Bangalore: Anil Rajvanshi, a renewable energy pioneer of India, was honoured by the University of Florida, one of the leading universities in the U.S. for his "groundbreaking" work in rural development.

Rajvanshi is the first Indian to receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award, the highest honour the University of Florida can bestow on persons who have graduated from the university and have excelled in their chosen field.

A mechanical engineering graduate of IIT Kanpur, Rajvanshi earned his Ph.D. from the University of Florida in 1979. He joined its faculty for two years before returning to India in 1981 to run his own rural non-governmental organisation, Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), at Phaltan in Maharashtra.

The award was presented to Rajvanshi by Cammy Abernathy, dean of the University's College of Engineering, at the commencement convocation in Gainesville, Florida, in a glittering ceremony webcast alive via internet.

"NARI has done groundbreaking work in agriculture, renewable energy and sustainable development," the university said in a statement read out during the presentation.
READ MORE:
5 Jobs That Can Assure You Tremendous Future
9 Safest Jobs That Beat The Fear Of Unemployment