Scientist Yash Pal and Project Director of Chandrayaan-1 M. Annadurai have been selected for H.K. Firodia awards for 2009. Professor Yashpal has been chosen for his contribution in the field of education and communication technology whereas M. Annadurai will get the honour for his role in the moon mission.The awards were announced by the former Director-General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), R.A. Mashelkar, and chairman of the Firodia Group Arun Firodia. Besides Dr. Mashelkar, the selection committee comprised scientists Anil Kakodkar, Vijay Bhatkar and Govind Swarup.
The Firodia awards were instituted in 1996 in memory of the doyen of automobile industry H.K Firodia. The purpose of the award is to acclaim scientific achievements in the country, inspire the youth to pursue a career in science and reach the benefits of science to the people. Professor Yashpal made path-breaking research in astronomy, astrophysics and space technology for which he is to be honoured. Annadurai's contributions include first ever software satellite simulator for an ISRO mission and automation of spacecraft operations.The awards will be presented in Pune on December 23. The earlier recipients include A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, M.S. Swaminathan, Jayant Narlikar and Samir Brahmachari.
