ISSN 0409-7467

VOL 59 NO 1 15 JANUARY 2009

Prime Minister Dr gives away Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes for 2007 & 2008, CSIR Diamond Jubilee Technology Award for 2007 and CSIR Award for S&T Innovation for Rural Development for 2007 & 2008

Seen on the dais at the CSIR Award Presentation Function: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh (centre) , Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences and Vice President, CSIR, Shri Kapil Sibal (left ) and Director General, CSIR, Prof. Samir K. Brahmachari

Prime Minister of and President, CSIR, Dr Manmohan Singh, gave away Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes for 2007 & 2008. CSIR Diamond Jubilee Technology Award for 2007 and CSIR Award for S&T Innovation for Rural Development for 2007 & 20 08, at a glittering function held on 20 December 2008 in the Dr D.S. Kothari Auditorium, DRDO Bhawan, New . Attended by a galaxy of S&T personnel, the function was presided over by Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences and Vice President, CSIR. Prof Samir K. Brahmachari, Director General, CSIR, proposed a vote of thanks. We bring in this issue, speeches of Dr Manmohan Singh, Shri Kapil Sibal and Prof. Brahmachari on the occasion along with the citations of the prize-winners. 15 JANUARY 2009 1 CSIR Award Function

Speech of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh am very pleased to be here in laboratories.” Iyour midst today to give away the It is this energy and this Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes for enthusiasm of our scientists that we the years 2007 & 2008. I honour and celebrate each year on congratulate each one of the award such events. The creativity and winners. And I shall also like to innovation of our scientists are a congratulate their spouses because matter of great national pride for our this creative pursuit is a joint country. They have pushed the enterprise which is not often frontiers of scientific knowledge to recognized. This is the most enable us to strengthen our defence prestigious award for scientific capabilities; improve our healthcare excellence and is given to scientists and our agricultural economy; who are under 45 years of age. The extend the reach of our awards recognize past work but are communications and enable us to also an inspiration for the winners land on the moon. to achieve even greater successes in The Diamond Jubilee infectious diseases including the years to come. I sincerely hope Technology Award to Mahindra & adverse drug responses. Another that while we celebrate the Mahindra Ltd, symbolises the initiative that has immense achievements of these scientists, importance we attach to economic importance for our best is yet to come. commercialization of scientific and farmers is a path breaking scientific The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar technological research. The Rural discovery that enables mass awards are named after one of our Technology award given jointly to propagation of even asexually scientific pioneers and institution the National Research Centre on produced seeds. builders. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, Yak for improvement of sustainable I convey my warm appreciation along with Homi Bhaba, P.C. Yak husbandry practices in the to Shri Kapil Sibal, our dynamic Mahalanobis and Himalayan Region and to the Minister for Science & Technology among others created the scientific Nimbkar Agricultural Research and to Dr Samir Brahmachari, the infrastructure of our country. He Institute along with the National Director General, CSIR for these was a visionary and laid the Chemical Laboratory for genetic achievements. foundation of the great institution improvement of Deccani breed of Even as we applaud these that is today the Council of sheep recognizes the difference achievements, we have to address Scientific and Industrial Research, these innovations have made to the ourselves as a nation to the larger a pride of India. Pandit Jawaharlal livelihoods of the people in rural challenge before us. How can Nehru said about Shanti Swarup areas. My warm felicitations to science, industry and government Bhatnagar that: “Dr Bhatnagar was these award winners. work as one efficient and integrated a special combination of many I am happy that CSIR has machine to deliver to the people the things, added to which was a undertaken a number of important benefits of these scientific and tremendous energy with an initiatives over the past few years. technological advances? enthusiasm to achieve things. The We are the first country that has This is an area where countries result was he left a record of successfully mapped the entire such as China and Japan have achievement which was truly genetic diversity of its population. scored over us. Unless we apply remarkable. I can truly say that but This will lead to the identification ourselves to this task, the powerful for Dr Bhatnagar you could not have of populations that are genetically scientific tools of social and seen today the chain of national at risk of various complex and economic change will remain

