Scindia said it was primarily contributions in the fields of science and philosophy that were at the heart of India's prowess and resurgence as well as the rise of a new India.  

"When we talk of the area of science, it is an area that ignites the mind. Philosophy, on the other hand, ignites the soul and nourishes it," he said in his brief address after presenting the awards instituted by the K.K. Birla Foundation.

It was a combination of the two, Scindia added, that would take India forward and needed to be recognised and encouraged. The awards presented on Thursday evening covered both areas.

The minister also complimented the K.K. Birla Foundation that instituted the awards for producing landmark events. Each of the awards carries a citation and a cash award of Rs 1.5 lakh.

Dr K.K. Birla, president of the foundation, noted with pride the prestige that had come to be attached with the two awards over the years. "Many scientists have told me that it has become the most prestigious award so far".

The G.D. Birla Award for Scientific Research was instituted in 1991 with the aim to accord recognition to high calibre research undertaken by Indian scientists, below the age of 50 living and working in India. Dr Birla said the condition regarding the age had been widely ap- preciated in scientific circles.

Bhattacharya told the gathering at Birla House there was another reason. "This is the only award that cuts across disciplinary barriers... it makes it very special." Bhattacharya had trained as a chemist. His research work, however, cuts across boundaries of individual discipline and employs principles of chemistry and it interfaces with Biology and material science.

Tripathi, who was selected for his work Boudh Darshan Prasthaan, has devoted his life to studying rare and unknown facets of Buddhist literature. The book, in Hindi, explains Buddhist philosophy and is based on a variety of sources including those from Tibet and Nepal.

"It will inspire others to work in this field," Tripathi later said.