After receiving the distinguished Alumnus award from University of Florida (UF), Anil Rajvanshi became the first Indian citizen to be felicitated by this precious award. Renewable energy scion Anil Rajvanshi has been honoured for his efforts to provide sustainable energy for rural areas throughout India. Rajvanshi was previously a PhD student at UF, and graduated in 1979 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He joined its faculty for two years before returning to India in 1981 to run his own rural non-governmental organisation, Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), at Phaltan in Maharashtra. He then taught at UF, spending two-and-a-half years there as a professor before leaving in 1981. His work in renewable energy has made him famous around the world. At present, Rajvanshi is working as the director of NARI, and has received numerous awards for his work.
NARI is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation dedicated
to research and development in the fields of agriculture, energy and animal husbandry. In 2001, he received the Jamnalal Bajaj Award from the Indian Government, the Federal of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry award in 2002, and the Global Award for Sustainable Energy in 2009.
“It is in recognition of the honour and prestige you have brought your alma mater through your accomplishments and services that we honour you,” said Dr Bernard Machen, President of UF. He further said that in accepting this award, you will join an elite group of outstanding university alumni who are excellent examples of what our students should strive to become as they step off campus and into the world as graduates. n
