SEPT 26: Dr Pradeep Mathur of IIT-Powai won this year's presitigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award, the highest National award in the field of science for his contribution to Chemistry. Although he was extremely pleased to hear the news this afternoon, he was not particularly surprised.``It was not really surprising for me as we have been doing a lot of work over the years in the field of organo-metallic chemistry here at IIT. But of course the award has made me and my colleagues extreamly happy," said a pleased Dr Mathur.Dr Mathur has been with the IIT-Powai since 1984. His contribution in the field of cluster chemistry has been the most noteworthy so far.On the issue of brain drain, Dr Mathur commented that science scholars, especially from IITs, go to USA mainly for better openings and opportunities. ``A lot of NRI engineers and scientists want to return to India and offer their expertise in science and technology for the nation.'' he added.
