Wednesday, August 3, 2016

2014 : CHINTAMANI NAGESA RAMACHANDRA RAO ( 1930 - )




CNR Rao was born on June 30, 1930 at Mysore, Karnataka.

He studied at Acharya Patasala, Basavanagudi and passed is SSLC with distinction in 1947. He obtained his B.Sc (Chemistry) from Mysore University (1951), M.Sc (Chemistry) from Benares Hindu University (1953), PhD (Chemistry) from Purdue University (1958).

He served successively as Lecturer in Chemistry at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (1958 – 1963), Professor & Head, Department of Chemistry & Dean of Research, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (1963 – 1976), Professor  & Chairman of Solid State & Structural Chemistry Unit (1976 – 1984) and Director (1984 – 1994), Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

He was the Founder President (1994 – 1999) and currently President Emeritus (1999 - 0000 ) of Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore. 

Scientist – Chemistry

An Internationally renowned scientist of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, he has done phenomenal work in Spectroscopy, Superconductivity, Solid State Chemistry, Structural Chemistry, Material Chemistry and Nano Chemistry.

He works on transition metal oxides, hybrid materials, nano materials – nano tubes, graphenes and fullerenes.

He has coauthored over 1600 scientific papers in peer reviewed journals including 100 papers in the reputed science journal Nature and over 50 scientific books. 


He headed the Department of Chemistry successively at Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur and Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore where he lectured and guided thousands of students and hundreds of research scholars.

He created the CNR Educational Foundation for the popularization of science, utilizing the honoraria received from with the numerous prizes awarded to him.  

President

He served as President of International Union for Pure and Applied Chemistry – IUPAC, Material Research Society of India and Chemistry Research Society of India. 

Chairman

He was Chairman of Scientific Advisory Councils to Union Cabinet (1997 – 1998) and Prime Minister for two terms (1985 – 1989, 2005 – 2014).  

Director

He was Independent Director of Indian Petrochemicals, Hindustan Insecticides, Reserve Bank of India. International Centre for Material Sciences.  

Member

He served as Scientific Member on National Commissions of Atomic Energy, Science & Technology, Planning, Universities, Nano Sciences, Technical Education, and Scientific & Industrial Research.

Visiting Professor

He held Visiting Professorships at Universities of Purdue, Oxford, Melbourne, Grenoble, Wales, Southampton, Cambridge, California, Massachusetts, Temple, Waterloo, and Cardiff.  

He was National Research Professor, Union Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India (2005 – 2015).

He was Jawaharlal Nehru Professor at University of Cambridge, Albert Einstein Professor (1995- 1999) and Linus Pauling Professor (1999 – 0000) at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore. 

Chancellor

He was Chancellor of 2 Central Universities – Assam University, Tezpur and North Eastern Hill University, Shillong. 

Awards

The Government of India conferred on him the Padma Sri (1973), Padma Vibhushan (1985) and Bharat Ratna (2013).

He is the first chemist and third scientist to be conferred the Bharat Ratna (2013) and the first recipient of India Science Prize (2004) and Asia Science Prize (2008).

The Government of Karnataka conferred the Karnataka Ratna in 2000.

The notable honours awarded to him are Bose award, Modi Award, Saha Award, Bhabha Award, Firodia Award, Bhatnagar Award, Chatterjee Award, Mookerjee Award, Ambani Award, Kothari Award, Sarabhai Award, Singhania Award, Chandrasekhara Award, Kamal Award, Goyal Award, Zaheer Awrad, Sircar Award, Hariom Award, Jawaharlal Nehru Award and Fellow

He received the Raman Medal, Salam Medal, Einstein Medal, Hoffman Medal, Marlow Medal, Hughes Medal, Heyrovsky Medal, Ernesto Lilly Medal and Royal Medal, Dan David Prize. 

Orders

He was conferred the National Orders of Friendship and Scientific Merit by the Governments of Brazil, France, Japan , Russia, Senegal. 

Doctorates

He was conferred Honorary Doctorates of Science by over 70 universities from all over the world for his contribution to Chemistry. 

Fellowships

He was elected as Honorary Foreign Member and Fellow of National Scientific Societies of US, UK, USSR, France, Japan, Brazil, Canada, Argentina, Bangladesh, Spain, China, Serbia, Poland, Czech, Slovenia, Korea, Africa, Caribbean, Mongolia, Pontifical and Germany.

He was President of Third World Academy of Sciences, Indian National Science Academy and Indian Academy of Sciences, Indian Science Congress 

Publications

He published his scientific career as memoirs, Climbing the Limitless Ladder – A Life in Chemistry ( 2010 ).   

