Bharat Ratna: When CNR Rao did a Tendulkar in research

New Delhi: Prof C.N.R. Rao has done a Tendulkar in research in another common link besides the Bharat Ratna bestowed on the eminent scientist and cricket icon on Saturday.

That 40-year-old Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, the youngest Bharat Ratna awardee, is the only batsman to score 100 international centuries is a widely known fact.

But it is also a fact that Prof Chintamani Nagesa Ramachandra Rao (79), well-known as C.N.R. Rao, became the first Indian in April this year to reach the h-index of 100, reflecting the enormity of the body of his published research work.

Translating the feat into common man's parlance, scientists say Rao's achievement is equivalent to Tendulkar scoring 100 international centuries.

CNR Rao, an outspoken scientist, gets Bharat Ratna

Rao, who serves as the head of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India, has published more than 1,500 research papers in his career spanning over five decades. He is also one of the few scientists in the world who is a member of all major scientific academies in the world.

The h-index was first described in 2005 by physicist Jorge Hirsch. A scientist's h-index is the greatest number of papers he or she has published that have each amassed at least that many citations.

A section of the global scientific community though says h-index in itself may not be enough to rate a scientist and one also has to look into the total number of citations along with it to rate a scientist.

Prof Rao, incidentally, is the only Indian scientist and among a handful in the world with close to 50,000 citations, which puts him in the league of the biggies of science.

Indian scientists familiar with the h-index and Dr Rao's works say most scientists with high h-index numbers are career researchers, unlike Prof Rao who has been involved in various other activities along with research.

"Dr Rao has run institutions like the Indian Institute of Science and simultaneously excelled in research. It is an extraordinary feat even for a scientist like him," Prof Upadrasta Ramamurty, Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science(IISc), Bangalore, was quoted has having said after Rao achieved the feat.

Rao's IISc colleagues are in the 60-plus range on the h-index chart.

Others on top of the h-index chart are George Whitesides of Harvard University, who is currently the highest ranked living chemist with an h-index of 169, Italian doctor Carlo M. Croce noted for research into the genetic mechanisms of cancer, with 153, and Professor Alberto Mantovani, who specializes in immunology, with an h-index of 134 among others.

In a career spanning five decades, Rao is best known for his work in solid-state and structural chemistry.

Over time, the Bengaluru-based scientist has also contributed extensively to nano materials and hybrid materials.

While most of his colleagues have retired, Rao never tires reinventing himself and most of his work is ahead of the curve. His never-say-die spirit is reflected in many significant activities, the most sought after being his current role as the Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister of India.

A complete surprise, says Rao on being chosen for Bharat Ratna

A complete surprise, says Rao on being chosen for Bharat Ratna

Bengaluru: Renowned scientist Prof C.N.R. Rao on Saturday said the Bharat Ratna had come to him as a 'complete surprise' and he could not believe that he had been awarded the country's highest civilian honour.

"I came to know of it at Trivandrum airport but could not believe it until Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke to me over phone. I thanked him and said I am extremely grateful (to his government)," he told reporters at Bangalore International Airport on his arrival from Thiruvananthpuram.

"This has come to me as a complete surprise", said Rao, who has 60 honorary PhDs to his credit in a glorious scientific career spanning more than five decades.

Rao said he has worked very hard to earn such a recognition and owed the Bharat Ratna to his wife, family and young people who worked with him.

"The future of India are the young people. I owe a lot to the young generation who have worked with me and also my wife and family," he added. Rao said India rewards hard working people, not those who lack qualities of dedication and hard work.

"In India, if you work hard you will get major results. If we don't work hard enough and don't dedicate (yourself, you will not achieve anything)," he said. Rao said he did not expect he would scale great heights when he decided to become a scientist 60 years ago, studying at Banaras Hindu University.

"I did not realise my country will bestow me with Bharat Ratna today," he said.

Talking about his teachers, Rao said the best of the lot were his school and high school teachers. To a question, Rao said felt nuclear scientist Homi Bhabha should have been given the coveted award.

To another question, Rao said India should take a cue from China, which is investing a lot in the development of science. "Like China, India should invest in people, institution and science," he added.

On Sachin Tendulkar getting Bharat Ratna too, Rao said, "He is is a great cricketer and I only say (it is) wonderful."

Indu, Rao's wife, also did not believe the news initially. "I said it can't be true. We were seated at Trivandrum airport when an employee came to us and said there was an urgent phone for my husband. I thought it was a family call because my son stays here, but turned out be a very important call," she said.

Asked how she felt on her husband's achievement, Indu said, "I don't feel any different. I am the same old person. Students are my children. Every time I invite them home for dinner. I have been doing it for 53 years."

On Rao commending her for her support for reaching such heights, Indu said, "It is my privilege. God has given me such an opportunity that I have been married to him."