Category Archives: Women/Girls (since October 30-2023

6 Kirti Chakras, 16 Shaurya Chakras in Republic Day awards list

Three of the Kirti Chakras and two of the Shaurya Chakras will be awarded posthumously. These awards are equivalent to the wartime Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra, respectively.

 President Draupadi Murmu on Thursday approved 391 gallantry awards and other decorations for armed forces personnel, with the honours including six Kirti Chakras and 16 Shaurya Chakras, the country’s second and third highest awards for uncommon courage during peacetime, the defence ministry said in a statement on the eve of 75th Republic Day.

Three of the Kirti Chakras and two of the Shaurya Chakras will be awarded posthumously. These awards are equivalent to the wartime Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra, respectively.

The Kirti Chakra awardees are Major Digvijay Singh Rawat (21 Para-Special Forces), Major Deependra Vikram Basnet (4 Sikh), Captain Anshuman Singh (Army Medical Corps, 26 Punjab)(Posthumous), Havildar Pawan Kumar Yadav (21 Mahar), Havildar Abdul Majid (9 Para-Special Forces) (Posthumous) and Sepoy Pawan Kumar (Grenadiers, 55 Rashtriya Rifles) (Posthumous).

The Shaurya Chakra awardees are Major Maneo Francis PF (21 Para-Special Forces), Major Amandeep Jakhar (4 Sikh), Captain MV Pranjal (Signals, 63 Rashtriya Rifles) (Posthumous), Captain Akshat Upadhyay (20 Jat), Naib Subedar Baria Sanjay Kumar Bhamar Sinh (21 Mahar), Havildar Sanjay Kumar (9 Assam Rifles), Rifleman Alok Rao (18 Assam Rifles) (Posthumous) and Parshotam Kumar (Civilian c/o 63 Rashtriya Rifles), Lieutenant Bimal Ranjan Behera (Navy), Wing Commander Shailesh Singh (IAF), Flight Lieutenant Hrishikesh Jayan Karuthedath (IAF), DSP Mohan Lal (J&K Police), ASI Amit Raina (J&K Police), SI Faroz Ahmed Dar (J&K Police) and Constable Varun Singh (J&K Police).

The other gallantry awards include 53 Sena Medals (Gallantry, including seven posthumous, four Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry) and one Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), the statement said.

The other awards approved by the President include 31 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, two Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 59 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 10 Yudh Seva Medals, eight Bar to Sena Medals (devotion to duty), 38 Sena Medals (devotion to duty), 10 Nao Sena Medals (devotion to duty), 14 Vayu Sena Medals (devotion to duty), five Bar to Vishisht Seva Medals and 130 Vishisht Seva Medals.

The President also approved 84 Mentioned-in-Despatches to armed forces personnel, including 10 posthumous. The Coast Guard has been awarded one President’s Tatrakshak Medal (Distinguished Service), two Tatrakshak Medals (Gallantry) and three Tatrakshak Medals (Meritorious Service).

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL: ARTS & CULTURE : MUSIC & SINGING RECORD : Indian student Suchetha Satish in Dubai sets Guinness World Record for Singing in 140 Languages at concert

Suchetha Satish performed for 9 hours straight, all from memory, as prelude to COP28.

An Indian expat in Dubai has set a new Guinness World Record for the most languages sung in a concert by singing in 140 languages – for nine hours at a stretch, all from memory.

Suchetha Satish had performed her ‘Concert for Climate’ on November 24, 2023 at the Indian Consulate Auditorium in Dubai as a prelude to COP28 UN climate conference, which concluded in December in Dubai.

The Guinness World Records officially announced the success of her attempt on their website on January 3. She was presented the Records certificate by the Consul General of India in Dubai, Satish Kumar Sivan, who congratulated her. Though Satish could have sung in 150 languages, she preferred to sing in 140 as a tribute to the 140 heads of states invited to COP28.

Message of preservation

She told Gulf News: “I’m delighted and humbled by the fact that the Record has been reported and applauded by media across India and rest of the world. And more importantly the Concert for Climate and the message for climate preservation has spread far and wide, which really justifies the whole effort. We have to do everything possible to make this world a better place to live in.”

