Padma award in science and engineering category-CDFD Director Dr Jayaraman Gowrishankar |
Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics director and renowned scientist Dr
Jayaraman Gowrishankar won the Padma award as he was instrumental for ground breaking
research work in Microbiology and Genetics.
Dr Gowrishankar told this newspaper,”‘I am really happy to get Padma as it is a national
award. I must credit this also to the research group of my institute who have contributed
in all my work. I hope this award will not change my research and I will continue to work
hard with the responsibilities,”
The research group lead by Gowrishankar has got first patenting from India on genetically
engineered bacteria. “While in CCMB we are able to obtain royalty by licensing the
patent to a company. The institute could get 400 thousand dollars for ten years as
royalty,”
He added,” I have done a medical degree but decided to get into research. We have worked
on fundamental process by which bacteria grow and divide and to understand this bacterial
growth to control infectious diseases and helping to know beneficial bacteria,”
Gowrishankar born in Mysore in a military family hailing originally from Tamilnadu. In
1983 January he joined CCMB and in 2000 he joined CDFD. For the past seven years he is
working as CDFD director. His wife Dr Swarna Lata is a pathologist in Apollo Hospitals.
One of his two sons Srinivasan holding law degree from National law School in Bengaluru
is teaching for ‘Teacher for India’ Ngo. His younger son is doing final year Btech with
IIT Mumbai.
GAJAM ANJAIAH
Gajam Anjaiah a renowned craftsman of Puttapaka Tie and dye silks was awarded Padmasri.
He hails from Puttapaka village in Narayapuram mandal in Nalgolda Dist and ruled the
world of weaving for more than three decades. Anjaiah’s father Narasimha was the first
person to bring Telia Rumal technique to Puttapaka area from Chirala Area of Andhra
Pradesh which had become extinct there now. Telia Rumals are produced with Traditional,
Eco friendly Vegetable Dyes and switched over to Chemical Dyes.
Gajam Anjaiah told this newspaper ,”I am lucky enough to get award. The weaving skills
have come to me hereditarily. I fondly remember by parents now. Padmasri has increased my
self confidence. It is an award to all weavers. There is a general impression that
weaving has no future. But there is a good future for this. The award increased my
responsibility and I will work towards making more new designs,”
Gajam Anjaiah recently produced a Silk saree with 16 Lucky Symbols depicted in the
Literature of Jainism. Each symbol in the design carries special effect which brings
religions significance to the saree which can be worn during important Festivals and
Religious occasions. Another innovation is making of Tie and Dye silk sarees with 108
Astrological Symbols which has much more intricate designs. Each Astrological Symbol is
depicted in a size of 2.25 inch space with all minute details. The process of
transforming the paper design to fabric is much laborious and requires high degree of
skill.
He was instrumental in innovating new designs and around 500 weaver’s families depend on
him in Nalgonda and Mahabubnagar. He had participated in worlds crafts council meeting in
Dauge South Korea. He earlier won National award for Master crafts persona and weavers in
1987 and Sant Kabir award I 2010.
Dr Radhika Herzberger Director of Rishi Valley School was awarded Padmasri in Literature
& Education. Mr M S Sailendran the administrative officer of Rishi Vally school says,”we are very honoured about it. She was in Chennai and travelling now. We couldn’t reach her.
She is an educationalist directing the Rishi Valley school for several years. Dr Radhika
is daughter of Ms Pupul Jayakar. Dr Radhika had written many books and she is on the
educational boards of government,” Ms. Pupul Jayakar was an Indian cultural activist and
writer.
Dr Radhika is also member of INTACH Hyderabad based heritage conserving society.
Rishi Valley School, started in a valley in Madanapalle in Chittoor district with the aim
of providing holistic education to children and it has completed 81 years. The school was
found by Jiddu Krishna murti which focuses on rural education, healthcare and
environmental conservation.