The document provides a recommendation letter for Dr. P.S. Navaraj for the INSA Teacher Award. It describes how Dr. Navaraj has organized several successful outreach programs for science popularization among students and the public. It notes his excellent work in launching the DAE-BARC initiative 'AKRUTI' in Madurai to provide technologies for rural development. The letter recommends Dr. Navaraj for the award, describing him as a good teacher, researcher, science communicator, and event manager who is strongly committed to national development goals.

1. J.Daniel Chellappa
Senior Scientist
Kalpakkam 603102
Dated: 28.3.2013
Ref: BARCF(K)/AKRUTI/MDU/2013
To whomsoever it may concern
This is to certify that Dr. P.S. Navaraj, Dean (Academic Affairs) and Associate
Professor in Zoology, Yadava College, Madurai has resourcefully organized high-impact science
popularization and public awareness programmes for the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
among the University, College & School students & faculty in the past.
We have also participated in many of his creatively designed and organized science
events aimed at the gifted rural school children in the State like the INSPIRE scheme of the
Department of Science and Technology (DST) etc. He actively supports in our endeavours for
taking to the academia as well as common man.
His contribution to the first-of-its kind launch of DAE-BARC societal Initiative,
‘AKRUTI’ (Advance Knowledge and RUral Technology Implementation) in the State at
Madurai during last month, is simply superb and commendable, and has offered his continued
lead role. BARC offers the Department-developed spinoff technologies, non-power applications
and technical consultancy services, in the area of water, land, agriculture, tissue culture, food
processing and urban-rural waste management etc for the techno-economic growth especially of
the rural sector.
A good teacher, service-minded researcher, excellent science communicator & event
manager and a vibrant human-being for the national agenda, Dr.P.S.Navaraj is strongly
recommended for consideration of the coveted INSA Teacher Award.
I wish him all success.
With warm regards,
Yours truly,
Sd/-
(J. Daniel Chellappa)
daniel_chellappa2002@yahoo.com
jdanielchellappa@gmail.com
M: 09445857046
Government of India
Department of Atomic Energy
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
Technical Coordination Wing (NRB)

2. DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR AND PHYSIOLOGY
The Executive Director 06/05/2015
Indian National Science Academy
Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi-110002.
Dear Sir/Madam,
Greetings!
I am happy to submit the feedback in support of my teacher, Dr. Perumalsamy
Navaraj, one of the nominees for the INSA Teacher Award. I attended Dr.
Navaraj Sir class when I did Post graduation in Zoology at Yadava College
during the year 1998-2000. I am much glad to focus the fine elements of his
quality teaching and societal centred research. He is very good teacher in bringing
out all perspectives from students of his class. He is a lively Professor who could
engage all students in his topic. The teaching and research skills that I gained
from Dr. Navaraj both in the classroom and outside the class room shaped me to
sharpen my career in research.
Dr. Navaraj has excelled in his field and he uses to encourage students to become
Scientists rather than as a mere Science students. I particularly liked his lecture as
it has more relevance to the current research. Through him, I have gained a
number of admirable skills such as problem solving, communication, research
methods and evaluation and that has enlightened me in research. I developed an
interest in the subject and research through his motivation and constant
encouragement.
He is still actively involved in teaching, research supervision and extension
activity. He has published his research findings in several national and
international journals, and also he has presented in national and international
scientific conferences and symposia. His Curriculum Vitae is a testimony to his
achievements.
Dr. T. Karuppudurai,
M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D.
DBT-Ramalingaswami Fellow
(Senior Assistant Professor)
School of Biological Sciences
Madurai Kamaraj University
Madurai - 625 021, INDIA.
Phone: Off. (0452) 2459116; Cell: 9787939233; Fax-(0452) 2459181
E-mail: tkdurai@gmail.com; tkdurai1@rediffmail.com

3. In summary, Dr. Navaraj is a truly gifted teacher and mentor, as well as one of the
kindest persons. As a State Government awardee as the Best Scholar in teaching
and research, his teaching technology always emphasizes the importance of
education, teaching and research. Dr. Navaraj has the quality of explaining
complex subjects in different perspectives, to make students understand easily.
Most of the Students feel 'honored' to be part of Professor Navaraj’s classes. For
these reasons, I strongly support Dr. Navaraj for the coveted INSA Teacher
Award. I strongly believe he deserves to receive the INSA Teacher Award. I
wish him a grand success in his scientific endeavors.
Sincerely Yours,

