Professor C.N.R. Rao, National Research Professor, Linus Pauling Research Professor & Honorary President at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, has been awarded the Bharat Ratna award by the Government of India, the highest civilian honour of the country. He is one of the moving forces behind, and a steady pillar of support, for the establishment of the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences of TIFR.
In his message to Prof. Rao, the Prime Minister of India wrote "In conferring this award on you, the nation has honoured an eminent scientist and a well recognized international authority on solid state and materials chemistry. We salute your work not only as a scientist but also in passionately nurturing young scientists and strengthening the science infrastructure in our country. We look forward to your continued guidance of Indian science and scientists."