Special recognition for Dr. Balasubramanian Ramani: The member of staff of Leibniz University Hannover (LUH) has received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA). The distinction awarded by the President of India was established in 2003 and is conferred to non-resident Indians or persons of Indian origin in recognition of their outstanding achievements. To date, only four people in Germany have received the award, which is conferred every other year to 30 individuals or organisations and institutions around the world.
Balasubramanian Ramani has been awarded a PBSA for his work in the field of collaboration between India and Germany, in particular for his contributions to education, social interaction and political participation. Dr. Ramani, aged 43, is the youngest person in Germany to be awarded a PBSA. In remembrance of Mahatma Gandhi''s arrival in India after leaving South Africa, the award is conferred on 9 January. This week, Prof. Dr. Volker Epping, President of LUH, congratulated Dr. Ramani on this extraordinary achievement.
Dr. Ramani joined Leibniz University Hannover in 2000 in the context of his doctoral studies in botany, for which he had received a grant from the state of Lower Saxony. Following the completion of his doctorate in 2006, he took up positions at the International Office and the Institute of Botany. In 2011, he became a permanent member of staff at the International Office. Within the scope of his position as regional coordinator for India and South Asia, Dr. Ramani made significant contributions towards strengthening LUH''s collaborations with higher education institutions and research facilities in India.
In addition to his work in academia, Balasubramanian Ramani is highly committed to various projects fostering collaboration between India and Germany. In 2010, he founded the Indian Association Hannover, initially as a student association of Leibniz University Hannover. By now, the initiative has attracted numerous members of all ages, organises many events and provides support with administrative aspects, doctor''s appointments or childcare issues. In 2015, Dr. Ramani founded an association for Indian students in Germany. Furthermore, Bala Ramani is a member of the Hannover Mitte district council of the Social Democratic Party and acts as an advisory member in the international committee of the city of Hannover. He was particularly passionate about an initiative promoting the installation of a bust of Mahatma Gandhi, which has been exhibited in the Maschpark in Hannover since 2015. Furthermore, Dr. Ramani is devoted to fostering international collaborations in his original scientific field of interest - agricultural science. Between 2005 and 2010, he acted as global coordinator of the platform Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD), an association promoting international exchange between young scientists in agricultural research and development.
After completing his doctorate, Bala Ramani originally intended to return to his university in India. However, shortly before his return journey to India, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami destroyed large parts of his institute. "I am glad that I could extend my stay at the Institute of Botany in Hannover, which allowed me to expand my exciting field of work at the International Office of LUH", says Dr. Ramani today.
Note to editors
For further information, please contact Dr. Balasubramanian Ramani, International Office, Tel. +49 511 762 2384, Email bala.ramani@zuv.uni-hannover.de.
