Government of India Honors Dr CNR Rao with Bharat Ratna award

On 16th Nov 2013, Government of India announces Bharat Ratna award to Chemist Dr CNR Rao and cricketer Sachin Tendullkar.

Its a great pride to India to have a chemist like Dr CNR Rao.

Dr CNR Rao dedicated his Bharat Ratna award to his students.

He said, "I'm grateful to the Prime Minister and the government of India for recognising my work. I'm equally grateful to my family and students. The honour means a lot to me and all scientists in the country. I've served science for 64 years as professor and 52 years in research, written over 1,600 papers and 48 books. The award is a recognition for all that."

Currently, Dr CNR Rao is working has a National Research Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore.

Dr CNR Rao has honorary 60 Ph.Ds from 60 Universities to his credit. He has authored around 1,500 research papers and 45 scientific books.

Chintamani Nagesa Ramachandra Rao was born in Bangalore on 30th June 1934. He obtained his Bachelor's degree from University of Mysore in 1951. Obtained Master's degree in Banaras Hindu University (BHU).

Later he worked as a professor in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur from 1963 to 1976. He also worked as a Director of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) from 1984 to 1994.

He was appointed Chair of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Indian Prime Minister in January 2005. He is also the director of the International Centre for Materials Science (ICMS).

He has given huge contribution to the field of Chemistry. Rao is one of the world's foremost solid state and material chemists. He has contributed to the development of the field over five decades.

He was also awarded with Padma Shri and Padma Vubhushan by Govt of India and Karnataka Ratna by the Karnataka State Government.

He became the first recipient of India Science Award. He has won several International awards and prizes.