrasekharan Vargaprak‚ti; Ideas of Infinitesimal of BhÈskarÈcÈrya (b 21 November 1920; d 13 in LÏlÈvatÏ and SiddhÈntaàiroma‡i, Hospital Medicine April 2017) obtained his PhD through Ancient, Medieval and Colonial India; from the University of Amoebic Dysentery and Introduction of Emetine Madras, after serving as a part- Source Carapichea ipecacacuanha into Indian time Lecturer at Presidency Subcontinent; Discovery of X-rays and its Impact in College during 1943-46. He India; Ashutosh Mukherjee’s Contribution on then went to the Institute for Nineteenth Century Modern Mathematics; GN Advanced Study, Princeton, Ramachandran: A Nobel Prize Nominee and USA and it was during his stay in Princeton that he Nominator; Udoy Chand Dutt: Prominent Indian was invited by Dr Homi Bhabha to join the School Materia Medica Promoters and Scientific of Mathematics of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Explorations and Commercial Sales of the Straw Research (TIFR). Mushroom Volvariella volvacea (Bull.) Singer in Professor Chandrasekharan worked in the fields Republican China. This issue also have regular of number theory and summability. In 1950s, he features like book review and project report. authored an important monograph with S. Volume 52, No. 2 (June 2017) issue of IJHS Meenakshisundaram on Riesz’s Typical Means. has been published. This issue includes papers on While in Princeton, he worked jointly with Salomon Angular diameters (bimba) of the Sun Moon and Bochner and took number of issues on Fourier Earth’s Shadow-cone; Proofs for Summation in the Transform Theory which he published in a well- Nis‚†—ÈrthadÊtÏ; Sun-Dial for Time-keeping in known book with Bochner. In 1949, he moved to Jaisalmer Fort; Edward Blyth and the Asiatic Society; TIFR, worked hard to make the School of Central Weaving Institute, Banaras; History of Mathematics of TIFR into a centre of excellence Colonial Science and Medicine in British India; recognized world-wide. He established a successful Cause of Sunrise, Sunset from JnÈneàvari and its method of recruiting and training of Research Comparison to ¶ryabha—Ïya; Allusions of Scholars at TIFR, and put to use his contacts with RasÈyanaàastra in Telugu Literature; General leading mathematicians of the world, persuading Scientific Societies in British India and Syamadas many of them to visit TIFR and deliver courses of Mukhopadhayay (1866-1937): A reputed lectures. The lecture notes prepared out of these Geometrician of India. This issue also includes lectures and published by TIFR enjoy a great reviews of the books, Moments of Eureka - Life & reputation in the world mathematics community to Works of Selected Indian Scientists and Jantar Mantar this day. Observatories of Jai Singh. It also carries a project Professor Chandrasekharan was recipient of the report on History of High Tin Bronze and Brass of in 1959, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award Eastern India accomplished under the history of in 1963, and the Ramanujan Medal in 1966. He served science programme. as Member of Executive Committee, International Mathematical Union (IMU) (1955-61) and Secretary Indian Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics (1961-66) as well as President of IMU (1971-74). (IJPAM) He was Vice-President (1963-66) of International Volume 48, No. 1& 2 (March & June 2017) issue of Council for Science (ICSU) and Secretary General IJPAM has been published. (1966-70). He served as a Member of the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet, Government of 730 Academy News

India (1961-66). He was elected fellow of the CT band is polarized along the intermolecular the American Mathematical Society in 2012. He was axis, is indeed correct. an Editor of Journal of the Indian Mathematical Professor Chowdhury received numerous Society. awards and accolades including the SS Bhatnagar Professor K Chandrasekharan was elected to the Award, Silver Medal of the Chemical Research Fellowship of the Indian National Science Academy Society of India, Lifetime Achievement Award of in the year 1954. Indian Society of Radiation and Photochemical Sciences, Eminent Teacher Award of Calcutta University, Lifetime Achievement Award of Indian Chemical Society, and Gold Medal by Chemical Mihir Chowdhury (b 15 July Research Society of India. He delivered UGC 1937; d 28 March 2017) National Lecture, RP Memorial Lecture at Delhi obtained his PhD from Sadhan University, K Rangadhama Rao Lecture of INSA, JC Basu’s laboratory at Calcutta Ghosh Memorial Lecture of Indian Chemical University and did his post- Society,Travers Memorial Lecture of the Indian doctoral research