She tries to emulate her role model Shreya Ghoshal in rendering the songs “perfectly”.

Award-winning music composer M Jayachandran, who was present at Satish’s concert, said: “It was so heartening to see her smile as she was journeying through these songs. I felt so proud to be there. Suchetha is indeed an extra-ordinary artist. She sang the songs with total dedication, understanding the inner meanings of each word she was singing and at the same time not compromising on the musicality or nativity of each song.”

The first-year digital media student at Middlesex University Dubai – who also learns carnatic, hindustani and western vocals from teachers Asha Menon, Jerry Amaldev and Hanna Nielazina – aims to become an accomplished international performer and playback singer.

source/content: gulfnews.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: REPUBLIC DAY : Tri-services Women Contingent, C-295 Transport Aircraft to make Debut at Republic Day parade

A total of 51 aircraft comprising 29 fighters and eight transport aircraft of IAF, 13 helicopters and one heritage aircraft will participate in this year’s Republic Day flypast.

A 144 personnel tri-service women contingent would be participating in Republic Day Parade this time for the first time with 48 personnel from each service. Also the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) latest induction, the C-295 medium transport aircraft will make debut over kartavya path during the Republic Day flypast this year.

“A total of 48 Agniveervayu Women would be part of this contingent. Flight Lieutenant Shrishti Verma would be marching as supernumerary Officer of the (tri-service) contingent,” said Wg Cdr Manish Sharma briefing the media on IAF’s participation in the Republic Day parade this year.

A total of 51 aircraft comprising 29 fighters and eight transport aircraft of IAF, 13 helicopters and one heritage aircraft will participate in this year’s Republic Day flypast. This includes four helicopters of the Army and one P-8i maritime patrol aircraft of the Navy which will fly in two separate formations.

A C-295 aircraft flanked by two C-130 aircraft in echelon, will fly as the Arjan formation during Republic Day fly past, said IAF Spokesperson Wg Cdr Ashish Moghe.

The IAF induced the first C-295 in September last year, which will replace the legacy HS-748 Avro transport aircraft in service.

The IAF marching contingent of 144 personnel will be led by Squadron Leader Rashmi Thakur with Squadron Leader Sumita Yadav, Squadron Leader Pratiti Alhuwalia and Flight Lieutenant Kirti Rohil as supernumerary Officers. They will be marching to the tune ‘Sound Barrier’ played by 72 lAF musicians and three drum majors. The band will be led by Sergeant CA Daniel.

For the Beating Retreat ceremony on January 29 at Vijay Chowk, the IAF Band comprising of 121 musicians would be participating in the event. The band will be led by Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar. 

In line with theme of the 75th Republic Day Parade-2024 “Samridh Bharat Sashakt Bharat”, the theme of the IAF tableau is “Bharatiya Vayu Sena: Saksham, Sashakt, Atmanirbhar”, said Wg Cdr Sharma. Flight Lieutenant Ananya Sharma and Flying Officer Asma Sheikh, both Su- 30 pilots, would be present on the tableau, he added.

On the tableau, Wg Cdr Sharma said the IAF has been at the forefront of rendering humanitarian aid, both within and across borders. In Operation Kaveri launched on April 24, 2023 to evacuate Indian nationals from strife-torn Sudan, the IAF’s C-130J aircraft were used extensively towards rescuing 3,862 Indians from the country, he noted. “The rear element of the tableau depicts one specific sortie of this mission during which an IAF C-130 extricated Indian nationals from Wadi Sayyidna in Sudan under extremely adverse conditions at night.”

The middle section of the tableau depicts Tejas and SU-30 fighters flying over the Indian Ocean Region which depicts the ever-expanding reach of the lAF- over land, as well as over the sea, he added.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL: WORLD’S BRIGHTEST: 9-year-old Indian-American girl Preesha Chakraborty on ‘World’s Brightest’ Students List by Johns Hopkins Centre

At the age of 6, Preesha secured a lifetime membership in the esteemed Mensa Foundation, the world’s oldest high-IQ society.

