India is number three in the area of Nano Science, says CNR Rao

Scientist C N R Rao today said India is number three in the world, in the area of Nano Science, only after China and the US. "In the area of Nano Science India has now become number three in the world, it was zero before; now we are in third position," Rao, who is also the Head of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister told reporters while briefing about the Silver Jubilee celebrations of Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research here.

"In Nano science we were zero 10 years ago, and today we are number three, we were number four. I'm told by the Department of Science and technology just now we are up to- three. First is China, second is America, third is India," he added. Rao said, "JNCASR is number one in the impact of nano science and technology and then Indian Institute of Science (IISC). IISC and JNCASR together formed the biggest group of people involved in nano science."

Stating that JNCASR works on four major areas of interest like advanced materials, molecular biology & genetics, evolutionary biology, and engineering mechanics, Rao said, "we have become unique institution in areas like biology - we are doing lot of work on cancer, malaria, epilepsy, and another uniqueness is we are the only place having a devoted laboratory for HIV research."

"Studies are being conducted at the centre on treating HIV using Ayurveda and Siddha medical techniques," Rao, who is the Centre's Founder President, added. He also pointed that JNCASR has signed MOUs or has association with several world renowned research centers and universities like Riken in Tokyo, Cambridge University, Northwestern University in United States, etc. "Centre is strong in theoretical sciences," he said.

"We have started new unit called New Chemistry, we have also started a group on Neuroscience. The center also organises Science education outreach programme for school children and teachers especially from rural areas," he added.

The centre came into existence on November 14, 1989, to commemorate birth centenary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It is since contributing to the knowledge and understanding in the sciences of materials, Biology and mechanics with about 50 faculty members and 300 post-graduate students.