at the Institute of Science, Bangalore, Baba Kartar Singh Pennsylvania State University Memorial Lecture at Punjab University, Sadhan Basu and the University of Chicago, Memorial Lecture of INSA, Mizushima-Raman USA. On returning to India, he Lectures, Japan. He was a Member of different joined as CSIR pool officer at the Department of Learned Societies and Professional Bodies as well Magnetism (now Department of Solid State Physics), as of Editorial Boards of a number of national and Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science international journals. He was elected Fellow of the (IACS), Kolkata. He then joined the Faculty of Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore. Presidency College, Kolkata to serve as Professor of Professor Mihir Chowdhury was elected to the Chemistry and later became Head of the Department. Fellowship of the Indian National Science Academy Subsequently, he joined IACS as Professor of in the year 1980 and as its Council as Member Physical Chemistry and headed the Department. He during1991-93. was associated with postgraduate teaching programmes of Calcutta University and Presidency Bhola Nath Dhawan College in honorary capacity. After superannuation, Bhola Nath Dhawan (b 1 he was appointed as Honorary Scientist of INSA and October 1932; d 16 June 2017) then as Senior INSA Scientist till 2006. obtained MBBS from KG Professor Chowdhury made significant Medical College of Lucknow contributions in laser spectroscopy, excited state University and following his dynamics of cold molecules and clusters, nonlinear MD in Pharmacology. He was optics and spectroscopy, time-resolved spectroscopy a post-doctoral Fellow at the in liquids, circular dichroism and magnetic field effect Department of Experimental on chemical reactions. His noteworthy contributions Neuropharmacology, Medical are: (i) elucidation of the role of spin and magnetic School, University of Birmingham, UK. He became field in the radical pair recombination process, (ii) Professor of Pharmacology at MLN Medical College, circular dichroism of crystal field split components Allahabad and then moved to Central Drug Research in cooled single crystals, and (iii) laser-induced Institute (CDRI) as Head, Division of Pharmacology fluorescence of jet-cooled large organic molecules and developed it as a major center for and their hydrated clusters. He was the first to Neuropharmacology and natural product research. He experimentally show the Mulliken’s conjecture that became Deputy Director and then Director of CDRI. Academy News 731

He continued there as CSIR Emeritus Scientist till Professor Andre Jagendorf, at 1997. He was also the Head of ICMR Centre for Cornell University. He along Advanced Studies on Traditional Remedies at CDRI. with his mentors, established the role of chloroplast genome Professor Dhawan’s major contribution was the and its relative autonomy with discovery and analysis of apomorphine stereotypy in its own transcription and pigeon. His major area of research in Neurosciences translation machinery. He was was analysis of neurotransmitter receptors involved a faculty for undergraduates in central modulation of autonomic activities. He was for nearly two years at Cornell. also involved in discovery of eight new drugs and a He administered three Universities (Bharathidasan, diagnostic kit. He has published over four hundred Madras and Pondicherry) as Vice Chancellor for papers, edited twenty books and holds seventy nearly 15 years. He also served as the President of national and international patents. He organized Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and the undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and Chairman of National Assessment and Accreditation research at MLN Medical College and guided large Council, Bangalore for three years until his number of students for their PhD/MD at CDRI. superannuation. He was INSA Senior Scientist during Professor Dhawan was conferred with many 1997-2001. awards including Vasvik Life Sciences Award; Professor Gnanam’s research was focused on Ranbaxy Award, OP Bhasin Award, TWAS Prize, Shri establishing the presence of chloroplast specific Dhanwantari Prize, Vigyan Gaurav Award of UP genome and protein synthesizing machinery that are Government, BK Bachhawat Life Time Achievement different from those of the rest of the cell, use of Award of Indian Academy of Neurosciences and appropriate vectors for transforming chloroplast Professor KP Bhargava Memorial Medal of INSA. genome, understanding basic nature of stress He served as member/chairman of many committees tolerance in plants and developing transgenic