Bhubaneswar: Dr. Digendranath Swain, a distinguished Odia space scientist, was honored with the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar: Vigyan Yuva – Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award for 2024 in the field of Space Science and Technology. The prestigious award, which includes a medallion and a Sanad, was presented to him by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, in its inaugural edition, recognized 33 prominent scientists across four categories: Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva, and Vigyan Team. Dr. Swain was awarded in the Vigyan Yuva category, also known as the Vigyan Yuva – Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award, which celebrates young scientists who have made exceptional contributions to their respective fields.
Dr. Swain was acknowledged for his outstanding work in the experimental solid mechanics of launch vehicle structures. His significant contributions include supporting structural qualification tests using Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and other advanced experimental techniques. His expertise also extends to digital image correlation systems, digital serigraphy systems, and non-destructive testing using optical methods, all of which have garnered widespread recognition in the scientific community.
The Vigyan Yuva – Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award was conferred upon 18 scientists this year, highlighting their remarkable achievements in diverse areas. These include research on the warming of the Indian Ocean and its effects, the development of indigenous 5G base stations, and advancements in quantum mechanics.