Nine-year-old Indian-American student Preesha Chakraborty has been named in the “world’s brightest” students list by the Johns Hopkins Centre for Talented Youth, based on the results of her exceptional performance in the above-grade-level tests, which assessed over 16,000 students from 90 countries. 

Preesha is a Warm Spring Elementary school student in Fremont, California, and took the US-based Johns Hopkins Centre for Talented Youth (JH-CTY) test in Summer 2023 as a Grade 3 student.

The CTY Talent Search evaluates students through various tests, including the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), American College Testing (ACT), and School and College Ability Test. Preesha received recognition for her outstanding performance in these assessments. She excelled in both the verbal and quantitative sections, achieving a level on par with the 99th percentile of advanced Grade 5 performances, earning her the prestigious Grand Honors.

Notably, less than 30% of students each qualify for either High Honors or Grand Honors/SET based on their test scores. This accomplishment opens several doors for Preesha, allowing her eligibility for more than 250 JH-CTY courses. These advanced courses, spanning grades 2-12, encompass a diverse range of subjects such as mathematics, computer programming, chemistry, physics, reading, and writing.

At the age of six, the child prodigy secured a lifetime membership in the esteemed Mensa Foundation, the world’s oldest high-IQ society.

This recognition follows in the footsteps of other Indian-American students like Samedha Saxena and Natasha Perianayagam, who were featured in previous years for their exceptional performances in JH-CTY tests.

The Center for Talented Youth, a non-profit organization affiliated with Johns Hopkins University, has been identifying and rewarding gifted students since its founding in 1979.

(With inputs from agencies)

source/content: ddnews.gov.in / DD News (headline edited)

Why an Indian Princess’s memorial in Ayodhya is a big draw for South Korean tourists

South Korea has a special connection with Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram. No, it has nothing to do with Lord Ram.

Every year, hundreds of South Koreans visit the holy city of Ayodhya to pay tribute to Queen Huh Hwang-ok. It is believed that several South Koreans have their ancestral roots in Ayodhya.

Who was Queen Huh Hwang-ok?

Legend has it that Queen Huh Hwang-ok, also known as Princess Suriratna, was the princess of Ayodhya before she went to South Korea and married King Kim Suro of Karak Clan in 48 AD.

As per a research paper by Dr Uday Dokras, “Ancient Korean text Samguk Yusa chronicles King Suro’s wife to have been a princess of a distant kingdom called Ayuta, which people relate to be the holy city of present-day Ayodhya.”

Queen Huh Hwang-ok has a memorial in Ayodhya

The South Korean queen’s memorial was first inaugurated in 2001 in Ayodhya.

In 2015, PM Narendra Modi and former South Korean President Moon Jae-in signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) during the PM’s visit to South Korea for expansion of the memorial.

Later, the memorial was beautified to honour the queen’s legacy, and the memorial park was inaugurated in 2022.

According to UP tourism’s official website, around 60 lakh people of the Karak clan consider Ayodhya as their maternal home.

In 2019, commemorative Rs 25 and Rs 5 postage stamps for the queen were also issued by India. 

From Ayodhya to South Korea by boat

As per the UP government website, it is believed that Princess Suriratna reached Korea on a boat. She was only 16 when she got married.

She is believed to be the first queen of King Suro of Geumgwan Gaya.

According to some Chinese-language texts, the then King of Ayodhya was ordered by god to send his 16-year-old daughter to South Korea to marry King Kim Suro in a dream, says a BBC report.

The same publication mentioned that the king and queen had ten sons, adding that they both lived over 150 years.

Back in 2020, the then South Korean Ambassador to India, Shin Bong-kil, told ANI, “Ayodhya has important relations with Korea.” 

Shin Bong-kil mentioned that in Korea’s ancient history book, it’s written that a princess from Ayodhya married a Korean king, adding that in archaeological findings from Kim Suro’s tomb, artefacts belonging to Ayodhya have been discovered.

Where is Queen Huh Hwang-ok’s memorial?

