Rastriya vigyan purushkar

Source: THE HINDU

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Context:

• The Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India announced the first-ever Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) awards for Indian scientists.

Details:

• Dr Bappi Paul (Environment Science) from the School of Engineering and Technology, National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, has been awarded the RVP Vigyan Yuva award.
• This initiative follows a significant revamp of the previously existing awards, simplifying the structure and increasing the prestige associated with the honors.
• The other awardees are Botanist Dr Purabi Saikia, an associate professor from the Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University; and nanotechnology expert Professor Vivek Polshettiwar from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai.
• The Vigyan Shri Award will be presented to Professor Rohit Srivastava from IIT Bombay.

About Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar:

Objective	To recognize notable and inspiring contributions made by scientists, technologists, and innovators in various fields of science and technology. The RVP is one of the highest recognitions in India for these fields.
Eligibility	Scientists, technologists, and innovators in government and private sectors, or individuals outside any organization. People of Indian origin abroad with exceptional contributions benefiting Indian communities.
Award Categories	Vigyan Ratna (VR): Lifetime achievements in science and technology. Vigyan Shri (VS): Distinguished contributions to science and technology. Vigyan Yuva Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB): Young scientists with exceptional contributions. Vigyan Team (VT): Teams of three or more who have made exceptional contributions.
Max. No. of Awards	Vigyan Ratna (VR): 3 Vigyan Shri (VS): 25 Vigyan Yuva Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB): 25 Vigyan Team (VT): 3
Ceremony Details	Awards announced on National Technology Day (11th May) annually. Award Ceremony held on National Space Day (23rd August) annually. Awards conferred by the Hon'ble President or Vice President of India. Ceremony organized at Vigyan Bhavan or a suitable alternative venue. Awards commence in the year 2024.

Key Features of Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar

Number and Nature of Awards:

• A total of 56 awards will be distributed annually.
• Unlike the previous awards, which included cash components, the RVP will offer only a certificate and a medallion, akin to the Padma awards.

Categories of Awards:

• The awards will span across 13 categories, including physics, chemistry, biology, and several interdisciplinary fields.
• There will be an 'Others' category to ensure comprehensive recognition across various scientific domains.

Impact of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar

• The RVP aims to bring a more streamlined and prestigious approach to recognizing scientific achievements in India.
• The reduction from 300 existing awards to 56 emphasizes the limited nature of the RVP.
• By removing the cash component and focusing on the symbolic value of the award, the government intends to brief a culture of honoring scientific merit and innovation.
• The inclusion of diverse categories within the awards ensures that contributions across different scientific fields are acknowledged, encouraging interdisciplinary research and collaboration.
• Furthermore, aligning the announcement and award dates with significant national milestones in science and technology adds greater significance to these awards.

Conclusion

• The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar represents a significant step towards enhancing the recognition of scientific and technological contributions in India.
• By restructuring the awards system to focus on quality over quantity and aligning with national scientific observances, the government aims to elevate the status of scientific achievements and inspire future generations of scientists and innovators.

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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Consider the following statements about Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP): The RVP is awarded to recognize notable contributions in various fields of science and technology in India. The award includes a cash component along with a certificate and medallion. The Vigyan Yuva award is given to young scientists with exceptional contributions. The RVP awards is conferred by the Prime Minister of India. Which of the above given statement is/are correct? A) 1 and 3 only B) 2 and 4 only C) 1, 2 and 3 only D) 1, 3, and 4 only Answer: (A)