TEZPUR, July 21 � The prestigious �Distinguished Alumnus Award� of the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur has been conferred on eminent scientist and the Vice-Chancellor of Tezpur University Prof Mihir Kanti Chaudhuri during the institute�s 56th convocation held on July 17. The award is presented to selected alumni of the country�s premier institute in recognition of their outstanding contribution and significant achievements in their professional fields. The award for the year 2010 was presented to Prof. Chaudhuri along with 11 other distinguished personalities from different walks of life, by the Union Minister for Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal.
It may be mentioned that Prof. Chaudhuri has made remarkable contributions to chemical science and technology and is regarded as a pioneer in green chemical technology. A fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences and Indian National Science Academy, Prof. Chaudhuri was earlier awarded the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, Professor P. Natarajan Endowment Award, Chemito Award, S.S. Sandhu Award, and the first North-east excellence Award instituted by Indian Chamber of Commerce.
These recognitions assume special significance in view of the fact that the corpus of Prof. Chaudhuri�s work has been done at the institutes located in the North-east and thus is a signal source of inspiration for the younger generation of scientists and students from Assam and the North-east India.