V Prakash appointed new CSIR chief

V Prakash, director of Mysore based Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), has been appointed the next director general of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). He will take over from R A Mashelkar in the new year.

The head of CSIR will also be the secretary of the department of scientific and industrial research, ministry of science and technology.

Prakash, in many ways, will be taking over a transformed CSIR. Mashelkar, one of India's well known scientists, headed the organisation for over ten years and reoriented it with a focus on intellectual property and user oriented research. This saw a jump in the number of patents filed.

Mysore born 55-year-old Visweswaraiah Prakash has been associated with the CFTRI for the last 35 years and has been its director since 1994. Under his leadership, it has filed a record 900 patents.

Prakash observed that the national labs have reached out quite well in their areas but there are more areas and more to deliver. CSIR can network with its labs, offer its expertise for undertaking researches that are more relevant. "We must also note that science is expanding. These require a number of decisions to be taken," he said.

As regards shortage of scientists and researchers, Prakash noted with optimism that youngsters were coming back to scientific research.

"We have to identify the right type of men and define the programmes properly. We must have these visions before we give shape for the 11th Plan," he said.