Also known as ‘The Father of Research Laboratories’, Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar became the first director-general of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in 1940. In order to honour Dr. Bhatnagar’s name and achievements, CSIR instituted an award Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology. Since 1958, outstanding scientists who have made vital contributions in multiple branches of science are receiving this award. Dr. Bhatnagar died on 1 January 1955.
Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, a noted scientist of India, was born on 21 February 1894. He holds a credit of building 12 national laboratories like Central Food Processing Technological Institute at Mysore, National Chemical Laboratory at Pune etc.
Dr. Bhatnagar also played a significant role in the establishment of the National Research Development Corporation (NDRC) of India. In 1936, Dr. Bhatnagar was conferred with Order of British Empire (OBE) and was knighted in 1941, followed by getting elected as Fellow of Royal Society, London in 1943. He was also awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1954 by the President of India.