Resources



List of Universities which conferred Honorary Doctorates on Professor CNR Rao


Aligarh Muslim University
Andhra University
Anna University
Bangalore University
Benares Hindu University
Bengal Engineering & Science University
Bharaitya Vidyapeeth
Bundelkund University
Burdwan University
Bordeaux University
Caen University
Calcutta University
Colorado State University
Delhi University
Hyderabad University
Hampi University
Indian Institute of Chemical Technology. Bombay
Indian Institute of Technology .Bombay
Indian Institute of Technology .Delhi
Indian Institute of Technology .Kharagpur
Indian Institute of Technology .Roorkee
Indian Institute of Science Education Research
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University
Joseph Fourier University
Kalyani University
Karnatak University
Khartoum University
Kuvempu University
Liverpool University
Lucknow University
Mangalore University
Mahatma Gandhi University .Kottayam
Manipur University
Mysore University
Notre Dame University
North Western University
Novo Sibirsk University
Osmania University
Oxford University
Patna University
Punjab University
Purdue University
Saint Andrews University
Sikkim Manipal University
Stellenbosch University
Sri Venkatewsara University
Tumkur University
Uppsala University
Vidyasagar University
Uttar Pradesh Technological University
Visveswaraya University
Visva Bharathi University
Wales University
Wroclaw University


           The Origin of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 
           Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore) is truly the first example of a public-private partnership in this country; an institution, whose evolution over a century is testimony to the robustness of its foundations. 
           The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) was conceived as a ´Research Institute´ or ´University of Research´ by Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, in the final years of the 19th century. A long period of almost thirteen years was to elapse from the initial conception in 1896 to the birth of the institute on May 27, 1909.        
          The early history of the Institute is a fascinating chapter in the story of higher education and scientific research in India. The cast of characters in the drama that led to the establishment of the Institute includes, in addition to its charismatic and generous founder J.N. Tata, figures from the pages of Indian history. There is Swami Vivekananda, whom J.N. Tata befriended on his famous voyage to the United States, the Maharaja of Mysore, Shri Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV and his mother then acting on his behalf, and Lord Curzon the Viceroy of India, whose first task on arrival on December 31, 1898 was to receive a draft proposal prepared by the Provisional Committee set up to plan the establishment of the Institute. 
            And so, the story goes that Jamshedji Nusserwanji Tata was once, travelling to Germany (This excerpt is taken from the writings of Mr. Mohan Guruswamy). As he stood there, at the door of his First Class Cabin in the steam-liner, he noticed a lot of activity on the lower decks of the Ship. On enquiring, he learnt that a great Indian saint Shri Swami Vivekananda was on board the same ship. Out of genuine respect and curiosity J.N. Tata decided to pay a visit to the great saint. Swami Vivekananda had of-course heard about the respected industrialist. As the conversation grew J.N. Tata explained that he was on his way to Germany. “I have with me sacks of soil : From various parts of India. I am taking these samples of soil to Germany. I wish to know if Iron can be extracted profitably from any of these districts.” said J.N. Tata to the Saint. To which Swami Vivekananda replied, “Well, Sir, Even if these sacks contain iron-rich soil, do you honestly believe that the Germans will tell you the truth? You must understand that none of the European Nations wish to see a strong, steel rich, economically independent India. The soil is probably rich in iron-ore but the sad truth is all you will get from your enquiries across Europe is disbelief and pessimistic reactions.” Needless to say, having interacted with several Europeans J.N. Tata knew this to be true. Swami Vivekananda continued, “Why don’t you start an excellent / up-to-date research facility and college here in India? Why don’t you train some good Indian youngsters to identify soil and conduct these tests and find ways of profitably extracting metals? It may seem like a wasteful; burdensome expenditure right now, but in the long run, It will save you many trips to Europe and you can have the assurance of knowing the truth quickly rather than taking multiple opinions due to doubt”. As he could clearly sense J.N. Tata’s mood was in acquiescence he further elaborated, “Seek an audience with the Maharaja of Mysore H.R.H. Wodeyar. Though a subordinate of the British, he will definitely help you in every way he can. H.R.H. Wodeyar has been generous enough to sponsor my own trip to Chicago to attend the Parliament of Religions”. And this way the earliest plan for the institute was conceived. 
          The plan was shepherded through many difficult years by Burjorji Padshah, a close associate of J.N. Tata.Unlike setting up hotels or industry; he needed Government’s permission for setting up educational institute. The man in power and who had to give permission was Lord Curzon (the man who partitioned Bengal). When he told Curzon of his plan, Curzon replied “You mean the Indian students have the ability to undertake scientific research. Where will you find teachers for such advanced courses and where will you find students who can grasp such concepts and what will students do with such advanced degrees if they are anyway going to work as a clerk after completion.” In short “Surely, you are joking Mr.Tata”. After the meeting with Curzon, every one in Tata’s team was heartbroken. Tata replied to them “Let’s wait for Curzon’s mind to change, there must be some good in him somewhere”
In addition, the form that Jamsetji Tata’s endowment for the institute should take became contentious. The colonial government did not wish to extend the financial support that was essential for the institution. The clashes, sometimes stormy, between Lord Curzon and the colonial government on the one hand, and Tata and his supporters on the other, over these and other matters took time to resolve. 

