President Pranab Mukherjee presented the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for excellence in public administration, academics and management for the year 2014 to Dr. Apathukatha Sivathanu Pillai here at Rashtrapati Bhavan today.
Dr.Pillai, 67, is a scientist who formerly served as Chief Controller of Research and Development from 1996 to 2014 and held the rank of "Distinguished Scientist" from year 1999 to 2014 at the Defence Research and Development Organisation at the Ministry of Defence. He is also the founder-CEO and Managing Director of the BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited.
He previously served as Vice President of International Project Management Association and as Special Secretary representing India in the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation.
He currently serves as Chairperson of the Board of Governors of the National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra.
Speaking on the occasion, President Mukherjee said, "The annual Award for excellence in public administration, academics and management was an occasion to remember the values and ideals of Shastriji."
The President added, "Conferment of this award on Dr. Pillai is recognition for the outstanding work done by our space and defence research scientists. The President congratulated the entire scientific community and ISRO in particular, for the remarkable feat of having successfully executed the Mars Orbiter Mission in its very first attempt."
The President said, "I on my behalf and that of all our countrymen, pay tribute to the scientists and technical staff who have toiled tirelessly to create history. I see bright young faces sitting here and I need to remind all of you that you have a great responsibility ahead of you."
" You must imbibe the Shastrian values of courage, integrity and self-less service. You all must rise above pursuits for self and look around to see what you can do for your fellow countrymen. Look inside you and see what you can do to bring about difference in the society and the nation," he further added.
