Rajendra Shende (IIT Bombay - BTech '72 ChE), who heads the OzonAction branch of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), has become the first Indian to bag an award from the US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) for efforts to protect the ozone layer. The EPA praised the leadership and innovation of the OzonAction program and said it has benefited over 140 countries through its unique regional networks of national ozone units and global information clearing house.