          The path that led to the creation of the IISc was tortuous indeed. Two sets of experts were asked for advice. At the invitation of the Provisional Committee, with the approval of the colonial government, Professor William Ramsay of University College, London, spent some two months in India during 1900-1901. (An outstanding chemist, Ramsay was later knighted and received the Nobel Prize in 1904 for his discovery of inert gases.) Originally the institute was to be setup in Bombay. The Noble Prize winning scientist Ramsey was asked to tour India to find the best place conducive to research. He suggested Bangalore, but Tata favoured Bombay. Jamsetji Tata and Padshah took Johns Hopkins University in the U.S. as the model. Johns Hopkins had the distinction of being the first in the world to be founded as a post-graduate institution, pointed out B.V. Subbarayappa in his history of the IISc titled " In Pursuit of Excellence ". 
           In October 1898, Jamsetji Tata offered property in Mumbai that would yield a sizeable annual income to help start the institution. Jamsetji Tata had established a modern silk farm near Bangalore in the mid-1890s and become acquainted with Sir Seshadri Iyer, Dewan of Mysore. When the idea of creating an institute for research took shape, Seshadri Iyer was able to persuade Maharani Kempa Nanjammani Vani Vilasa Sannidhana, who ruled as regent during the period when her son Maharaja Sri Krishnaraja Wodeyar Bahadur IV was a minor, to pledge support for it. The Mysore government would, in the end, provide more than 371 acres of land for the institute, as well as grants to help set it up. This help from the Mysore government also ensured that the institute was situated in Bangalore. 
            Unfortunately, J.N. Tata died in 1904 unaware that his vision would indeed be realized a few years later. When the British Government finally issued the Vesting Order in 1909, an unmatched experiment in higher education and research was launched in India. The opening words of the order recognised the role of the great man whose vision had driven the whole enterprise. “Whereas Jamsetjee Nusserwanjee Tata, late of Bombay, Parsee gentleman, some time before his death, which took place on the 19th day of May 1904, made a proposal to the Government of India for founding an Institute of Research in India and endowing such Institute with immovable properties in the City of Bombay….,” began the order that established the Indian Institute of Science. 
           The very less known fact is : Jamsetji Tata in his will donated one third personal wealth (14 buildings and 4 landed properties in Bombay) for the creation of this institution. 
           Dr CV Raman and Dr CNR Rao , past Directors , Dr M.Vishweshwaraya  and Shri.JRD Tata former Presidents of the Court of IISc were honoured with Bharat Ratna.


           A set of two stamps released to commemorate 100 years of Indian Institute of Sciences in December 2008 was a fitting tribute to the leading institute of science research in India. The se-tenant was aesthetically designed and captured the essence of its existence over the past century. Design of the first stamp is quite intriguing with so many personalities on one stamp. An interesting article written by the then director of IISc, P. Balaram sheds light on these pioneers (Burjoji Padshah: Realizing a Vision, Current Science, Vol. 95, No. 12, 25 December 2008, 151-152). 



          The numbered image below followed by the list should help the readers. 
1. Homi Bhabha - Nuclear Physicist 
2. Burjoji Padshah - Jamsetji Tata's associate and acquaintance
3. Morris Travers - First Director of IISc, Bangalore 
4. G. N. Ramachandran - Physicist 
5. Satish Dhawan - Aerospace Engineer and Chairman ISRO
6. C. V. Raman - Physicist and Nobel Laureate 
7. Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata - Industrialist and Philanthropist 
8. Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV (Maharaja of Mysore) - Land Donor 
9. Swami Vivekananda - Social reformer; inspired J. N. Tata








1 comment:

  1. vbet99.com Betting & Casino Review | vntopbet.com
    vbet99.com review and rating. Vbet99.com is a trusted online gambling and gambling website. The betway website features a wide range bk8 of games including Roulette, jeetwin

    ReplyDelete