The National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) Annual Report (2019–20) 5, Lajpatrai Road, Prayagraj-211002, India i Caption for Cover Page: Bharat Ratna Prof. C N R Rao receiving Prof. M.G.K Menon Memorial Award ii The National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) Annual Report (2019–20) Established: 1930 The oldest Science Academy of India; Recognised by the DST, GoI as Professional Body; and by the DSIR, GoI as the SIRO iii Published by: The General Secretary (HQ), NASI for The National Academy of Sciences, India Designed and edited by: Ms. Archna Pant with the support of Ms. Rashmi Mishra Year of Publication: 2020 For further information, please contact: The National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) 5, Lajpatrai Road, Prayagraj-211002, India Phone: +91 (0532) 2640224, 2441243 Email: [email protected] Website: www.nasi.nic.in, www.nasi.org.in NASI is also on Facebook & Twitter iv “An Academy of Science can do a great deal by educating public opinion, undertaking particular problems, and bringing out scientific workers in various fields for discussion and cooperative research. But the main function of the Academy should be towards cultural improvement by contributions to human knowledge”. - Prof. Meghnad Saha on the Inaugural Session of the Academy India is justified in feeling proud for its unique contributions to science in ancient days. However, successive foreign invasions and alien rule for centuries pushed science in the background and the country went through with what may be described as the Dark Age for science. Western science attracted Indian intelligentsia after the establishment of the western system of education and the universities; and despite many constraints, the country could produce giants like Prof. Meghnad Saha, Prof. S. N. Bose, Sir J.C. Bose and Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray. The First World War and the worldwide economic depression caused a setback to scientific research globally much more so in India whose scientists found it difficult even to publish their research works since they had to be almost entirely dependent on foreign journals. The post-World War India saw the rise of the freedom movement, which incidentally drew attention to the numerous problems of the Indian populace like poverty, hunger, diseases, recurrent floods, droughts, famines etc. Patriotic scientists felt deeply concerned with these. It was in this background that the idea of establishing a forum for scientists, which would help them in publishing their researches and bring them together to discuss and find scientific solutions to the problems of the country, was mooted by Prof. Meghnad Saha, a great scientist, patriot and the then Professor of Physics at the University of Allahabad in 1929. His views were published in the article entitled 'A Plea for an Academy of Sciences' in December 1929 issue of the University of Allahabad magazine. The National Academy of Sciences, India was thus established as the first Science Academy of this country in 1930. v NASI Visions: The cultivation and promotion of Science & Technology in all its branches organizing meetings and holding discussions on scientific and recognition of scientific promoting scientific and technological and social achievements technological problems by electing Fellows, research/projects for Members, awarding societal welfare Chairs, research support and promoting excellence securing endowments for the promotion of popularization of science science and technology among the students and communities Vision & Mission undertaking scientific opening Chapters of the works of public Academy in the country importance as may be called upon to perform promoting scientific collaborating with other excellence in research by Academies in India and to giving due appoint representatives of recognition/awards to the Academy scientists/researchers publication of proceedings, journals, memoirs, books maintaining a Library and other works as considered desirable vi Prof. G Padmanaban President-NASI, Prayagraj Foreword The National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) has been sincerely and diligently working on the vision of its Founder Professor Meghnad Saha to take Science to the Society, not only to build the scientific temper in the country, but also to find strategies to find solutions to societal problems through modern infrastructure. A galaxy of Presidents and the Council of NASI have taken these messages forward with support from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. As has been the tradition, several important issues were discussed during the year. The Science academies gathered the views of its fellowship and after detailed deliberations on pros and cons of the critical and multidimensional issues of national importance, proposed strategies for implementation. On the subject of a Comprehensive National Policy on Ethics, the NASI's view was clear that to ensure a high standard in behavioral ethics, proper training must be imparted from the school stage and the academies be involved in the monitoring process of academic ethics in the institutions. Another debate was initiated by the government on the New Education Policy (NEP). Prof. K. Kasturirangan, Former Chairman of Space Commission of India and Past President, NASI, was the Chairman of the draft committee on NEP. His wide experience and vast knowledge reflected in the scientific and systematic analysis of the whole issue of the education system. NASI expressed its views on being a part of transforming India into a knowledge economy with the help of its large base of esteemed fellowship spread all across the country. The Academy could play a vital role in establishing, shaping the National Research vii Foundation or in setting up the National Higher Education Regulatory Council. Another important issue taken up by all three academies was a National Framework for Publication and Access to Literature in Science and Technology in India. The outcome of deliberations has been published in the current science journal and further debate is underway. The Academy organized the anniversary celebrations of 'Ba and Bapu' and Prof. Meghnad Saha. Several lectures were delivered in the memory of these three great visionaries, which gave an opportunity to revisit the problems of our country. While Saha wanted to use technology to eliminate the root cause of mass poverty, ‘Ba and Bapu’ lived by example the tenets of truth, simple living and high thinking. It also became clear that Ba was as much part of the freedom struggle as Bapu and was a mother to the entire country. Bharatratna Professor C N R Rao received the Professor M G K Menon Memorial Award. The recent pandemic COVID-19 has clearly brought out the ‘helplessness’ of all our technological progress to fight nature in the form of a tiny virus and has reminded us of our tradition and ‘Samskriti’. The new name is ‘Social Distancing’! The three science academies jointly issued the statement on Covid-19 with the pledge that they would actively cooperate and strengthen the hand of government to successfully overcome the current Novel Corona virus crisis. Several fellows and members of the Academy investigated the viral genome and wrote technically sound scientific articles in response to the appeal of the academies. A long term approach is necessary to build indigenous infrastructure to study and understand the disease and find new drugs and vaccines. A massive effort is going in this direction. The Academy continued its activities, despite the pandemic, through virtual platforms. There is hope for a better future for the country and the globe ( ) through Science and public health measures. Wishing you all a bright, safe and healthy life. G. Padmanaban President, NASI viii CONTENTS Page Nos. 1. Executive Summary………………………………………………………………………… 1 2. Activities 5 2.1 Activities related to Scientific Awareness 2.1.1 NASI JNU Conclave……………………………………. …………………………….. 6 2.1.2 Science Communication Activities ……………………………………………………. 8 2.1.3 Concluding Session of 150th Birth Anniversary of „Ba & Bapu‟ and 125th Anniversary of Prof. Meghnad Saha…………................................................. 19 2.1.4 89th Annual Session and Symposium on „Science, Technology and Ecosystem for Sustainable Rural Development‟.……………………………….............. 28 2.1.5 Mega Event for Tribal Welfare………………………………………………………….. 36 2.2. Activities related to Scientific Research 2.2.1 Scientific/Research Contributions of NASI Chairs A) A brief report on the Scientific/Research Contributions of M.N. Saha Distinguished Professor ………………………………………………………………….. 41 B) A brief report on the Scientific /Research Contributions of NASI-ICMR Chair on Public Health Research………………………………………………………………. 46 C) A brief report on the Scientific /Research Contributions of NASI-DST Distinguished Woman Scientist Chair Professor……………………………. 48 D) A brief report on the Scientific /Research Contributions of NASI- JC Bose Distinguished Chair Professor……………………………………………………………. 50 2.2.2 Scientific/Research Contributions of NASI Senior Scientist Platinum Jubilee Fellows 53 2.2.3 Scientific/Research Contributions of NASI Honorary Scientists 95 3. Publications of the Academy.................................................................................................. 110 4. Memorial Lecture Awards..................................................................................................... 113 5. NASI Senior Scientist Platinum Jubilee Fellowships……………….................................. 114 6. Recognitions/Awards (A) NASI-Reliance