Ahmedabad: The Indian National Science Academy (INSA), country’s apex organisation under Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India for promoting science in the country and harnessing scientific knowledge for the cause of humanity and national welfare has conferred its prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for Science Popularisation to Dr. Narottam Sahoo, Senior Scientist, Gujarat Science City for the year 2017.

The Indian National Science Academy (INSA) was established in January 1935 with the object of promoting science in India and harnessing scientific knowledge for the cause of humanity and national welfare.

More than a thousand fellows of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) collectively choose once in every three years the best populariser of science in the country. The prize carry honorarium of Rs. 25,000/-, citation and a bronze medal.

Narottam Sahoo is the senior scientist at Gujarat Science City and Advisor at Gujarat Council on Science & Technology Council (GUJCOST).

Today in a special programme organised by the INSA Gujarat Chapter, Gujarat Science Academy at Indian Institute for Teacher Education (IITE), Gandhinagar, Dr Sahoo delivered the talk on Joy of science and to shared his experience on how to connect curious minds with the endless possibilities of science and technology.

This prestigious prize, instituted by INSA in 1986, was earlier conferred to eminent cosmic scientist Dr. J. V. Narlikar, Dr. Saroj Ghose, former Director General, NCSM, Dr. G. P. Phondke, Former Director, CSIR-NISCOM, Prof Yashpal, eminent space scientist and former Chairman UGC, Prof R. D. Sharma, Dr Arvind Gupta, science activist.

After the award ceremony, Dr Sahoo expressed his sincere gratitude to the Dept of Science & Technology, Govt of Gujarat, Science City, GUJCOST, INSA and Gujarat Science Academy (GSA) for the support and encouragement for the promotion and population of science in the state.

The programme was also followed by GSA – Dr. A. K. Shah Endowment Popular Science Lecture delivered by Shri G. C. Jain, CMD, Modern Communication and Broadcast Systems Private Limited, Gandhinagar.

The programme was presided over by Prof Patel, Principal and Dean IITE, Prof. A. K. Singhvi, Vice President, INSA, Prof. M. M. Sarin, Chairman, Gujarat State Chapter, INSA, Prof. Abhijit Sen, former President, Gujarat Science Academy, prof. Shobhana Menon, General Secretary, GSA, Prof Pankaj N. Gujjar, Dr. V. B. Kamble, former Advisor to Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt of India and many distinguished scientists were graced the occasion.

DeshGujarat