ISSN 0409-7467 CSIR News Newsletter of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research

Volume 65 Nos. 19 & 20 website: http://www.csir.res.in October 2015

In The News In This Issue CSIR Celebrates its 73rd Foundation Day

217In The News • CSIR Celebrates its 73rd Foundation Day • CSIR Announces Awards for Scientists

232Workshops & Symposia • CSIR-NISCAIR Organises Workshop on Training Journalists in S&T Reporting • National Symposium on Acoustics held at CSIR-NIO

238Honours & Awards On the dais during the 73rd CSIR Foundation Day Function at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi 240Appointments (from left): Dr. Girish Sahni, Director General of CSIR, Mr Y.S. Chowdary, Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences and Mr A.S. Kiran Kumar, Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, ISRO

THE Union Minister of Science problems of the country. Speaking at & Technology and Earth Sciences and the CSIR Foundation Day Celebrations, Vice President, Council of Scientific the Minister said that he was proud of and Industrial Research CSIR, the diverse research taking place in the Dr. Harsh Vardhan, has called for labs from aeroplanes to nanomaterials, mobilizing the entire potential of CSIR from ayurgenomics to new drugs and in a structured manner to solve various petroleum. The Council of Scientific & Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that while In The News Industrial Research (CSIR) celebrated its everyone was involved in the country’s 73rd Foundation Day on 26 September freedom struggle in 1942, for someone 2015. The function was held in the to even think of giving birth to an entity Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The such as CSIR was unthinkable. He said Foundation Day lecture was delivered that great men had laid the foundation by Mr A.S. Kiran Kumar, Secretary, stones of the CSIR laboratories and Department of Space and Chairman, there can be no words to pay tribute to ISRO. such great people. He said he had visited most laboratories of CSIR, interacted with scientists and seen the great work the labs were doing. The Minister said that we have to use this day to place on record our appreciation for the world- class research that CSIR labs are doing. However, he said that even today a vast majority of our population was deprived of not just the high-end technology but also the basics. Therein lies the biggest challenge for CSIR, he said. Dr. Harsh Vardhan also said that there is a greater need for synergy in research activities as similar activities are The Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth going on at various places without the Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan addressing the gathering at the participants knowing about it. He called Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Foundation Day Celebrations, in New Delhi on 26 September 2015 for introspection about our capabilities, think about ways to plug the gaps and to plan for the future. Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr. Girish Sahni, Director General of CSIR, said that the Foundation Day was an occasion to celebrate science. He said that in CSIR we have a dream – a beautiful panorama that we want to achieve. The panorama would comprise of the cheapest generic drugs, a greener revolution, medicinal plants, and much more. He said we need our smartest science to come to the aid of farmers and patients. Dr. Sahni said that we need smart and implementable solutions so that we could make CSIR not only relevant but also indispensable. Excellence and deliverance need to move hand in hand, Dr. Girish Sahni, Director-General, CSIR delivering the Welcome Address he said.

CSIR News 218 OCTOBER 2015 While addressing the gathering, Mr Chowdary said that is on the Minister of State for Science and its way to becoming the most populous Technology and Earth Sciences Mr country in the world. This demographic Y.S. Chowdary said that occasions dividend will have to be harnessed. He such as foundation days should be said that if the scientific community used to rededicate ourselves to science does not act swiftly, it and scientific development. He said will lose the trust of that CSIR has played a crucial role the people. in the history of the country. There Mr A.S. Kiran were several examples of technologies Kumar, Secretary, developed by CSIR that have been Department of passed on to stakeholders. Space and Chairman, However, he pointed to the ISRO delivered the comments of Mr Narayan Murthy of CSIR Foundation Infosys that no worthwhile technology Day Lecture where or research has come out from our he talked about scientific establishments in the past 60 the multifarious years. He said that we need to take such achievements of comments seriously. In democracies ISRO in giving a push Mr Y.S. Chowdary addressing the gathering such views can be ignored at our own to India’s space programme. peril. Towards the end, Dr. Harsh Vardhan The Minister said that the gap gave away the CSIR Young Scientists between the common man and the awards, the G.N. Ramachandran Gold scientific community was widening. He medals for excellence in Biological said that we need to avoid repetitive Sciences & Technology for 2014 & research and focus on original 2015 and the CSIR Technology Awards developments and improvements on 2015. On the occasion, the names of exciting technology. Science in India the winners of the Shanti Swarup should be driven by national priorities. Bhatnagar Prizes 2014 were also We should prioritise research that could announced by Dr. Girish Sahni, Director spin-off industries, he said. He informed General, CSIR. that he had approached Andhra Pradesh Mr Y.S. Chowdary also distributed Chief Minister to open CSIR-Tech scientifically improved seeds to farmers offices in all districts of AP. from various parts of the country.

