Date:13/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/13/stories/2008011354791000.htm

National

C.V. Raman award for Natarajan

T. S. Subramanian

M. Natarajan

CHENNAI: M. Natarajan, Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister, received the Sir C.V. Raman birth centenary award-2008 and a gold medal from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the inaugural function of the 95th Indian Science Congress held in Visakhapatnam on January 3.

Mr. Natarajan, who is also Secretary, Defence Research and Development, was selected for the award for his outstanding achievements in defence research and development, and strategic systems.

The citation says he has been instrumental in the progress and realisation of various defence technologies and products in combat vehicles’ engineering, armaments, missiles, aeronautics, naval systems and life sciences. He made important contributions to the development of state-of-the-art defence systems, encompassing highly complex technologies, making India self-reliant.

According to a communiqué, Mr. Natarajan was given the Best Scientist Award for 1994 for his contribution to the success of the main battle tank, Arjun.

Earlier, as Chief Controller, R and D, at the DRDO headquarters, looking after armaments, combat vehicles and engineering equipment, he ensured the acceptance of the Pinaka multibarrel rocket launching system (MBRLS) by the Army after exhaustive field tests.

It was developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune.

Mr. Natarajan was given the Technology Leadership Award for 2003 for his contribution to the design and development of combat vehicles, and mechanical systems for the Light Combat Aircraft.