plants of central agencies like DBT, ICMR, Ministry of through tissue culture protocols. His pioneering Health, and Ministry of Earth Sciences, etc. He was contributions to understanding of the chloroplast also President of Indian Pharmacological Society and structure, function and development have lead to President of Indian Academy of Neurosciences. He many international publications. He has over 140 was a Fellow of eight other Academies/Societies publications in Plant Molecular Biology. He also including the Academy of Sciences for the taught both undergraduate and graduate students at Developing World (TWAS), Collegium Internationale Annamalai, Cornell and Madurai Kamaraj Neuropsychopharmacologie (CINP), National Universities. He had established a very good school Academy of Sciences, Allahabad and National of research in photosynthesis in the country covering Academy of Medical Sciences. bio-productivity, photochemical processes, Professor BN Dhawan was elected to the enzymology and molecular of plants with Fellowship of the Indian National Science Academy special reference to the photosynthetic system. in the year 1979 and served the Council as a Vice- Professor Gnanam was bestowed upon with President in 1993 and as a Member in 1992 & 2004. several honours and recognitions including Rafi Arumugam Gnanam Ahmed Kidwai Prize, TS Sadasivan Lecture Award of INSA and DSc and DLitt (hc) from several Indian Arumugam Gnanam (b 5 October 1932; d 17 May and foreign Universities. He was also a Member/ 2017) obtained his PhD in biochemistry from North Fellow/Advisor of several national and international Carolina State University, Raleigh, USA. He was a professional societies and intergovernmental agencies Fulbright research trainee under Professor Joseph S like UNESCO and World Bank. He was elected Kahn. He carried out his post-doctoral research with Fellow of National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad. 732 Academy News

Professor A Gnanam was elected to the of particles in multiple meson production in high Fellowship of the Indian National Science Academy energies. He was the first to develop leady-box model in the year 1985 and served as its Vice-President of cosmic-ray propagation in the galaxy. during 1994-96. Professor Pal won many prestigious awards including the Macroni International Fellowship Award, GP Chatterjee Memorial Award of Indian Science Congress Association, Association of Space Yash Pal (b 26 November Explorer Award, & Padma 1926; d 24 July 2017) obtained Vibhushan, Indira Gandhi Prize for Popularization of his PhD from Massachusetts Science, the Meghnad Saha Medal & Daulat Singh Institute of Technology Kothari Memorial Lecture of INSA. He was also a specialising in high-energy Member of UN Advisory Committee on Science and physics, astrophysics, Technology for Development, Scientific Council, communication, science International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste policy and space technology. and Executive Committee, United Nations University, He served as Professor at Tata Vice President, IUPAP. He was President of Indian Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, Director Physics Association and has been elected Fellow of of Space Applications, Centre, (1973- Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, National 81), Chief Consultant of the Planning Commission Academy of Sciences, Allahabad, Gujarat Science (1983-84), Secretary of the Department of Science Academy and Indian Astronomical Society. and Technology (1984-86), and Chairman, University Professor Yash Pal was elected to the Fellowship Grants Commission (1986-91), New Delhi. He also of the Indian National Science Academy in the year served as president of the Indian Physics Association. 1977 and served as its Council as Member during As UGC Chairman, he started many innovative 1980-81. programmes to improve the standards of education. One such major programme is the serial ‘Race to Save the Planet’ in collaboration with USA and Australia. Udupi Ramachandra Rao (b He had done extensive work in theory and practice 10 March 1932; d 24 July of communication for development and proposed 2017) obtained his PhD from ways of using modern technology, space technology Physical Research Laboratory in particular, useful for developing countries. He was (PRL), Ahmedabad to carry also known for his regular appearances in the science out research on cosmic ray programme Turning Point on , time variations under the explaining scientific concepts in layman’s language. guidance of Dr Vikram He was also on the advisory boards for several TV Sarabhai. After