CSIR News OCTOBER 2015 219 In The News CSIR Foundation Day Lecture 2015

Mr A.S. Kiran Kumar, Secretary, 30) launched AstroSat along with six Department of Space & Chairman, foreign customer satellites into the ISRO delivered the Foundation Day desired orbit from the First Launch Lecture at the 73rd CSIR Foundation Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre Day function held in Vigyan Bhawan, SHAR (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota. New Delhi on 26 September 2015. While a total of 84 satellites have been launched so far, of these 45 have been foreign satellites that have utilized our launch facilities. Mr Kiran Kumar said that in 2013 the Mars mission was completely indigenously developed. The Mars mission was a major success for the country because never had a single space agency from any country been able to successfully reach Mars at the first attempt. Mr Kumar also mentioned the achievements of ISRO in the cryogenic engine technology. Besides, Mr A.S. Kiran Kumar delivering CSIR Foundation Day Lecture ISRO had also gone in for wide-ranging indigenization of space components. Mr Kiran Kumar dwelt on the The success of ISRO’s missions glorious heritage of space technology could be seen in almost all facets of life in the country. India’s space programme in the country whether it was natural started on a modest scale in November resources mapping, geographical 1963 with the launching of a small positioning, telecommunication, mobile American Nike-Apache rocket from the services, internet services, meteorology newly built launching pad at Thumba. or even telemedicine. About 384 At the helm of affairs overseeing this hospitals in various parts of the country achievement was Dr. , were using telemedicine services to link Chairman of the erstwhile Indian to six specialised hospitals. National Committee for Space Research. He said that the INSAT series Dr. Sarabhai was convinced that the of satellites were the most advanced newly emerging space technology satellites for earth observation. They had offered solutions to many of the facilitated in great measure forecasting nagging problems that plagued a vast of weather and weather phenomena and economically backward country like such as cyclones. ISRO had also come India. up with a surface water map of the Today, the ISRO has completed country for inland fisheries. 124 successful missions; the PSLV Mr Kiran Kumar also talked about has completed 30 missions. In its FASAL (Forecasting Agricultural output 30th consecutive success, India’s using Space, Agro-meteorology and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV- Land-based observations) for forecasting

CSIR News 220 OCTOBER 2015 Shri A.S. Kiran Kumar Secretary, Department of Space Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

Shri A.S. Kiran Kumar is Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and also holds the post of Chairman, Space Commission since January 14, 2015. Earlier he was the Director of Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad, from 2012 to 2015. Shri Kiran Kumar has been the Chair of the Committee on Earth Observation Setellites (CEOS) in 2012. He has made valuable contributions in Coordination Group of Meteorological Satellites (CGMS), Expert Team on Satellite Systems— World Meteorological Organisation (ETSAT of WMO) and Indo-US Joint Working Group on Civil Space Cooperation. He has played a crucial role in Chandrayaan-1 Mission right from the conceptualization stage and has made exemplary contributions to the success of the Mars Orbiter Mission.

of important agricultural crops using satellite remote sensing data. The Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre had also been set up under the aegis of the Department of & Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, . The Centre, named after great Indian Statistician P.C. Mahalanobis, has been established to operationalize the use of space and geospatial Mr A.S. Kiran Kumar being felicitated by DG CSIR technology for better agricultural assessment. He also talked about research in ISRO was also providing support ecosystem studies with some laboratories for space-based information support of the CSIR for conservation of for decentralized planning that enables biodiversity and developing predictive village sarpanches to plan for the village. models.

CSIR News OCTOBER 2015 221 In The News Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize (SSB) for Science and Technology 2015

The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) Prize for Science and Technology are perhaps the most awaited scientific awards in the country. Instituted in the year 1957, in the memory of late Dr. (Sir) Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, FRS, the founder director of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), the SSB Prize is awarded each year on the basis of conspicuously important and outstanding contributions to human knowledge and progress, made through work done primarily in India during the five years, preceding the year of the prize. Any citizen of India engaged in research in any field of science and technology up to the age of 45 years is eligible to be nominated for the SSB Prize. Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) working in India are also eligible to be considered. The SSB Prize, comprising a citation, a cash award of Rs. 5,00,000/- (Rupees five lakh only) and a plaque, is given to each person selected for the award in the following disciplines: • Biological Sciences • Engineering Sciences • Chemical Sciences • Mathematical Sciences • Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean • Medical Sciences & Planetary Sciences • Physical Sciences

Eleven (11) scientists have been selected for Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology for the year 2015.

