Latest news with #SilverStarMedal
India Today
01-07-2025
- Science
- India Today
IISER Pune professor bags Chirantan Rasayan Sanstha award for chemistry research
Professor Pinaki Talukdar, a faculty member from the Department of Chemistry at IISER Pune, has been chosen for the Chirantan Rasayan Sanstha (CRS) Silver Star Medal. This award is given to scientists whose research in chemical sciences shows clear innovation and real-world Chirantan Rasayan Sanstha, based at Vidyasagar University Campus in Midnapore, West Bengal, aims to support chemical science education and year, it honours top researchers across India and brings them together for its signature symposium to share ideas and TO BE PRESENTED AT MAHE SYMPOSIUM IN AUGUST Professor Talukdar has also been invited to deliver an award lecture at CRS's annual symposium 'Science Beyond Boundary: Invention, Discovery, Innovation, and Society – Rasayan 21'.The two-day event will be held at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Karnataka, on August 1 and 2, 2025, where he will receive the IISER Pune, Prof. Talukdar's research group is known for designing functional molecules that can be used in both chemistry and lab focuses on how molecules can be built and tweaked for a wide range of practical uses -- from chemical sensing to biological recognition from CRS adds to the growing list of honours for researchers at IISER Pune and is another proud moment for the institute.- Ends
Hindustan Times
30-06-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
IISER's Prof Talukdar wins CRS Silver Star medal
Professor Pinaki Talukdar, a distinguished researcher from the department of chemistry at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, has been awarded the prestigious Silver Star Medal by the Chirantan Rasayan Sanstha (CRS). The honour recognises his outstanding contributions to chemical sciences, particularly in the fields of research and innovation. Prof Talukdar will be formally felicitated during the upcoming CRS symposium. (HT) The CRS Silver Star Medal, one of the highest accolades conferred by the Chirantan Rasayan Sanstha, celebrates excellence in chemical research and aims to foster scientific progress in the discipline. Prof Talukdar will be formally felicitated during the upcoming CRS symposium. The two-day event is scheduled to take place at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka, between August 1 and 2. A distinguished scientist, Prof. Talukdar is especially recognised for his work in supramolecular chemistry, molecular recognition, and chemical biology—developing synthetic receptors and transport systems that mimic biological processes. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Prof. Talukdar expressed his gratitude, saying, 'Getting recognised for our research is very important. It's a kind of motivation for us.' His recent work involves creating artificial molecular systems that replicate natural protein channels in cells. 'We've developed three-dimensional structures capable of disrupting ion balance within a cell,' he explained. 'At the core of our work is the idea of disrupting the ionic balance in cancer cells. This imbalance leads to cell death, and we're now developing strategies to make this process highly specific to cancer cells,' he said. Unlike conventional cancer treatments that target proteins or DNA, Talukdar's novel approach embeds artificial channels in cell membranes, activating them selectively through chemical or enzymatic triggers. This method could reduce collateral damage to healthy cells, a common drawback of traditional therapies. Prof Talukdar has received several national accolades, including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Chemical Sciences in 2018. He was also elected a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences and holds a Wellcome Trust-DBT India Alliance Senior Fellowship. Having joined IISER Pune in its early years (2006–2007), Prof Talukdar has been a pivotal part of the institute's academic community for nearly 18 years.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Medal of Honor upgrade for Vietnam-era Recon Marine part of new bill
A bill recently introduced in Congress would upgrade a Silver Star Medal to a Medal of Honor for a recon Marine who fought through severe injuries while under attack on a mission in the jungles of Vietnam in 1967. Retired Maj. Jim Capers received the Silver Star in 2010 for those actions, but supporters believe his valor deserves the nation's highest military honor. House Resolution 3377, sponsored by Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., was filed — and coupled with a letter to President Donald Trump — on May 13 and remains in the House Armed Services Committee as of Monday. The letter, signed in February by six U.S. senators and 41 representatives, details Capers' actions and asks the president to review the award for the purpose of an upgrade. In late March 1967, Marine 2nd Lt. Jim Capers stepped off on a four-day patrol into the jungles near Phú Lộc, South Vietnam. Capers, recently promoted via a battlefield commission to second lieutenant, led nine 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company Marines alongside a dog named 'King.' The mission was to observe a North Vietnamese Army regiment and protect the flank of Company M, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines. On the final day of their mission, enemy claymore mines exploded, triggering an attack on his team. Capers received multiple wounds from both the explosion and the 'dense barrages of direct and indirect enemy fire' that followed. Suffering two broken legs and heavy bleeding, Capers continued fighting and directed his team in the counterattack. He coordinated supporting fire and moved his team to the helicopter extraction, which saved their lives. 'While struggling to maintain consciousness and still under attack, Major Capers demanded continuous situation and status reports from his Marines and ensured the entire team was evacuated before himself,' his award citation reads. 'Barely able to stand, Major Capers finally boarded the helicopter and was evacuated.' Capers twice got off of an evacuation helicopter so it could take off with the other wounded. When he did finally board a helo for extraction, the aircraft crashed. The wreck resulted in another man losing his leg and another individual losing a kidney. Retired Marine Lt. Col. David 'Bull' Gurfein, CEO of United American Patriots, has compared Capers' story to that of another reconnaissance Marine who did receive the Medal of Honor. Nearly a year after Capers heroics, 2nd Lt. Terrence Graves, also with 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, was on a deep jungle patrol in the jungles of Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam, where he led an eight-Marine recon team behind enemy lines. Once his team made contact with a large NVA force, Graves exposed himself to repeated enemy fire to lead assaults, attend to wounded and command the element — all while suffering from a gunshot wound to his thigh. Shortly after boarding a medevac helicopter, Graves and another Marine got back off to search for another Marine until a second helicopter could arrive to retrieve the three of them. The helicopter that eventually picked up the three Marines was shot down. Graves died in the crash. Graves received the Medal of Honor for his actions. Capers' award, meanwhile, was initially a Bronze Star Medal that was later upgraded to a Silver Star Medal.
