” Despite the vast ocean that separated me from my roots, the years that have passed have only intensified my affection and reverence for my country and my unwavering devotion to my state, Karnataka.
My passion to serve and contribute to the people has only grown stronger over time.
And when I learned the Government of Karnataka bestowing upon me the prestigious Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, I was filled with immense gratitude, pride and joy to receive the recognition from my people that symbolizes the appreciation of my efforts towards the betterment of my beloved state.
India was a place that had imprinted itself on my soul from the very beginning.
Growing up in the bustling streets of Bengaluru, I was a young boy from a humble background who was always captivated by the profound wisdom and remarkable scientific knowledge of our forefathers.
I aspired to follow in their footsteps and become a learned scholar myself.
Over the decades, I have achieved remarkable success as an NRI scientist in the USA, contributing to groundbreaking research in multiple fields.
Yet, I never lost sight of my Indian heritage and the profound influence it had on my worldview. Whenever I had the opportunity, I would passionately share stories of India with my American colleagues, friends and students.
These experiences bring me a sense of closeness to my homeland that I cherish deeply, even when we thousands of miles apart.
Here, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the collective efforts of the Government of Karnataka, Hon’ble Chief minister Mr. Siddaramaiah and all those involved in the selection process.
This recognition serves as a significant motivation to every one of the NRI scientists and scholars and pushes them to continue their efforts and contributions toward the betterment of our country and its people.
I am inspired to work even harder, collaborate with others, and actively participate in initiatives that promote the rich culture, heritage, and progress of Karnataka and our nation.”
Jai Hind
– S.S Iyengar