Dr. Pradyut Ghosh Biological Sciences Department of Inorganic Chemistry Indian Association for the Cultivation of Dr. Science, 2A & 2B Raja S C Mullick Road, Molecular Biophysics Unit Jadavpur, Kolkata 700 032 Indian Institute of Science Bangalore 560 012 Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Dr Planetary Sciences Centre of Excellence in International Crops Research Institute Dr. Jyotiranjan Srichandan Ray for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Geosciences Division Patancheru, Hyderabad - 502 324 Physical Research Laboratory (Telangana) Navrangpura, Ahmedabad 380 009

Chemical Sciences Engineering Sciences

Dr. D Srinivasa Reddy Dr. Yogesh Moreshwar Joshi Division of Organic Chemistry Department of Chemical Engineering CSIR National Chemical Laboratory Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Pashan Road, Pune 411 008 Kanpur 208 016

CSIR News 222 OCTOBER 2015 Mathematical Sciences Physical Sciences

Dr. K. Sandeep Dr. TIFR Centre for Applicable School of Physical Sciences Mathematics Sharada Nagar, National Institute of Science Education Yelahanka NewTown and Research, Bangalore 560 065 Bhubaneswar 751 005 Dr. Ritabrata Munshi School of Mathematics Dr. Mandar Madhukar Deshmukh Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Department of Condensed Matter Homi Bhabha Road, Mumbai 400 005 Physics and Materials Science Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Medical Sciences Homi Bhabha Road, Mumbai 400 005 Dr. Vidita Ashok Vaidya Department of Biological Sciences Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Homi Bhabha Road, Mumbai 400 005

CSIR Young Scientist Awards 2015

Instituted in 1987, CSIR Young Scientist hundred only) per month till the age of Awards seek to promote in-house 45 years. excellence in various fields of science Till 2014, 171 scientists (including and technology. CSIR scientists, below 21 women scientists) have received the 35 years of age, as reckoned on 26 CSIR Young Scientist Award and out of September (CSIR Foundation Day) of these 17 scientists have been conferred the preceding year, is eligible for the with the prestigious Shanti Swarup Award. These awards are given annually Bhatnagar Prize. For the year 2015, in the following fields: the Advisory Committee consisting of • Biological Sciences eminent scientists recommended the • Earth,A tmosphere,O ceanand following six scientists for the CSIR Planetary Sciences Young Scientist Awards. • Chemical Sciences Biological Sciences • Engineering Sciences • Physical Sciences Dr Mohammed Faruq (including instrumentation) The CSIR Young Scientist Award for Each award consists of a citation, a the year 2015 in Biological Sciences cash prize of Rs. 50,000/- (Rupees fifty has been awarded to Dr Mohammed thousand only) and a plaque. CSIR Young Faruq of CSIR-Institute of Genomics Scientist Awardees are also entitled to a and Integrative , Delhi, for his research grant of Rs. 5.0 lakhs (Rupees outstanding contributions to understand five lakh only) per annum for a period the genetic basis of unknown ataxias of five years and an honorarium of Rs. in the Indian population using genome 7,500/- (Rupees seven thousand and five exome sequencing methodology. His

CSIR News OCTOBER 2015 223 work in this difficult area of disease In The News Medicine, Jammu, for his significant genetics will help in the molecular contributions to the isolation of natural characterization of rare genetic disorders. products and development of new Dr Sumit Ghosh synthetic methodologies for bio-active The CSIR Young Scientist Award for molecules. the year 2015 in Biological Sciences has Engineering Sciences been awarded to Dr Sumit Ghosh of CSIR- Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, for his Dr Bhanu Pratap Singh outstanding contributions in providing The CSIR Young Scientist Award for the novel insights into biosynthesis of year 2015 in Engineering Sciences has medicinally important pentacyclic been awarded to Dr Bhanu Pratap Singh of triterpenes in sweet basil and softening CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, New process in climacteric and non-climacteric Delhi, for his outstanding contributions in fleshy fruits. developing innovative synthetic methods for carbon-based nanostructures and Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and composites and demonstrating their Planetary Sciences potential for structural, energy and EM No Award shielding applications in defence and aerospace sectors. Chemical Sciences

Dr Bhahwal Ali Shah Physical Sciences (including instrumentation) The CSIR Young Scientist Award for the year 2015 in Chemical Sciences has been awarded to Dr Bhahwal Ali Shah Dr Subhadeep De of CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative The CSIR Young Scientist Award for the

CSIR Young Scientist Awardees with Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Mr Y.S. Chowdary, Mr A.S. Kiran Kumar and Dr. Girish Sahni

CSIR News 224 OCTOBER 2015 year 2015 in Physical Sciences (including year 2015 in Physical Sciences (including instrumentation) has been awarded to Instrumentation) has been awarded to Dr Subhadeep De of CSIR-National Dr Udit Narayan Pal of CSIR-Central Physical Laboratory, New Delhi, for Electronics Engineering Research laying a solid foundation for the creation Institute, Pilani, for his outstanding of first optical ion clock in India through contributions to conceptualize, build innovative design and technology. His VUV/UV light source, an economical work is exemplary towards development mercury free green technology for of the next generation time-standard. water purification need of the country and also for developing state-of-the-art Dr Udit Narayan Pal plasma devices for strategic and industrial The CSIR Young Scientist Award for the applications.