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confined to our laboratories and to interventions to neutralize weapons Our budgetary support to the our institutions. Our scientists, I of terror and mass destruction. I Ministry of Science & Technology suggest, should work to connect believe that investment in security during the XIth Five Year Plan is science to the daily lives of millions technologies is vital if our security three times higher than during the of our people. S&T based systems are to keep pace with the Xth plan. I hope that our scientific entrepreneurships and innovation increasing sophistication of departments will make judicious in industry should be encouraged at international terrorism and crime. use of these enhanced allocations all levels. And government should This is also a time when the based on a new vision, a new work create a favourable enabling world is confronted with potentially culture and a renewed focus on environment for this to take place. devastating climatic changes. It is scientific solutions that impact on Public-private partnerships also a time when the world is faced the lives of the common man. should be used to commercialize with a growing economic recession. I recognize that if our scientific the technologies emerging from But with adversity comes institutions of higher learning and R&D programmes being funded by opportunity. We can use the research laboratories are to flourish, various science departments. We ingenuity and inventiveness of they require high quality manpower should focus more on linking the lab science to find ways to ‘leapfrog’ to particularly at entry levels. We have with the market. future technologies, which are made strenuous efforts in this I urge CSIR to take the lead in affordable and also sustainable. We regard, which I hope will show this regard and define new can use some part of the public visible results in the years to come. strategies for translating cutting investment, which we will spend to We cannot be satisfied becoming a edge science and technology into stimulate our economies, in these back office for providing Research globally competitive enterprises. To new technologies that will help & Development solutions for begin with, let CSIR work to build sustainable pathways to multinational companies. commercially exploit its vast development. I am very happy that the knowledge base, currently We have proposed the creation scientific departments are making embodied in more than 3000 or so of a National Mission on Strategic their own efforts to create a talent patents held nationally and globally. Knowledge for Climate Change as pool from which our scientific The role of technology in part of the National Action Plan on establishment can draw upon. In supporting our counter terrorism Climate Change. I understand that this regard, the STIO initiative of and internal security efforts is I the Ministry of Science and CSIR, the INSPIRE programme of believe not adequately appreciated. Technology is currently putting the Department of Science & Other countries have used modern together a plan that will provide us Technology and Welcome Trust science and technology in their the framework for research and Fellowship programme of the security structures with great effect. investigation in this area. I think Department of Biotechnology are It acts not only as a force multiplier public policy should increasingly worthy of mention. but can also provide solutions to adopt strategic approaches based With these words, I once again human problems relating to on science. congratulate the award winners and command, coordination and Our government has worked wish them many many years of communication. hard for the rejuvenation of the S&T stimulating and productive research Some of the areas where greater establishment in our country, career in the service of the country work is required are surveillance including through a huge expansion and in the service of humanity at systems, cryptography, near real of the learning infrastructure. This large. Their intellectual drive and time search and identification from is a very important national priority brilliance give us hope and distributed large data bases and and we will spare no resource to confidence that Indian science can computer simulation exercises to ensure that we realize the huge devise effective solutions for the enhance our crisis tactics and potential of our Science & many problems that confront our responses. We should use scientific Technology capability. country and indeed the world.

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Welcome address by Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of S&T and ES t is indeed an honour for me to onerous responsibility on you to Iwelcome Dr Manmohan Singhji, build further on what you have done this morning and achieve higher successes and be to this CSIR Awards function to do the role models for our budding the honours. My hearty welcome to scientists. all the awardees, their friends and At this juncture, I would like to associates and the galaxy of raise a question as to whether Nobel luminaries from the S&T community Prize winning discoveries, that I see in front of me. A special commonly understood to be welcome to my friends from the associated with fundamental media who are doing their best to knowledge, like Raman Effect, are spread the message of science and outside the realm of patents. scientists to the nation. Consider the example of Prof Alan Sir, today is an occasion to salute Heeger of the University of resonance imaging (MRI). They hold our achievers, our future ‘Navratnas’ California, one of three researchers some 30 patents related to MRI and celebrate the triumph of science who shared the Nobel Prize in technology. Similar is the case of and technology. At the outset, my Chemistry for the year 2000 for the Prof Stanley B Prusiner of the heartiest congratulations to the discovery and development of University of California, who was Bhatnagar Prize awardees as this is conductive polymers. He has to his awarded the 1997 Nobel Prize in surely regarded as India’s Nobel credit more than 150 patents. Then Physiology for his discovery of a new Prize. Today my friends you have take the case of Dr Paul Lauterbur biological principle of infection joined the elite club of around 500 and Sir Peter Mansfield, recipients caused by a new type of infectious Bhatnagar Laureates. My dear of the 2003 Nobel Prize in Medicine agent called ‘prion’. He has several friends, this recognition imposes an for their work on magnetic patents to his credit for the discovery. I thus would like to tell my Bhatnagar awardee and other scientist friends gathered here that in the process of arriving at a conclusive research, basic or otherwise, there would definitely be intermediate findings, big or small, which may be inventive and novel in themselves to qualify for grant of patents and they may also have commercial value in their own way. Thus, you as scientists and researchers, must be alert to spot such inventions and seek intellectual property rights for these. To encourage and motivate our research community to be IPR conscious, we in the government

