The MP Birla Memorial Award 2007 was conferred on Prof Ramanath Cowsik on Wednesday for his contribution to the spread of astronomy, astrophysics, earth and planetary sciences and fundamental physics. Cowsik, the director of McDonnell Centre for the Space Sciences and Vainu Bappu Distinguished Professor of Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore, is known for his seminal work in particle physics having direct applications in astronomy. He also played a key role in setting up Indian Astronomical Observatory the highest in the world, at 15,000 ft in Hanle, Ladakh.