Chennai, January 2
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will present the Jawaharlal Nehru Award to Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata at the five-day 98th Indian Science Congress, beginning here tomorrow, ‘for his contributions to Indian society and development of the Nano car’.

“The Prime Minister will present the Jawaharlal Nehru award to Ratan Tata for his contributions to Indian society and for developing the Nano car, making it more affordable to the common man. The award will comprise a gold medal and a citation,” Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) General President K C Pandey told reporters.

Tata has confirmed his participation in the inaugural session. Pandey added Tata had been shortlisted from six finalists by an ISCA committee.

He said six Nobel laureates- Prof Amartya Sen, Dr Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, Dr Ada Yonath, Dr Thomas Steitz, Dr Tim Hunt and Dr Martin Chalfie will participate in the Congress and deliver special lectures.

Organisers ISCA have already received about 7,500 registrations so far, which was expected to cross 9,000 once the conference begins, he said.

Pandey later said the Prime Minister would also give away the Jawaharlal Nehru scientific award to Defence Research Development Organisation Director (DRDO) General Saraswat.Besides the PM, Union Telecom Minister and HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, his deputy Purandeswari, Home Minister P Chidambaram, Chemical and Fertilizers Minister M K Alagiri and Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin would also participate in the inaugural, Pandey said.

The Congress will conclude on January 7. Around 16 plenary sessions are planned to be held during the conference.

Over 100 scientists from various countries are expected to participate in the event. PTI