Dr. Goverdhan Mehta is a globally recognised organic chemist. He is currently University Distinguished Professor and Dr. Kallam Anji Reddy Chair at the School of Chemistry, University of Hyderabad. He holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Pune University and has conducted his post-doctoral research at the Michigan State and the Ohio State universities in the USA. Dr. Mehta has been a CSIR Bhatnagar Fellow, National Research Professor as well as the Director of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and Vice Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad. He has mentored over a hundred doctoral and post-doctoral students and published nearly 550 research papers. He has over 50 prestigious awards and honours to his credit, nationally and internationally. He has been conferred D.Sc. by over a dozen universities in India and overseas. He was awarded the civilian honour, Padma Shri, in 2000 by the President of India and Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur in 2004 by the President of France. Dr. Mehta was conferred the 'Order of Merit-Commander's Cross' (Bundesverdienstkreuz) by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2016. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society and several Academies and Societies around the world. He is a former President of the Indian National Science Academy and the International Council for Science (ICSU). Mr. Mehta has been a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Prime Minister of India.