Dear Sir, Madam, Kindly publish the below press release in your daily:
Presentation of the prestigious medal of “Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite” to Professeur Gajanana PRABHU GAUNKAR ~ Friday 28th November 2014 at 6.00 pm~ The Alliance Française, Panjim is organizing on Friday, 28th November a r eception to honour Mr. Gajanana PRABHU GAUNKAR, who holds a Ph.D from the Un iversity of Paris Sud-Orsay in France and is an honorary Professor of IIT Bo mbay, with the insignia of the Chevalier of the National Order of Merit, which is the one of the most prestigious medals of the French Republic. Marise D'Lima, President of the Alliance Française, Panjim, will be the host ess for the evening. The event will be held on the premises of the Alliance Française. It will start with at 6pm with welcome speeches of the President of the Alliance, as well as that of Mr. Jean-Raphaël Peytregnet, Consul Gene ral of France in Mumbai, followed by the official ceremony of presenting the medal. Professor PRABHU GAUNKAR has greatly contributed to the scientific cooperati on between France and India, notably facilitating university tie-ups and usi ng his domain knowledge and vast network to benefit the French interests as well. A concert of sitar and tabla performed by Mansoor Khan and his group with cocktail dinner will conclude the evening. In addition, several Goan artists, including Kedar Dhondu, Loretti Pinto, P ritesh Naik, Sachin Naik, Vijay Bhandare and Viraj Naik will exhibit their paintings at the reception. *About Professor Prabhu Gaunkar* Professor Prabhu-Gaunkar, born in 1945 in Panajim (Goa), completed his engineering studies in Pune and then at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. He received his Ph.D in the field of metallurgy at the University of ‘Paris Sud Orsay’ in 1978. While studying, he has also worked in French companies such as ‘Creusot Loire’ and at an engineering workshop in Caen. Returning back to India and after a 5-year experience in Midhani company, in 1983, he was offered the post pf professorship in the metallurgy department of the IIT Bombay that he held until 2012. Specializing in metal alloys used in radioactive surroundings, Mr. Prabhu Gaunkar has contributed significantly to the cooperation between India and France. He has actively participated in the Indo-French Technical Association (IFTA), bringing together the French and Indian engineers working together on projects in the nuclear field. Francophone and Francophile, Mr. Prabhu-Gaunkar has regularly used his network and domain knowledge to serve French interests as well. First, he helped build relations with the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. He has also helped to establish partnerships with the University of Paris-Sud Orsay by facilitating internships of French students in Bombay and encouraging Indian students to study in France. As the organizer of several Indo-French research seminars especially for the Indo-French Centre for Advanced Research (IFCPAR), Prof. Prabhu-Gaunkar represents an important element of our scientific cooperation. For honouring and recognizing his entire career path, France has decided to confer Professor Prabhu Gaunkar with the insignia of ‘Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite’. *Mr Prabhu Gaunkar is availlable for interviews on November 28th after the ceremony decoration.* For more details, please contact: *i**nfo*.pan...@afindia.org <pan...@afindia.org> ; 0832 24 20049 Best regards, Laurène Gibert Director Alliance Française, Panjim H. No 46A, P.E Agnelo RD, Near Menezes Polyclinic, Altinho, Panjim Panjim 403 001, Goa Tel +91 832 2420049 http://panjim-goa.afindia.org/ Follow us on Facebook!