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Arni Jagirdar Gold Medal |
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The
Jagirdar
of
Arni
Gold
Medal
was
instituted
at
the
Presidency
College,
University
of
Madras
in
1877.
There
was
one
for
Physics
and
one
for
Chemistry.
They
were
not
annual
awards
but
presented
to
outstanding
students
only.
Why
I
highlighted
this
page
was
the
fact
that
the
only
2
Nobel
Prize
winners
in
Science
from
India
had
both
won
this
award
earlier
and
this
college
was
my
alma
mater
where
I
graduated
and
post
graduated
(MSc)
in
Chemistry.
I
was
nowhere
in
the
race
for
being
an
outstanding
student.
A
few
notable
winners
are
Though I was aware of this award when I was studying in Presidency (1945 to 1950) I did not question whether the awards were still being granted. It was only in 1983 when Sri S. Chandrasekhar won the Nobel Prize and I got to know of his background, that I raised the subject with my college and was shocked to realise that the awards had stopped in 1936. Here again my father is to be faulted as the award was instituted by his grandfather and he did not bother to ensure its life. I was trying to get the award revived but there was a problem in that the Commissioner of Endowments and Charitable Affairs in Madras has not been able to locate the scheme under which these awards were instituted and this was essential.( A red tape situation as it exists in today's India). Mr. C.R. Krishnaswami Rao Sahib, Former Cabinet Secy and awardee of Padma Vibhushan Award has tried his best to help me, but all records of winners and the Planks themselves have been lost by the authorities - ( The Principal of Presidency College,Registrar of Madras University and the the Ministry Education are still searching but this is not their priority. I wonder whether they realise the value for a deserving student to figure in an award where they stand next to 2 Nobel Prize Winners and the motivation therein. To see the image of the prestigious Gold Medal, Click HERE.
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