A prestigious International Best Researcher Award in Public Administration was declared to a young researcher of the Central University of Jammu, Shashank Dattatray Kulkarni, for his significant contribution in the field of Public Administration and Public Policy. This important award is given annually by the Centre for Professional Advancement, a unit of the world-renowned International Multidisciplinary Research Foundation (IMRF). IMRF is working in higher education and interdisciplinary research at a global level. The award’s organising committee included renowned scientists from different fields in the world. The information about the selection for the award was given by the Director (Academics) of the organisation Prof Dr Ratnakar by letter. He said that the research contribution of Shashank Kulkarni is essential in the field of Public Administration and Public Policy at the global level. The award is given annually to a young researcher who outstandingly contributes to Public Administration and Public Policy. Shashank Kulkarni is known for his outstanding contribution in agricultural and farmer policy. National Commission on Farmers (Swaminathan Commission), National Policy on Farmer, Farmers’ Suicides in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, Agricultural Policies are some important research areas in which he has been working for years. He contributed to Farmers’ Policies of India through his book internationally acknowledged book ‘Swaminathan Commission: A Foundation of Farmer Policies in India’.
This book was forwarded by the Father of the Indian Green Revolution, Prof. M. S. Swaminathan. The book was published by the reputed publishing house Academic Foundation, New Delhi. This book had been recorded as the first book in the world, which has been exclusively written on Swaminathan Commission. It is based on a review of all the five reports of the National Commission on Farmers (NCF). In the modern agricultural history of India, this is the first and only commission that is exclusively constituted for Farmers under the dynamic leadership of Prof. M. S. Swaminathan to provide solutions for the agrarian crisis in the country.
It has been observed that due to the voluminous nature and technical language of these reports, so many essential recommendations of NCF are untouched by different stakeholders. In this context, the author contributed some important years of his life to review all the five reports of NCF, which makes it lucid, readable, brief and easily understandable for policymakers, agricultural officers, farmer leaders, researchers, students, farmers and citizens. This book becomes more credible, authentic and important as it carries a foreword by Father of Green Revolution Prof. M. S. Swaminathan. Shashank Kulkarni is an Agricultural Engineer. He holds a degree in Agricultural Engineering from Mahatma Phule Agricultural University, Rahuri.
During his graduation days, he got the opportunity to get training from North Region Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India at Hisar, Haryana. After gaining first-hand experience in all over farm management as a trainee Farm Manager, he completed his post-graduation in Public Administration. He has also secured a diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication, Advanced Diploma in Hindi, Diploma in United Nations Studies and International Understanding and Post Graduate Diploma in Human Rights. He has also completed Post Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Policy. During his Diploma in Journalism, he has done research on Farmers’ Organisation: A View of Media.
Originally from Sakharale, a small village in the Sangli district of Maharashtra, he is currently working as a Senior Research Fellow of the University Grants Commission in the Department of Public Policy and Public Administration, Central University of Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir. He has been conducting research on India’s agricultural and farmer policies for the last five years. He has so far written a total of ten books in Marathi, Hindi and English on various subjects. Some of the important topics of his books are as follows:
1. Swaminathan Commission: A Foundation of Farmer Policies in India
Published by Academic Foundation, New Delhi
2. From Coordination to Integration
Published by Navinya Prakashan, Pune
3. The Best Way of Life
Published by Shabda Vaibhav Prakashan, Pune
4. Need for Re-establishment of Scientific Spiritualism,
Published by Shabda Vaibhav Prakashan, Pune
5. Vibration of Soul
Published by Shabda Vaibhav Prakashan, Pune
6. Baba Laxman Das: Personality and Philosophy
7. Bhairav Puran
He has also published his research papers in various prestigious world journals and has participated in several international conferences. Shashank Kulkarni is being congratulated for this award from various sections of society.
He had been congratulated by Head of Department of Public Policy and Public Administration Prof Sunil Dhar and Research Supervisor Dr Rouchi Chaudhary, Dr Mohit Sharma, Dr G. Durga Rao and other dignitaries of the University for this glorious achievement.