Padma Shri for four industry stalwarts
13 February 2012 | News
Dr Swati A Piramal, director, Strategic Alliances & Communications, Piramal Healthcare; Prof Virander S Chauhan, director, International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi; Dr V Mohan, noted diabetologist from Chennai and Dr Nitya Anand, former director of Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, have been bestowed the Padma Shri award this year for their contributions to the science and technology industry.
The list of 77 awardees was announced on the eve of Republic Day as per the tradition. The award carries a medal, a scroll of honor and a cash prize of
5 lakh.
Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in India after Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan. The awards will be conferred by the President of India at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhawan in March or April, 2012.
The list of 77 awardees was announced on the eve of Republic Day as per the tradition. The award carries a medal, a scroll of honor and a cash prize of
5 lakh.
Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in India after Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan. The awards will be conferred by the President of India at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhawan in March or April, 2012.
Prof VS Chauhan currently heads the ICGEB, New Delhi. He has also won the BioSpectrum Person of the Year Award 2011. He is well-known for his work in the area of design, synthesis and utility of conformationlly-defined peptides and is the founder president of the Indian Peptide Society. “It feels really good to be recognized for one's work. I am grateful to the mentors from whom I have drawn inspiration, and to the large number of students and colleagues who have contributed to my work,� Prof Chauhan said. “To young students and colleagues, I can say that there is no substitute for hard work. Keep at it and remain focused at all times. And, read extensively.�
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Dr Swati A Piramal, director, Strategic Alliances & Communications, Piramal Healthcare, apart from taking her company to the heights of success along with her husband Mr Ajay Piramal, has also made significant contributions to the industry. She was the first woman to be elected president of ASSOCHAM in 2009. She is a member of the Board of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and an expert member of the Planning Commission, Government of India. She is also the spokesperson of a nationwide public health campaign against chronic disease launched by former president of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam in 2008.
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Dr V Mohan, diabetologist from Chennai, brings with him 30 years of experience in the field of diabetes research. He is working towards expanding diabetes healthcare services in rural India. “My message to the youngsters in India interested in this field is that more work should be actively pursued in the field of diabetes research, especially translational research work,� he said. “I am extremely happy to receive this award and it is an honor that my work in the field of diabetes research has been recognized.�
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Dr Nitya Anand, former director of CDRI in Lucknow, was involved in carrying out some pioneering work on pharmaceutical sciences. In 2005, Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission appointed him chairman of its scientific committee. Currently, he is the chairman of the Ranbaxy Science Foundation.
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