Odisha honours scientists at ceremony in Bhubaneswar

Around 16 scientists received awards at a ceremony held at Jaydev Bhavan in Bhubaneswar. Senior scientists honoured included wildlife scientists Lala Ashwin Kumar Singh and Sudhakar Kar, agricultural scientist Ravindra Kumar Panda, zoologist Prafulla Kumar Mahanti and chemist Bijay Kumar Mishra.

Surendra Kumar Biswal received the Biju Patnaik Award for Scientific Excellence. The Samanta Chandra Sekhar Awards went to scientists working in Odisha and to one Odisha-born scientist working outside the state. Four young scientists received the Odisha Young Scientist Award. Bhagaban Patra and Krittibas Nayak received the Pranakrushna Parija Popular Science Book Award in the general and children’s categories, respectively.

A detailed project report for a proposed Science City in Odisha is being prepared. Plans also include a biotechnology park, deep-sea research under the blue economy and support for drone innovation.

Notable Points

• Odisha Bigyan Academy publications: The Odisha Bigyan Academy publishes the monthly Odia magazine Bigyan Diganta and the English magazine Science Horizon. Selected Bigyan Diganta topics are also published in Odia Braille for visually impaired students.
• Prana Krushna Parija’s botanical research: Botanist Prana Krushna Parija studied plant physiology, experimental plant morphology and plant ecology. His subjects included aquatic weeds, transpiration and heat resistance in plants.