Government of India awards Padma Shri to Dr. Mani Lal Bhaumik

Janury 26, 2011: It brings us immense joy to announce that one of our members, Dr. Mani Lal Bhaumik, Mani da to a lot of Bengalis in So Cal, have been awarded Padma Shri award by the Government of India in the field of Science and Engineering in 2011.

Dr. Bhaumik has been involved with BASC for many years. He is, in fact, one of the founder members of BASC. The first ever BASC Saraswati Puja and numerous Bijoya Sammelani took place at his home in the 70s. Last October BASC honored this world famous member during Durga Puja celebration. BASC members listened with rapt attention as he described his recent work tying cosmology, quantum physics and spirituality.

A native of Tamluk, Medinipore in West Bengal, Dr. Bhaumik studied in Scottish Church College (B. SC.), Calcutta University (M. SC.) and IIT Kharagpur (PhD). Dr. Bhaumik came to USA in 1959 for post-doctoral studies in UCLA. He worked in Xerox Corporation and then in Northrop Corporate Research Lab where he rose to the position of Director of Laser Technologies. While working in Northrop he developed Excimer Laser technology. This is the technology that is used in Lasik surgery, which has changed many people's lives for the better by eliminating the need for contact lenses or glasses.

Recently Dr. Bhaumik has been promoting the concept of spirituality and science through two books - Code Name God and The Cosmic Detective as well as Cosmictoons TV series for the kids. In addition he has instituted an annual International Award through the UCLA Neuropsychiatry Institute, and established the Bhaumik Educational Foundation, based in Calcutta, which provides full scholarships to needy but brilliant students. The Indian government honored him with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in 2010.

Congratulations, Mani da / Dr. Bhaumik - we are so proud of you.