PHOTO ; DR RATNA_PROF MADHAVI LATHA_DR VINAY NANDICOORDI_DR ANIL KUTTY AT THE KV RAO SCIENTIFIC SOCIETYS 25TH ANNIVERSARY
Hyderabad : The Dr. K. V. Rao Scientific Society (KVRSS) celebrated its 25th Annual Day at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad.
Founded to propagate science in 2001 in loving memory of Dr KV Rao, an eminent scientist, by his family with their own funds, which is very rare in the present system. The family went a step further and donated a house worth Rs 2 crore in Jubilee Hills in the year 2015, where Dr KV Rao lived for the society. The house is used as a Science Lab during the day, and a Hobby Centre during the night for the benefit of the underprivileged. Children. Today, impacting 75000 students and 250 research institutions, through school and university level competitions, innovation centres and mobile science labs, it has become the national platform
Its initiatives include Research Awards, School Programs, Science Innovation Centre, Mobile Science Lab, Teacher Training and Science safari camps. Its efforts are backed by corporations like EA-Hyderabad, OCCF, TATAs, Amazon, Microsoft and others.
KVRSS believes in creating a lifelong “Friendship with Science”, said Dr Ratna Kolluri, Secretary of KVRSS, M. Tech and Ph.D from IIT Delhi, in a press note issued in the city today.
Our Silver Jubilee Celebrations are graced by Prof. G. Madhavi Latha, Department of Civil Engineering, IISc Bengaluru, and the primary geotechnical consultant to the world’s highest railway bridge across the Chenab in Jammu, who delivered the 25th Annual Memorial Oration on “The Himalayan Task of Connecting Jammu and Srinagar by Train.” Said Dr Ratna.
Reflecting on her 17-year journey with the project, G. Madhavi Latha said: “As the lead geotechnical consultant for the Chenab bridge, I learnt more from the project than I gave to it. The Himalayan geology presented constant surprises — fractured rocks, cavities, and shear zones. Flexibility in design was critical; we had to go beyond textbooks and codes, often developing and testing solutions on the spot.”
Her simplicity, dedication, and insights into slope stabilisation and foundation design in difficult Himalayan terrain earned her a standing ovation.
Dr. Vinay K. Nandicoori, Director, CSIR-CCMB, a renowned molecular biologist recognised for pioneering research on tuberculosis pathogenesis, was the Chief Guest at the celebrations, Ratna shared. He urged students to embrace science: “Think about biology and science as a career opportunity. We need talented people pursuing science. There is so much fun in studying science. Knowledge is the pillar of everything—invest in building knowledge.”, Ratna added.
Dr. Ratna, Secretary, KVRSS, shared: “From a humble beginning, today we are a national platform. We began when interest in science was dwindling and labs in schools were in deplorable conditions. Our mission has always been to reignite curiosity and respect for science.”
Dr. Anil Kumar Kutty, President, KVRSS, highlighted India’s challenges in research investment: India spends just 0.67% of GDP on R&D, compared to 2.6% in China, 3.6% in the USA, 5.2% in South Korea, and 6% in Israel. India has only 255 researchers per million population, compared to 1,600 in China, 4,600 in the USA, and 8,400 in Israel.
The Annual Day honoured student achievements (2024–25) across multiple categories:
• 25th Annual Research Awards: 12 awards across Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics (out of 238 applicants from 100+ institutions, 25 states).
• 14th SPARK Innovation Awards: 8 awards for school projects with novel concepts (40 shortlisted from 300+ entries).
• 5th SMART (Science Meets ART) Awards: 3 awards for “Microscopic World” artworks (430+ entries from 18 states).
• 1st Vignyanotsav Science Fair Awards: New initiative for Telangana State Board schools; 20 schools showcased projects addressing societal challenges.
• Additionally, Prof. Tirthankar Bhattacharyya (IISc, Bangalore) and Dr. Rajan Sankaranarayanan (CSIR-CCMB, Hyderabad) were honoured as mentors whose students have repeatedly won KVRSS Research Awards.
Marking its silver jubilee, KVRSS announced plans to establish a state-of-the-art Science Centre complex to serve as a hub for learning and exploration. Since 2021, its outreach through the Science Innovation Centre and Mobile Science Lab has already reached 20,000+ students.
The Society also felicitated scientists, academicians, and teachers who have served as evaluators over the past 25 years, ensuring fairness and quality in student project assessments.
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