Eight scientists receive awards

Underlining the importance of the Patent Bill, Mashelkar said that had India earlier known the importance of this phenomenon, then we would have achieved a lot by now. He said that India is very rich in natural resources but because of non-exploitation of the resources the people of the country are subjected to adject poverty. Highlighting the vision and strategy of the CSIR, the renowned scientist disclosed that the CSIR has given about 40 laboratories working in the country a common goal and target to bring India at the level of the big powers of the world.

Earlier, Mashlekar conferred a gold medal, a citation and a cash prize of one lac rupees to Krishna SwamyKasturirangan, Chairman, ISRO, D D Bhawalkar, Director of Atomic Energy, Centre for Advanced Technology, Indore N Kumar Director, Raman Research Institute, Bangalore, P Balaram Department of Molecular Biophysics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, J B Joshi, Department of Chemical Technology, University of Mumbai, Harjit Singh Professor Emeritus of G.N.D.U. Amritsar, D Balasubramaniam, Director of Research, LV Prasad Eye Insitute, Hyderabad and Girjesh Govil of TIFR, Mumbai in the shape of Goyal prize.

Besides these awards meant for the year 1997 and 1998, three young scientists A. K. Sinha, Nuclear Science centre, New Delhi, A. R. Podile of University of Hyderabad and a Homeopath Girish Gupta of Lucknow were also conferred Rajib Goyal prizes for their contribution in their specilized fields.

While presiding over the function, Kurukshetra University Vice-Chancellor M L Ranga euoliged the dedication and commitment of Ram Swaroop Goyal for promoting the cause of science and technology in India. He emphasised the importance and need of development of latest technology in various fields of life for the restructure of Indian society. Ranga pledged sustained help and all possible infrastructural facilities for such awards and prizes to be conferred through this University.

Appreciating the Indian galaxy of scientists who conducted recent Pokhran blasts, Ranga said that the Indian scientists were matchless in world and had brought laurels to the countries wherever they worked but they should first think of India to convert it from the so called poor country to a super power. He said the Kurukshetra University has been providing sustained support to the scientists of the country through various measures.

Ram Swaroop Goyal in his remarks said that he would continue to provide funds for the Goyal Awards and also would increase the number and amount of these prizes in the near future so that more scientists could be covered under the umbrella of his philanthropic mission for India.

Satinder Kumar Gupta, a friend of Ram Sawroop Goyal at one time in Chicago a few year back, announced a grant of one lac rupees for the poor and needy students of Kurukshetra University. Earlier, S. P. Singh, Convener of the Advisory Board of the Goyal Awards welcomed Mashelkar and other Awardees.