Dr Anil K Rajvanshi a grassroots scientist from Satara working on sustainability and rural development has been selected for the Padma Shri award in the science and engineering category.  He is an academician, researcher with over three decades of work experience in renewable energy research, rural and sustainable development.

Dr Rajvanshi is best known for building Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI). It is a non-governmental organisation and non-profit research and development institute in Maharashtra which pursues research in agriculture, renewable energy, sustainable development, and animal husbandry.

Read | Jamia’s First Female VC Najma Akhtar Selected for Padma Shri

Some of his work includes renewable energy-based cooking and lighting; power generation from agricultural residues; renewable fuel production from agriculture; electric cycle rickshaws; water purification and effluent treatment through the use of renewable energy.

He was born and raised in Lucknow and receive his schooling from Indian School Certificate St. Francis’ College, Lucknow in 1966. He pursued a bachelor’s degree from the IIT Kanpur in 1972 and a master’s in 1974 from the same institute. He also has a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of Florida, the USA in 1979.