Raghunath Mashelkar has made outstanding contributions to polymer engineering, notably in modelling of polymerisation reactors, diffusion in polymeric media, transport studies in swelling polymers, as well as non-Newtonian flows. His sustained contributions in modelling of PET reactors have provided new insights into the behaviour of industrial reactors, whereas his work on diffusion in flowing polymeric media has led to new strategies of tackling problems in ‘slipping fluids’. Raghunath’s work on swelling polymers has led to new approaches to diffusion modulation. His engineering analysis of secondary flows and particle motion/deformation are both innovative and pragmatically important. He heads India’s premier institution in chemical technology and engineering and is clearly a leader in the Indian engineering scenario.