Australia's highest civilian award conferred on 3 Indian-origin persons

Melbourne: Three Indian-origin persons have been awarded Australia's highest civilian honour for their contribution in the fields of physics, engineering and medicine.

Chennupati Jagadish, an eminent professor at Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, Jay Chandra, an eye doctor in New South Wales, and Sajeev Koshy, a dentist in Melbourne, received Order of Australia medal for the year 2016 announced on the Australia Day.

Jagadish was conferred with the award for his eminent service to physics and engineering, particularly in the field of nanotechnology, to education as a leading academic, researcher, author and mentor, and through executive roles with national and international scientific advisory institutions.

Jagadish was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for eminent service to physics and engineering, particularly in the field of nanotechnology, to education as a leading academic, researcher, author and mentor, and through executive roles with national and international scientific advisory institutions.

"This is a wonderful recognition for 25 plus years of work with my research group at the ANU," said Jagadish, who works on semiconductor optoelectronics and nanotechnology. Chandra, an eye doctor who has been the head of vitreoretinal surgery at Westmead Hospital since the unit opened in 1985, also received the award for his significant service to medicine in the field of ophthalmology as a clinician, and to the international community through eye care programs.

"I'm not a showy person but I was glad to be recognised," he was quoted as saying in a report

"The field I specialise in is one of the most difficult in eye surgery. God has given me these skills and a good life in Australia," he said.

Koshy, who lives in Melbourne, was awarded the medal for his service to dentistry in the state.

This year's Australia Day honours list included over 600 people whose remarkable achievements range from high-profile humanitarian missions to humble work at the grassroots level of society's most needy.

"They are a source of courage, support and inspiration, and we are a stronger, safer and more caring nation because of them," Governor-General Peter Cosgrove said in announcing the awards.