New Delhi: Dr. R K Dhamija, the newly-appointed director of the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) has been honored with the national award for his outstanding contribution in science and technology in the electronic medium for the year 2021.
Dr. Dhamija was presented with the award during a National Science Day (NSD) celebration and it included a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh, a souvenir, and a citation.
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While talking to The New Indian Express, he stated, "The award is presented every year to an individual for outstanding contribution in the field of science and technology communication and promoting scientific temper, which has created a significant impact in the country during the last five years by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), Department of Science and Technology, Union Ministry of Science and Technology. This year 8-9 individuals were given this award from across the country."
Dhamija Prof. Rajinder K. Dhamija is an Australian trained neurologist and he served as the chairman of the Neurology Department at Lady Hardinge Medical College before joining IHBAS, the country's most renowned mental health and neurosciences research institute. He is also a Royal College of Physicians (London) adviser and the World Federation of Neurorehabilitation's Chair of Movement Disorders.
Dhamija is knowledgeable about public health policies and systems in several nations, and he is enthusiastic about health education and patient awareness initiatives. He has also contributed to the Vigyan Pragati and written extensively about innovation intelligence. Dr. Dhamija was a WHO Fellow at the National Institute of Epidemiology in 2011. He was awarded the 33rd S. Radhakrishnan Memorial National Medical Teacher Award in 2017. He is the recipient of Dr. B. C. Bansal, Uma Bansal Oration in 2019 for his contribution to medical science in India. Dr. Dhamija has also been the personal physician of the then Prime Minister of India from 2002 to 2004.
He is associated with the Science Wing of All India Radio (Science Magazine) as well as DD Science and regularly participates in their science education programs. Talking about the award, DST India posted, " India DST instituted National Awards for Science Popularisation in 1987 to stimulate, encourage and recognize outstanding efforts in the area of S&T communication and popularisation as well as inculcate scientific temper among masses."