Chhattisgarh has much to cherish in the Padma awards announced by the Government of India this year as three persons from Chhattisgarh Usha Barle, Ajay Kumar Mandavi, and Domar Singh Kunvar have been awarded the highest civilian awards, the Padma Shri for their contribution in the field of Arts. Governor Anusuiya Uikey and Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel congratulated the Padma awardees.

Chhattisgarh can also take pride that Prof Prakash Chandra Sood, who now resides in Chhattisgarh and is an academician with an enviable record of serving as a teacher and research scientist has also been awarded the Padma Shri. His name was recommended from Andhra Pradesh. Sood was also congratulated by Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh Governors and senior officials. Sood is from a lower middle-class family who earned a PhD in Nuclear Physics from the US, but chose to return to India.

After a brief stint in BARC, he moved to BHU for the next 25 years as a distinguished teacher, academic

administrator, and developer of new facilities. He was named the senior most active nuclear scientist of India during a special session at the 60th annual DAE Nuclear Physics symposium a few years back. Over the last 65 years, he has contributed significantly to the advancement of scientific temper, specifically in the field of Nuclear Physics, Allied Physics, and Physics Education, through his in-person association in various capacities with over 65 Indian Universities & Research Institutions. For the last 20 years, he has been associated with Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation and contributing therein. Prof Sood has also contributed to the ‘Brave Hearts’ scheme of the Home Ministry, Govt of India. He is also a recipient of several national and International awards. Prof Sood who is 94 now lives with his daughter Richa Kumar, who is a teacher at Delhi Public School, Risali, and Son-in-law Rakesh Kumar who retired from SAIL as CGM in Surya Vihar, Bhilai.