New Delhi: The AVRA Technology Award – 2021 was presented to Dr Krishna M Ella, Chairman, Bharat Biotech, at CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, on Monday. Dr Ella while delivering the award lecture, said there was a requirement to create an ecosystem where India should innovate and not copy from other countries and encourage start-ups. He also recalled the challenges and tremendous efforts to produce India’s indigenous vaccine, Covaxin.
Dr D Srinivasa Reddy, director, CSIR-IICT, said in his welcome address that CSIR-IICT played a significant role in the progress of Covaxin with the development of a crucial adjuvant for the vaccine. He said two Padma Bhushan Awardees – Dr AV Rama Raoand Dr Krishna M Ella, the awardee, have excelled in achieving the same goal, providing low cost and indigenous healthcare solutions in our country and world over.
The award is instituted in honour of Dr AV Rama Rao, former director of CSIR-IICT, and Founder of AVRA Laboratories, while CSIR-IICT sponsored the award. The award carries a cash award of Rs one lakh and a memento.It is given to an eminent scientist/technologist who has contributed significantly to the national objectives in the domain of science and technology.
Some of the earlier award recipients include Prof. Sandeep Verma, Secretary, Science, and Engineering Research Board, Department of Science and Technology, Prof UR Rao, former chairman of ISRO, Prof MS Swaminathan, Prof MM Sharma, and Dr Sam Pitroda. (India Science Wire)