CSIR Technology Awards 2015

Given annually, the CSIR Technology economy of small and marginal farmers Awards were instituted in 1990 with in Semi-Arid Tropical (SAT) regions of a view to foster and encourage in- Deccan Plateau in association with teams house multidisciplinary team efforts at CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow, CSIR-CDRI, and external interaction for technology Lucknow and CSIR-IICB, Kolkata. development, transfer, marketing and The developed Aswagandha varieties commercialization. Each award carries coupled with effective extension activities a cash prize of Rs. 2 lakh. Except the increased the area under cultivation and award for the “Most Significant CSIR improved the quality of life of more Technology of the Five Year Plan than 6300 small and marginal farmers Period” has a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh. (53 clusters in five districts) in the SAT Besides, a plaque and a citation are also regions of the Deccan plateau by raising given to the awardees. their income more than two folds in comparison to the conventional crops. Technology Award for Life Sciences

CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow has won the Technology Award for Life Sciences for development of improved varieties and promotion of cultivation of medicinally important Aswagandha for improving the

CSIR News OCTOBER 2015 225 In The News Technology Award for Physical Sciences Including Engineering

CSIR-National Chemical has won the award for Physical Sciences Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune including Engineering for developing solid catalyst and continuous process for biodiesel process. CSIR-NCL has developed a greener method for biodiesel production, which employs a proprietary, solid, reusable, acid catalyst and a continuous fixed-bed process. Unlike the conventional method, CSIR- NCL process converts a variety of inedible oils and animal fat into biodiesel in high yields and greater selectivity. The process has been licensed to Benefuel Inc., USA. CSIR recognizes the contribution of Benefuel Inc., USA for pilot plant erection, operation and commercialization of the technology.

Technology Award for Innovation

CSIR–Central Glass and Institute (CSIR-CLRI), Ceramic Research Institute Chennai have jointly won the award (CSIR-CGCRI), Kolkata and for Innovation. CSIR-CGCRI has won CSIR-Central Leather Research the award for development of completely

CSIR News 226 OCTOBER 2015 of hides and skins which ensures transformation of a slow and chemical intensive, polluting process into a benign and rapid process. This technology is the first of its kind in the world which produces fibre opening in thirty minutes whereas packaged all-fiber supercontinuum light conventional processing takes several source and CSIR-CLRI has won the hours/days. The enzymatic fibre award for development of enzyme opening process requires only 1/3rd formulation for rapid fiber opening of the volume of water compared to skin matrix. the chemical process resulting in CSIR-CLRI has developed an reduction of cost of water and effluent enzyme formulation for fiber opening treatment.

Technology Award for Business Development & Technology Marketing

CSIR-National Metallurgical models. CSIR-NML has adopted several Laboratory (CSIR-NML), new strategies and business models for Jamshedpur has won the award for cross-scale technology development, significantly enhancing the business and pricing and sharing of its knowledgebase, markets for its knowledgebase. marketing of technologies and utilization CSIR-NML has significantly enhanced of its infrastructural resources by the the business for its knowledgebase industries which have led to a sustainable through innovative methods, building and cumulative growth of over 50-60% strong linkages with major stakeholders in its External Cash Flow (ECF) over a and adopting unique revenue generation period of five years.

CSIR News OCTOBER 2015 227 In The News Technology Award for Most Significant Technology of the Plan Period

CSIR-Indian Institute of has won the award for development of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP), indigenous state-of-the-art aerospace Dehradun and CSIR-National class autoclave technology. Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR- CSIR-IIP along with BPCL has NAL), Bengaluru have jointly won developed a globally competitive catalyst the award for Most Significant CSIR trade named Thoxcat ES™ to remove Technology of the Plan Period. CSIR- sulfur present as mercaptans in LPG IIP has won the award for developing to below 5 ppm levels. The invention is technology of a novel catalyst “Thoxcat heavily protected by several patents in ES” for sweetening of LPG and lighter India, US, UK and France. This catalyst petroleum fractions and CSIR-NAL has been commercialized in a number of Indian refineries and is performing successfully for more than five years now. It has recently also been exported to Sohar Refinery in Oman. Thoxcat ESTM being technologically superior has been successful in breaking the monopoly of multinationals, which is also in line with the “Make in India” mandate of the government. CSIR-NAL has designed and developed a large indigenous state- of-the-art autoclave as well as a high temperature and high pressure autoclave with several innovative features. These autoclaves have paved the way for

