``Cotton is the pre-eminent inorganic chemist in the world,'' the prize jury wrote. He has opened up an entirely new phase of transition chemistry based on pairs and clusters of metal atoms directly linked by single or multiple bonds.'' His research has also influenced other fields, including molecular biology, solid-state, physics and geology, the jury wrote.

Hailing from Punjab, Khush, a fellow of the Royal Society in Britain, was honoured for his extraordinary contribution to theoretical research in plant genetics, evolution and breeding, especially of rice, with regard to food production and alleviation of hunger.'' Khus hasbeen able to produce more eco-friendly rice varieties resistant to several major insect pests, the foundation said.