Thirumalachari Ramasami

Thirumalachari Ramasami is a former Indian science and technology secretary. He assumed charge in May 2006. Prior to this assignment, he served as the director of the Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai, India. He is a distinguished researcher and leather scientist. He was awarded India's National Civilian Honour the Padma Shri for excellence in Science and Engineering in 2001 and the Padma Bhushan in 2014. He was awarded the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, England in January 1976.

Career

Research He carried out postdoctoral research in energy at the Ames Laboratory, Iowa State University USA during 1978–80 and on electron transport phenomena at Wayne State University, Detroit, USA Congress gaining India, a niche status in the fashion world. India is now preparing the shade card for the world. Galvanized and led CLRI in a growth path since 1996 in the capacity as director. Prepared a vision, mission and action document for leading the growth of CLRI and gaining for India global leadership in leather by way of original publications, IPR generation and technologies delivered. He helped CLRI register a meaningful outcome on Indian Leather Sector during 1996–2004. Dramatic increases in outputs of CLRI have been registered during the Directorship since 1996. The department of science and technology bid farewell to its secretary, Dr T Ramasami on 5 May 2014 after he superannuated at the age of 66 years. During his eight years stint at the DST, Dr Ramasami was instrumental in its budget increase that jumped several-fold and launch of many new programs. He was also holding the additional charges as the director general, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Honours and awards Some of the Honors, awards and recognitions that have come his way include:

Major awards Padma Bhushan Award in 2014 National Civilian Honour Padma Shri (Science and Engineering), Govt. of India, 2001 Vasvik Prize for Environmental Technologies, 2004 (for Development of Pollution Control system in leather industry. Vasvik Prize for Chemical Sciences, 1997 (for Development of chromium aluminium synthetic tanning agent, Alcrotan. Great son of the soil award from All India conference of intellectuals, 2003. Dr. Y. Nayudamma Memorial Award, 2008

Other awards Platinum Jubilee Award of the Indian Chemical Society, 2001. Chemito Award for excellence in Chemistry and Life sciences. Silver Medal of the Chemical Research Society of India, 2003. Om Prakash Bhasin Award for Engineering and Technology, 2000. For the sake of honour award (Rotary Club). Fellow, Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers. Fellow, Third World Academy of Sciences. by American Leather Chemists Association. Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT)-Darshan Endowment Lecture award, 2004. Acharya P C Ray Memorial Oration Award. ALFA Orator Award, 2003. * Elizabath Mathai Endowment Oration. Prof. G S Laddha Endowment Lecture award.

Personal life A lifelong bachelor committed to science, he came in news in December 2025 when he became a victim of a digital arrest scam where he lost Rs. 57 lakh.