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have just introduced in this session rickshaws plying in the country and comfort and safety has in fact of Parliament the Protection and provide an ecofriendly mode of increased globally as well as in Utilisation of Public Intellectual transport for middle class clientele India. A new social contract of Property Bill. It will provide our to use in congested areas and for science with society, especially in scientists and researchers an neighbourhood trips – undoubtedly India is called for, with the intent incentive and means to protect their a small step in reducing our carbon and determination to address and inventions and also enable them to footprint. solve these unbearable problems. I have a share in the monies realized My congratulations also to feel this can be done by the by the transfer and Mahindra & Mahindra for being collaborative effort and partnership commercialization of their awarded the CSIR Diamond Jubilee of the scientists and the users/ researches. Sir, I am confident that Award for Technology for their SUV beneficiaries of research. I would we will see many more patents Car – the Scorpio. The company thus like to plead with my scientist emanating from our scientists in the through out-of-box approach has friends to develop more community next few years. reduced the time and cost of based research projects which allow Sir, I am pleased to see that the development and engineering by the direct users/beneficiaries to CSIR Award for S&T Innovation for involving major suppliers in this influence the choice of problems and Rural Development is being endeavour. Their success provides technology. This collaborative effort awarded to two institutes this year learning to us in the scientific would lead to better cost-benefit for introducing improvements in community of the need and value of analysis, so necessary for on the- animal breeding practices for the networking and alliancing. Often ground decision making and yak and the sheep. Sir, it is truly times, finding a solution to a problem acceptance and ownership of the amazing to see such high level is beyond the intellectual and even research outputs. Science and science being applied to impact the financial capacity of an organization technology would then directly be lives and livelihood of the people at or a firm however big and well able to help our brethren to live their the very bottom of the pyramid. I endowed it may be. We need not feel life with greater dignity and comfort. feel it is such a relevant science and squeamish about networking and Sir, to conclude, I would like to technology problem and issue that partnering with others to build thank you and the government for our scientists should be addressing. meaningful strategic relationships. the un-flinching support to science In this regard, I must The emergence of USA as the and technology that you have congratulate the CSIR for mounting epicenter of innovation has been accorded over the past five years. the Project 800 – to address the basically due to the ability of their This is evidenced by the fact that needs of 800 million of our brethren industry and research community in the Plan budget allocation for the who need our help the most. As an forging such relationships. My two Ministries that you have example of CSIR’s endeavour in this humble plea to the industry friends entrusted me have nearly regard, Sir, along with the Chief is to come forward and forge quadrupled in the Eleventh Five Minister of Delhi, I had the privilege relationships with our researchers Year Plan. Sir, given the faith that of launching a Soleckshaw, the in the universities and research you repose in the scientific motorized, solar powered, institutions. We in the Ministry are community, we resolve and commit ergonomically designed and committed to support any such to contribute our little mite to engineered version of the ubiquitous endeavour. position India as formidable player cycle rickshaw on Gandhi Jayanti Sir, I am also convinced that in the comity of nations. day, this year. Designed and despite the remarkable progress of Respected Pradhan Mantriji, a engineered by CSIR, we hope that science and achievements of our very warm welcome to you and all Soleckshaw will replace at least a technologists, the asymmetry in the my friends gathered here today. fraction of the eight million cycle distribution of wealth, health, Thank you.

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Vote of Thanks by Prof. S.K. Brahmachari

on’ble Prime Minister Dr the faith that you have HManmohan Singh; Hon’ble demonstrated in the Minister Shri Kapil Sibal; the capability of CSIR. Your Awardees and their justifiably proud message that CSIR families; all the members of my should forge ahead CSIR family; young students of boldly with its science; distinguished audience and programmes: that it Members of the Press: apply the great prowess It is my proud privilege to of science to meet the represent all of CSIR as I stand here basic human needs of today to honour those whose our people; generate contribution to science has made research scientists in the nation proud and to thank all of cross-disciplinary you whose efforts have made this sunrise areas of S&T; function, a truly grand success. build up competence, Our beloved Prime Minister, Sir, capability and we profoundly thank you for keeping technology options in the emerging up the long- standing tradition, as a areas and partner with Indian and to set very high standards is head of CSIR family, of giving away industry to enable it to compete reflected in the fact that there are the prestigious Shanti Swarup globally, has become our guiding no Awards in this category for 2008. Bhatnagar Prizes, which symbolize principles.You have charmed us In paying tribute to the winners excellence in science. I am sure all with your warmth and wit, and we of CSIR Awards for S&T Innovations the awardees, who received prizes are really thankful to you for being for Rural Developments, I am from your hand today, will with us today. Your presence has reminded of the words of Mahatma remember this day for ever. We are added grandeur to today’s function. Gandhi who said: “Just as some of also grateful to you for giving away Only one who has received the the experiments in your laboratories the CSIR Diamond Jubilee prestigious Shanti Swarup go on for all the twenty-four hours, Technology Award, which Bhatnagar Prize can really let the big corner in your heart represents a new era where Indian appreciate the thrill of walking up remain perpetually warm for the Technology will dominate the Global to the podium to receive the Award benefit of the poor millions.” I also market. from the hands of the Prime congratulate all the four institutions Sir, the CSIR Awards for S&T Minister even as the nation applauds that won the CSIR Awards for S&T Innovations for Rural Developments the achievement. While I salute all Innovations for Rural Developments. are testimonials to our commitment you young achievers, I would like to An event like this cannot be to the cause. I am especially proud thank your parents, spouses and hosted without the untiring efforts that along with the National colleagues who stood by you during of many. The Human Resource Research Centre on Yak, three of our the long hours of work. Development Group of CSIR works CSIR laboratories have been My congratulations to Mahindra tirelessly for this function every year. chosen, after a nation-wide and Mahindra for winning the CSIR To them, and all scientists, staff and competition, to receive the Award Diamond Jubilee Technology Award workers of CSIR, and above all, to from your hands. for 2007. CSIR’s continued DRDO for providing us with this Hon’ble Kapil Sibal ji, CSIR is commitment to recognize and beautiful venue; my most heartfelt indeed deeply indebted to you for honour outstanding Industrial R&D thanks.

