Infy takes another step to boost basic sciences

The Infosys Science Foundation, which had instituted the Infosys Prize in 2009 to give a shot in the arm to those working in the various fields of sciences, on Monday announced the winners of the Infosys Prize 2010 recognising their contributions to scientific research that have impacted India. It is an effort by Infosys to make research an attractive profession for youth.

The Infosys Prize was established as an annual prize across five categories to reward and recognise outstanding inventions or discovery or a cumulative body of work. It is amongst the largest in terms of prize money for any such honour in India, carrying a cash award of Rs 50 lakh, a citation certificate and a gold medallion. The objective of this prize is to elevate the prestige of scientific research in India and to inspire young Indians to pursue a career in scientific research.

The winners across five categories — mathematical sciences, physical sciences, engineering and computer science, life sciences and social sciences — were announced in Bangalore on Monday.

The winners of the Infosys Prize 2010 were chosen by jury panels comprising of eminent scientists and professors from across the globe.

Speaking at the event, Infosys chief mentor N R Narayana Murthy said, "Scientific research is the key to sustaining India’s growth, and it is critical for India to ensure that research remains an attractive profession for the nation's finest minds. The Infosys Prize aims to recognise and acknowledge outstanding work done by researchers, creating role models and thereby encouraging the youth to pursue careers in scientific research."

Applauding the winners, K Dinesh, president of the board of trustees of the Infosys Science Foundation said, "Science like business, is planned, executed, learnt and re-executed. Science has the power to transform all impertinent questions to pertinent answers. Progress towards development needs a balanced view of science and social sciences to alleviate human misery. The Infosys Science Foundation is a step in that direction for recognising and rewarding world-class researchers."

The award ceremony for the Infosys Prize 2010 is scheduled to be held on January 6, 2011, in Mumbai where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will present the awards to the winners.

The winners of the Infosys Prize 2010 are: Chandrashekhar Khare, Mathematics Department, University of California, Los Angeles for mathematical sciences; Sandip Trivedi, Theoretical Physics Department, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai for physical sciences; Ashutosh Sharma, Chemical Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur for engineering and computer science; Chetan E. Chitnis, Principal Leader, Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Delhi in life sciences; Amita Baviskar, Sociology Unit, Institute of Economic Growth (IEG), Delhi in sociology and Nandini Sundar, Sociology Department, Delhi School of Economics (DSE), Delhi for social anthropology.