THE HINDU dated 28.10.2004
Ending drought in India's scientific recognition
THERE MAY be a Sir C.V. Raman or an S. Chandrasekar proving to the world what Indians are capable of. Unfortunately, such reminders do not come often. And we are forced to live on past glory. Thanks to Dr. Baldev Raj, Director of the Kalpakkam based Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), the long drought in global recognition for India in Science and Technology is now over. Though a Nobel Prize did not come our way, the International Committee for Non-Destructive Testing (ICNDT) Research award for the years 2000-2004 given to Dr. Raj recently is indeed a matter of pride.
Research contributions
This award is in recognition of his research contributions and the impact of his contributions in the area of non-destructive evaluation (NDE) science and technology. Given once in four years, the award is open for competition among 65 member countries of ICNDT.
Unlike the Nobel Prize, this award is given only once in four years. But more importantly, while researchers may be awarded a Nobel Prize for their one contribution, this is a comprehensive lifetime achievement award and takes into account the person's contribution to the science of NDT. In short, it is a sum total of a researcher's contribution to NDT and the way the researcher's contribution helped steer the path of NDT research.
"It is very difficult to say which contribution of mine steered NDT research," said Dr. Raj. "But at the end of the day I am very happy on one count. In a country like India, being considered number one in any field by an international body gives immense satisfaction."
Although Dr. Raj tries to hide his feelings, his satisfaction from winning the coveted award is writ large on his face. And there is no reason why he should not feel so. The "reasons for nomination" is nearly five pages long and is filled with many of his unique contributions. But all these would not have been possible but for the many challenges that the fast breeder reactor programme threw up. IGCAR has been a hot bed of research on fast breeder reactor technology. And the years of laboured research and development work at IGCAR bore its fruits.
For some people adversities do not dampen their enthusiasm. Rather, they pose a real challenge to their scientific mind. And they come out in flying colours. Dr. Raj belongs to this undaunted rare species. "I am fortunate that my Department gave me all the freedom and provided me with a variety of challenges to help me hone my expertise," he pointed out.
Young Achiever Award
The highlight was the Young Achiever Award (2000 - 2004) given to his Ph.D student Anish Kumar. "I am doubly happy and proud that an Indian got it and he happens to be my student," an excited Dr. Raj commented. He has every reason to be happy and proud. After all, not every day does a guide and his student get to win awards from the same international body under different categories.