4. 11th
May, 2015
PROFORMA FOR FEEDBACK
(to be filled by former students only)
1. Name Karuppiah Kannan, Ph.D.
2. Designation Scientist II
Cancer Pharmacology
Takeda Pharmaceuticals International
40 Landsdowne Street, MA 02139
United States of America
3. Contact Details (including phone no. and email id)
Tel: 617-444-2491
email: karuppiah.kannan@takeda.com
4. Over what period of time and in what context did you interact with the nominee?
Prof. Navaraj was my undergraduate teacher when I studied B.Sc. at Yadava
College, Madurai, during 1987-1991.
5. Your comments on the quality of teaching by the nominee, covering as many of
the following aspects as possible:
He did teach us various topics such as invertebrate biology, parasitic worms,
population dynamics, Hardy-Weinberg Law, ecological balance, bottle neck effect,
to name a few. The fact that I still remembered those topics, even though I don’t use
most of them in my day to day work, is a testament to his ability to teach things in a
way that will stick to the students’ minds. He has used several conventional and non-
conventional tools to teach the topics. In the contemporary times, when I was his
student, I did exchange notes from other institutions, only to find that his methods
were above and beyond what other colleges were practicing during that time.
Karuppiah Kannan, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist II
Phone: (617) 444-2491
Fax: (617) 551-8905
E-mail:karuppiah.kannan@takeda.com40 Landsdowne Street, 3rd
Floor
Cambridge, MA 02139

5. i.Was the nominee’s method of teaching innovative and did it help the students to
understand complex concepts?
Innovation is the watchword of Dr.Navaraj. Apart from normal chalk and talk
method, he was the first one to introduce the concept of student seminars in my class
year and also he was the first one to conduct Rapid Fire Quiz, where students were
split into teams and the questions were asked verbally and the students had to answer
within 15 seconds. Complex subjects will be made simple through group
discussions, brain storming sessions that are arranged frequently.
ii. How inspiring were the classes taught by the nominee? Was the Teacher
himself/herself inspired by the topic being taught?
In those early days, Yadava College was filled to the brim with students from very
poor educational background with insufficient English skills. To better teach such
students, he has chosen very simple and elegant words to explain the concepts and
when students struggled, he did encourage them to learn in Tamil, their native
tongue, while not giving up teaching in English; because that is the only way they
will push themselves and learn their subject in a foreign language. Such was his
command in the language and enthusiasm that sparks around; his classes were not
missed by any students.
iii. Did the nominee motivate students to take up research career?
Yes. Dr.Navaraj uses to motivate students to take up small projects in the
undergraduate classes itself. This is the seed he has shown in my mind to take up
research career after my post graduation.
iv. Did the nominee integrate research with teaching and vice-versa?
Dr.Navaraj’ teaching style is totally different. In each topic he delivered he will
throw open the hidden research aptitude and attitude in each and every concepts. He
used to inform the need of such findings for the social cause. A researcher need not
be a good teacher as well as a teacher may not be a good researcher , but Dr.Navaraj
has the blend of both.
v. Did the nominee interact closely with the students outside the class room on
academic matters?
Yes. Dr.Navaraj is easily approachable. He could be contacted for any clarifications
at any time even in the late hours.
vi. Did the nominee arrange seminars for students and participate with interest in the
seminars?

6. Dr.Navaraj has introduced Seminar for undergraduate students in our college. While
taking seminars, his questions will sharpen our understanding over the topic.
Suitable encouragements motivate the students to step into seminar always.
vii. Did the nominee clarify doubts regarding career options outside the class
room?
Yes. Dr.Navaraj is open for discussion on any topics including career options. At the
time of under graduation, he will speak about the top rated government examinations
like IAS, IPS as well as Gr I. Apart from that , the knowledge of SRF, JRF ,
Research Funding’s were focussed to us in the right way by him.
viii. Do you still exchange occasional messages with the nominee?
Yes. I use to have an exchange of messages periodically.
Date: 11th
May, 2015
Name & Signature
Karuppiah Kannan, PhD