Infosys Science Foundation announces winners of 14th Infosys Prize
Bengaluru, Nov 15: The Infosys Science Foundation (ISF) on Tuesday announced the winners of the Infosys Prize 2022 in six categories Engineering and Computer Science, Humanities, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences and Social Sciences.
The winners are: Engineering and Computer Science - Suman Chakraborty; Humanities - Sudhir Krishnaswamy; Life Sciences - Vidita Vaidya; Mathematical Sciences - Mahesh Kakde; Physical Sciences - Nissim Kanekar, Social Sciences - Rohini Pande.
"The Infosys Prize celebrates the achievements of the recipients and awards them for their contributions to science and research impacting India," an ISF statement said.
The prize for each category comprises a gold medal, a citation, and a prize purse of USD 100,000 (or its equivalent in Rupees).
Panels of accomplished jurors comprising world-renowned scholars and experts shortlisted the winners of the Infosys Prize 2022 from 218 nominations, the statement said.
Over the past 13 years, ISF has recognised the accomplishments of some of the best and creative scientific research that has contributed to every aspect of human life, it said.
"In recognising these outstanding researchers, ISF is not just celebrating their personal achievements but also encouraging young minds to explore science and research as a career option," the statement said.
Elaborating on the importance of funding science and research in India, N R Narayana Murthy, Founder Infosys, Trustee ISF, said there is an urgent need for both government and private sectors to invest more in science and research.
"This is the best way forward to solve the many problems that confront us as a nation and humanity as a whole. Our researchers are the country's frontline warriors in the war against our grand problems. That is why we must encourage them," he said.
Infosys prize winners. Clockwise from top left Rohini Pande, Nissim Kanekar, Mahesh Kakde, Suman Chakraborty, Sudhir Krishnaswamy, Vidita Vaidya.(Official websites)
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Maharashtra sets up state vaccination task force to strengthen immunisation programme
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has set up a State Vaccination Task Force to strengthen the regular immunisation programme and review the progress of related campaigns, a health department official said on Monday.
The State Vaccination Task Force will comprise at least 29 members and will be headed by the administrative head of the health department, he informed.
The government has also constituted separate district-level and municipal vaccination task forces to improve implementation and address challenges at the grassroots level, he said.
Municipal task forces, chaired by respective civic commissioners, have been constituted in view of the vast urban population in Maharashtra and the role of civic bodies in implementing different health programmes.
The district-level task forces will function under the chairmanship of collectors.
"Complete immunisation of children at the appropriate age is an extremely simple, cost-effective and highly effective measure to reduce child mortality and the prevalence of diseases among kids. Immunisation is a powerful tool for reducing illness in children," maintained the official.
To ensure full vaccination of all children, the state government implements various campaigns from time to time as per the central government guidelines, he pointed out.
"Active participation and cooperation of other relevant government departments are essential (in making these campaigns successful)," according to the official.
The state-level body will review the regular immunisation programme, associated campaigns and vaccine-preventable diseases in detail. It will also conduct focused assessments of high-risk districts and municipal corporations, including vacancies at district, municipal and sub-district levels, availability of cold chain equipment, resource gaps and training requirements, he noted.
The state task force will review allocation and utilisation of funds for immunisation and ensure timely action by officers concerned based on reports from district and municipal task forces and state-level monitoring mechanisms, the official said.
It will also ensure active coordination and participation of other government departments in immunisation drives, while district and municipal task forces will carry out similar functions at their respective levels, the official added.
