German Honour for Noted Indian Scientist

(December 23, 2009) Noted Indian scientist C.N.R. Rao, who is chairman of the Scientific Advisory Council to the prime minister, has become the first Indian scientist to win the prestigious August Wilhelm von Hoffmann medal for his outstanding contributions in chemistry, a science ministry official said Tuesday. The award is being given by the German Chemical Society, the science ministry official reported. This is the highest international medal in chemistry awarded once in two or three years, and Rao is the first Indian scientist to be honoured with the prestigious medal. Dr Rao is a Professor the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advance Scientific Research (JNCASR), where he is also the honourary president. The medal will be presented to Rao in the European Chemical Congress at Nuremberg Aug 29, 2010. It has instituted after German chemist August-Wilhelm-von-Hofmann. "The medal has been awarded earlier to Nobel laureates and leaders in chemical research," the statement added.