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- S&T Awards
Honouring Outstanding Scientists of Kerala Origin The Kerala Sasthrapuraskaram is a prestigious award instituted by the Government of Kerala to recognize scientists of Kerala origin who have made remarkable contributions in the field of science and technology, anywhere in the world. The award is administered by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE). Award Highlights Includes a memento, citation, and cash prize of ₹2 lakh Presented by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala Recognizes lifetime achievements in science and technology Eligibility A scientist or technologist born in Kerala, working anywhere in the world Should be a visionary, leader, institution builder, or role model in science, who have made significant contributions in any field of science or technology No age limit Recipients of Kerala Sasthrapuraskaram 2011 Prof. E. C. G. Sudarshan Prof. E. C. George Sudarshan was an eminent theoretical physicist and a professor at the University of Texas. Prof. Sudarshan has been credited with numerous contributions to the field of theoretical physics, including Glauber–Sudarshan P representation, V-A theory, tachyons, quantum Zeno effect, open quantum system and quantum master equations, spin–statistics theorem, non-invariance groups, positive maps of density matrices, and quantum computation. 2012 Prof. M. Vijayan Prof. M. Vijayan is one of the most distinguished Scientists in India and has been associated with the advancement of science in Kerala for a very long time. Prof. Vijayan has carried out outstanding research in the field of Structural Biology. He has served as the Associate Director at Indian Institute of Science, and has been the President of Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi. 2013 Prof. M. S. Valiathan Prof. M.S.Valiathan is an Indian cardiac surgeon. Dr. Valiathan took the lead in establishing the Sree Chithra Thirunal Institute for Science and Technology and became the first Director. He was the team leader in developing a mechanical implanting valve for Cardiology patients. The Chithra TTK valve is the fourth model that was developed over a decade of collaborative research in India. He was awarded the Padma Vibushan in 2005 for his contributions to health technology in India. He was the Chairman of the State Committee for Science, Technology and Environment of the Government of Kerala and the founder Executive Vice President of KSCSTE. 2014 Prof. K.P. Gopinathan Prof. K.P. Gopinathan’s major research contributions in those days pertained to identification of ‘Nonsense Codons and Suppression’ as well as the measurement of ‘Absolute Fidelity in DNA replication’ and ‘Error Proneness’ of viral reverse transcriptases. He was also intimately associated with the developments of recombinant DNA research, right from its formative days. Gopinathan was the first scientist to describe a genetic and biochemical basis for the development of resistance to the potent anti-tubercular drug isoniazid. Professor Gopinathan was the Founder Chairman at the Centre for Genetic Engineering at Indian Institute of Science and then served as Chairman of the Microbiology and Cell Biology Department for nearly ten years. He also served as the Founder Director of the Monsanto Research Centre in India, established at the Indian Institute of Science campus. 2021 Prof. M. S. Swaminathan Prof. Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan was an Indian agronomist, agricultural scientist, geneticist, administrator and humanitarian. He was a global leader of the green revolution.He has been called the main architect of the green revolution in India for his leadership and role in introducing and further developing high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice. He has served as Director of IARI, Director General, ICAR and Secretary to the Govt. of India; Department of Agricultural research and Education; Principal Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture; Acting Deputy Chairman and later Member (Science and Agriculture), Planning Commission; Director General, IRRI Philippines; Member of Parliament of India (Rajyasabha-2007-13); Chairman, High Level Panel of Experts for the World Committee on Food Security 2021 Prof. Thanu Padmanabhan Prof. Thanu Padmanabhan was an Indian theoretical physicist and cosmologist whose research spanned a wide variety of topics in gravitation, structure formation in the universe and quantum gravity. His research contributions have made a significant effect on the subject of gravitation and cosmology. He was a Distinguished Professor at Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune 2022 Prof. P. K. Ramachandran Nair Prof. P. K. Ramachandran Nair is a distinguished Professor of Agroforestry and International Forestry at the School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida. Dr. Nair known as the “Father of Agroforestry” received several global recognition to the science of agroforestry. His areas ofresearch interest include: agroforestry in the tropics and subtropics, integrated farming systems, soilcarbon sequestration and climate change mitigation, ecosystem services, and soil fertility management. 2023 Dr. S Somanath Dr. Somanath S. Panicker is a doyen in Indian Space Programme and a trailblazer in the global space community. Under his visionary leadership, the Indian Space programme has attained advanced Engineering excellence and cultivated significant global partnerships. His contributions in the field of space science, technology and its applications epitomizes leadership and technological excellence, setting a benchmark for others to aspire for highest level of achievements. His pioneering efforts have not only propelled India to the forefront of space exploration but also left a rich legacy in the field of Indian Space Programme. 2024 Dr. Tessy Thomas Dr. Tessy Thomas known as the ‘Missile Woman’ of India, is a Distinguished Scientist & Former Director General (Aeronautical Systems), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Dr. Tessy was associated with the ‘Agni Programme’ at DRDO right from its developmental flights. She has designed the guidance scheme for long range missile systems which is used in all Agni missiles. As the Project Director for the Agni IV and Agni V (mission), she is the first woman to lead missile teams in India. An energy management guidance scheme was designed and developed for the first time in the country for a solid propelled long-range system for which she was conferred with Agni Self Reliance award in 2001. Her expertise on the solid propellent systems and mission design were critical in the development of the ballistic reentry missile systems. Dr. Tessy stands
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