BL Deekshatulu did his BSc (Electrical Engg) from BHU (1958) and ME (1960) and PhD (1964) from Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. He joined IISc as a lecturer in 1964, became Assistant Professor in 1965 and Professor in 1970 and continued till 1976. Deekshatulu was a Visiting Scientist at IBM, Watson Research Center, NY (1971-72). He joined the National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Hyderabad (1976) as Head, Technical Division, and became Director of NRSA (1982). He retired in 1996, as Distinguished Scientist and Director, NRSA. He was also the Director the UN affiliated Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP) from 1995 to 2002. Presently he is a Visiting Professor at the University of Hyderabad (UoH).

Academic and Research Achievements: Dr Deekshatulu contributed in the areas of linear and non-linear systems, digital image processing and remote sensing (data processing and applications) and taught related subjects at IISc, UoH, etc. He developed methods for analyzing non-linear systems in different types of phase planes. He also developed methods for analyzing optimal, adaptive, eye movement control and multivariable systems. Methods for pattern classification methods for generation of Telugu characters, feature extraction from images using Gabor filters, etc. were also developed by him. He has published research papers and mentored MTech and PhD students.

Other Contributions: At IISc, Deekshatulu developed grayscale and colour drum scanners besides a flying spot scanner for image digitization, introduced ME Course in Servo Mechanisms, image/photo-processing labs and initiated School of Automation. At NRSA, he developed wide spread applications of remote sensing, commercial version of the large format drum scanner, image analysis equipment, etc. He was the Chairman, Remote Sensing Application Missions (ISRO), IGBP and SCOPE.

Awards and Honours: Deekshatulu is a recipient of number of awards that include Sir M Visveswaraya Award (1984), NRDC Invention Awards (1986, 1993), Dr Biren Roy Space Science Award (1988), Padma Shri (1991), Brahm Prakash Memorial Medal (1992) of INSA, Om Prakash Bhasin Award (1995), Sivananda Eminent Citizen Award from Vice President of India (1998), Boon Indrambarya Gold Medal, Thailand (1999), Aryabhatta Award by Astronautical Society of India (2002) and National Systems Award (Gold Medal). He is a Fellow of Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, USA, the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (Italy), Indian National Academy of Engineering, Andhra Pradesh Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Sciences (India), Allahabad and a Distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineer, ASI. ISRO Outstanding Achievement Award 2012,LTC Award by INAE