Dr Sashi Kant of the Department of Biosciences in the University of Jammu has been conferred with B P Pal National Environment Fellowship for the year 1998. The selection committee for the 1998 award was headed by the noted agricultural scientist, Dr M S Swaminathan. Sashi Kant's scientific contributions are mainly in areas of plant biodiversity of north-west Himalayas. During his fellowship, he has proposed to pursue an extensive study on biodiversity and eco-conservation of Ladakh region of J&K state.

UC Mishra wins Pitambar Pant award

Dr U C Mishra, director, Health, Safety and Environment Group of Bhaba Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, has been recently presented with the Pitambar Pant award for the year 1998.

The selection committee for the Pitambar Pant award was headed by noted scientist, Dr S Vardarajan.

Mishra's scientific contributions are in the field of environmental sciences, radiation protection and nuclear safety.He has published over 300 scientific papers.

This prestigious fellowship was instituted by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests in 1978 in honour of the late Pitambar Pant, a former member of the Planning Commission and former chairman of the National Committee on Environmental Planning and Coordination.

Omesh Saigal takes over as chief secretary, Delhi

Omesh Saigal, an Indian Administrative Services officer of the 1964 batch, has taken over as chief secretary of the Government of National Capital Territory region. He replaces PV Jaikrishnan who has been shifted as secretary in the Civil Aviation Ministry.

Prior to this, he was member secretary with National Capital Region Planning Board.

A writer, technocrat and able administrator, Saigal has an experience of over 34 years.