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Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes nstituted in 1957, the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes are the most coveted S&T Prizes in the country. IThese prizes are awarded annually for notable and outstanding research, applied or fundamental, in (1) Biological, (2) Chemical, (3) Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary, (4) Engineering, (5) Mathematical, (6) Medical and (7) Physical Sciences. Any citizen of India engaged in research in any field of Science and Technology, who is not more than 45 years old on 31 December of the year preceding the year of the Prize, is eligible. He/she should have made, in the opinion of CSIR, conspicuously important and outstanding contribution to human knowledge and progress – fundamental or applied- in the particular field of endeavour, which is his/her specialization. The prize is awarded on the basis of contributions made through work done primarily in India during the five years preceding the year of the prize. From the award year 2008 onwards the SSB Prize money has been enhanced from Rs 200,000, to Rs 500,000 per awardee. Also, a special grant honorarium of Rs 15,000 p.m. will be awarded to all awardees currently serving in public funded organizations. In addition, each prizewinner is presented a citation and a plaque.

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize-winners for 2007: Citations

Biological Sciences Dr Narayanaswamy Srinivasan, similar proteins sharing structural Dr Upinder Singh Bhalla, Indian Institute of Science, and functional features. National Centre for Biological Bangalore: Dr Srinivasan has made Sciences, Bangalore: Dr Bhalla has outstanding contributions to the Chemical Sciences made outstanding contributions in area of computational genomics, Dr Amalendu Chandra, Indian computational and experimental protein structure analysis, modeling Institute of Technology, Kanpur: Dr approaches to understanding and computational studies on Chandra has made pioneering neuronal and synaptic signaling in proteins that are involved in cellular contributions to microscopic theories memory and in coding of olfactory signal transduction pathways. His and simulations of liquids, interface and information. studies at the whole genome level clusters, leading to definitive predictions And have helped to identify remotely borne out by experimentation.

The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize-winners for 2007 with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Shri Kapil Sibal and CSIR Director General Prof. S.K. Brahmachari

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And made original contributions to the Science, Bangalore: Dr Rangarajan Dr A. Ajayaghosh, National understanding of instabilities in has made outstanding contributions Institute for Interdisciplinary shear and non-parallel flows, flow towards understanding gene Science and Technology, entrainment, turbulent transition expression changes induced by Thiruvananthapuram: Dr Ajayaghosh and small-scale hydraulic jumps. neurotropic viruses as well as DNA has made significant contributions to And vaccine development. supramolecular assemblies and light Dr Budaraju Srinivasa Murty, induced sensor systems. Indian Institute of Technology Physical Sciences Madras, Chennai: Dr Murty has Dr , National Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean & made original contributions to Centre for Radio Astrophysics, Planetary Sciences synthesizing nano materials by Pune: Dr Gupta has made novel Dr Anil Bhardwaj, Vikram mechanical alloying and to the observations of leading to Sarabhai Space Centre, synthesis and nanocrystallization of new interpretation of these Thiruvananthapuram: Dr bulk metallic glasses. enigmatic objects. He has made a Bhardwaj has made fundamental vital contribution to the highly contributions and creative ideas to Mathematical Sciences complex digital correlation system elucidate X-Ray emissions from Dr B. V. Rajarama Bhat, Indian of Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope planetary bodies including auroras Statistical Institute, Bangalore: Dr (GMRT) near Pune. and advancing its subsequent Bhat has made outstanding And enrichment and futuristic potential contributions to quantum stochastic Dr , Harish- by attracting international calculus, minimal dilations of Chandra Research Institute, collaboration. quantum dynamical semi groups, Allahabad: Dr Majumdar has made theory of product systems and outstanding contributions to the Engineering Sciences E o–semi groups. area of strongly correlated systems Dr Rama Govindarajan, in the presence of disorder, leading Centre for Medical Sciences to definitive understanding of metal- Advanced Scientific Research, Dr Pundi Narasimhan insulator transition, nanoscale Bangalore: Dr Govindarajan has Rangarajan, Indian Institute of texture formation and colossal response driven by external fields.

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize-winners for 2008: Citations

Biological Sciences made outstanding contributions to of molecular and nanoscale Dr Gajendra Pal Singh the understanding of appendage materials, with special focus on Raghava, Institute of Microbial development in animals. His studies metal nanoparticles. Technology, Chandigarh: Dr on the underlying molecular And Raghava has contributed pathways have important Dr Jarugu Narasimha Moorthy, significantly to the field of implications in deciphering growth Indian Institute of Technology, bioinformatics, particularly in the control and cancer. Kanpur: Dr Moorthy has made searching of potential drug and significant contributions to physical vaccine targets. Chemical Sciences organic chemistry towards And Dr Pradeep Thalappil, Indian understanding the photoreactivity Dr L. S. Shashidhara, Centre Institute of Technology, Madras, and organization of organic for Cellular & Molecular Biology, Chennai: Dr Thalappil has made molecules. Hyderabad: Dr Shashidhara has significant contributions to the area

