Raghunath Anant Mashelkar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Raghunath Anant Mashelkar
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Mashelkar in 2009
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| Born | 1 January 1943 Mashel, Goa.
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| Nationality | Indian |
| Other names | Ramesh Mashelkar |
| Alma mater | Institute of Chemical Technology (B.Chem Eng, PhD) |
| Known for |
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| Title | FTWAS, FNA, FASc, FRS, FREng, FRSC |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Chemical Engineering |
| Institutions | CSIR Global Research Alliance National Innovation Foundation |
| Notable students | Yogesh M. Joshi |
Raghunath Anant Mashelkar (born 1 January 1943), also known as Ramesh Mashelkar, is a famous Indian Chemical Engineer. He was born in a village called Marcel in Goa and grew up in Maharashtra.
Dr. Mashelkar is known for his important work in science and innovation. He used to be the Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), which is a big group of science labs in India. He has also been a leader in many science groups around the world. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a very high honor for scientists.
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Early Life and Education
Ramesh Mashelkar studied at the Institute of Chemical Technology in Mumbai. He earned his first degree in chemical engineering in 1966. Later, he completed his PhD in 1969. He even became the head (chancellor) of this institute from 2014 to 2024.
Leading Science in India
Dr. Mashelkar led two very important science organizations in India:
- National Chemical Laboratory (NCL): From 1989 to 1995, he was the Director of NCL. He helped NCL focus on creating new technologies that could compete globally. They even started getting international patents for their inventions.
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR): After NCL, he became the Director General of CSIR for over eleven years. CSIR is a huge network of 38 science laboratories across India. He helped transform CSIR into a world-class research organization.
Protecting India's Knowledge
One of Dr. Mashelkar's most important achievements was fighting to protect India's traditional knowledge.
- Turmeric Patent: He led the fight to cancel a US patent on the healing properties of turmeric. He argued that this knowledge belonged to India's traditions and was not a new invention.
- Basmati Rice Patent: He also helped challenge US patents on Basmati Rice. This fight showed the world the importance of protecting traditional knowledge.
These efforts led to the creation of India's Traditional Knowledge Digital Library. This digital library helps prevent others from wrongly patenting traditional Indian knowledge.
New Ideas for Everyone
Dr. Mashelkar came up with the idea of "Gandhian Engineering" in 2008. This means finding ways to get "More from Less for More People." It's about creating useful and affordable solutions for everyone, especially those who don't have much. His ideas have helped inspire new ways of thinking about innovation that include all people.
Global Connections
Dr. Mashelkar has shared his knowledge with many universities and organizations around the world:
- He was a visiting professor at famous universities like Harvard University and University of Delaware.
- He also served on the boards of many big companies, like Reliance Industries and Tata Motors.
- He was part of advisory boards for international research centers, including Microsoft and Michelin.
Contributions to India
Dr. Mashelkar has played a big role in advising the Indian government on science and technology.
- He was a member of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister.
- He chaired many important committees. These committees looked into different issues, from fuel policies to improving drug safety in India.
- He helped investigate major accidents, like the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
He is also deeply involved in promoting innovation in India. He was the Chairman of India's National Innovation Foundation for many years.
Research Work
Dr. Mashelkar's research has focused on Chemical Engineering. He has made important discoveries in areas like:
- How materials move and change (known as transport phenomena).
- The behavior of polymers, which are materials made of long chains of molecules.
- How to design and improve polymerization reactors.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Mashelkar has received many awards and honors from all over the world. More than 50 universities have given him honorary doctorates, which means they recognize his great achievements. He holds the record for the most honorary doctorates given to an Indian engineer!
Some of his highest honors from India include:
- Padma Shri (1991)
- Padma Bhushan (2000)
- Padma Vibhushan (2014)
He has also been elected as a Fellow to many prestigious science academies internationally, such as the Royal Society in London and the US National Academy of Sciences.
Helping Society
In 2011, Dr. Mashelkar started the Anjani Mashelkar Foundation. This foundation helps encourage "inclusive innovation." This means finding smart, high-tech solutions that can help people who are often left out of new developments.
The foundation gives the Anjani Mashelkar Prize to innovators who create solutions for those in need. This prize helps recognize and support people who use technology to make a difference in society.
