The Global Rice Research Foundation is proud to announce the very generous gift of US$130,000 to create the SK and Vijji De Datta Award for Rice Research. Dr. Surajit Kumar (SK) De Datta, world recognized leader in rice agronomy, and his supportive wife, Vijayalakshmi (Vijji) De Datta wish to memorialize their life-long commitments and enormous contributions to, and global impact on, rice production and human well-being.
By establishing this Award, the benefactors wish to promote novel, innovative, and transformational technologies for the improvement of the sustainable cultivations of rice and for expanding the appreciation of rice as a major cultural and social determinant in global society. Funds from this gift will be used to award at least one Global Rice Leadership Award annually and is intended to operate over at least 20 years.
This is a wonderful contribution by one of the great scientists of India not well recognized, and also supported by his highly talented yesteryear actress wife L. Vijayalakshmi. As a botanist I have read about his contribution to the finding of rice variety IR8. Their contribution hopefully would encourage with funding to some agriculture scientist globally. Best wishes to the generous couple for their excellent service to science
Congratulations to the renowned couple Dr. SKD data and his wife. I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Diatta at the international rice research Institute during the time of the development of the rice variety IR8. From 1960 to 67. I worked with Dr. Diatta in the Agronomy department to test the high yield of IR8 and other candidate rice varieties. Dr. Dedatta truly deserves the award and together with his wife, memorialize their great work and contribution to the world.