Pune: GMRT Becomes Third Contribution From India To Be Recognized As IEEE Milestone

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Manasi Saraf Joshi

Pune, November 28, 2020: Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope, the world’s low frequency radio telescope located at Khodad, has received the honor of being selected as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) milestone facility.

Set-up way back in 1994 by late scientist Prof. Govind Swarup, GMRT is one of the largest and sensitive low frequency radio telescope spread over 25 km of land with 30 antennas of 45 m diameter. Before GMRT, two Indian IEEE milestones in India (recognized in 2012) are for the pioneering work done by Sir J.C. Bose to demonstrate the generation and reception of radio waves in 1895, and for the Nobel prize winning discovery by Sir C.V. Raman in 1928”, said Harish Mysore, Senior Director, IEEE India Operations, IEEE.

“The IEEE Milestones program honours significant technical achievements and excellence for the benefit of humanity found in unique products, services, seminal papers and patents, which have global or regional impact, in all areas associated with IEEE” National Centre for Radio Astronomy Prof. Yashwant Gupta.

Gupta said that it took 14 months to receive it after filling the nomination.

IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology in all areas related to electrical and electronics engineering.

“Considering the global impact of GMRT with users from over 40 countries worldwide and the fact that it was designed and built entirely in India, the IEEE India office and IEEE Pune section initiated the proposal to nominate the GMRT for this prestigious international recognition. The formal proposal was submitted, in cooperation with NCRA, to IEEE in early in 2020, after an initial review of the history and accomplishments of the GMRT by a team from IEEE India”, Gupta said.

“After a rigorous review process including appraisal by international experts and additional information from NCRA, the proposal was first put up to the History Committee of the IEEE which cleared it for approval in October 2020. It was then submitted to the IEEE Board of Directors for the final approval, which was granted on 23rd November 2020”, he informed.

Mysore, , commented : “IEEE has recognised 212 milestones all over the world for their scientific and engineering contributions. The GMRT is the third IEEE Milestone in India. This IEEE milestone not only recognises the contributions of scientists and engineers of India, it also helps to attract young talent towards fundamental science and engineering.”

“The IEEE Milestone will be formalised in a special dedication ceremony that will involve unveiling of the bronze citation plaque at the GMRT premises. The event is expected to happen in 2021 soon after the Covid-19 pandemic situation allows ease of travel to India, and the IEEE President and other officials are expected to participate, in addition to several dignitaries from academia, industry and the Government of India”, scientific communication officer and scientist J Solanki.