The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, organized an award presentation ceremony for distinguished contributions in the area of Biomedical Research. Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, Dr. Harsh Vardhan was the Chief Guest.

ICMR awards recognise the contributions of Indian biomedical scientists undertaking pioneering work in various fields of health sciences and finding solutions for the health problems of the country. A total of 39 awards (2017 & 2018) were presented to 46 scientists including 14 women scientists and two awards for scientists belong to under privileged communities and scientists working in under-developed areas.

The awardees belong to Institutes of ICMR, CSIR-labs, AIIMS, New Delhi, PGI, Chandigarh, SGPGI, Lucknow, IIT’s, JIPMER, Puducherry, SCTIMST, Thiruvananthapuram, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, State and Central Universities and other reputed Institutions across the country.

The Minister congratulated the awardees for their contribution in the area of health research that will provide new ways and means to solve various health issues. On the occasion he said, “ICMR has contributed a lot in solving the health problems and uplifting the health status of the country. He also highlighted the need to strengthen innovation for developing new technologies as well as to carry out research to reduce out of pocket expenditure and help in reducing disease burden. Minister appreciated the ICMR efforts in tackling the emerging and re-emerging infections like ZIKA and NIPAH in the country and congratulated its scientists for excellent work.

Secretary Department of Health Research and DG-ICMR Prof. Balram Bhargava said, “It has been ICMR’s endeavour for over a century now to promote scientific research as well as provide scientists with the necessary platform and tools to find solutions to the most difficult health challenges. It is indeed heartening to see the talent pool available in our country today - it gives us immense hope for the future. It will be our constant endeavour to create an enabling environment for the Next Generation scientists to help them achieve their full potential and serve the nation.”

On the Occasion A book ‘’Gandhi and Swasthya’’ Hindi version of the special issue of IJMR to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and Centenary Stamp of National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad was also released by Hon’ble HFM. He also gave away the ICMR-NIN Centenary Award to Late Dr C Goplan, former DG ICMR.