CSIR News 228 OCTOBER 2015 the development and production of has resulted in self-reliance, growth of advanced composites structures for Indian industrial ecosystem, employment nationally important aircraft programs, generation (about one lakh man hour) such as Tejas/LCA (Light Combat and many more cumulative benefits in Aircraft) and SARAS. Besides generation terms of autoclave life cycle support and of revenue, the developed technology composites research and development.

G.N. Ramachandran Gold Medal for Excellence in Biological Sciences & Technology 2014 &2015

CSIR instituted a Gold Medal in 2004 in the fond memory of Prof. G N Ramachandran, a pioneer of protein chemistry & the founding father of structural biology in India, for recognizing excellence in the interdisciplinary subject/field of Biological Sciences & Technology.

G N Ramachandran Gold Medal for year 2014

Prof Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. The G N Ramachandran Gold Medal Prof Varshney has made outstanding for Excellence in Biological Science and contributions to our understanding of Technology for the year 2014 has been the mechanism of protein translation awarded to Prof Umesh Varshney of with implications in human health.

CSIR News OCTOBER 2015 229 In The News G N Ramachandran Gold Medal for year 2015

Dr Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, for his The G N Ramachandran Gold Medal outstanding contributions in the field for Excellence in Biological Science and of structural biology elucidating the Technology for the year 2015 has been molecular mechanisms involved in the awarded to Dr Rajan Sankaranarayanan fundamental process of proofreading of CSIR-Center for Cellular and during translation of the genetic code.

CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development – 2014

Dr. Girish Sahni, DG, CSIR on the occasion of CSIR Foundation Day on 26th September 2015 announced bestowing of CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development (CAIRD) - 2014 upon CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow for “Enhancing incomes of farm communities through Vetiver-based Technological Interventions”. CSIR had instituted the “CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development” in the year 2006 to recognize and honour S&T innovations that have helped transform the lives of rural people. The effort through this award, in a way, is also to give a boost to rural development through intrinsic innovation and its implementation at the ground level. The award, which has emerged as a very prestigious one, carries a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh, a citation and a shield.

CSIR News 230 OCTOBER 2015 Glimpses of the CSIR Foundation Day 2015 Celebrations

CSIR News OCTOBER 2015 231 Workshops/Symposia Workshops/Symposia CSIR-NISCAIR Workshop For “Training Journalists in S&T Reporting”

It has been a cause for concern for quite Communication (NCSTC), Department some time that the proportion of S&T of Science & Technology, Government news and analysis in the Indian media is of India. abysmal. There are also concerns relating At the Inaugural function of the to the quality and effectiveness of the workshop, Ms Deeksha Bist, Acting S&T coverage. The CSIR-National Director, CSIR-NISCAIR briefly Institute of Science Communication enumerated some of the major activities and Information Resources (CSIR- of CSIR-NISCAIR that has been engaged NISCAIR), therefore, organized a in science communication for the past Workshop for “Training Journalists in almost 63 years. Today, NISCAIR is S&T Reporting” during 1-3 September the largest institute in the country 2015. engaged in science communication and The Workshop, which was attended dissemination of scientific information. by 18 journalists, sought to facilitate their It has carved out a niche for itself interaction with some of the most eminent by becoming the only Institute in the scientists and scientist administrators of country that publishes 17 peer-reviewed the country, expose them to prominent research journals and three popular scientific projects and impart to them science magazines – Vigyan Pragati in reporting skills which would be helpful Hindi, Science Reporter in English, and in effective communication of scientific Science-ki-Duniya in Urdu. developments in the country. The In his Keynote Address, Dr. B.P. workshop was supported by the National Singh, Head, National Council of Council of Science & Technology Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC), Department of Science & Technology, Government of India emphasized that we should be proud of belonging to a country that has a profound democratic system. But the question is whether the media is playing its role of buttressing the democratic traditions of the country. He said that the press had a responsibility towards the people of the country. We need to have a well- educated, fully informed citizenry in the country, he said. The Workshop exposed the At the inaugural function, from left: Ms Deeksha Bist, Acting Director, CSIR-NISCAIR, Mr Rajendra Prabhu, Chairman, journalists to some of the major NUJ (I) School of Journalism & Communication and Dr. B.P. Singh, Head, NCSTC scientific projects in the country. While Dr. B.P. Singh, Head,

CSIR News 232 OCTOBER 2015 NCSTC enumerated the role of the help the journalist turn out a meaningful Department of Science & Technology report. Mr Pallava also asked the in executing national science projects journalists to ask questions – sometimes and introducing schemes to enhance the most simple of questions unravel the scientific human resource capability in most compelling of information. the country, Dr. Viswajanani Sattigeri, Senior Principal Scientist, Planning & Performance Division, CSIR recounted several achievements and successes of the CSIR laboratories in keeping with the demands of time.