completing his Science programmes like Bharat ki chaap. PhD, he joined the Massachusetts Institute of Professor Pal made renowned contributions in Technology, Cambridge in 1960 as a Postdoctoral the field of cosmic rays, high-energy physics, Research Fellow where he carried out fundamental astrophysics, science education, communication and investigations on solar wind using Mariner-2 development. His work had specifically led to the observations. He then joined University of Texas at first observations of negative meson, pair production Dallas in 1963 as Assistant Professor where he carried of elementary particles, elucidation of the properties out investigations as a prime experimenter on a of k-meson and hyperons, first measure of K-K mass number of Pioneer and Explorer spacecraft. On difference, prediction of the rise in p-p cross section, returning to India, he joined as Professor at PRL, and recognition of the importance of excited states Ahmedabad and later took over as Chairman, Space Academy News 733

Commission and Secretary, in fame” at Washington DC, US in 2013 and into the 1984. He was conferred DSc(hc) from over 25 “International Astronautical Federation Hall of Fame” universities in India and abroad. at Guadalajara, Mexico in 2016. He was a Vice President of International Astronautical Federation Professor Rao initiated research on X-ray and (1984-92), Chairman of UN Committee on Peaceful Gamma-ray high energy astronomy using balloon, Uses of Outer Space (1997-2000) and President of rocket and satellite borne payloads. He undertook UNISPACE-III Global Conference (1999). He is responsibility to establish satellite technology in India Fellow of several Indian Science and Engineering in 1972. The first Indian satellite ‘’ in 1975, Academies and International Academy of and over 18 other satellites including , Astronautics, Third World Academy of Sciences APPLE, , INSAT-1 and INSAT-2 series of (TWAS) and World Academy of Arts & Sciences. multipurpose satellites and IRS series of remote sensing satellites were designed, fabricated and Professor UR Rao was elected to the Fellowship launched under his guidance. The successful launch of the Indian National Science Academy in the year of INSAT series of satellites provided telecommuni- 1979. cation links to remote corners of India. As Chairman of Space Commission, he accelerated the Durga Prasad Roy development of rocket technology resulting in the Durga Prasad Roy (b 29 July successful launch of ASLV rocket in 1992 and the 1941; d 17 March 2017) operational PSLV launch vehicle in 1995. He initiated obtained his PhD in 1966 from development of the geostationary launch vehicle Tata Institute of Fundamental GSLV and development of cryogenic technology in Research (TIFR), Mumbai 1991. He aimed at utilization of vast benefits from specialising in particle space technology for development of India in the physics. He was a postdoctoral areas of ‘communication, broadcasting, education, Fellow at the University of management of national natural resources and disaster California, Riverside, USA; management’. He also published over 300 scientific CERN, Geneva and University of Toronto, Canada. and technical papers in various national and He then worked at the Rutherford Laboratory, UK international journals covering cosmic rays, (1970-74), and as Reader at Visva-Bharati University, interplanetary physics, high energy astrophysics, Santiniketan, (1974-76). Later, he joined space applications and satellite and rocket technology. TIFR as Reader in 1976 and superannuated as Senior Professor Rao received many national and Professor in 2006. He worked at the Homi Bhabha international awards. He was honoured with Padma Centre of Science Education (HBCSE), TIFR, as a Bhushan in 1976 and in 2017. He DAE Fellow until 2011, and then also won SS Bhatnagar Memorial Award, Hari Om continued working as an INSA Senior Scientist at Award, VASVIK Award, PC HBCSE. Mahalanobis Medal of INSA, Om Bhasin Award, Professor Roy made pioneering contributions Meghnad Saha Gold Medal, Aryabhata Award, in the wide area of particle and astroparticle physics. Jawaharlal Nehru Award, Gujar Mal Modi Award, He predicted and presented evidences for exotic Life-time Achievement Award of INAE and ISRO; meson (4-quark) and baryon (5-quark) states. The and AV Rama Rao Technology Award. He also signature for top quark search in terms of a hard received Group Achievement Award of NASA, Yuri isolated lepton and jets, suggested by him, has been Gagarin Medal, Allan D Emil Award, Frank J Malina widely used in the top quark search at the CERN and Award, Vikram Sarabhai Medal by COSPAR, Von