  • The memorial park portrays the journey of Princess Suriratna from Ayodhya to Korea.
  • The legend is inscribed on a stone structure that was shipped from South Korea.
  • The park has been built on the bank of the Sarayu River, on a reported budget of Rs 21 crore.
  • The south-east corner of the memorial features a statue of Queen Huh Hwang-ok.
  • The north-east corner has a statue of King Kim Suro.
  • The princess’s sea journey has been recreated at the memorial with the help of a pond and footbridge.
  • The park also features an egg made of granite. It is believed that Princess Suriratna took a golden egg along during her journey to Korea.

INSTA

Queen Huh Hwang-ok’s Tamil connection 

There is another theory about the queen by Dr Kannan Narayan, a retired professor and former Scientific Advisor and Coordinator of Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology.

In his theory, based on Chinese legends, Kannan Narayan stated that the queen’s name points to the South Indian kingdom of Pandya – the Pandyas of Madurai, says a Deccan Herald report.

He added that the twin fish symbol seen on the walls of Ayodhya possibly dates back to a time when it was a part of the United Provinces. He mentioned that it was also the national symbol of the Pandya Dynasty.

The retired professor said that it’s a possibility that the queen left the port of Athiyuthu from Tamil Nadu and not Ayodhya and the same has been modified over time to ‘Ayutha’.

source/content: indiatoday.in (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: U.K.: Over 30 British Indians Honoured by King Charles in New Year List: Who Are They?

Several prominent Indian-origin people received knighthoods, OBEs, MBEs, and CBEs in the name of King Charles III.

Over 30 Indian-origin academics, economists, philanthropists, medics, and politicians were honoured by Britain in the country’s New Year’s Honours list – issued in the name of King Charles III – for their “incredible public service” in the United Kingdom (UK) and overseas.

Recipients on the list were hailed for contributions in their respective fields, particularly public service, youth engagement, and community work.

Among them, Alok Sharma, an Indian-origin former minister, was given a knighthood for serving as the president of the COP26 summit, which was held in Glasgow, Scotland, in October and November last year.

Sharma, 55, was born in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, and moved to the UK’s Reading when he was five years old. He currently serves as the MP from Reading West and was a Cabinet-level minister in the Boris Johnson government till October last year.

What did the UK say about Sharma’s contributions? In a statement, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said that Sharma had been honoured with a knighthood for his “contribution to combatting climate change through his leadership at COP26” and “driving the UK to agree a historic agreement from individual countries that will have a major impact in addressing climate change in the future.”

List of Indian-Origin People On the List

Apart from Sharma, several British Indians were given high honours by the UK.

British Indians awarded Knighthood:

  • Partha Sarathi Dasgupta, an 80-year-old professor, received a Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) for his contributions to economics and the natural environment.Dasgupta was born in Dhaka and raised in Varanasi, following which he moved to the UK to study at the University of Cambridge and the London School of Economics in the 1960s.
  • Pune-born businessman Ivan Manuel Menezes was knighted for “services to business and equality.” The 63-year-old has been the CEO of Diageo, a multinational alcoholic beverage company, since 2013.
  • Mayur Keshavji Lakhani, Chair of the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management and General Practitioner at the Highgate Medical Centre in Loughborough, received a knighthood for his contributions towards “general practice.”Born in East Africa to Indian-origin parents, he moved to the UK in 1972.
  • Indian-origin recipients of Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE):
  • Vengalil Krishna Kumar Chatterjee, a professor at the University of Cambridge, was awarded a CBE for serving people with endocrine disorders. The 64-year-old obtained multiple degrees from the University of Oxford in 1982.
  • Ramesh Dulichandbhai Mehta, a Nagpur-born paediatrician, was honoured for his efforts towards “equality, diversity, and inclusion.”The 75-year-old was born in Nagpur and moved to the UK in 1981. He currently serves as the president of the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO).
  • Nageshwara Dwarampudi Reddy, an Indian-origin portfolio director of the Department for Work and Pensions, was honoured for his efforts towards public service.
  • Gurdial Singh Sanghera, CEO of Oxford Nanopore Technologies, received a CBE for his contributions to the UK’s technology sector.
  • The principal of Walsall College, Jatinder Kumar Sharma, was honoured for his services towards education.
  • Jasvir Singh, a family law barrister and chair of the City Sikhs, was honored with a CBE for his contributions towards charity and social cohesion. The Labour Party politician is also the co-founder of South Asian Heritage Month.
  • Keshav Singhal, a professor, was honoured for his contributions to medicine in Wales.

