FICCI felicitates distinguished DRDO scientists Dr. V K Sarawat & Mr. Avinash Chander for ‘Padma’ Awards

NEW DELHI, February 20, 2013. A felicitation ceremony was organised at the FICCI K K Birla Auditorium, here to honor Dr V K Saraswat, Scientific Adviser to Raksha Mantri & Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and DG DRDO on being conferred with the ‘PadmavBhushan’ Award and Mr. Avinash Chander, Distinguished Scientist and CCR&D (Missiles & Strategic Systems), DRDO on being conferred with the ‘Padma Shri’ Award.

FICCI takes pride in being associated with DRDO through its flagship program, the DRDO FICCI ATAC Program which was initiated in 2008 for commercialization of DRDO technologies in the Indian and the global civilian markets.

While Congratulating Dr.Saraswat and Mr. Shri Chander, Ms. Naina Lal Kidwai, President , FICCI said “ it is a very significant moment for all of us today as we gather here to celebrate the outstanding work and untiring conviction in making Indian defence body much stronger & efficient.” Dr.Didar Singh, Secretary General, FICCI said “It is an honor for FICCI to felicitate Dr.Saraswat and Mr. Chander for making India proud with their exceptional contribution and reaching the highest excellence in the field of science and technology. It is indeed our pleasure to be a part of this event to celebrate their success and achievement.”

Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat is known as India’s “Face of the Millennium Sciences”. He haas brought a paradigm shift in approach to the defence R & D requirements of the nation through his creative thinking and dynamic leadership. Dr Saraswat is one of the most enterprising Indian defence scientist who has built the base for design, development and production of missile technologies. His initiatives and drive have made India self reliant and placed the nation under the spotlight in the global arena. Dr Saraswat was instrumental in development of Surface-to-Surface missile, PRITHVI - PRIDE OF INDIA and its variants and their induction into Indian Armed Forces, a rare distinction for the indigenous weapon system to find place in the armories’ of all the three armed forces.

He is considered as the ‘Father of Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Program’ and also the key architect behind India achieving the strategic deterrence capability in all vectors i.e. Land, Air, Sea and Underwater.

Speaking on the occasion Dr Saraswat said that “DRDO has been working in the forefront of cutting edge defence technologies. Dedicated efforts of DRDO labs along with the Industry and Academic partners has placed India in the world map in advanced Defence technology areas, hitherto occupied by a select few countries of the world. With more & more DRDO developed systems getting inducted into the services, the self reliance index has started showing positive change in self-reliance trajectory.

Therefore, this award is indeed recognition of the dedication and hard work of the “Team- DRDO” and I am sure, will motivate more & more bright minds to join DRDO, in our mission to enhance Self-Reliance in Defence Systems & Technologies.”

Mr. Avinash Chander is an Eminent Scientist in the field of Missiles and is the Chief Architect of Long Range Ballistic Missile System, with specific contribution in Agni Programme Management, Mission Design, Guidance, Navigation, Simulation and Terminal Guidance. He envisioned and evolved the Strategies for Long Range Missiles and led the design and development of Long Range AGNI series of Missile systems (AGNI A1, A2, A3, A4 & A5) providing cutting edge, decisive Strategic Weapon systems to the Armed Forces. A1 and A2 missile systems have been inducted into services. A3 missile system is in the process of being inducted into services.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Chander, said “AGNI series of Missiles have given the nation the much needed strategic deterrence capability. This capability has been achieved with the dedicated team efforts of DRDO labs and other institutions and this award I consider it as recognition of the entire Agni team”.

FICCI MEDIA DIVISION