Mysore/Mysuru: B. Rohini, a Doctoral research scholar of Food Engineering Department at the Mysuru-based CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI), has won third prize under Ph.D category in the ‘Augmenting writing skills for articulating research (AWSAR)’ award.

AWSAR is a National level competition for Popular Science story writing organised at the National level by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) division of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India under the coordination of VigyanPrasar, an autonomous institution of DST. It is conducted every year by DST to promote scientific writing among young researchers across the country.

The article written by Rohini has been bestowed the third best scientific writing and included a cash prize of Rs.25,000. She received the prize from Dr.Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space and Vice-President,CSIR, at the National Science Day celebrations held on Feb. 28 at VigyanBhavan, New Delhi.

Dr. K. VijayaRaghavan, former Principal Scientific Advisor to the Govt. of India,  Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor, Dr. M. Mohanty, Head NCSTC, and Dr. S. Chandrashekhar, Secretary, DST, were also present during the award ceremony.

She was awarded for her research writing titled “Nature’s Imitation: A Pollution-free Solution for the Ignition” which addresses the issue of agricultural waste (such as corn cob) burning in an open field causing air pollution by emission of greenhouse gases. Her research work involves the utilisation of this waste to obtain zero-calorie sweetener by adopting bio-mimic and environmentally friendly approach. 

Rohini is currently pursuing research work for her Doctoral degree form Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), under the guidance of Dr. H. UmeshHebbar, Chief Scientist & Head, Food Engineering Department, CSIR-CFTRI.