ALLEPO, SYRIA, 19 JANUARY 2006. Dr Raj Paroda, Regional Coordinator, ICARDA-CAC and Head, PFU-CGIAR, received the prestigious Norman E. Borlaug Award for 2005 from Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, President of India, on 5 January 2006. The award was presented to him before a gathering of about 5,000 scientists attending the 93rd session of the Indian Science Congress in Hyderabad. Instituted by Coromandel Fertilisers and named after the eminent agricultural scientist and Nobel Laureate, Dr Norman E. Borlaug, the award carries a gold medal, a cash prize, and a citation:
"The 2006 Norman E. Borlaug Award for significant contributions to agricultural research and development is awarded to Dr Rajendra Singh Paroda in recognition of his lifelong contributions to Indian and global agriculture. As a scientist, research administrator and policy-maker, Dr Paroda has been making important contributions since 1970 to crop improvement and to strengthening the national agricultural systems in India as well as in countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus. He helped to establish an Asia Pacific Seed Association and an Asia Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions. He served as Chairman of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research from 1998 to 2002. He headed the Indian Council of Agricultural Research with great distinction from 1994 to 2001. He was also General President of the Indian Science Congress Association in 2000-01.
"In recognizing Dr R.S. Paroda for the Norman E. Borlaug Award, Coromandel Fertilisers salutes this great son of India who has dedicated himself to the cause of promoting excellence and relevance in agricultural research on the lines of the great traditions set up by Dr Norman E. Borlaug.” The citation was read by the eminent agricultural scientist, Dr M.S. Swaminathan. "I am honored by this recognition. India has come a long way from a food-deficit country to a food-surplus country, which could be possible through linking science to society. We must now go for an Evergreen Revolution," Dr Paroda said in his response.
Congratulations!
