30th June, 2003
Ministry of Human Resource Development and Science & Technology  


MEETING ON MODALITIES FOR INDIA SCIENCE AWARD


A meeting was held here today under the Chairmanship of the Minister for Human Resource Development and Science and Technology, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi to discuss a draft framework on the modalities concerning the India Science Award. The announcement of the Award was made by the Prime Minister during the Indian Science Congress in Bangalore early this year. The 25 lakh rupee award will be the highest in science.

Attended by nearly 20 top scientists, the meeting considered suggestions regarding the selection criteria, mode of selection, the scope and various other aspects related to it. Sub-Committees were formed to decide on these aspects.

Dr. Joshi told them that the Award must only be for path-breaking original innovation or research. He said the Award should in the course of time be made to attain the stature of Nobel prize.

Those who attended the meeting include the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Dr. R. Chidambaram; the Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Prof. V.S.Ramamurthy; the Director-General CSIR, Dr. R. A. Mashelkar; noted scientists Prof. M.G.K. Menon; Dr. S.K. Joshi; Prof. P.N. Tandon and representatives from various scientific departments.