British Indians given the Order of the British Empire (OBE):

  • Nishi Chaturvedi, a professor at University College London, received an OBE for her contributions to medical research. She had graduated from the University of London in 1985.
  • Ravinder Gill, founder of the College of Accountancy, was hailed for his services to higher education.
  • Puneet Gupta, CEO of PG Paper, was awarded an OBE for his contributions to business, charity, and the community in Scotland.
  • Sharon Kaur Jandu, director of the Yorkshire Asian Business Association, was honoured for the contributions towards international trade.
  • Krishna Rohan Kandiah, founder of the Sanctuary Foundation, was given an OBE for services towards refugee integration.
  • Hitan Mehta, executive director of the British Asian Trust, was recognized for his efforts towards the British Asian community.
  • On the overseas list of Army OBEs were Corporal Pardeep Kaur and Acting Major Daljinder Singh Virdee.

British Indians who are given Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBEs):

  • Among the British Indians awarded MBEs are doctors Minal Bakhai and Jyotiben Shah, for their contributions to medicine and the field of education.
  • Bhavena Patel, senior relationship manager at the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education, was hailed for the services to further education.
  • Nipa Devendra Doshi was awarded for contributions to design.
  • Chef Vineet Bhatia, for services to British cuisine, hospitality, and international trade.
  • Sarah Johal, for services towards adoption and fostering
  • Inderpaul Singh Johar, for contributions towards architecture.
  • Psychologist Aditya Kamal, for his role in health psychology during the COVOD-19 pandemic.
  • Jaspal Singh Mann, director of Simply Shred and Recycle Ltd, for his contributions to environmental protection.
  • Businessman Veejay Kumar Chimanlal Patel, for contributing towards employment and training.
  • Professor Prashant Pillai for his role in cyber security and education.
  • Keranjeet Kaur Virdee, for contributions towards art.
  • And urologist Jyotiben Shah, for contributing to medicine.

Further, Robina Shah—one of Britain’s leading patient care experts—received a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her immense role in the National Health Service.

source/content: thequint.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: DEFENCE & SECURITY: FIRSTs -WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP : Senior IPS Officer Nina Singh takes Charge as CISF’s First Woman Director General

Singh, who served as DG in-charge of CISF after her predecessor Sheel Vardhan Singh retired on August 31, was accorded a guard of honour at the CISF headquarters.

Senior IPS officer Nina Singh on Friday took over as the first woman Director General of CISF, a central force that guards civil airports and other vital installations.

Singh, who served as DG in-charge of CISF after her predecessor Sheel Vardhan Singh retired on August 31, was accorded a guard of honour at the CISF headquarters. Among those present was her husband, IAS officer and Union consumer affairs secretary Rohit Kumar Singh.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) issued an order for her appointment to the post on Thursday. Originally from Bihar, Singh studied at the Patna Women’s College before obtaining Master’s degrees from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Harvard. “She is also trained in the evaluation of social programmes at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA and co-authored research papers with Economics Nobel laureates Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo, both from MIT on evidence-based police reforms initiatives,” CISF chief PRO Shrikant Kishore said.

“She is recipient of the President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2005, the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2014 and the ‘Ati Utkrisht Seva Medal’ in 2020. She has also been honored with the Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award for outstanding contributions and the Nari Shakti Samman. She also earned the title of ‘Champion of Evidence-Based Policing’ from the Cambridge University Police Executive Programme, UK,” he said in a statement.

An MHA official said the decision to appoint Singh as the CISF chief was taken “on the basis of her vast experience” in the force. “She has been working in the CISF since 2021 — first as Additional DG and then as Special DG and DG in-charge since August 31,” the official said. Singh earlier served as Joint Director of CBI during 2013-2018. During her tenure, she

supervised many high profile cases relating to corruption, economic offences, bank frauds and sports integrity. She also headed the investigation of the Sheena Bora murder case.

