Dr. Raghbir Singh Khandpur , former Director General Pushpa Gujral Science City Kapurthala was awarded the highest National Award for outstanding contribution in science popularization and communication. The award carries a cash prize of Rs. two lakhs , a memento and a citation. The award was given to him in a function organized at Technology Bhawan on the National Science Day (February,28,2018 at New Delhi. The award was given by Dr. Ashutosh Sharm , Secretary , Department of Science & Technology , Govt. of India . Dr. Harsh Vardhan. Honrable Union Minister of Science, Technology and Environment was the chief guest of this function.

The award has been conferred on Dr. Khandpur for his outstanding achievement in developing the Science City , Kapurthala almost from scratch. Spread over 72 acres of land with an investment of over Rs. 100 crores , is an all inclusive place of edutainment for people of all ages , social background and levels of education. Dr. Khandpur has authored 10 books , 4 of them by McGraw Hill, USA. He holds 7 patents for his innovative designs.

Dr. Khandpur is a former Director General , Centre for Electronics Design & Technology , Govt. of India ,and founder Director , Centre for Development of Advance Computing , Mohali. Prior to that , he worked as Head , Medical Instrumentation in CSIO , Chandigah for 24 years.