Vietnam scientist Prof Thuan awarded Kalinga Chair

Bhubaneswar, Jan 4 (PTI) Prof Trinh Xuan Thuan of Vietnam was honoured today with the prestigious Kalinga Chair award at an international conference here marking 60th anniversary of Unesco Kalinga Prize for popularisation of science. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik awarded Thuan at a function jointly organised by Unesco, Paris, Kalinga Foundation Trust, Odisha, Ministry of HRD and department of science and technology of both state and central governments. While winner of the Unesco Kalinga Prize-2011 Dr Rene Raul Drucker Colin of Mexico, could not attend the function held at 99th Indian Science Congress venue due to delayed communication to him about the selection, organisers said he would be honoured later by the Prime Minister at Delhi. As part of the celebration of Unesco Kalinga Prize's 60th year, 11 former winners of the coveted prize were also felicitated by the chief minister at the conference attended by Gretchen Kalonji, assistant director general of Unesco, Paris and Yoslan Nur, coordinator of Unesco Kalinga prize. Kalinga Chair is awarded to one among the winners of the Unesco Kalinga Prize. The chair was introduced by the central government to mark 50th anniversary of Kalinga Prize. Prof Thuan was winner of the Unesco Kalinga Prize in 2009. (MORE) PTI AAM SKN NIK