Amartya Sen award for social scientists announced

HRD minister Kapil Sibal on Monday announced an award for social scientists in name of Nobel laureate Amartya Sen. The award will be given to 10 top social scientists every year.

HRD minister Kapil Sibal on Monday announced an award for social scientists in name of Nobel laureate Amartya Sen. The award will be given to 10 top social scientists every year.

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The announcement was made as part of five- point agenda to rejuvenate social science in India crucial for sound policy decisions. "Unless we are able to lift the quality of research in India in social sciences, we will not be able to get the kind of data which are fundamental for policy makers to take decisions," Sibal said.

Addressing a conference organised by the Indian Council Of Social Science Research (ICSSR), the minister said a committee was set up to suggest raising research activities as adequate social research is critical in a country like India where social sector investment is vital for development.

Proposing the social science innovation centre, he said the aim is to develop capacity in new and frontier areas of trans-disciplinary research.

"The centre would identify innovative research methodologies in frontier areas of knowledge and assist in building a network for carrying forward the research interests of institutions, scholars and teachers," he said.

The minister said the ICSSR will develop a fellowship scheme for embedding young scholars in universities interested in pursuit of social science research while 10 annual awards will be instituted to recognise advancement of knowledge in social sciences.

"While the field of sciences recognises advances research through the Bhatnagar awards, there is no comparative recognition to high quality research in social sciences," he said, while announcing award in name of Sen.