Dr. R. A. Mashelkar Retires as DG, CSIR
Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, FRS, Director General, CSIR laid down his office today after a distinguished tenure of 11 years. Under his vibrant leadership, CSIR turned into a global R&D platform. He transformed CSIR into a user focussed and performance driven R&D organization that emphasized innovation-centered development. During his tenure, CSIR’s turnaround has received accolades from all quarters – be it business houses, management experts, eminent scientists or political leadership.
Winner of around 50 National and International Awards, Dr. Mashelkar has been well known for spearheading a new thinking in the direction of science and technology. He chaired about 12 high power Mashelkar Committees, set up to look into diverse issues of National importance. He will also be known for championing the cause of protection of traditional knowledge in India by fighting the Turmeric and Basmati battles, with set a new paradigm in the protection of developing world’s traditional knowledge heritage.
Dr. Mashelkar is only the third Indian engineer to have been elected as Fellow of Royal Society (FRS), London, in the 20th Century. He was elected Foreign Fellow of US National Academy of Science (2005), only the eighth Indian scientist in over 140 years to have been so honoured. He was the first scientist from Asia to have won the ‘Stars of Asia Award’, which was presented by George Bush (Sr), former US President. Over 25 universities have honored him with honorary doctorates, which include Universities of London, Salford, Pretoria, Wisconsin and Delhi.
AT/SK
(Release ID :23723)