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Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and theory of lower bounds in general, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Pune: Planetary Sciences and to quantum information theory Dr Srianand made outstanding Dr P. N. Vinayachandran, Indian and communication complexity in contributions in obtaining Institute of Science, Bangalore: Dr particular. information on redshift evolution on Vinayachandran has made the cosmic microwave background outstanding contributions to the Medical Sciences radiation and establishing bounds on physical oceanography of the Indian Dr Ravinder Goswami, All the variation of fundamental Ocean and its role in air-sea India Institute of Medical Sciences, constants using the absorption line interaction and biological processes. : Dr Ravinder Goswami spectra of quasars. is recognized for his significant And Engineering Sciences contributions to the field of clinical Dr , Jawaharlal Dr Ranjan Kumar Mallik, endocrinology with particular Nehru Centre for Advanced Indian Institute of Technology, New reference to hypocalcaemic Scientific Research, Bangalore: Dr Delhi: Dr Mallik has made seminal disorders. His research work has Sastry’s work has had an impact on contributions to the performance documented the prevalence, the theoretical understanding of analysis of multiple-input multi- significance and causes of vitamin glass-forming liquids and conditions output systems, characterization of D deficiency in apparently healthy under which materials end up in fading channel statistics, and error individuals for the first time in India. structurally arrested states. His analysis under correlated fading His work on sporadic idiopathic work on glass forming ability of conditions. hypoparathyroidism has provided materials has led to the valuable information on the experimental breakthrough of Mathematical Sciences etiopathogenesis and clinical feature making a monoatomic metallic glass Dr Jaikumar Radhakrishnan, of this disorder as seen in our country. by vitrifying germanium. He has Tata Institute of Fundamental established a novel liquid-liquid Research, Mumbai: Dr Physical Sciences transition in supercooled silicon and Radhakrishnan has made Dr , shown it to be a metal to nonmetal fundamental contributions to the Inter-University Centre for transition.

The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize-winners for 2008 with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Shri Kapil Sibal and CSIR Director General Prof. S.K. Brahmachari

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CSIR Diamond Jubilee Technology Award for 2007 awarded to Mahindra and Mahindra Limited

he CSIR Diamond Jubilee TTechnology Award, given annually, was instituted in commemoration of CSIR Diamond Jubilee in 2003. It is given for technological development in the country by Indian innovators and which meets the highest global standards. The award carries a cash prize of Rs ten lakh, a shield and a citation. The CSIR Diamond Jubilee Technology Award 2007 was awarded to Mahindra and Mahindra Limited. The Company has won the award for development and commercialization of Scorpio.

Citation Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, presenting the CSIR Diamond Jubilee Technology Award for 2007 to Dr Pawan Goenka, President, Automotive Sector, Mahindra and Mahindra Limited, Mahindra and Mahindra for ‘Development and Commercialization of ‘Scorpio’ Limited, has been conferred with the CSIR Diamond Jubilee vehicle handling on all terrains, performance, and fuel efficiency. Technology Award 2007 for including in-city and out-of-city The original Scorpio vehicle ‘Development and driving. To accommodate for drivers transformed the image of an SUV Commercialization of Scorpio’. of different sizes, Mahindra & vehicle in India. From a utilitarian The Scorpio ‘W’ is a new and Mahindra introduced the tilt adjust workhorse, to a lifestyle statement, improved version of Mahindra’s steering wheel, which allows the SUV in India has come a long state-of-the-art flagship vehicle, the everyone equal comfort behind the way since the original Scorpio Scorpio. Forty-three incredible new wheel. The Sliding Middle-row launch. Loads of attractive styling features separate this vehicle from Seats for better space utilization and details make owning a its earlier predecessors. It exhibits without increasing the size of Scorpio’W’ vehicle a true pleasure improved drive, performance, vehicle, allows the passengers to and lifestyle addition. handling, and styling. Each feature utilize the space as per their need, With the development of of the vehicle has been designed as per customer’s convenience, offering the utmost solution in ‘Scorpio’, Mahindra and Mahindra ensuring superior customer passenger convenience. The has joined a handful of companies, satisfaction. Scorpio’W’ vehicle also has a CRDe who have designed and produced The new and improved engine, the first vehicle of its kind world class vehicles, thus enabling Scorpio ‘W’ has multi-link rear in India to utilize this cutting-edge the company to move into suspension, which significantly technology. It offers an unmatched International league of automobile improves passenger comfort and combination of smoothness, manufacturers.

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CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development

he CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development (CAIRD) was instituted in 2006 to recognize Tthose S&T innovations that have helped transform the lives of rural people or alleviated the drudgery of the rural people or have helped in generation of employment. Only successful S&T innovations that have been implemented at ground level are considered for the award. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, a shield and a citation.