Mr Pallava Bagla giving the journalists a few tips on scientific reporting

Dr. Viswajanani Sattigeri, Senior In a presentation on Indian Initiatives Principal Scientist, PPD, CSIR briefing the journalists about the achievements in Nano Science & Technology, Dr. of CSIR Praveer Asthana, Head, Nano Mission, Department of Science & Technology In his lecture, NPL – Timekeeper informed that India began its foray of the Nation, Dr. Amitabh Sen Gupta, into the world of nanotechnology Former Acting Director, CSIR-National in October 2001, and today after 14 Physical Laboratory informed the years stands third after China and the journalists that CSIR-NPL is responsible US in terms of research publications for the highest level of time and frequency being published in the field – nearly measurements in India and maintains the 2,000 researchers had so far published Indian Standard Time (IST). In his very around 5,000 research papers from India. interesting presentation Dr. Sen Gupta talked about the highly intricate and sophisticated mechanism by which the time-keeping responsibility is discharged by NPL. Mr Pallava Bagla, Science Editor, NDTV in his lecture Fun & Joy of Reporting on Mangalyaan, recounted his experiences with reporting on the Mangalyaan where he could get extremely close to the spacecraft and actually touched it. He said that journalists need to develop a certain amount of trust with project leaders and mission commanders Dr. Praveer Asthana talking about the Nano Mission of the country to be able to get information that would

CSIR News OCTOBER 2015 233 The Centre has invested Rs 3,000 crore and scientists, something on the lines of Workshops/Symposia in 15 years on nanotechnology, which is a Science Media Centre. This could help nearly one-fifth of the funds spent by the create a global marketplace for Indian US and China. However, nanotechnology science, he said. products may be potential Environment, Dr. Rajesh Gokhale informed that Health and Safety (EHS) hazards precisely CSIR-IGIB is engaged in research because of the same reasons that make of national importance in the areas them useful. Hence, regulatory safeguards of genomics, molecular medicine, needed to be formulated but these will bioinformatics, proteomics and emerge as science progresses in this field. environmental biotechnology. In Mr Ashok Malik, Former Assistant Genomics and Molecular Medicine, the Editor, The Tribune, Chandigarh in his Institute is focusing on neuropsychiatric presentation on Science Reporting gave disorders like Schizophrenia, several tips to the participants on how Cardiovascular diseases, Diabetes and to keep abreast of S&T developments. other complex disorders. The Institute He emphasized the need for developing also focuses on respiratory diseases contacts and networking with scientific Tuberculosis, Asthma and Allergy, institutes for breakthrough develop- and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary ments and with scientists for clarification Disorder (COPD). of scientific concepts, inventions and Since the objective of the Workshop ideas. He listed out several social media was also to expose journalist participants avenues such as Twitter, FaceBook and to some of the most premier scientific Blogs through which journalists could institutes in the country, two visits stay in touch with scientific developments were organized – one to the India and also follow scientists. Meteorological Department (IMD) and Two interactions were also arranged the other to the National Institute of with Dr. K. VijayRaghavan, Secretary of Immunology (NII). the Department of Biotechnology, and The valedictory function of the Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Director, CSIR- Workshop was held on 3 September Institute of Genomics and Integrative 2015 at the CSIR Science Centre, Lodhi Biology. Road. In his welcome address, Dr. Girish Dr. K. VijayRaghavan said that Sahni, Director General, CSIR said that science reporting in the media is mainly journalists play a very important role in restricted to new developments and that communicating, among other things, the too is much hyped, almost bordering cultural and scientific heritage of the on science gossip, reflecting the poor country. He called upon the journalists to communication between scientists and play a greater role in communicating the journalists. He called upon the journalists scientific and technological developments to work hard to understand the science taking place in the country. better. He said there is enough exciting The DG-CSIR also invited the work in science going on in the country. journalists to spend a day in the national Journalists need to work out a way of laboratories to help them know about making science a community venture. the important research and development He wondered whether a mechanism activities and also suggested that the could be set up to encourage regular and journalists should interface with younger fruitful interactions between the media scientists. The Director General said that

