Thirumalachari Ramasami, Scientist
Scientist

Thirumalachari Ramasami

Born 15 April 1948 · verify

Led the Central Leather Research Institute and advanced leather science in India.

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.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

Ramasami holds 37 patents with 12 of them commercialized, a rare feat for a scientist rooted in leather technology innovation.

The Story

1
In 1969, Thirumalachari Ramasami graduated with a first rank in Bachelor of Technology in Leather Technology from the University of Madras, marking an early sign of his scientific rigor.
2
🌍 Between 1978 and 1983, he conducted postdoctoral research in energy and electron transport phenomena at Ames Laboratory, Iowa State University, and Wayne State University in the USA, expanding his expertise beyond leather science.
3In 1984, he returned to India to join the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) as assistant director, later becoming its director and transforming the institute’s vision and operations until 2004.
4🔬 Under his leadership at CLRI, he led the Leather Technology Mission across 17 states with 170 projects and introduced cleaner tanning technologies for 764 tanneries within just 12 months.

🏅 Awards & Honours

2001
Padma Shri
2014
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

In 1993, Ramasami was awarded the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Chemical Sciences, highlighting his research excellence in a field not commonly linked with leather technology.

🖼️

Through the Years

8 photographs from the archives
Thirumalachari Ramasami at a press conference on 100 years of Indian Science Congress in Kolkata (2008).
Thirumalachari Ramasami at a press conference on 100 years of Indian Science Congress in Kolkata (2008).
2008
Thirumalachari Ramasami at the signing ceremony for Indo-German collaborative projects in New Delhi (2011).
Thirumalachari Ramasami with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam at the 25th TIFAC Day celebrations in New Delhi (2012).
Thirumalachari Ramasami at the inauguration of the INSPIRE Awards exhibition in New Delhi (2013).
Thirumalachari Ramasami with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam at the 3rd National Level Exhibition & Project Competition in New Delhi (2013).

🗓️ A Life in Moments

📚
Education
Graduated with first rank in Leather Technology
Completed Bachelor of Technology at University of Madras with top honors, marking the start of his scientific career.
1969
📚
Education
PhD in Chemistry from University of Leeds
Earned doctorate focusing on chemistry, broadening scientific expertise beyond leather technology.
1976
⚡
Career
Joined CLRI as assistant director
Returned to India and began leadership trajectory at Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai.
1984
🏅
Award
Received Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award
Awarded India’s highest science honor for outstanding research in Chemical Sciences.
1993
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Shri
Received National Civilian Honour for excellence in Science and Engineering.
2001
⚡
Career
Became Secretary of Science & Technology
Assumed charge as India's Department Secretary, shaping national STI policy.
2006
🏅
Award
Received Padma Bhushan
Honored with one of India’s highest civilian awards for contributions to science and engineering.
2014
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

During his directorship at CLRI, Ramasami led a rapid environmental initiative introducing cleaner tanning technologies to 764 tanneries in only 12 months, a remarkable industrial turnaround.

02 / 05
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Ramasami’s postdoctoral research spanned diverse fields including energy at Ames Laboratory and electron transport phenomena at Wayne State University, showcasing a versatile scientific profile between 1978 and 1983.

03 / 05
💡SURPRISING

In his 2006 role as Secretary of India’s Department of Science and Technology, he publicly framed technology as both a global divider and social leveler, urging inclusive innovation for social good.

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🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Reserach Scolars' Day 2018 | Inaguration | Dr.T.Ramasami | IIT Madras
More from this archive
Reserach Scolars' Day 2018 | Inaguration | Dr.T.Ramasami | IIT Madras
01
Reserach Scolars' Day 2018 | Inaguration | Dr.T.Ramasami | IIT Madras
Interaction - Dr. T. Ramasami | Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan | Part - 2 | Campus Official
02
Interaction - Dr. T. Ramasami | Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan | Part - 2 | Campus Official
T Ramasami talk at IASST :part 1
03
T Ramasami talk at IASST :part 1
Dr. T. Ramasami | 4th Convocation 2014 at CHARUSAT | Part - 3 | Campus Official
04
Dr. T. Ramasami | 4th Convocation 2014 at CHARUSAT | Part - 3 | Campus Official

🌱 What changed because of them

By steering CLRI through a major modernization and launching the Leather Technology Mission, Ramasami helped Indian leather industries adopt environmentally cleaner and technologically advanced practices. His tenure as Secretary of Science and Technology shifted national focus toward inclusive innovation policies, promoting research investments that balanced competitiveness with public welfare. These efforts strengthened India’s global scientific collaborations and fostered a more socially responsive science and technology ecosystem.

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