Union Minister of State (Independent Representative) for Science and Technology; Minister of State (Independent Representative) for Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also the Vice-President of CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), today announced a themed campaign ‘One Week One Lab‘ to showcase technological breakthroughs and innovation in each of CSIR’s 37 laboratories/institutes across the country.
Addressing the first ever CSIR management meeting attended by Directors and Heads of Departments of all 37 CSIR laboratories across the country, Dr Jitendra Singh said CSIR’s legacy is built on the cumulative contribution of several of its national laboratories and institutes. He said each CSIR laboratory is unique and specializes in areas as diverse as genomics to geology, materials technology to microbial technology and food as fuel. The minister also recalled how the labs came together during the COVID pandemic last year and developed several technologies that helped India fight against COVID. The Minister said that the achievements of each laboratory must be brought to the forefront of the country through a massive mass media campaign.
Dr Jitendra Singh said CSIR’s breakthroughs in areas like Drone, Heliborne technology, state-of-the-art sewage treatment machines, Aroma Mission have opened up huge opportunities for developing meaningful and equal partnership between research, academia and industry. The minister said that the state-of-the-art helicopter survey technology in collaboration with the Jal Shakti Ministry was used in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana last year, which could play an important role in the positive contribution for the Prime Minister.
Narendra Modi’s Vision and Mission “Har Ghar Nal Se Jal”. Similarly, a mechanized sewage treatment system developed by CSIR for wider dissemination will help achieve the objective of the Swachh Bharat Mission, he added. The Minister, who is also the Vice-President of CSIR, said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, science and technology has been given increased budget and very special impetus in the last 8 years and scientific activities and endeavors are now given special importance. He said that the ultimate goal of all scientific innovations is to bring “Easy of Living” for the common man.
Dr. Jitendra Singh challenged CSIR’s group of over 4,500 scientists to refocus and revitalize the organization to become global centers of innovation at Amrit Kaal. He said the focus must be on emerging innovations in areas such as hydrogen in the energy transition, carbon capture and storage, affordable solar power, plastic recycling and low-cost energy storage. Dr Jitendra Singh said that there should be a science pavilion on the DST and DBT lines at Pragati Maidan. He also urged the CSIR DG to organize CSIR-Expos in different parts of the country to showcase its technological prowess to various states and industries, besides other stakeholders.
In conclusion, Dr. Jitendra Singh has asked CSIR and all science departments to explore the innovations in science and technology that will be needed in the next ten years to make India a global leader in technological achievement and innovation. The minister said, “We should not limit our ambition to be the best in India but to be the best in the world because India is blessed with a demographic dividend of young people and they can take on any challenge with the right training and motivation.”
DG, CSIR, Dr. In her welcome address, N. Kalaiselvi said that the 21st century will be the century of India and for India. She said the science and technology fraternity must seize this opportunity and work hard to make India a respected name on the global stage. CSIR will soon celebrate eight decades of its establishment and several commemorative activities and awards will be announced.
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