Chandigarh, April 7- Union Secretary, Science Technology Department, Dr. T. Ramasami said that the Government of India has been initiating various schemes to promote science among students of schools and colleges and it has now doubled the budget dedicated to this cause to Rs. 24,000 crore in the 12th Five Year Plan.
He was speaking at a function organized to give away “Goyal Puraskar” at Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra today. On this occasion he honoured six scientists with “Goyal Puraskar” and three young scientists with “Rajib Goyal Yuva Puraskar”.
The Scientists who received Goyal Puraskar of Rs. one lakh each, besides a medal and citation are Dr. G.D.Yadav, Vice-Chancellor, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, Dr. V.K.Singh, Director, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal, Dr. Narendra Tuteja, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, Dr. Utpal Sarkar, Dr. A.K. Sinphvi and Dr. J.N. Goswami from Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad.
Among the young scientists upon whom the “Rajib Goyal Yuva Puraskar” was conferred included Dr. N.Yayaraman, S.K.Sathoesh, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and Dr. S. Ganesh of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur. This award carries Rs.50,000 in cash a medal and citation.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ramsami said that it is the most memorable day for him to attend this ceremony as he always appreciated scientists being awarded for their hard work. He said that India has a great scientific heritage which is different from other countries. He called the Indian science more integrated and human oriented as compared to the deductive science of the western world. He said that a lot needs to be done to strengthen research and teaching of science at the universities in India. He said that the government and the universities have to work together to create an environment to attract children and youth to science.
Lt. Gen. Dr. D.D.S. Sandhu, Vice-Chancellor, Kurukshetra University said that the University has awarded 86 outstanding scientists of the country since 1992 when the awards were instituted by late Mr. Ram S. Goyal. He was all praise for the initiative of late Mr Ram S. Goyal for instituting these awards.