Fellow

Dr. Ashesh Prasad Mitra (Deceased)

(Foreign Fellow, )

Dr. Ashesh Prasad Mitra was born in Dhamrai, Bangladesh in 1927.

He earned D. Phil., D. Sc. and his Specialization was Radio and Space Physics.

He was Director, National Physical Laboratory, Delhi; Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India; Secretary, Government of India, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research; Bhatnagar Fellow and Homi Bhaba Fellow.

Major research work of Dr. Mitra was in the field of earth's near-space environment, through group based and space techniques. Work on cosmic radio noise for studying the upper atmosphere led to a series of discoveries in ionosphere, solar physics and cosmic rays. Dr. Mitra had concentrated on the scientific aspects of global environmental hazards of human activities. His contribution includes ozone problem, and the chemistry and measurement of greenhouse gases. He had global change science programme in India and South-East Asia. He was Leader of the Indian Programme for INDOEX; Leading along with TERI Indian component of ALGAS programme.

He was awarded Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar prize (1968), K. S. Krishnan Memorial Lecture (INSA) (1975), Jawaharlal Nehru Fellow (1978 - 1980), C.V. Raman Award (UGC) (1980), Ficrci Award (1982), Om Prakash Bhasin Award (1987), C.V. Raman Medal (INSA) (1991), G.M. Modi Award (Gujarmal Modi Science Foundation (1992), Padma Bhushan (1989), Meghnath Saha Gold Medal (Asiatic Society) (1983), Sir J.C. Bose Memorial Award (1993), S.K. Mitra Centenary Medal (Indian Science Congress (1994), C.V. Raman Medal (1995). He was the recipient of the State honour: PADMA BHUSHAN, India.

He has over 200 research publications and a number of books. To mention a few "Advances in Space Exploration" (1979) (ed.), "Ionospheric Effects of Solar Flares" (author) (1980).

Dr. Mitra served COSPAR in various capacities; Former President URSI; played a major role in IGY; Formerly Chairman for National Committee for International Union of Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (1991-1994); Formerly Chairman of Start-SASCOM and Director SASCOM-RRIC; Chairman, Indian Advisory Committee on Space Sciences: Chairman, Governing Council of National Council of Sciences Museums; Formerly Bureau Member in ICSU Scientific Committee on Solar-Terrestrial Physics; Member, Council of United Nations University (till June 1998); Member, Scientific Planning Group, Asia Pacific Network; Adviser, Ministry of Environment and Forests on Global Environment.

He was a Fellow, Royal Society of London; Fellow of Indian National Science Academy; Indian Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Sciences; Fellow of Third World Academy of Sciences and of the International Academy of Astronautics; Past President of the National Academy of Sciences and Secretary, INAS (1979-1982); INSA Council Member (1994-1995). Director, Center for Global Change, IGBP, India. Foreign Fellow of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences.

Profesor Mitra expired on 03 September 2007.