On the eve of January 26, the Central Government announced that V Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, would be honored with the Padma Shri Award. In response, Congress sarcastically remarked that the nation would remember his research on cow urine. Kerala Congress mocked the IIT Madras Director through a post on X, after which Indian billionaire entrepreneur Sridhar Vembu intervened in the dispute.
It's worth noting that the government released the list of Padma Awards on Republic Day eve, which includes the respected IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti for the Padma Shri Award.
V Kamakoti completed his Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science and Engineering from Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, Chennai, in 1989. He obtained his M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT Madras. In 2001, he joined IIT Madras as faculty and became a professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department.
He has been involved with India's powerful indigenous microprocessor projects and is renowned for his contributions to deep tech. He has significantly strengthened the VLSI program at IIT Madras. Professor Kamakoti has been the Director of IIT Madras since January 2022.
Professor Kamakoti's Comments on Cow Urine
In January 2025, Professor V. Kamakoti made a statement regarding cow urine which sparked debate. He stated that cow urine possesses antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and digestive properties.
Kerala Congress's Post
Following V Kamakoti's honor, Kerala Congress posted on their official X account, "Congratulations on V Kamakoti’s honor. The nation recognizes your outstanding research on cow urine at IIT Madras, which has placed it on the global stage."
Source: aajtak
Zoho's Founder Responds to Congress
Sridhar Vembu, founder of Zoho Corporation, replied to Congress's sarcastic post about Professor Kamakoti. He wrote, "Professor Kamakoti works in deep tech, focusing on microprocessor design. He is the Director of IIT-Madras, India's leading tech institute, and serves on the NSAB. He fully deserves this honor."
He continued, "I have defended him scientifically and will continue to do so. Cow dung and urine contain remarkable microbiomes that can benefit humans."
"It's a colonial mindset that considers these scientific subjects unworthy of investigation. The day Harvard or MIT publishes a study on it, these colonized minds will accept it as true."
On Republic Day eve, the Central Government honored 131 personalities with Padma Awards.