Tevatron proton-antiproton colliders, leading to its Karman Award etc. He was the first Indian space discovery at the latter in 1995. He suggested a scientist to be inducted into the “Satellite Hall of promising signature for the charged Higgs boson 734 Academy News search in its tau lepton decay channel, using the Jubilee Research Professor (1985-90) and continued distinctive polarization prediction for tau. This is his association with the university as an honorary being currently used in the ongoing search for charged professor past his official retirement. He Higgs boson at the Tevatron as well as the Large superannuated in 1990 as the Head of the department Hadron Collider at CERN. Likewise, the missing and project coordinator for the Centre for Advanced transverse-momentum signature for Supersymmetric Study on Cell and Chromosome of the University. particles suggested by him, is being widely used in Professor Sharma carried out significant the ongoing collider searches for these particles. The researches in cytogenetics and cytochemistry and is years 2000-05 have been described as the Golden credited with developing new research techniques for Years of Solar Neutrino Physics, thanks to the three the study of chromosome structure of plants. He pioneering experiments. Through a series of globally propounded the concept of speciation in asexual acclaimed papers, his group has analysed these organisms. He developed new techniques for studying experimental data to finally provide a unique solution the physical and chemical nature of chromosomes, to the long standing solar neutrino puzzle in terms of adopted all over the world for plant, animal and neutrino oscillation with precise mass and mixing human systems, the latest technique being orcein angle. banding for repetitive DNA. He also contributed to Professor Roy received Meghnad Saha Award repeat DNA analysis as a measure of genetic diversity, by UGC and the S.N. Bose Medal of INSA. He was clarification of the chemical nature of plant active in the National Initiative in Undergraduate chromosomes through specially developed Science programme of HBCSE as a mentor and the techniques, inducing division in adult nuclei through Student’s Journal of Physics published by the Indian certain metabolic precursors for studying Association of Physics Teachers as member of its chromosomes in relation to differentiation, National Advisory Board. He was a Member of the reorientation of angiosperm taxonomy, a new concept Governing Council of the Institute of Physics, of dynamism of structure and behaviour of Bhubaneswar. He was elected Fellow of the Indian chromosomes in plant, animal and human systems. Academy of Sciences, Bangalore and the National He used embryo irradiation and in vitro culture for Academy of Sciences, Allahabad. generating variability, established the concept of dynamic DNA, and tissue culture as a means of Professor DP Roy was elected to the Fellowship conservation of endangered species. Sharma has of the Indian National Science Academy in the year shown that the chemical composition, specially 1993. proteins, of chromosomes varies during organogenesis, differentiation and reproduction, with the basic genetic skeleton being maintained. Arun Kumar Sharma (b 31 December 1924; d 06 July He has authored/co-authored several books 2017) obtained his DSc from including Chromosome Painting: Principles, the and Strategies and Scope; Chromosome Techniques: also received DSc (hc) from Theory and Practice, Chromosome Techniques – A the Banaras Hindu University, Manual, Botanical Survey of India, Plant Burdwan University and Chromosomes – Analysis, Manipulation and North Bengal University. After Engineering and wrote chapters in The Botanical a brief stint at Botanical Review (Springer), International Review of Cytology Survey of India (BSI), he moved to University of (Elsevier), Encyclopaedia of Microscopy & Kolkata where he spent his entire academic career. Microtechniques (Van Nostrand), The Cell Nucleus He served as a Lecturer, Reader, Professor, Sir & Tropical Botany (Academic Press), Biology Rashbehary Ghose Professor and as an INSA Golden International (Paris). Academy News 735

