Scientific Adviser to Raksha Mantri & Secretary Defence
Research & Development, Shri M Natarajan received the prestigious Sir C.V.
Raman Birth Centenary Award and a Gold Medal for his Outstanding
Achievements in the field of Defence Research and Development and Strategic
Systems of National Importance.
The Award was conferred to him by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Dr.
Manmohan Singh on 3rd January 2008 during the inaugural function of annual
session of the 95th Indian Science Congress held at Andhra University,
Visakhapatnam.
Shri M Natarajan, is the head of one of the largest R&D organizations in
India. He joined DRDO in 1970 and has worked for over 37 years on several
important project assignments related to the design and development of
tracked combat vehicles. He has been associated with MBT- Arjun programme
since its inception as Programme Director.
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Under his leadership as Secretary of Dept. of Defence Research &
Development, since 2004, major R&D milestones and path breaking research
contributions have been made. Successful launch of Agni-III missile,
Interceptor missile, strategic missile for Navy, MBT Arjun, induction of
Samyukta EW system for Army, LCA successfully progressing with weaponisation
and store integration towards initial operational clearance and large scale
induction of NBC Defence technologies in the Armed Forces are only a few of
these major accomplishments under his able and dynamic leadership.
The father of combat vehicle technology in India, Shri M Natarajan, has not
only delivered the state-of-the-art Main Battle Tank, ARJUN, which is
already under production, but has also developed a number of technologies
which have fructified as sub-systems for many combat vehicles and LCA as
well. As Chief of the DRDO, he has spearheaded R&D programmes of strategic
importance which have helped in a very significant manner to strengthen our
national defence.
The contributions made by the eminent scientist Shri Natarajan to Science &
Technology has profound impact on the national defence which elevated our
country’s image in the international arena. He has taken a number of
initiatives by way of improved services interaction, enhanced academic
interface, industry association and a corporate culture. He has impressed
upon the industries to become stake holders right from the development stage
and to compulsorily investing in Research & Development for their in-house
capability building in highly specialized areas for development of defence
hardwares. He has also strengthened academic interface with DRDO for seeding
new technologies.
In recognition of his significant contributions, Shri M. Natarajan was
awarded the Padma Shri and the DRDO Technology Leadership Award in 2003. He
also received the Best Scientist Award of DRDO, for his technological
excellence in the project MBT Arjun in 1994. The Professional Excellence
Award was conferred on him by the Institution of Engineers India in 1996. In
addition to many awards and appreciations, he was also awarded the
distinguished Alumni Awards of IIT Madras and IIT Bombay in December’ 2003
and March’ 2005 respectively. |
