Dr. Sunil Kaul and Pramod Giri to receive Press Club award

Dr. Sunil Kaul

KalimNews, Kalimpong, 10 May 2014: Dr. Sunil Kaul, Chief senior research scientist of AIST, Japan is receiving the 6th Kaleybungratna Puraskar for the year 2014 awarded by the Kaliimpong Press Club. Along with him Pramod Giri, Principal Correspondent of Hindustan Times will also be awarded the Excellence award in Journalism.

During a press conference held today in Kalimpong it was informed by the Kalimpong Press Club Officials that on the occasion of the 16th Foundation day of the Club on 23rd May 2014 an award presentation ceremony is organised at Ramkrishna Ranagamanch. Two talks by eminent national journalists will also be presented in the programme organised jointly with Eastern Himalayan Journalists Union an affiliate of Indian Journalists' Union. Addressing the conference Arun Kumar Rai, Secretary of both the journalists' organisation said that this year the Kalimpong gem award popularly known as Kaleybungratna Puraskar is awarded to a son of Kalimpong in the field of academic. '

Dr. Kaul educated from SUMI and Kumudini Homes is a senior scientist of National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST) in Japan. He is also Chairman of the Indian Scientists Association in Japan (ISAJ) and Adjunct Professor, Department of Bioengineering, Hanyang University, Seoul,Korea. Dr. Kaul is the proud son of Kashinath Kaul of Kalimpong. He completed his graduate and post graduate education from Darjeeling Govt College in Zoology and did his M. Phil and Ph.D from Delhi University. He is associated with several international universities, research institutes and scientific association of India, Japan and other countries. He had visited more than 10 countries and delivered talks in different symposiums and seminars.

His interest is in “Molecular mechanism of stress, aging and cancer” and has been actively involved in promoting the beneficial medicinal effects of Ashwagandha a herbal plant with medicinal value. He is invited throughout the world to speak on this subject. He has 30 patents in his credential and has published 175 research papers around the globe.

Dr Kaul

Dr Kaul is the first regular foreign staff scientist at the Agency of Industrial Science & Technology and presently visiting different Indian Universities including Sikkim University and acted as a resource person for Training Workshops held for students and young researchers in the field of biotechnology. Many young Indian research students are also working under his guidance and assistance. A martial artist Kaul is 2nd Dan Black belt in Tae - Kwon Do and Black belt in Karate and has been practicising Mixed martial arts though he is now 55.

On behalf of the nomination committee of the club which recommended Dr Kaul's name A.K.Rasaily, also president of the Club said that the according to the criteria to receive the award, the awardee is a son of Kalimpong and has not not received any public or social award except departmental and scientific awards and is below 60. His involvement and achievement has made Kalimpong proud and encouraged many. The awardee of Excellence Award in Journalism, Pramod Giri is President of Siliguri Jounalists Club elected for the second time and has been working as a journalist since 18 years. Giri actively involved in constructive journalism has also worked for Sunchari Samachar, Himalay Darpan, Asian Age and contributed in different media in the past.

Pramod Giri

Giri, principal correspondent of Hindustan Times is based in Siliguri covering North Bengal, Sikkim and eastern Nepal and had also covered news of Bhutan election.

The Chief Guest of the programme is Devulapalli Amar, Secretary General of Indian Journalists’ Union, New Delhi and guests of honour are Kampa Borgoyary, Deputy Chief of Bodoland Territorial Council and Dr.Lobsang Lama, Deputy Chairman of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.

A talk on “the role of Journalists in the local perspective- dos and donts and their rights” will be delivered by Swaraj Thapa senior Journalist and editor of Indian Express while Geetartha Pathak, Secretary of IJU will speak on the topic “Impact of hydro power station and the dam on the human civilisation and the role of Journalists”. 
Rajesh Sharma a senior reporter and member of the Club will also be felicitated for receiving two national media awards the Best Reporter Award in 2013 at New Delhi from News Paper Association of India and IMBA Award on 26 Jan, 2014 at New Delhi from India Media Welfare Association. Sharma has covered SAARC news and had interviewed foreign ministers of SAARC countries and national political leaders. Presently working for Hamro Prajashakti, Dainik Jagaran and KalimNews Sharma had been with the media for the last 19 years and has focused to bilateral relation with Bhutan and news of Bhutan.