Philanthropy
Smt Meenakumari & Dr Siddegowda Krishnappa Puttachi Award for Space Science and Technology
Dr Krishnappa • Space Research • Ongoing
About
Philanthropist Dr Kachigere Siddegowda Krishnappa has established two awards in the domain of space research to support and encourage education and research in areas that enhance not only theoretical knowledge but also application of that knowledge to develop necessary and appropriate machines, materials, instruments etc., that will assist in Space exploration and humans’ understanding of the Cosmos. In addition to these awards, Dr Krishnappa has currently funded initiatives towards enhancing the structures of the Rocketry Club, Telescope installation project at Challakere. More projects within the Aerospace department are under consideration at this time.
Eligibility
- Two awards: PhD Students and one for a combined pool of master’s and bachelor’s students.
- The scope of the award includes work done on science and engineering in the space domain with preference given to the development of new space technologies including but not limited to human space travel, space exploration, extraplanetary habitation, rocketry, space robotics, manufacturing in microgravity, satellite tracking, mitigation of space debris, space situational awareness, space biotechnology, observation of the earth and outer space from space, and supporting life in microgravity environment.
Entitlements
This annual award consists of cash prize of Rs. 1 Lakh (for PhD Award) and Rs. 50,000 (for Masters/Bachelors Award) and citation to the awardee. The award will be given in the MS Division Convocation (June/July).
Nomination Process
- All students of IISc at any stage of their degree programme are eligible. They should not have already graduated at the time of nomination.
- Curriculum vitae (must include educational background, courses and GPA in IISc, work experience, expertise in space research; anything else the student wishes to include)
- A one-page description of the research in the topics mentioned in the scope of the award.
- A three-minute video of the work that is nominated for the award. Please attach a Google Drive Link (with view permissions) or an unlisted YouTube link.
- Letter of Recommendation/Letter of Support from the research adviser (an IISc faculty member) or a mentor within or outside the Institute. If it is an outside mentor, there should also be a letter of support from an IISc faculty member who is aware of the work done by the student.
Evaluation and Selection
- Work done primarily in IISc; if there is some work done outside IISc by a resourceful student, there should be an explicit mention of the role of the student in such an external collaboration.
- Novelty and originality of the research project(s).
- Rigour, non-triviality, and non-routine aspects of the work
- Published work including journal and conference papers; patents; thesis or project report.
- Demonstration of working devices, sub-systems, or systems (hardware or software).
- Remarkable scientific, engineering, and technological insights that would have profound impact in the space domain.
- Evaluation by a committee appointed by the Dean of the Division of Mechanical Sciences.
- If no nomination is deemed worthy of an award in a particular year, that award may be skipped that year.
Dr Krishnappa & Mrs Meenakumari Krishnappa
Dr Krishnappa was born to Devamma and Siddegowda Puttachi in 1951 at Mandya, Karnataka and his primary education was completed at Kachigere, a small village in Mandya District. Higher education was completed at government schools at Mandya before joining Kasturba Medical College in Manipal, Mangaluru. After completion of the MBBS degree, he emigrated to the USA to pursue further studies in 1976.
In the USA, Dr Krishnappa pursued post graduate training in Psychiatry at New York University and Mt Sinai Medical school. Practicing Psychiatry and gradually moving up the ranks, he retired as a Professor of Psychiatry at the Albany Medical Center and Chief Medical Officer of the Capital District Psychiatric Center in Albany, NY, and retired from active medical practice in 2014. Since retiring, he pursues hobbies of reading, traveling and philanthropic activities.
Dr Krishnappa’s father Mr Siddegowda (1899-2003, BA (Hons)), before pursuing his college education, had lived at Sabarmati Ashrama of MK Gandhi for 2 years. After his retirement as Tahsildar, he started writing books in Kannada, under the pen name of “Sitasutha” and was the recipient of Karnataka’s highest award “Rajyothsava Prashasthi” in 1997. On his 100th birthday in 1999, the family decided to establish “Devamma Puttachi Siddegowda Trust” and through this Trust the family has annually, recognized Kannada literature-authors, Exemplary Physicians, Indian military war widows, and supported student education with cash awards. Also, the Trust donated a Dialysis Ward/Unit and a 60 beds Maternity ward to the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (more details: puttachitrust.in). Siddegowda has been highly influential in Dr Krishnappa’s growth and development.
Mrs Meenakumari Krishnappa was born in a small village- Konasale in Mandya district. After completing her MA degree at Manasa Gangotri, Mysuru, she worked briefly as a Middle School teacher before marrying and emigrating to the USA.
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