CAIRD 2007

CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development (CAIRD) for the year 2007 has been conferred jointly on National Research Centre on Yak (NRC-Yak), Dirang for “Improvement of Sustainable Yak Husbandry Practices in Himalayan Region” and Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), Phaltan alongwith National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune, for “Use of the FecB (Booroola) gene in Deccani breed of Recipients of the CAIRD-2007 — Dr Mohan Bhattacharya and Dr Mihir Sarkar of NRC-Yak; sheep, to increase lamb production Dr (Ms) Chanda Nimbkar of NARI; and Dr (Ms) Vidya Shrikant Gupta of NCL with and thereby the incomes of Shepherds”. Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Shri Kapil Sibal and CSIR Director General Prof. S.K. Brahmachari NRC-Yak has successfully standardized the protocol for super ovulation, embryo recovery and communities in Yak inhabited states This increase is high enough to bring transfer in yak. This unique effort are getting benefited tremendously about a substantial increase in the has enabled stabilization of the from this research effort as they get shepherd’s income. It is thus dwindling Yak population in the more produce and services by transforming the rural shepherds states of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, rearing the yak. economy. Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & NARI in collaboration with It is intently hoped that this Kashmir. The age for attaining NCL has successfully introduced award to NRC-Yak and NARI puberty has also decreased, as a FecB gene in Deccani sheep to alongwith NCL will inspire all those result yaks are now producing one enhance lamb production. A new engaged in the profession and calf/year instead of earlier record of strain of Deccani sheep with higher business of innovation in the country 1 calf/3 years. Further, the Centre productivity called ’NARI Suwarna’ to find S&T inputs & solution to has produced the first ever female has thus been developed. The FecB enable rural development and help yak calf ’MISMO’ through embryo gene carrier ewes produce twin in economic development of out transfer technology. The rural lambs at every alternate lambing. rural brethren.

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CAIRD 2008

CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development (CAIRD) for the year 2008 has been conferred jointly on Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI), Bhavnagar, for ‘Innovations in the area of Salt for Rural Development’ and Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow, for ‘Biovillage strategy for Agri-business of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants.’ CSMCRI has developed various processes for the recovery of high purity salt by rural salt producers. The processes for removal of impurities through heap washing and desulphatation utilizing distiller waste liquor of soda ash plants are unique and helped in mitigating disposal problem. These processes enabled rural salt producers to produce salt of purity > 99.5% and whiteness index of 87-91. Rural salt producers of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Orissa have greatly benefited from this innovation and enhanced their income by many folds. CIMAP has strategically operationalized ‘Biovillage Concept’ for developing and disseminating technologies aimed at sustainable production and commercialization of medicinal and aromatic plants Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh presenting CAIRD 2008 to Dr Pushpito K. Ghosh and (MAPs) in rural areas. The institute Dr V.P. Mohandas of CSMCRI (top); and Dr P.S. Ahuja and Dr A.K. Singh of CIMAP (above). has backed the concept by Shri Kapil Sibal and Prof. S.K. Brahmachari are also seen in the photograph developing several new cultivars of mint, artemisia, geranium, patchouli distillation waste, farm waste, weed award to CSMCRI and CIMAP will and khus suiting to diverse agro- waste etc. has been integrated to inspire all those engaged in the climates. CIMAP has also facilitated generate biofertilizer, a value added profession and business of linkages between farmers and product. Thus, the complete solution innovation in the country to find S&T industry for necessary buy back of has helped in economic upliftment inputs & solution to enable rural the produce. Further, a dependable of farmers in a big way. development and help in economic complete package for managing It is intently hoped that this development of our rural brethren.

12 CSIR NEWS MoUs/Conferences

GGSIU grants Approved Research Centre Status to NPL he Guru Govind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi, has accorded the status of an Approved Research TCentre to National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New Delhi. This will enable scientists NPL to be recog- nized as independent research supervisors and guide research students for the award of Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in all the approved schools of the university. This will provide a much needed fillip to the ongoing research activity at NPL by obviating the inconvenience of identifying a research supervisor in another univer- sity/institute for award of degrees. Currently seventy students are pursuing their research at the laboratory for the doctorate degree.

