News
Glory of India Award for Dr. Bala Vaidhyanthan
Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:00:00 BST
The India International Friendship Society (IIFS - http://www.globalfriendshipday.org ), an organisation of global repute and influence, has selected Dr. Bala Vaidhyanathan (known as Vaidhy by his friends and colleagues) of the Department of Materials, Loughborough University, for their most prestigious Glory of India Award & Certificate of Excellence for his contributions in the field of Science, Technology and Education for the year 2010.
IIFS honours outstanding Indians and non-Indians alike, across the globe, who contribute to the growth of India and strengthening of Indo-UK ties through proactive means. Past recipients of the award include Her Holiness Mother Teresa; Sir Michael Arthur, former British High Commissioner in India; B D Jatti, former Vice President of India; Lord Bhikhu Parek; Lord Rana; Lord Navnit Dholakia; Baroness Shreela Flather; Sir Mota Singh of the Queens Council; Dev Anand and cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar, to name a few.
The award will be presented by the Hon Baroness Sandip Verma, FRSA, Minister for International Development, Minister for Equalities and Women and The Whip for the Cabinet Office, House of Lords (Chief guest) in a glittering ceremony & banquet on 25 th September, 2010 at the Crown Plaza St. James, 45 Buckingham Gate, London, UK. Eminent invitees from UK, India and abroad will grace the occasion.
Vaidhy’s citation said that he has etched his own distinct identity, socially and economically, by the virtue of his scientific and technological excellence. In the Indian context he has been proactive and instrumental in strengthening the Indo-British ties and encouraging collaborations in Indian projects and contributing to the scientific, economic and educational growth of India.
Dr. Vaidhyanthan is the co-ordinator for a new programme offered by the Department of Materials that seeks to create educational and research links with premier institutions in India. He has also been actively involved in promoting awareness of University’s international initiatives by engaging young graduates through invited lectures and web-seminars at various forums in India during his visits; one televised lecture that he gave recently was watched live by over 3000 Indian students. His research work focuses mainly on the novel processing of advanced ceramics with a special emphasis on electronic and energy materials. He has authored greater than 70 peer reviewed publications, delivered over 30 oral presentations at national and international events and is named an inventor on 15 international patents. He also played a prominent role in establishing the Departments’ engagement with Anna University in Chennai, the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore and signing an MoU with PSG College of Technology in Coimbatore, all in India.
