The founder-director of Thiruvananthapuram Liquid propulsion systems based on the types of centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation and former secretary of the Department of Ocean Development, AE Muthunayagam, won the National Award for Ocean Science and Technology. European Union finance ministers, P. Chidambaram, presented the award at the creation of holidays of the year, a former Ministry of Earth Sciences here on Friday.

Mr. Chidambaram and the State Prize for atmospheric science and technology in the ex-director of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, DR Sikka. Dr. Sikka is known worldwide for its contributions to the monsoon weather, the development of digital weather forecasting models and understanding of tropical cyclones and droughts.

In addition, the European Union Finance Ministers presented certificates of merit to 11 scientists and engineers high-level Department of Earth Sciences: S. Ramji Phani Kumar SV and the National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai, R. Suresh Kumar and Suresh KG on the office of Chennai in India Meteorological Department, TM Balakrishnan Nair of India National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Hyderabad, MN Rajeevan, director, National Climate Center, Pune, Rajagopal of the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, K. IITM Krishna Kumar, RK Jena Mani, the IMD Director responsible for the office of the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, Rahul and Suresh Mohan Sushant Naik and the National Centre for Research Antarctic and Ocean Research, Goa.

Mr. Chidambaram distinctions eight group B, group