Latest news with #ShantiSwarupBhatnagarAward
Indian Express
4 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
A father-son legacy of Padma honors and pioneering scientific research
Written by Siddhi Patil, Dr Chetan Eknath Chitnis, a globally renowned Indian scientist, has dedicated his life to combating malaria, a persistent global health challenge claiming countless lives annually. His groundbreaking work in malaria vaccine development has earned him the prestigious Padma Shri this year, alongside awards like the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award and the Infosys Prize. Remarkably, Dr. Chitnis shares a rare distinction with his father, Eknath Vasant Chitnis, a Padma Bhushan recipient (1985) and a founding member of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This rare father-son duo's Padma honors reflect a deep family legacy of scientific excellence, with both making transformative contributions to their respective fields. Dr. Chitnis's journey in medical research is deeply rooted in his upbringing. His father, a distinguished space scientist and former director of ISRO's Space Application Centre, instilled a passion for dedicated work. 'My father taught me that true commitment means loving what you do, no matter the hours,' Dr. Chitnis recalls. While he initially pursued physics, inspired by his father's rigor, it was his mother, a biochemist focused on cancer research, who steered him toward biology. This pivot led him to lead the Malaria Parasite Biology and Vaccines Unit at Institut Pasteur in Paris, where he drives innovative vaccine research to curb malaria's devastating impact. Pune holds a special place in Dr. Chitnis's heart. Childhood summers spent at his grandparents' home in Deccan Gymkhana, exploring nearby hills with cousins, evoke memories of a serene, green Pune. His parents' decision to settle in the city post-retirement deepened his connection. Today, as Pune evolves into a bustling hub of innovation, Dr. Chitnis is eager to engage with its academic and research communities, blending personal nostalgia with professional aspirations. From IIT Bombay to UC Berkeley, the National Institutes of Health, and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) in Delhi, Dr. Chitnis's career spans continents. His work at ICGEB, supported by robust government backing, laid the foundation for his current efforts in Paris. A significant breakthrough came during the COVID-19 pandemic when delayed vaccine trials at Oxford revealed that a 14-month gap between doses reduced malaria parasite growth—an unexpected finding inspired by similar COVID-19 vaccine insights. This discovery, coupled with advancements in mRNA technology, fuels his cautious optimism for future malaria solutions. The Padma Shri holds deep significance for Dr. Chitnis. 'Being recognised by my homeland, even after a decade abroad, is humbling,' he says. He views the award as a tribute to his team's collective efforts and a call to continue serving society.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
ISC topper removes surname for 'humanity': Who is Srijani?
Srijani , a remarkable student who secured a flawless score in this year's Indian School Certificate (ISC) examinations, has emerged as a firm voice against all forms of discrimination—whether based on class, wealth, or faith. Guided by her strong convictions, the 17-year-old graduate of the Future Foundation School has chosen to drop her last name and declares that the only belief system she follows is that of humanity . In a bold move prior to her Class XII board exams, she submitted a formal request seeking an exception from the board to allow her to register using only her first name. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India strikes hard! New Delhi bans all imports from Pakistan How Pakistan is preparing for the worst as India weighs response If India attacks Pakistan, China & B'desh should seize 7 NE states, says Yunus' aide Ranjan Mitter, principal of The Future Foundation School, supported her stand, explaining, 'If the law permits, we have no objection. Including a surname is not a legal requirement. Every individual deserves to live with dignity, and if this aligns with the family's wishes, we are completely in favor of it.' Speaking with the Times of India, Srijani explained, 'I oppose every form of injustice—whether it's social stratification, financial inequality, or religious intolerance. Acts of sectarian violence and religious extremism serve only to divide. A nation with diverse traditions can thrive only through mutual understanding, shared values, and equal opportunities for all.' She envisions a world where tragedies like the death of Abhaya, a victim from RG Kar Medical College, no longer occur, where sectarian clashes are a thing of the past, and hierarchical divisions cease to exist. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Wife won't let go of dog, husband finds out why and calls police - watch! Happy in Shape Undo On August 14, 2024, she, along with her sister and other relatives, joined the mass protest 'Reclaim the Night' to speak out against the rape and murder of a PGT doctor. The march was a collective call for justice and the protection of women's rights . Srijani's values are deeply influenced by her parents. Her mother, Gopa Mukherjee, is an assistant professor at Gurudas College, while her father, Debasish Goswami, is a mathematician at the Indian Statistical Institute and a recipient of the 2012 Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award. Mukherjee shared, 'I never changed my last name after getting married. Our children were free to choose either of our surnames, but my husband and I are fundamentally opposed to patriarchal norms and the caste system. We want our children to grow up unburdened by social labels and to value empathy above all else.' She added that when they applied for their children's birth certificates, they chose not to include surnames. 'We've rarely faced resistance for this decision. There's no legal compulsion to use a last name—not even on a passport. What truly needs to change is the mindset. While we still use surnames in practice, our stated religion is always listed as 'humanity'.' Recognizing Srijani's achievement and ideals, State Power Minister and Tollygunge MLA Aroop Biswas visited her family home in Ranikuthi to personally honor her. He expressed admiration for her decision to relinquish her surname. Currently, Srijani is setting her sights on a future in science. She hopes to pursue physics or mathematics at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru and is actively preparing for the next phase of her academic journey.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
No surname, religion ‘humanity': ISC 1st girl scores more firsts
1 2 Kolkata: Srijani, who has achieved a perfect score in ISC this year, stands against any kind of inequality, be it social, economic or religious. Acting on her ideal, the 17-year-old, who studied at The Future Foundation School, has renounced her surname and the only religion she follows is 'humanity'. Ahead of her class XII exam, she made an application, seeking special permission to write only her name and not her surname for her boards registration. The Future Foundation School principal Ranjan Mitter said, "As long as the law is satisfied, this is not an issue for us, and it's not mandatory. I believe every person should be allowed to live with their self-respect, and if the family so wishes, we will go along with that." "I am against all kinds of inequality—social, economic or religious. Communal aggression and religious chauvinism are divisive forces," Srijani told TOI. "A multicultural society can prosper only with tolerance, mutual respect and egalitarian ideas. I dream of a society where there will be no Abhaya (RG Kar victim), no religious war and no hierarchy." Srijani, along with her sister and family members, had joined thousands others to "Reclaim the Night" on Aug 14, 2024, protesting against the PGT doctor's rape and murder and demanding women's safety. Her beliefs are largely shaped by her mother, Gopa Mukherjee, an assistant professor at Gurudas College, and Debasish Goswami, a mathematician at ISI, who received the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in 2012. "I did not change my surname after marriage. For the children, they had a choice to use both our surnames. My husband and I are against patriarchy and caste hierarchy, and we want our children to grow up with a free mind without any burden of caste, creed and religion. First, they should be humane," said Mukherjee. "It gives us immense pleasure that our kids respect our decision." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Mukherjee said when they had applied for their children's birth certificates, they had not mentioned their surnames. "We have never faced any major question about it. A surname is not mandatory anywhere, not even in a passport, but it is a mindset. We use our surname but mention our religion as 'humanity'," she said. State power minister Aroop Biswas, also the MLA in Tollygunge where Srijani lives, visited her at their Ranikuthi home to felicitate her. Biswas, too, was impressed and lauded Srijani for renouncing her surname. Srijani's aspiration is to study physics or mathematics at IISc Bengaluru and she is preparing for it now.
