Odisha Bigyan Academy Felicitates Scientists and Popular Science Writers

Bhubaneswar, July 15: Science and Technology Department has been undertaking various result-oriented initiatives in the field of innovation, start-up and improvement of biotechnology ecosystem, said Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister, Science and Technology.

Addressing the felicitation of scientists and award investiture ceremony organised by Odisha Bigyan Academy here yesterday, the Minister said that the academy will accelerate its activities in research and development, training of teachers and science education for students.

Chithra Arumugam, Principal Secretary, Science and Technology Department, as guest of honour lauded the activities of the academy. She also suggested the academy to release audio version of its publications for the benefit of special students.

Prof. Sudhakar Panda, Director, NISER received "Biju Patnaik Award for Scientific Excellence" that carried cash award of Rs. 2 Lakh along with citation and memento. In the category of "Samanta Chandra Sekahar Award" Prof. Luna Samanta of Ravenshaw University, Dr. Danda Srinivas Rao, Chief Scientist, CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar, Prof. Anup Kumar Panda, of NIT, Rourkela and Dr. Saroj Kanta Barik Director, National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow were awarded with of Rs. 1 Lakh cash and citation and memento.

Dr. Shasank Sekhar Swain, ICMR-RMRC, Bhubaneswar, Dr. Nibedita Dash of NISER, Dr. Jnana Ranjan Senapati of NIT, Rourkela and Dr. Satyaprasad P. Senanayak of NISER were awarded in "Young Scientists" category while Prof. Sangeeta Rath and Himansu Sekahar Fatesingh received "Prana Krushna Parija Popular Science Book Award".

The young scientists and the authors received cash award of Rs. 25,000/- with citation and memento. Prof. Bhaskar Dash, Sanjukta Dash, Prof. Satyananda Swain and Prof.(Dr.) Ajay Kumar Patra were felicitated as senior scientists.

The programme was presided by Dr. Bibhuti Bhusan Mishra who presented welcome address while Prof. Asish Kumar Mohanty proposed vote of thanks. Anuja Tarini Mishra coordinated the programme.