Dr. G. Narahari Sastry, took over additional charge of Director CSIR-IMMT Bhubaneswar

By Dr. Gorang Charan Raut

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 31: Dr. G. Narahari Sastry, (FNA, FNASc, FASc, FRSC) took over the additional responsibility as the Director of CSIR-IMMT Bhubaneswar. He took over the charge from the present director of the institution Prof. (Dr.) S Basu.

Speaking on this occasion, Prof. (Dr.) S Basu, said, “I was the Director of CSIR -IMMT, Bhubaneshwar for the last 5 years. Today is my last day here. This lab has progressed immensely in the last 5 years in all respect- R&D Ward, Human Resource Development, Research Funding from different agencies whether its combined agencies, ministerial agencies, or the external funding from the industries and the all-round development of the institute in terms of infrastructure has taken place. By midnight I will give up my duty. Now we have a very accomplished scientist- Dr.Narahari Sastry, Director of CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat, Assam. He belongs to IICT Hyderabad and has won the prestigious Bhatnagar Award. He is going to take charge over from today and will take this Institute forward. This is an interim arrangement where he will hold additional charge of the post of Director, CSIR-IMMT, till the joining of a regular Director.”

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize 2011 (considered as the highest national recognition in Science) winner Dr Sastry is currently positioned as the Director CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology Pulibor, Jorhat.

Taking over the additional charge Dr. G. Narahari Sastry, said, “It’s a privilege and pleasant duty to come here and see Prof. Basu who has taken this lab in a very big way in the last 5 years. Orissa is a state which has immense potentials. IMMT is a jewel in the crown of this state. IMMT is identified for its leading lab. The leadership Prof Basu has been shown as the Mission Directorate. His vision and the positive attitude to take the institute forward has placed it in a good position and am sure that whoever will be the new director he has big shoes to fill. I have heard people praising about the lab, its lush green campus and I hope in few months or less than that I will get the privilege to serve this institute.”

Dr Sastry is one of the most well recognized scientists of the country working in the interdisciplinary areas of chemistry, biology, material science, and artificial intelligence etc . Dr. Sastry is also involved in a number of outreach programs and widely travelled across the globe and has visited over 25 countries. Till date he has delivered more than 450 lectures at different Universities/Institutions and 100 overseas talks in international conferences.