Prof. Polshettiwar received the Vigyan Yuva - Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award from the President of India on 22nd August 20204 at Rashtrapati Bhavan

I am deeply honored to receive the SS Bhatnagar Award (Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar). I will receive this award on August 23rd from the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Delhi. This recognition is incredibly humbling and stands as a testament to the relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation in materials science and catalysis by my research group at TIFR Mumbai.

This award is a direct result of my group's dedication and motivation towards high-quality work and breakthrough research, driven by our genuine desire to help India combat climate change. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all my past and current group members: Baljeet Singh, Rustam Singh, Mahak Dhiman, Ayan Maity, Amit Mishra, Rajesh Belgamwar, Rishi Verma, Saideep Singh, Sushma Kundu, Gunjan Sharma, Charvi Singhvi, Tanmoy Datta, Arya Bharadvaj, Rohit Bansal, Simanta Kundu, Farheen Sayed, Nisha Bayal, and Sushma Rawwol. This award belongs to all of us.

There is one special person I must thank: my wife, Dr. Poonam Polshettiwar. While she may not be a co-author on our published papers and patents, she is, in truth, the invisible key author behind them all. Her unwavering support, taking care of our family, parents, and relatives while I dedicate most of my time to research, has made this achievement possible.

I also owe my deepest gratitude to my parents, Vijay and Sheela, for providing me with the "SANSKAR" that has shaped me into who I am today. They have instilled in me the values of truthfulness, ethics, motivation, and dedication. They are my gods.

I am profoundly grateful to my mentor, Prof. Sanjay Wategaonkar. Without his guidance during my challenging initial years at TIFR, I might have left. He has been a true mentor and guru.

I would also like to thank the senior faculty of my department who have acted as both mentors and friends: Prof. Hosur, Prof. Chary, Prof. Das, Prof. Madhu, and Prof. A. K. Tyagi (BARC). Their guidance has been invaluable.

Lastly, I wish to thank Prof. S. Ramakrishnan, ex-Director, TIFR. He embodies the virtues of Rama and Krishna, offering exceptional support during my difficult times. His visionary leadership is something I hope to see more.

This recognition is not just a personal achievement but a collective triumph, reflecting the collaborative spirit and relentless pursuit of excellence that drives us.
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As we celebrate this moment, we remain committed to advancing scientific knowledge and contributing to a sustainable future.