Odisha-Born Space Scientist Digendranath Swain Receives Vigyan Yuva Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award

Bhubaneswar: Space scientist Dr Digendranath Swain, who hails from Odisha, was conferred with the prestigious Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar: Vigyan Yuva- Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar for 2024 in Space Science and Technology.

President Droupadi Murmu presented him the award, which comprises a Medallion and Sanad, at a function held at Rastrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

In the first edition of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, 33 awards were presented to distinguished scientists in four categories – Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva, and Vigyan Team, official sources said.

Swain received the award in Vigyan Yuva category – Vigyan Yuva- Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar.

The Vigyan Yuva- Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award, given to recognise scientists who have exceptionally contributed to any field of science and technology, was presented to 18 scientists for their significant contribution in the areas spanning from the study on the warming of the Indian Ocean and its consequences, to the development of indigenous 5G base station and communication and precision tests of quantum mechanics.

An expert in experimental solid mechanics of launch vehicle structures, Swain has made outstanding contributions in supporting structural qualification tests using DIC and other experimental techniques. He is also known for his expertise in digital image correlation systems, digital serigraphy system, non-destructive testing using optical techniques.