A 1989-batch officer, Singh was the first woman IPS officer to be allocated the Rajasthan cadre, taking on several important assignments in the state. “With a distinguished career spanning 34 years, she has worked on various assignments across Rajasthan and acquired in-depth knowledge of the police administration, training, criminal investigation and maintenance of public order. She was the Member-Secretary of Rajasthan State Commission for Women,” CISF PRO Kishore said.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: ARTS & CULTURE: AMERICAN BEAUTY PAGEANT: Surgeries to Stilettos: Dr Piyali Roy Wins Mrs Universe USA 2024, Seattle November 2023.

Unapologetic in her evolution Dr Piyali Roy created an inspirational bench mark for other women to emulate from the multitudinal transformation she underwent in different spheres of life which led to her win at the Mrs Universe Curvy USA 2024 pageant, held at Seattle on the November 11, 2023.

Dr Piyali Roy is a beauty queen in its true sense, besides being a New York University trained dental surgeon, an author, international fashion model.

According to Piyali, her infectious smile, confidence and charm forayed her way into the top 3 of Mrs Universe Curvy USA 2024 after leaving everyone in awe of her creativity and reverence that she displayed while walking down the National Costume Round depicting Washington DC’s state flag and emblem displayed on her while she took on the look of the National Flower herself, The American pink rose. Dr Piyali Roy in her electric blue evening gown displayed royalty and looked majestic, as she walked the ramp leaving all the judges and audiences mesmerised by her attractive personality, grace and oozing charm.

Icing on the top was her on point answer to a question based on domestic violence during the interview round and the finale answer which generated loud applause in the audience, demarcating her as the clear winner of the pageant. Piyali was crowned by the reigning queen Mrs Universe 2023 Meranie Gadiana Rahman in Mrs Universe USA Pageant.

As she steps into the limelight after winning Mrs Universe 2024, Dr Piyali Roy is not just a model or a dentist or an actor; she is an inspiration. A beacon of resilience, showcasing that with confidence and determination, one can transcend boundaries, redefine norms, and truly embody the essence of empowerment and grace.

Today Dr Piyali Roy stands as an example as to how versatility can shape one’s journey. She is testament to the magic that happens when grace meets tenacity, and when confidence becomes one’s guiding light.

Her time at New York University, where she honed her skills as a dentist, gave her insights into the intricacies of human aesthetics. This foundation, perhaps unexpectedly, served as a springboard into the world of fashion. As she transitioned to the runway, the parallels became evident. Just as she would sculpt and perfect a smile in her clinic, she sculpted her presence and poise on the runway. Every detail, from her posture to her gaze, became an expression of her artistry.

The New York Fashion Week runway became a platform where Dr Roy communicated a narrative – of reinvention, courage, and limitless potential. This narrative was further enriched as she collaborated with global fashion stalwarts, from Mumbai’s Rohit Verma to visionary African designers from Paris. Each collaboration, each walk, became a testament to her versatility.

Her win at Mrs Bharat (India) DMV 2023 in Washington DC, USA wasn’t just a title; it was a recognition of her ability to captivate and inspire. That’s not it, Dr Piyali Roy was also the winner of Mrs Universal Petite 2023 Audience Choice Crown in Mexico.

With her spirit and talents, Dr Piyali Roy is exemplifying how one can craft a rich tapestry of diverse yet harmonious paths, leaving an indelible mark of grace, strength, and confidence in every stride.

Dr Piyali Roy’s achievements are testament of her skills, talent and above all her dedication. We are certain that she will continue to soar, while she celebrates this milestone.

source/content: timesofindia.indiatimes.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: NATIONAL: AWARDS IN CHEMISTRY: Mumbai Professor and Dean Savita Ladage Wins Prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry’s (RSC) Nyholm Prize

Professor Savita Ladage, who lives in Mumbai, has been named winner of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Nyholm Prize for Education in recognition of contributions to chemistry education.

Based at Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Professor Ladage won the prize for enthusiastically advocating the importance of chemical education, through mentoring chemistry educators and initiating teacher and student programs that promote chemistry education in India.

All the winners join a prestigious list of past winners in the RSC’s prize portfolio, 60 of whom have gone on to win Nobel Prizes for their work, including 2022 Nobel Laureate Carolyn Bertozzi and 2019 Nobel laureate John B Goodenough.

