Bhubaneswar: Scientists Dr Digendranath Swain and Dr Swarup Kumar Parida, both natives of Odisha, were conferred with the country’s highest science award, Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar: Vigyan Yuva- Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar for 2024 on Thursday.
President Droupadi Murmu presented them the award, which comprises a Medallion and Sanad, at a function held at Rastrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
They were among the 18 scientists who received the Vigyan Yuva-SSB award, given to recognise scientists who have exceptionally contributed to any field of science and technology, spanning from the study on the warming of the Indian Ocean and its consequences, to the development of indigenous 5G base station and communication and precision tests of quantum mechanics.
An expert in experimental solid mechanics of launch vehicle structures, Swain, who heads the experimental techniques section (EXMD/STR) at ISRO, has made outstanding contributions in supporting structural qualification tests using DIC and other experimental techniques. He is also known for his expertise in digital image correlation systems, digital serigraphy system, non-destructive testing using optical techniques.
Parida, a scientist with National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) at New Delhi, was instrumental in developing various concepts on integrated next-generation molecular breeding.
In the first edition of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, 33 awards were presented to distinguished scientists in four categories – Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva, and Vigyan Team, official sources said.