National Conference on Composites he Indian Society for Advancement of Materials The participation of many R & D organizations such Tand Processing Engineering’s (ISAMPE’s) two-day as ISRO, DRDO, HAL, AeSI, IITs, IISc, private sector National Conference on Composites (INCCOM 7), industry, including corporate like M/s Kemrock and the concluded on 5 December 2008. The conference was a Tata Matrix, in the Industry-Meet held on the joint effort of the Bangalore Chapter of the ISAMPE, Inaugural-Evening, added a new dimension to this and the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), INCCOM 7. Intensive presentations, deliberations and Bangalore, adding to its Golden Jubilee Celebration close interactions between all the participants reflected spirit. It marked creation of a unique platform in the urge of the R & D and the industry to come together bringing together the R & D, academia, and industry, to work towards the ”Cause of Composites”, both for fulfilling the core objective of ISAMPE to forge a strong their current and futuristic growth, in a very rapidly linkage between the technology-providers and its changing global environment. This meet saw an propagators, through this annual feature, viz. the expression of immense satisfaction and interest from INCCOM. Over 60 presentations in the form of plenary the indusry-Czars, turning into a cynosure of all those lectures, invited talks and contributed papers, clearly who attended the conference. The constructive remarks demonstrated an up beat mood of the Composite’s by Shri Mahendra Patel, Shri C. R. Satya, and Dr R. Community that converged during 4, 5 December 2008, Gopalan formed useful feedbacks from the industry side. at Dr S. R. Valluri’s Auditorium in the NAL campus. The topics of the conference covered fundamental The august presence of former Directors of NAL, past aspects of synthesis and characterization of composite Presidents of the ISAMPE, and several distinguished formulations, design and analysis and the practical guests and invitees, and corporate VIPs enhanced the engineering tips on emerging cost-effective fabrication importance of this conference. processes, relevant to the aerospace, non-aerospace and While the inaugural address on “Composites for the spin-off technology products. A special session on “Nano Space”, by the Chief Guest Dr S. K. Shivakumar, Composites” had distinctly connected this conference Director, ISTRACT (ISRO), was the booster, the Key to future of composites. Cutting across disciplines, Note Lecture of Dr Tessy Thomas, Project Director, scientists, engineers and industrialists, not to ignore AGNI, on ”Aerospace Composites” set the pace to the the youngsters including the budding students, the event conference. The presidential address of Dr A.R. resembling more like a “community celebration” rather Upadhya, Director, NAL, outlining the importance of than a “routine-conference”. the “high-end and high-volume applications” of The conference set two agenda as a follow up to composites and likening the “Future of Mankind” to the the INCCOM 7: INCCOM 8, will be organized by the “Future of Composites”, provided the silver lining to ISAMPE – Thiruvananthapuram Chapter in Nov/Dec this Golden Jubilee ingredient. Shri T. M. Naidu, 2009, and the composite industry will by itself organize President, ISAMPE, Dr R. M. V. G. K Rao, Chairman an Industry-Meet, where the R & D will participate. of Bangalore Chapter and the INCCOM 7 Organising Mr D. Saji, the Conference Convener, proposed a Committee, gave introductory remarks. vote of thanks.

15 JANUARY 2009 13 Workshops

Group Monitoring Workshop of DST Project Advisory Committee at NEIST

he North East Dr Ram T Institute of Science Vishwakarma, member & Technology (NEIST), DST-PAC and Vice Jorhat, hosted the Group President, Nicholas Monitoring Workshop Piramal, in his vivid and (GMW) of the elaborative lecture on Department of Science & “Post Translational Technology (DST) – Modification of Proteins Project Advisory and Opportunities for Committee in Organic Organic Chemistry & Chemistry during 13-14 Drug Discovery”, November 2008. The informed that there is no two-day workshop was other better perspective organized in a bid to of science than Organic attract young researchers Prof. Javed Iqbal, Chairman, DST-PAC, addressing the DST-PAC cum GMW Chemistry for drug of the NE region for meeting in the area of organic chemistry held at NEIST. Seen on the dais discovery. He explained understanding projects (from left) are : Dr P.G.Rao, Director, NEIST; Dr R. Brakaspathy, Advisor, DST; how small molecules of on innovative research in Dr R.C. Baruah, Scientist proteins play important the above field with role in drug discovery. financial grants to be extended by the venue and expressed that the The post- translational changes DST, . workshop was a great opportunity include editing, splicing, The workshop was attended by for the researchers. He mentioned glycosylation acetylation, Prof. Javed Iqbal, Chairman, DST- the research activities of NEIST in methylation, coconformation PAC; Dr P.G.Rao, Director, NEIST; Chemical Sciences, specially in isomers along with sulfation, Dr R. Brakaspathy, Advisor, DST; Organic Chemistry, and various alkylation, premylation, Dr Ram Vishwakarma, member, technologies and drug molecules ubiquitination, O-glycosylation, P- DST-PAC; DST-PAC members from like caffeine, chloroquine glycosylation, etc. and the three BHU, NIIST, IIT-Madras, IIT- phosphate, etc., that have been major post-translational modifica- Roorkee, IIT-Kharagpur, IIT-Delhi, successfully commercialized. He tions of proteins viz., addition, NIPER—Mohali and Shivaji also mentioned about the cleavage and internal cofactor. He University, scientists, teachers, collaboration/MoUs which NEIST also mentioned the role of protein young researchers from nearby has entered into with various kinases, kinase inhibitors and lipid colleges, universities and the universities of NE in Chemical kinases as drug targets. More than scientific community of NEIST. Sciences and Biosciences. Later, 200 known covalent modifications of Dr Javed Iqbal lauded the high Dr Iqbal informed the young proteins are present in human quality research being carried out researchers about the various biology and natural products have at NEIST and mentioned that the schemes of DST and advised them immense opportunity for novel aim and objective of DST-PAC is to to pursue research career in the targets in organic chemistry and make scientists of the country aware country instead of going abroad. He drug discovery, he added. about the new happenings in R&D. specially mentioned about the Dr Vishwakarma also answered Dr Rao thanked the DST schemes of DST for married women the questions raised by researchers authorities for choosing NEIST as scientists. and scientists present.

