Pune: Eminent scientists, Prof Obaid Siddiqui and Dr T S Prahlad, were yesterday (Nov 2, 2004) presented the prestigious H K Firodia award for Science and Technology.

Siddiqui, considered a father figure in the field of molecular biology, was given the H K Firodia science award for his pioneering work on neorogenetics while Prahlad was given the H K Firodia Technology award for developing India's first civil aircraft 'Saras'.

Both the recipients were given a citation and cash of Rs two lakh each by Dr C K Prahalad, pioneer of theory of core competency and renowned strategic marketing expert.

In his welcome address, Arun Firodia of the H K Firodia Foundation said that energy shortage is going to be the most critical issue that we are going to face in the future.

As our economy grows at the rate of seven per cent over next few decades, the energy consumption is going to increase even faster. Therefore, we will have to tap all available avenues to generate power and need to build a chain of nuclear power plants, he said.

Accepting the award, Siddiqui said science is a funny combination of ideas and technology and that the basic science should be used in addressing problems.

However, he lamented that funding to research in basic science was insufficient.

Siddiqui said ever since solution to sequencing of DNA was found, molecular biology has become hi-tech and an exciting field of study.