Tata Sons, in collaboration with The New York Academy of Sciences, has revealed the recipients of the 2024 Tata Transformation Prize, which honors three Indian scientists for their groundbreaking contributions to critical national issues. The Tata Transformation Prize is awarded to researchers whose work holds the promise of significantly enhancing India’s Food Security, Sustainability, and Healthcare sectors. This year’s laureates were chosen from a pool of 169 nominees spanning 18 states, evaluated by an international panel of experts from various disciplines. Each awardee will receive a grant of $240,000 and will be honored at a ceremony scheduled to take place in Mumbai in December.
The distinguished recipients of the 2024 Tata Transformation Prize include C. Anandharamakrishnan, PhD, from the CSIR – National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, recognized for his work in Food Security. Dr. Anandharamakrishnan has pioneered a fortified rice variant that effectively tackles malnutrition and diabetes, utilizing an innovative spray drying technique to enhance nutrient delivery while maintaining a low glycemic index. His research addresses the pressing issues of nutrient deficiencies and chronic health conditions, benefiting millions in India and globally. Another recipient, Amartya Mukhopadhyay, PhD, from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, is being honored for his contributions to Sustainability. Dr. Mukhopadhyay is working on sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries, which present a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries. His research is dedicated to creating battery materials that are not only more affordable and safer but also promote environmental sustainability, thereby offering solutions to energy storage challenges both in India and internationally.
Raghavan Varadarajan, PhD, from the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, is developing an affordable vaccine for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), which severely impacts children and the elderly. His approach aims to provide long-lasting immunity while reducing production costs to improve access for at-risk populations. Established in 2022, the Tata Transformation Prize supports high-risk, high-reward scientific projects in India, focusing on transformative innovations that address societal issues and improve quality of life.A distinguished panel of experts from organizations like Apple, IBM Research, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore selected the award recipients. N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, emphasized the importance of innovative solutions for India’s challenges, stating that recognizing pioneering scientists promotes Indian technologies globally and enhances India’s role in innovation.The Tata Transformation Prize offers financial support and aims to increase the global visibility of these technologies to address worldwide challenges.
