Dr Krushnamegh Kunte, Associate Professor at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fendamental Research (NCBS-TIFR), Bengaluru, was honoured with the 'Vasundhara Sathi Sanman" by Maharashtra Times and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).
Reflecting on this recognition, Dr. Krushnamegh Kunte shared:
"Scientific discovery is often a lonely, and sometimes even a lonesome, adventure, more in our minds than in substance, until we present it to the world. Although we travel the worlds for these adventures, we are anchored in our cultural, social and emotional moorings. What we do may or may not be recognised and valued immediately. However, once in a surprising while, people and societies who provide the context for a lifetime of work and discoveries offer recognition for what we contribute.
That honour was given to me and the community of biodiversity and environmental scientists on the 12th of March in the form of the 'Vasundhara Sathi Sanman' (translating literally as 'The Earth Companion Honour', but loosely and in spirit as 'The Earth Sentinel Honour'). The Maharashtra Times (a premier news agency under the Times of India group) and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) together bestowed this honour at the hands of the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde, and the President of MPCB Shri Siddhesh Kadam, at the 'MaTa Sanman 2026' awards. The ceremony was glittering with stars of the Marathi theatre and movie industries, as well as the Padma Shri and Ramon Magsaysay Award-winning social workers Prakash Amte and Mandakini Amte, who were also this year's 'Maharashtra Bhushan' awardees.
As India continues its march towards the alleviation of poverty, human welfare, and development, I hope that we will ensure the clean environment and rich biodiversity that are crucial for our physical, mental and emotional health as well as that of the planet's health, and that make our lives so much more enjoyable and exciting.
I urge everyone to make efforts every day towards a beautiful and happy coexistence between nature and civilization. I hope that scientific discoveries, technological innovations, and compassion towards all living beings, ecosystems and environments tugging at our conscience, will help us find a way forward and the willingness to walk that path.
I take this opportunity to sincerely thank all those who have made this professional and personal journey memorable: my family, friends, mentors, and students."
Read the Maharashtra Times Editorial: https://maharashtratimes.com/editorial/samwad/mata-sanman-2026-dr-krishnamegh-kunte-honored-with-vasundhara-saathi-samman-award/articleshow/129587663.cms
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