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 The Padma Shri (IAST: ''padma śrī'', lit. 'Lotus Honour'), also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest Indian honours system, civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. In ...

Award by the Government of India for his contributions to science and technology in 2001.

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 A matronymic is a personal name or a parental name based on the given name of one's mother, grandmother, or any female ancestor. It is the female equivalent of a patronymic. Around the world, matronymic surnames are far less common than patrony ...

, 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 The University of Saskatchewan (U of S, or USask) is a Universities in Canada, Canadian public university, public research university, founded on March 19, 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatch ...

, Canada.

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 The University of Sheffield (informally Sheffield University or TUOS) is a public university, public research university in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. Its history traces back to the foundation of Sheffield Medical School in 1828, Fir ...

, UK when he quit teaching career to join Hindustan Aeronautics in the design and development department in 1971. Slowly he rose through the ranks to become the first professional engineer to become MD & Chairman of

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is an Indian public sector aerospace and defence company, headquartered in Bengaluru. Established on 23 December 1940, HAL is one of the oldest and largest aerospace and defence manufacturers in the world. H ...

. 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. Cochin International Airport

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. In 1991, he founded the Society of Indian Aerospace Technologies and Industries (SIATI) 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 The Government of Kerala (abbreviated as GoK), also known as the Kerala Government, is the administrative body responsible for governing the Indian States and territories of India, state of Kerala. The government is led by a chief minister, who ...

to head Cochin International Airport Limited as the Managing Director. He served CIAL till 2011. NITC AB

C. G. K. Nair has presented and published 193 scientific papers at various conferences at national and international levels. He has authored 20 books.Non-Destructive Test and Evaluation of Materials: J Prasad, C G K Nair: 9780070077461: Amazon.com: Books
/ref> He is the Chairperson of National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC) since the end of his tenure at CIAL in 2011 and is also an independent Director at Global Vectra Helicorp.

Positions held

C. G. K. Nair has held various positions in his career. * Chancellor of

Jain University Jain (Deemed-to-be University), is a deemed university based in Bengaluru. In August 2019, Jain (Deemed-to-be University) opened its off campus in Kochi, Kerala. History Jain (Deemed-to-be University) originates from Sri Bhagawan Mahaveer Jai ...

, Bangalore - India (Current) * Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of

. * Independent Director at Global Vectra Helicorp Limited since 4 May 2012 * Non-Executive Independent Director at Titan Industries Limited since 2 May 2002 * Member - Scientific Advisory Committee to the

Cabinet of India The Union Council of Ministers is the principal executive organ of the Government of India, which serves to aid and advise the President of India in execution of their functions.Article 74 of the ''Constitution of India'' It is chaired by th ...

* Member - Enterprise Reform Committee to the

* Chairman of the Society of Defence Technologists (SODET) * President of the Society of Indian Aerospace Technologies * Member of Governing Council of MVJ College of Engineering * President of Aeronautical Society of India * President of

Indian Institute of Metals Indian Institute of Metals (IIM) was formed in Kolkata in 1946 under the leadership of Dr. Dara P. Antia, who was then Chief Metallurgist of Hindalco Industries, Indian Aluminum Co. The IIM is over 60 years old premier professional Metallurgical ...

* Vice-Chancellor of MATS University * Managing Director, Cochin International Airport Limited * Founder of International Institute for Aerospace Engineering & Management (IIAEM), Bangalore * Chairman of National Institute of Technology Calicut

Awards and recognition

Nair received several awards and recognition during his career. * Outstanding Aerospace Personality Award (2011) for the decade by Indian Aviation for outstanding contributions to the Indian Aerospace Industry * Centenary of Aviation Award (2010) by Society of Aerospace Studies * Rajiv Gandhi 60th Birth Anniversary Rastriya Ekta Samman (2008) for contribution to National prosperity, unity and achievements. * Life Time Contributions and Achievement Award (2007) from Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) * IIM Platinum Award from

(2004) * National Metallurgist Award (2003) from the

and Ministry of Steel and Mines * 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 The vice president of India (ISO: ) is the deputy to the head of state of the Republic of India, i.e. the president of India. The office of vice president is the second-highest constitutional office after the president and ranks second in the ...

* Padmashri (2001) by the

President of India The president of India (ISO 15919, ISO: ) is the head of state of the Republic of India. The president is the nominal head of the executive, the first citizen of the country, and the commander-in-chief, supreme commander of the Indian Armed ...

* Dr.Ambedkar Bharath Shree Award (2001) by Governor of Karnataka * Gold Cross Award (International) (2001) by COMITE D’HONNEUR du MERITE ET DEVOUEMENT FRANCAIS, France. * Rashtriya Ratna Award (2001) International Friendship Forum of India * Swadeshi Science Puraskara (2000) * National Award for R&D (1998) * Hon. Fellow & Life Time Achievement Award from Aeronautical Society of India (1997) * First Distinguished IIT Alumnus Award from IIT: Chennai (1996) * Omprakash Bhasin Award in Space & Aerospace Application (1996) * Hindustan Zinc Gold Medal (1993) by

. * Vasvik Research Award (1992) by Vibidhlaxi Audyogik Samshodhan Vikas Kendra * FIE Foundation Award (1991) from FIE Foundation, awarded by the

Prime Minister of India The prime minister of India (ISO 15919, ISO: ) is the head of government of the Republic of India. Executive authority is vested in the prime minister and his chosen Union Council of Ministers, Council of Ministers, despite the president of ...

* National Award for R&D (1991) by Department of Scientific & Industrial Research * Indira Gandhi Memorial National Award (1990) for Excellent Chief Executive, by Central Public Sector Employees Federation, Hyderabad * National Award for Best Employer of Physically Handicapped (1990) by President of India. * National Energy Award (1990) by the Institute of Indian Foundry men * National Aeronautical Prize (1990) from Aeronautical Society of India * National Award for Best Employer of Physically Handicapped (1989) by

* Birla Gold Medal (1988) from

* Ferroguard Award (1979) from Electro-Chemical Society of India * Best Young Metallurgist Award (1975) from Ministry of Steel & Mines,

Government of India The Government of India (ISO 15919, ISO: Bhārata Sarakāra, legally the Union Government or Union of India or the Central Government) is the national authority of the Republic of India, located in South Asia, consisting of States and union t ...

. * Fellow of

* Fellow of

Institution of Engineers (India) The Institution of Engineers (India), the IEI, is a national organization for engineers in India. It is the world's largest multi-disciplinary engineering professional society. It has more than one million members in 15 engineering disciplines ...

* Fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering

References

External links