Chennai, Dec 9 (IANS) Two scientists connected to the Indian space sector, Yash Pal and M. Annadurai, have been selected for the 2009 H.K.Firodia award.
The Awards Selection Committee comprising R.A. Mashelkar, Anil Kakodkar, Vijay Bhatkar and Govind Swarup made a unanimous decision when it came to choosing the winners.

According to a media release, Pal has been chosen under the Lifetime Achievement category for applying modern communications technology to meet the needs of isolated Indian villages.

He will receive a cash award of Rs.200,000.

Annadurai, project director for Chandrayaan I and II, Annadurai has been recognised for designing and developing the space craft that carried instrumentation from different space agencies to accomplish simultaneous chemical, mineralogical, resource and topographic mapping of the entire lunar surface at high spatial and spectral resolutions.

He will receive a cash award of Rs.100,000.

The award was instituted in 1996 in memory of late Firodia of the Kinetic group to recognise and applaud Indian scientific achievements and inspire Indian youth to pursue a scientific career and bring the benefits of science to the people of India.

The award function will be held Dec 23 in Pune.