CSIR–NIIST Director Dr C. Anandharamakrishnan conferred India’s highest science award by President Droupadi Murmu
Trivandrum / August 22, 2024
Thiruvananthapuram, August 22: Renowned agricultural scientist Dr C. Anandharamakrishnan, Director of CSIR–NIIST Thiruvananthapuram, was today bestowed the inaugural Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2024, India’s highest award in the fields of science, technology and technology-led innovations, by President Smt. Droupadi Murmu for his notable and inspiring contribution in the Agricultural Science category.
Dr Anandharamakrishnan was among the 33 awardees comprising eminent and young scientists, who received the coveted award from the President at an impressive function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
The government has instituted the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, a consolidated set of annual awards in 13 science and technology domains rather than having over 300 awards given by different scientific departments. Till 2023, the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award was India’s top science honour.
An elated Dr Anandharamakrishnan, who received the Vigyan Shri Award said that this coveted award would inspire him and his team in NIIST to make more meaningful contributions for the further advancement of science in India, and also for the benefit of the society at large. “We will strive to ensure that our research efforts have industrial relevance, and are relevant for farmers and entrepreneurs, as well,” he said.
An acclaimed scientist and academician with vast expertise in the fields of food and agro-processing, his areas of research include 3D food printing, spray drying and spray-freeze-drying of food products, and computational modelling of food processing operations.
One of his key research breakthroughs is the development of India’s first ‘Engineered human stomach and small intestinal model system’, which mimics the complex biomechanical and chemical functions of the human digestive system.
Under Dr Anandharamakrishnan’s leadership, CSIR-NIIST (National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology) has diversified its research into cutting-edge areas and patented various technologies for commercial production, including vegan leather technology.
His accomplishments include a stint as Chairman & Convener of the Capacity building and Research for the Prime Minister’s Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).
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