Bharat Ratna scientist Prof CNR Rao gets SIR notice over extra 'f' in name

The notice issued to Professor CNR Rao cites "self-name mismatch" as the reason. While the older electoral rolls list his name as Prof CNR Rao, the current rolls reportedly contain an additional "f" in "Prof", recording his name as "Proff CNR Rao."

In Short

• Professor CNR Rao called for hearing over name mismatch in Karnataka electoral rolls
• Discrepancy due to extra 'f' in 'Prof' recorded as 'Proff CNR Rao'
• Only the elector named in the notice is allowed at hearing

Professor CNR Rao, one of the country’s most celebrated scientists, has been asked to appear for a hearing to establish his identity after his name was flagged for a spelling mismatch during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka.

Born in Bengaluru, the 92-year-old scientist has made significant contributions to the city’s scientific landscape. He is a recipient of the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian honour, and the third scientist to receive the award.

The notice issued to Prof Rao cites “self-name mismatch” as the reason.

While the older electoral rolls list his name as Prof CNR Rao, the current rolls reportedly contain an additional “f” in “Prof”, recording his name as “Proff CNR Rao."

“Self-name mismatch” refers to a discrepancy that arises when an elector listed in the 2002 electoral roll uses their own details from that roll while filling out the SIR enumeration form, but those details do not match the current electoral roll.

Only the person against whom the notice has been issued is permitted to appear for the hearing.

Prof Rao has therefore been called for a hearing scheduled in Malleshwaram, near the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).

Known for his work in solid-state and structural chemistry, Prof Rao is regarded as one of the most decorated scientists in his field, having received almost every major award possible, except the Nobel Prize.

Prof Rao has also played an important role in shaping India’s science policies. He was a member of the Scientific Advisory Council to then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and later headed the Scientific Advisory Councils to four Prime Ministers — Rajiv Gandhi, HD Deve Gowda, IK Gujral and Manmohan Singh.

He has made significant contributions to science globally and to Bengaluru in particular. He headed the prestigious IISc and founded the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) in Jakkur, where he served as its founding president.

Among his several honours are the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Shri and Karnataka Ratna, along with numerous other awards.

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