VASVIK Award for CSIR-IICT Director

Hyderabad, Dec 17 : CSIR- Indian Institute of Chemical Technology Director Dr. M. Lakshmi Kantam has been conferred the Smt. Chandaben Mohanbhai Patel Industrial Research Award for Women Scientists for the year 2011.

The award has been conferred due to her extensive efforts in basic research which resulted in the development of novel homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts and their applications towards the development of innovative green processes for fine and bulk chemicals. In particular, utilization of nanomaterials, hydrotalcites and hydroxyapatites as catalyst supports and catalysts for asymmetric catalysis and C-C/C-N coupling reactions. The award carries a cash award of Rs. One lakh and a citation.

The Vasvik Research awards are given with the aim of promoting industrial research, science and technology (S & T) in India to scientists and researchers who have excelled in their particular field viz. Chemical Sciences & Technology, Biological Sciences & Technology, Environmental Sciences & Technology etc.. A special Award is conferred on Women Scientists for their achievements in industrial research under the category Smt. Chandaben Mohanbhai Patel Industrial Research Award for Women Scientists.

The Group have instituted nine annual VASVIK Industrial Research Awards, each of Rs. 1,00,000/-, and a citation to be awarded to an individual or group of individuals, who, in the opinion of our Board of Advisors, have made outstanding contribution to the advancement of science and technology or provided leadership leading directly to national prosperity in India. The award was presented by Shri Niraj Bajaj, CMD, Bajaj Group of Industries at a function recently held at Mumbai. INN