Prof. C. N. R. Rao is a world-renowned chemist and one of India’s most respected scientists. He was born on June 30, 1934 in Bangalore, India. Throughout his distinguished career, Prof. Rao has made major contributions to the field of solid-state and materials chemistry. He is a fellow of numerous national and international academies, including the Indian Academy of Sciences, the Royal Society, and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.
Prof. Rao received his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Mysore in 1951 and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Kanpur in 1958. He then worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Cambridge and at the University of California, Berkeley. After completing his postdoctoral work, he joined the faculty of IIT Kanpur where he rose through the ranks to become a professor and Head of the Department of Chemistry.
In 1976, Prof. Rao joined the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) in Bangalore, where he became the Founding President. Under his leadership, JNCASR became one of India’s premier research institutions and a hub for cutting-edge research in a variety of scientific disciplines. Prof. Rao continued to lead JNCASR until 2005, and he remains associated with the institution as a National Research Professor.
Prof. Rao has published over 1,500 research papers in leading scientific journals and has been awarded numerous prestigious awards for his contributions to the field of chemistry. In 2014, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, for his pioneering work in the field of solid-state and materials chemistry. He is also a recipient of numerous other awards, including the Padma Vibhushan, the Padma Shri, and the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology.
Throughout his career, Prof. Rao has been a passionate advocate for science and technology, and he has played a key role in promoting science education and research in India. He has served on numerous committees and panels at the national and international levels, and he has served as a mentor to many young scientists. He continues to be active in the scientific community and is widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists of our time.
Prof. Rao’s contributions to the field of solid-state and materials chemistry have had a profound impact on the scientific community, and he has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of the properties of materials at the atomic and molecular level. His work has also had important applications in a wide range of fields, including electronics, energy, and the environment.
In conclusion, Prof. C. N. R. Rao is a highly respected scientist and a true national treasure. His pioneering work in the field of solid-state and materials chemistry has had a major impact on the scientific community, and his contributions to the promotion of science education and research in India are truly remarkable. He continues to be a role model for young scientists and an inspiration to all who seek to make a positive impact in the world through science and technology.