Proposal to appoint Bhyrappa as national research prof

Kannada litterateur S L Bhyrappa’s name has been proposed for appointment as a national research professor.

“We have made a proposal to appoint S L Bhyrappa to the post of the national professor,” Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. She was replying to a question by Poonam Mahajan, MP from Mumbai (North-East).

Mahajan wanted to know the initiatives taken by the government to promote literature in translation. She said Bhyrappa’s literary works were translated in many languages and appreciated across the country.

The Centre had instituted the National Research Professorship in 1949 to honour distinguished academics and scholars in recognition of their contribution to knowledge. Persons of eminence, who have attained the age of 65 years and have made outstanding contributions in their respective fields and are still capable of productive research, are considered for appointment as national research professors.

In 2009, the Centre had fixed the honorarium for national professors at Rs 75,000 per month. Such persons can also avail of a contingency grant of Rs one lakh every year. The appointment is made initially for a period of five years which is extendable by another five years.