President Murmu Confers First Vigyan Ratna Puraskar to Renowned Biochemist

President Droupadi Murmu awarded the inaugural Vigyan Ratna Puraskar to biochemist Govindrajan Padmanabhan. The ceremony also recognized 13 Vigyan Shri awardees, 18 Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar laureates, and one Vigyan Team award. These awards, instituted last year, honor significant contributions in science.

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday conferred the first-ever Vigyan Ratna Puraskar - India's top science award - on renowned biochemist and former director of the Indian Institute of Science, Govindrajan Padmanabhan.

Held at the Ganatantra Mandapam in Rashtrapati Bhawan, the ceremony also saw the distribution of 13 Vigyan Shri Puraskar, 18 Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes, and one Vigyan Team award. This marked the first investiture ceremony specifically for science awards in India.

The team behind the Chandrayaan-3 mission received the Vigyan Team award, accepted by project director P Veeramuthuvel. All awardees were honored with a medal and citation for their exceptional achievements in their respective fields.

(With inputs from agencies.)