Ranbaxy Science Foundation has presented its Second Ranbaxy Special Award in the field of Public Health to Dr. Justice K. Narayana Kurup, Former Acting Chief Justice and Judge, High Court of Madras (and Kerala), in recognition of his path breaking judgements on wide ranging issues of societal concern, especially to ban smoking in public places. The Award was presented by Dr. Nitya Anand, Chairman Ranbaxy Science Foundation in the presence of a gathering of luminaries from different sections of the society.
The landmark verdict of the Division Bench (A.R. Lakshmanan, Acting Chief Justice, as then he was, and Justice Kurup) banning smoking of tobacco in public places was hailed by the international community as a unique contribution by the Indian Judiciary to protect human rights to health. The uniqueness of the judgment lies in the fact that it is the first ever judicial initiative addressing the hazards of passive smoking. (Environmental Tobacco Smoke - E.T.S.). Imbibing the spirit of this verdict, the Centre has already introduced a Bill in Parliament banning smoking in public places followed by various other states. The judgment on smoking ratified by the Supreme Court, is a classic treatise on law and medicine. Taking cue from the judgment, the FIFA at the behest of WHO, banned smoking in all the stadiums where the World Cup Football 2002 was played. Various other nations, the latest in the series being Qatar and Greece, have also followed suit. The dynamic judicial initiative is paying rich dividends to public health.
Justice Kurup has also made significant contributions in other areas of public health - the launch of massive Mosquito Eradication programme with popular support in the Cochin metropolis was a great success emulated throughout the State. His order of banning display of Carcass of slaughtered animals causing offence to sight, is yet another contribution to public health and welcomed by the entire population of the State. Also his leading judgment upholding right of dignified existence of animals akin to the basic rights of human beings is a major contribution to the Indian Jurisprudence.
Justice Kurup is the recipient of many honours and awards including Honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (L.L.D.) from the Alagappa University, Madras for his outstanding contributions in the field of Human Rights, Environment and Public Health.
Recognising the outstanding contributions made by Justice Kurup in the field of Public Health, Environment, Human Rights and Animal Rights, the Governing Council of the Ranbaxy Science Foundation has conferred Justice K. Narayana Kurup with the Ranbaxy Science Foundation ' s Special Award in the field of Public Health.
Ranbaxy Science Foundation, in order to increase public awareness and recognize contributions to public health problems, had instituted, few years ago, an award to recognise people whose work or actions has a strong and lasting positive impact on public health issues. First such award in this category was given to Mr. S.R. Rao, former Commissioner of Surat, in 1997, for his contribution to the cleaning of the town in the aftermath of plague in 1990s and for setting up systems which will keep the town clean.
Ranbaxy Science Foundation, chaired by Dr Nitya Anand, is a non-profit organization which promotes scientific endeavour in the country by encouraging and rewarding excellence in medical and pharmaceutical research and channeling national and international knowledge and expertise. Among the prime activities it undertakes every year are, holding of Scientific Symposia in front-line areas of Research, inviting Foreign Scientists as Visiting Professors and holding of Round Table Conferences on Infectious diseases. The Foundation also gives annually four Research Awards in different areas of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research to scientists for outstanding research as judged by the distinguished Jury.