CSIR News 234 OCTOBER 2015 Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Honourable Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, who was the Chief Guest of the function, welcomed the gathering and said that having a group of young journalists as participants of this Hon’ble Minister of S&T and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh training programme is a Vardhan, was the chief guest at the Valedictory Function. On his right, Dr. Girish Sahni, DG-CSIR and Ms Deeksha Bist, Acting very healthy sign. Director, CSIR-NISCAIR. Extreme left, Mr Rajendra Prabhu, The Hon’ble Chairman, NUJ (I) School of Journalism & Communication Minister said that the science environment in CSIR would look into the possibility the country is upbeat and is moving of developing an institutionalized forward with positivity. mechanism for facilitating journalists to He said that his visits visit the labs. to several CSIR labs Addressing the workshop were a revelation and participants, Mr. Rajendra Prabhu, that he learnt about the Chairman, NUJ (I) School of Journalism importance and worth of and Communication said that many the national laboratories science journalists do not adequately cover and realized that the major scientific events and developments general public and more in the country. He stated that there was importantly the students a need to strengthen S&T reporting and were unaware of the was hopeful that this workshop on S&T many accomplish-ments reporting would be the beginning for of the institutions under Hon’ble Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan many such workshops that would bring the Ministry of Science addressing the gathering about meaningful interactions between and Technology and scientists and journalists. Earth Sciences.

Hon’ble Minister giving away the certificates of participation

CSIR News OCTOBER 2015 235 Workshops/Symposia The Minister said that journalists need carried out exemplary reporting of to be passionate about understanding the Indian science news and events. scientific activities being carried out in In closing, Mrs. Deeksha Bist, Acting the country and that they have to find Director, CSIR-NISCAIR proposed the out what is happening in Indian science. vote of thanks. She said that the objective He exhorted the journalists to visit the of organizing this workshop was to bring national laboratories and interact with about a close interaction between our the scientific community. journalist participants and the scientific Dr. Harsh Vardhan suggested that a community, to expose them to some series of such workshops for journalists in scientific projects and developments S&T reporting should be held in different taking place in the country and to help parts of the country. He also mulled over our journalist participants develop a wide the possibility of instituting National understanding of science and technology Fellowships in Science Journalism to issues in the country. honour science journalists who have

The participants of the Workshop with some resource persons

National Symposium on Acoustics held at CSIR-NIO CSIR-National Institute of to have a deep insight on the acoustic Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa, along activities in the country and to trigger with the Acoustical Society of India future research activities in this field. (ASI), organised a three-day national The symposium was inaugurated by symposium on “National Symposium on Dr. Ehrlich Desa, Distinguished Scientist, Acoustics”. This event was held during CSIR–CMMACS, Bangalore and Former the 7th-9th October 2015. Director CSIR-NIO, along with Shri S. The main theme of the symposium Ananthanarayanan, Former Director, was “Acoustics for Ocean Environment”. Naval Physical and Oceanographic The objective of this symposium was Laboratory, DRDO, Cochin, and Dr. V.R.

CSIR News 236 OCTOBER 2015 Singh, Retired Chief Scientist CSIR-NPL and invited papers by acoustic experts and President of the Acoustical Society including Ocean Acoustics experts. of India. Dr. Bishwajit Chakraborty, Chief Dr. Naqvi, Director CSIR-NIO scientist, CSIR NIO was the convener of welcomed the gathering through a video the symposium and Shri Arvind Saran, message as he had to proceed on an Senior Principal Scientist, was the co- unavoidable official tour to Bhavnagar convener of the symposium. for official work at CSIR- CSMCRI, as he holds additional charge of Director, CSIR-CSMCRI. The multiple dimensions in research of acoustic oceanography, the use of underwater sound to study the sea and its contents, can help the coastal belt of Goa to gather data about bottom geology, marine mammal behaviour, were the words of Dr. Desa as he addressed the gathering. He further stated that, “We need to keep acoustic sensors in the water for decades and conduct meticulous and Dr. Ehrlich Desa addressing the gathering careful measurements of data to gain more knowledge about the ocean.” The Keynote Address was given by Shri Ananthanarayanan. He indicated that, “Along the entire Goan coast, commercial activities like fish finding sonar can be promoted for the benefit of the fishing community.” He also emphasised new areas of study for acoustics applications like oil pipelines; underwater structures; health care monitoring; rich materials and natural resources exploration under the sea. Shri Ananthanarayanan delivering the Keynote Address During the programme, Dr. Ehrlich Desa released a book of abstracts, comprising of the papers presented during the symposium. Shri Ananthannarayanan released a CD on the proceedings of the symposium. Dr. V.R. Singh highlighted the aims and objectives of the ASI. The symposium was attended by over 161 Indian researchers, acoustical experts, students and specialists, and ASI members. About 124 contributory papers were presented out of a total of 131 papers. There were 12 plenary Dr. Ehrlich Desa releasing the book of abstracts

