PANAJI
The Goa government through its Department of Science and Technology has thrown open nominations for the first ‘Manohar Parrikar Yuva Scientist Award’ calling young scientific researchers with proven excellence and promise for further performance to apply.
The award, carrying a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh and a citation, will be given out every year in December and anyone in India is eligible to apply.
The State government has also set up an expert, four member panel headed by top Indian nuclear scientist Dr Anil Kakodkar, which will evaluate the applicants and also then judge the winner after a set of shortlisted nominees make a presentation before them.
Kakodkar, a former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission with roots in Goa, lauded the State government for instituting the award which he said will recognise young people who have achieved excellence in scientific research.
Kakodkar was addressing the media via video-conferencing at a press conference anchored by Dr Jose Noronha, the Chairman of Goa Public Service Commission and who also heads the State Innovation Council.
Anthony De Sa, former chief secretary of Madhya Pradesh, and Dr Satish Shetye, former NIO director and Goa university vice-chancellor, also interacted with the media and are part of the expert panel headed by Dr Kakodkar.
Noronha said, they hope to attract a large pool of young scientists from across the country to apply for the award, the reputation of which he hoped will grow in the years to come. He said, top institutions including the IITs and others of repute which promote scientific research in the country will be tapped to attract applicants.
The award will be presented during the ‘Manohar Parrikar Vidnyan Utsav’ on the former Defence Minister’s birth anniversary on December 13 and the window for submitting applications will close on September 15 this year.
Researchers and achievers of excellence in all fields of science as well as technology are eligible to apply for the award and will have to post a soft copy of their application to the State’s Department of Science, Technology and Waste Management.
Their applications need to be accompanied by supporting documentation related to their achievements including a list of recognition or awards earned from State or Central governments, reputed institutions and international organisations.
Recommendatory letters from at least two eminent scientists or academicians familiar with the applicant’s work or achievements besides a letter of support from an institution is necessary and applicants should have been under 35 years of age as of December 31, 2022.
Research productivity measured by impact of publications, patents and applications and also a viable programme or project in India for the next few years presented by applicants will be the criteria for picking the winner.