Professor Sharma was the founder of the Centre Professor Sharma received many awards for Advanced Study on Cell and Chromosomes and including the SS Bhatnagar Prize (1976), Jawaharlal contributed to the development of the Department of Nehru Fellowship (1972), Paul Bruhl Memorial Botany at the University of Kolkata into one of the Medal by the Asiatic Society (1972), Barbell Sahni finest centres of research. He has served as Chairman, Medal by the Indian Botanical Society (1974), First Indian National Committee of IUBS-INSA (1978-81), JC Bose Award by UGC (1976), Silver Jubilee Medal Man and Biosphere Committee, Department of by INSA (1976), UGC National Lecturership (1977), Environment (1981-89), FASAS Commission on FICCI Award (1979), Padma Bhushan (1983), Golden Science and Technology for Development in Asia Jubilee Professorship by INSA (1985-90), OP Bhasin (1990), Co-chairman, Global Continuing Committee Foundation Award in Biotechnology (1993), GM on Role of Scientific and Engineering Societies in Modi Award in Biotechnology (1994), MN Saha Development (AAAS-INSA-ISCA) (1980-90), Birla Medal by INSA (1998), VASVIK Award (2003) and Industrial and Technological Museum, Kolkata Rathindra Puraskar by Visva Bharati (2008). He was (1990-98), Plant Biotechnology Committee, DBT elected President of the Indian Science Congress (1997), Plant Science Research Committee, CSIR Association (1981), Indian Society of Cytologists and (1998-2004), Chairman, Steering Committee, Geneticists (1976-78), Botanical Society of Bengal National Bioresource Development Board (2000- (1977-79), Genetic Association of India, Society of todate) and Member, Executive Committee, IUBS, Cell Biology (1979-80), Indian Botanical Society Paris (1982-85), IUBS Steering Committee on (1980), Federation of Asian Scientific Academies and Biological Monitoring of the State of Environment Societies (1984-89) (Founder President); and Fellow (1983), and Board of Trustees, International of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, Foundation for Science, Stockholm (1984-87). He National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad, National served on the Governing bodies of CSIR and other Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi and research councils. He has been Chief Editor of the the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). journal The Nucleus and served on the Editorial Professor AK Sharma was elected to the boards of many journals including Proceedings of Fellowship of the Indian National Science Academy the Indian National Science Academy, Journal of in the year 1970 and served as President during 1983- Cytology and Genetics, Proceedings of the Indian 84. Academy of Sciences and Indian Journal of Experimental Biology. 736 Academy News

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Nomination for Election of Fellows The last date for receiving nominations for election of Fellows is October 16, 2017. Nominations received on or before October 16 will be included for consideration in the year 2018, while those received after October 16, 2017 will go for the year 2019. 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 2018. Nomination form can be downloaded from the INSA website www.insaindia.res.in

INSA Medal for Young Scientists - 2018 Nominations are invited for INSA Medal for Young Scientists – 2018. Those born on or after January 1, 1983 are eligible for consideration in the year 2018. The awardee shall receive a certificate, a bronze medal and cash award of Rs. 25000/-. Nominations may be proposed 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, 2017. Nomination proforma can be downloaded from the INSA 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 & INYAS members 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, INSA Teacher Awardees and INYAS members 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 737

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, 2017. For all other details and application form, visit the website www.insaindia.res.in or mail at [email protected]/[email protected]

Nomination for INSA Awards The last date for receiving nominations for the following INSA Awards due for the year 2018 is October 16, 2017: 1. Satyendranath Bose Medal (Physics) 2. Darashaw Nosherwanji Wadia Medal (Earth Sciences including Geography) 3. Golden Jubilee Commemoration Medal (Animal Sciences) 4. Vishwakarma Medal (Engineering & Technology) 5. Professor GN Ramachandran 60th Birthday Commemoration Medal (Biochemistry & Biophysics) 6. Professor Krishna Sahai Bilgrami Memorial Medal (Agricultural Sciences) 7. Professor Har Swarup Memorial Medal (for woman scientist in any branch of Science & Technology 8. Professor Subramania Ranganathan Memorial Medal (in any branch of Chemistry) 9. Dr Nitya Anand Endowment Lecture (Biomedical Research including New Drug Development) 10. Professor Vishnu Vasudeva Narlikar Memorial Lecture (Mathematics) 11. Professor Vishwa Nath Memorial Lecture (Biochemistry & Biophysics) Nomination form can be downloaded from the INSA website www.insaindia.res.in