American Academy of Arts and Sciences honours Ooty scholar

Udhagamandalam: An Ooty scholar has been elected the new international honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for 2021. Padma awardee Sharada Srinivasan, who has roots in the Nilgiris, is the only international honorary member elected from the country this year in the field of social and behavioural sciences in anthropology and archaeology.
Sharada, who is currently attached to the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru, said, “It is a great honour to be elected to the 240-year-old American Academy of Arts and Sciences, which honours eminence in diverse fields of science and arts, and leadership through such annual election to its galaxy of renowned members.”
According to her, it is a broader recognition for the community of scholars in India and women achievers. “Also, it is a tremendous recognition of several arduous decades of scholarship in the fields of archaeological sciences, archaeometallurgy and technical art history, using scientific methods in the study of history of art, archaeology and preservation of cultural heritage, particularly since these are less supported areas.”
Born to M R Srinivasan, ex-chairman of Atomic Energy Commission, and Geetha Srinivasan, a social activist, Sharada has bagged Dr Kalpana Chawla Young Women Scientist Award, Indian Institute of Metals Certificate, Materials Research Society of India Medal, Homi Bhabha Fellowship and Materials Research Society USA Graduate Student Award, among others.
“The recognition of my researches in the history of technology of Chola bronze icon making and steel making also serves to put Indian contributions to metals and civilizations on the world map,” she said.