Two young researchers of State – Veena Kumari Tudu and Nand Kishore Thombare today received international award instituted by International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI), Georgia, USA for their exemplary research work. The award carries 2000 US dollar in cash, citation and a memento.
Over 400 entries from young scholars from across the globe were received at IPNI Headquarters and 36 researchers were finally selected on the basis of their academic performance UG onwards, quality of research work, scholar’s involvement in extracurricular activities and his/her involvement in social issues. Total number of researchers receiving this award in India this year is 6 while in South East Asia it is 10. Altogether 165 applications/nominations for this award were received from different parts of India this year.
Nand Kishore Thombare is conducting PhD research on the topic ‘Synthesis and evaluation of cross-linked guar gum hydrogel for agricultural and environmental applications’ in the department of chemistry of Birla Institute of Technology (BIT), Mesra, Ranchi under the supervision of Dr Usha Jha. Veena Kumari Tudu, a scholar of Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding at Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) is enrolled for PhD on the topic ‘Genetics of drought tolerance in Maize under different potassium levels’ under the guidance of Dr Manigopa Chakraborty.
Award ceremony was organized today at Birsa Agriculture University (BAU) where BAU Vice Chancellor Dr Parvinder Kaushal presented awards. He congratulated them for their achievement and advised to always go for out of the box thinking for excelling in their field.
Dr T Satyanarayana, Director, IPNI, South Asia Programmee outlined the history, aim and scope of IPNI Scholar Award and delivered invited lecture on ‘IPNI Initiatives in South Asia towards improved crop nutrient management’. Dr Kaushik Mazumdar, Vice President and Asia Group Coordinator of IPNI chaired the event. The selected scholars – Thombare and Tudu also made presentations on their ongoing research work. Dr K K Sharma, Director, Indian Institute of Natural Resins & Gums, Namkum, Ranchi was also present on the occasion