14 CSIR NEWS Meetings/Visits

MoEF Expert Group Meeting at NEIST he North East Institute of Expressing his T Science & Technology (NEIST), gratitude to Jorhat, hosted the 13th Meeting of NEIST Director, the Expert Group of Ministry of Prof Dhar Environment & Forest (MoEF), praised the Government of India, during 20-21 remarkable November 2008 to discuss the issues leadership of Dr pertaining to ‘Prevention, Rao and the high Abatement & Control of Pollution’. quality applied The meeting was attended by research on eminent scientists namely Prof. B.B. environmental Dhar, Chairman, expert group aspects being Prof. B.B. Dhar, Chairman, Expert Group, MoEF, releasing the draft MoEF; Dr Asoke Bhatia, Director carried out book on ‘NEIST activities for environmental protection and restoration’ (RE), Member Secretary, MoEF under his on the occasion of 13th meeting of MoEF held at NEIST. and members namely Prof S.N. Gaur, leadership. He Dr P.G. Rao, Director, NEIST and Dr Asoke Bhatia, Director (RE) Prof. Avinash Tiwari, Prof. exhorted the are also seen in the photograph Mahadevaswamy, Dr B.R. Reddy scientists to submit more projects projects were freshly submitted for and Dr Harendra Kharadwal, RO, to MoEF. In the sessions that financial grants. The expert MoEF. Dr P.G. Rao, Director, followed, presentations of four committee evaluated the projects NEIST, and scientists of NEIST and completed and four ongoing projects and gave suggestions for various other institutes handling were made by various scientists of improvement in the completed projects of MoEF were also present. NE region for review. Apart from a projects and also for improving the Shri B.P. Barua, Scientist, NEIST total of 10 sanctioned projects of progress of research of the ongoing and Coordinator, Organizing MoEF on NE region, three new projects. Committee, welcomed the distinguished gathering. Chinese Delegation visits CSIO Dr Rao, briefly presented the environment related activities of Chinese delegation visited the Central Scientific Instruments NEIST on petroleum, oil fields, coal AOrganisation (CSIO), Chandigarh, on 15 September 2008 to take an mining, geosciences, biotechnology, overview of the Scientific Instrumentation development programmes at plant science and ecology, advanced CSIO and get a general understanding of management of scientific materials, risk and hazard analysis, equipment and the sharing of instrumentation among the institutes. The other processes and technologies delegation comprised Dr Wang Qiming, Counsellor, Mr Cao Jianru, First developed for pollution abatement, Secretary, and Mr Qin Hongming, Second Secretary in the Science Office, through a slide show. He also Chinese Embassy. introduced the NEIST scientists The delegation was welcomed by Shri A.K. Dimri, Acting Director who received award on and was acquainted with the various R&D activities of the organization. environmental research, to the The delegates interacted with the DU Incharges during which the expert group. possibility of co-operation with Chinese research institutes was deplored. Speaking on the occasion, Prof Also, the delegation was taken round the FBG facility and the ISTC Dhar lauded the NEIST activities. where they interacted with the scientists and technicians. He released a draft book on ‘NEIST At the end it emerged that being neighbouring countries and with activities for environmental similar climatic and cultural conditions, there was wide scope for protection and restoration’. research cooperation among the Chinese R&D institutes including universities and CSIO in the area of instrumentation.

15 JANUARY 2009 15 Honours & Awards

Prof. Alok Dhawan of IITR Dr elected bags NASI Toxicology Award Fellow of INAE

rof. Alok Dhawan, r Vikram Kumar, Direc- P Scientist, Indian Dtor, National Physical Institute of Toxicology Laboratory, New Delhi, has Research (IITR), Lucknow, been elected a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of has been given the prestigious Engineering (INAE) at its recent ‘Lecture Award in the field of meeting of its Council, in Toxicology’ by The National recognition of his distinguished Academy of Sciences (NASI), contributions to “Engineering”. India, for the year 2008. The award carries a Gold Medal Citation and Rs 10,000 cash prize. Prof. Dhawan has been given this award in Dr P. Banerjee elected recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Chairman of Commission A on field of toxicology, in particular to the area of biomonitoring human genotoxicity. Electromagnetic He delivered the Award lecture on ‘Multipronged Metrology of URSI approach in toxicology: A new paradigm’ during the Annual meeting of the Society of Toxicology (India) r P. Banerjee, Scien- held at Ludhiana. Dtist G and Head, Prof. Dhawan has won several other awards Electrical & Electronic including the INSA Young Scientist Medal in 1994, Standards, National Physical CSIR Young Scientist Award in 1999 and the Laboratory, New Delhi, has Shakuntala Amir Chand Prize of ICMR in 2002. His been elected Chairman of work has won him international accolades as well — Commission A on Electromagnetic Metrology of recently he was awarded an Indo-UK project under URSI. the prestigious UK-IERI programme. It is for the first time that Prof. Dhawan is currently working on the Chairman of Electromagnetic Metrology has been nanomaterial toxicology for which he has established elected from NPL, India since the inception of URSI the facilities in the institute. To predict the toxicity in 1919. This recognition was conferred on him during of chemicals at an early stage and to reduce the use the XXIX General Assembly of the International Union of animals in toxicology Prof. Dhawan has used in of Radio Science (Union Radio Scientifique silico toxicology efficiently to unravel the toxicity of Internationale-URSI), held during 7-16 August in benzene and its metabolites. Chicago, Illinois, USA.

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