Scoop
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Te Aso o te Paula: Tuvalu marks 82 anniversary of Japanese bombing
Article – RNZ 'Every year, we remember this day – Te Aso o te Paula – through memorial services, stories, and fatele dances that recount the experiences of our people during the war.'Tuvalu marked Te Aso o te Paula (Bomb Day), the 82nd anniversary of the bombing of Funafuti in 1943, on Wednesday. Pacnews agency reported it is a day of remembrance, resilience, and has seen renewed calls for peace. On 23 April, 82 years ago, Japanese bombers targeted Funafuti. As the attack approached, around 50 locals had sought refuge inside a church. Corporal Fonnie Black Ladd, a US Marine stationed in Funafuti, realised the church would likely be targeted and tried to get the people to leave. Cabinet Minister Simon Kofe said he then took more direct action, 'he fired his weapon to force an evacuation. Moments later, the church was bombed and destroyed. His actions saved many lives.' Corporal Ladd's bravery earned him the Silver Star Medal, one of the United States' highest military honours. The day is commemorated each year through memorial services, storytelling, and fatele dances, which preserve the lived memories of war through Tuvaluan tradition and oral history. 'Every year, we remember this day – Te Aso o te Paula-through memorial services, stories, and fatele dances that recount the experiences of our people during the war. It's a powerful reminder that even the most remote and peaceful places, like Tuvalu, are not immune from the impacts of global conflict,' Kofe said. In a reflection that echoes with current global challenges, Kofe connected the past to present geopolitical tensions. 'Looking at the state of the world today, with rising tensions and growing uncertainty, this day reminds us that war affects all of us. 'And it reminds us why we must keep working for peace, justice and the protection of all people – no matter how far away they may seem.'
Scoop
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Te Aso o te Paula: Tuvalu marks 82 anniversary of Japanese bombing
Tuvalu marked Te Aso o te Paula (Bomb Day), the 82nd anniversary of the bombing of Funafuti in 1943, on Wednesday. Pacnews agency reported it is a day of remembrance, resilience, and has seen renewed calls for peace. On 23 April, 82 years ago, Japanese bombers targeted Funafuti. As the attack approached, around 50 locals had sought refuge inside a church. Corporal Fonnie Black Ladd, a US Marine stationed in Funafuti, realised the church would likely be targeted and tried to get the people to leave. Cabinet Minister Simon Kofe said he then took more direct action, "he fired his weapon to force an evacuation. Moments later, the church was bombed and destroyed. His actions saved many lives." Corporal Ladd's bravery earned him the Silver Star Medal, one of the United States' highest military honours. The day is commemorated each year through memorial services, storytelling, and fatele dances, which preserve the lived memories of war through Tuvaluan tradition and oral history. "Every year, we remember this day - Te Aso o te Paula-through memorial services, stories, and fatele dances that recount the experiences of our people during the war. It's a powerful reminder that even the most remote and peaceful places, like Tuvalu, are not immune from the impacts of global conflict," Kofe said. In a reflection that echoes with current global challenges, Kofe connected the past to present geopolitical tensions. "Looking at the state of the world today, with rising tensions and growing uncertainty, this day reminds us that war affects all of us. "And it reminds us why we must keep working for peace, justice and the protection of all people - no matter how far away they may seem."
