Padmashri Scope Award Vaswik Research Award Birla Gold Medal National Aeronautical Prize Dr Ambedkar Bharat Shree Award Rashtriya Ratna Award National Metallurgist Award Omprakash Bhasin Award IIM Platinum Award Swadeshi Science Puraskara Enterprise Excellence Award Gold Cross Award FIE Foundation Award
Chandrathil Gouri Krishnadas Nair is an Indian technocrat, teacher and metallurgical scientist known for his contributions in the field of aeronautical metallurgy. Dr Nair was given the Padma Shri Award by the Government of India for his contributions to science and technology in 2001.[citation needed]
Early years
C. G. Krishnadas Nair was born in kuttipuzha village in Ernakulam district of Kerala on 17 August 1941 as the son of Idaprampalli Manakkal Krishnan Namboothiri and Chandrathil Gouriamma. Krishnadas Nair got his family name, Chandrathil, through matrilineal succession.
In this Indian name, the name Chandrathil Gouri is a matronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Krishnadas Nair.
Sarvadikaryakkar Kunjikutti Pillai is his maternal ancestor. He had his early education in Kerala and continued his studies at IIT Madras to pass graduate degree in Metallurgical Engineering in 1964. He obtained master's degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1966 and earned PhD in 1968 from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada.[1]
Career
C. G. K. Nair started his career as an assistant professor in Regional Engineering College, Suratkal (present KNIT). Later, he worked as visiting faculty at University of Sheffield, UK when he quit teaching career to join Hindustan Aeronautics in the design and development department in 1971.[2] Slowly he rose through the ranks to become the first professional engineer to become MD & Chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Nair's efforts at HAL is said to have transformed the company into a globally competent aerospace industry through long-term strategic plan with strong R&D, diversification, export, industry academy interaction and work culture based on ethics and teamwork.[3]
Nair is also credited with efforts that led to the design and development of Advanced Light Helicopter, new Jet trainer and Light Armed Helicopter by HAL. He is considered as the influence behind the design of High Altitude Helicopter, Multi Role Transport Aircraft and many advanced aerospace equipments.[3] In 1991, he founded the Society of Indian Aerospace Technologies and Industries (SIATI)[4][5] to train and support small and medium enterprises to develop aerospace components indigenously. He served as AICTE-INAE Distinguished Visiting Professor at IIT Chennai for two terms after his retirement from HAL when he was appointed as the Vice Chancellor of MATS University. In 2008, he was invited by Government of Kerala to head Cochin International Airport Limited as the Managing Director.[6] He served CIAL till 2011.
Scope Award for Excellence in Public Sector Management for best Managed Public Sector (HAL) (2003)
Scope Award for Best Chief Executive and PM's Gold Plaque (2002) Department of Public Enterprises and Ministry of Industries by Vice-President of India