Professor Ladage also receives £5000, a medal and a certificate.

After receiving the prize, Professor Ladage said: “I feel deeply honoured to receive this prize and recognition in the community of individuals who are doing work in the area of chemistry education. I am thankful to the RSC for the same. The award and recognition has motivated me further to continue my work with greater zeal and enthusiasm. I am passionate about chemistry education in general.”

Ladage is passionate about teaching and learning chemistry. She interacts with chemistry students and teachers, especially at undergraduate level. One of her main interests has been chemistry lab education and helping students to make observations more carefully and critically. She designs experiments and highlights the associated procedures, difficulties and errors involved, and the data. Savita wants to change the perception of students and teachers of chemistry lab education.

When she’s not teaching, Ladage loves writing articles about different topics in chemistry, particularly the periodic table and the challenges involved in teaching and learning chemistry.

Dr Helen Pain, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said: “The chemical sciences are at the forefront of tackling a range of challenges facing our world. From fundamental chemistry to cutting-edge innovations, the work that chemical scientists do has an important role to play in building our future.

“The inspiration, innovation and dedication of those who work in education is fundamental to the progress of the chemical sciences – shaping the future and setting our young people up to tackle the challenges and the opportunities facing our society and our planet.

“Professor Ladage’s work demonstrates an outstanding commitment to chemistry education, and it is our honour to celebrate their considerable contribution.”

The Excellence in Education Prizes celebrate inspirational, innovative, and dedicated people working in primary, secondary, further education and higher education – including teachers, technicians and more. These prizes recognise a wide range of skills – from curriculum design to effective teaching, and from personal development to working culture. This category includes specific prizes for teams and for those in the early stages of their career.

source/content: timesofindia.indiatimes.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: Who Is Smital Dhake? First British Indian To Win UK RailStaff Award

A data scientist of British Indian origin, hailing from Maharashtra, clinched the Newcomer of the Year award at the 2023 RailStaff Awards in Birmingham.

Smital Dhake, the sole data scientist at Alstom, a major player in mobility, was born in Jalgaon, India, and pursued education at Watford Grammar School in England and later at King’s College London. Now 26, she works from Alstom’s Hatfield office in eastern England. Inspired by her grandparents’ work ethic, she aims to further hone her skills and apply them toward advancing engineering technologies.

“Smital is a fast learner who always finds ways to seek knowledge and grow herself in an exponential manner,” said Mifaz Miftha, Design Group Manager at Alstom.

He added, “She regularly takes on much more complex tasks above her role and delivers them with full commitment and with a high level of accuracy. Her meticulous approach to problem-solving and critical thinking on design have made Smital an asset to Alstom and the wider railway industry where innovation and sustainability are key to growth.”

Dhake draws inspiration from her grandparents, motivating her to dedicate herself to hard work. Her ambition lies in perpetually refining and utilizing her skills to contribute to the advancement of engineering technologies.

The 26-year-old scientist is often said to be an “enormous inspiration” to young women who want to pursue a career in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) category.

Miftha also said, “Smital has used her own time to visit numerous schools promoting careers in engineering and sustainability.”

The RailStaff Awards were initiated in 2007. It aims to honour the remarkable contributions of individuals within the rail industry, acknowledging those who play pivotal roles in sustaining the UK’s railways – spanning from drivers and cleaners to engineers and station staff.

As the sole national accolade program for UK rail personnel, these awards frequently highlight narratives of saved lives, transformed careers, and triumph over adversity.

Dhake joined Alstom’s Digital and Integrated Systems (D&IS) UK signaling division, based in Hertfordshire, to collaborate on the pioneering Modular Advanced Route Setting (M-ARS) system.

This groundbreaking M-ARS system for the UK railway, integrating machine learning techniques like reinforcement learning, utilises real-time data to anticipate future occurrences.

This capability facilitates swift decision-making to resolve conflicting train movements, consequently amplifying railway efficiency.

Alstom has indicated that its M-ARS system is presently undergoing the approval process by Network Rail, with Smital playing an instrumental role in this evaluation. Once approved, the M-ARS system will be implemented across various prominent rail projects.

source/content: timesnownews.com (headline edited)