CSIR News OCTOBER 2015 237 Honours & Awards Honours & Awards Dr. Shashi Kant Tiwari of CSIR-IITR honoured with the INSA Medal for Young Scientists-2015 The INSA A (BPA) affects the endogenous neural Medal for stem cells and oligodendrocyte progenitor Young cells. He has convincingly elucidated the Scientists-2015 effects of BPA on neurogenesis and in the Health myelination, developmental signalling Sciences has pathways and finally on behaviour. His been awarded studies have led to identification of to Dr. Shashi means for amelioration of BPA mediated Kant Tiwari, neurodegeneration by curcumin. CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology He has carried out doctoral work with Research, Lucknow. The award has Dr. Rajnish Kumar Chaturvedi, Scientist, been conferred for his outstanding work at Systems Toxicology and Health Risk towards understanding the mechanisms by Assessment Group, CSIR-IITR. which synthetic xenoestrogen Bisphenol

Dr. D.S. Reddy from CSIR-NCL selected to receive the CRSI Bronze Medal

Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy, synthesis and medicinal a senior scientist from chemistry towards the CSIR-National Chemical discovery of the drugs. Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), He has synthesized a Pune has been selected to stereoisomer of a sex receive the CRSI Bronze phermone that attracts medal by the Chemical the mealy bugs, proved to Research Society of India have potential use in pest (CRSI) in recognition management. of his contributions to Dr. Reddy worked research in the field of with pharmaceutical Chemistry. The medal will be presented companies for seven long years before to him during the forthcoming CRSI joining CSIR-NCL in 2010. He has National Symposium in Chemistry to be authored more than 60 publications held in February 2016. and 30 patents. Dr. D.S. Reddy is also Dr. D.S. Reddy has been associated the recipient of Central Drug Research with the Organic Chemistry Division for Institute award for excellence in drug the last five years. Currently, he is leading research in chemical sciences. He was also a research group involved in application honoured with the Scientist of the Year oriented organic synthesis. The research award by the NCL Research Foundation work of the group is focused on the total in the year 2013.

CSIR News 238 OCTOBER 2015 JEC Asia-2015 Innovation Award to CSIR-NAL

The JEC Asia-2015 Innovation Award compaction of cocured joints & thicker under the Thermoset Category for the regions. The process allows large scale ‘Development of Co-infused & Cocured integration as dry preforms are laid up Fully Integral Wing Interspar Box using initially without any restrictions such as VERITy Process’ has been awarded to the prepreg out life which could have limited Advanced Composites Division (ACD) of the amount of integration. CSIR-NAL. For airframe structures, it is important Advanced composite materials have to achieve the optimum mechanical become the natural choice of airframe properties and stringent dimensional designers due to their high specific tolerances with quality of parts similar strength, stiffness, tailorabilty, corrosion to parts produced by autoclave/prepreg resistance & good resistance to fatigue. technique. Scaling up of VERITy process Autoclave moulding using prepregs is the led to the development of several main manufacturing technique used for complementary technologies like flexible primary airframe structures. This process tooling, controlled bleed & hybridization results in parts which are well consolidated with the autoclave moulding technology, having higher volume fraction of fibers & flow sensing technique & semi-automated lower void content. resin infusion technique. However, there are certain limitations ACD was supported by the ‘Centre for with this process; viz., limited out life & Societal Missions & Special Technologies shelf life, storage typically at -18°C, clean (CSMST)’, a sister division in developing room environment for lay-up etc, making semi-automated resin infusion system. it more expensive. Researchers have been Overall technology development led to contemplating on alternate processing the realisation of coinfused cocured wing techniques like liquid composite moulding interspar box components which are the (LCM) techniques like vacuum assisted primary load carrying structures of aircraft rein infusion technique, FASTRAC etc. wing. Each interspar box consists of wing which are economical. Generally, infusion bottom skin, stringers, spars, interspar ribs, processes are plagued by limitations such & spar/rib gussets as shown in attached as lower fiber volume fraction, lack of photograph. uniform resin distribution, higher porosity, The potential of VERITy process has control on thickness of part & the like. been unleashed with the development of CSIR-NAL has developed a proprietary coinfused & cocured wing interspar box infusion process called VERITy (Vacuum for a medium transport aircraft. More Enhanced Resin Infusion Technology) than 300 elements have been integrated Photograph of Coinfused Cocured Wing Interspar to overcome the above limitations. The into a single part! The airframe industry Box realised using process is scalable from a laminate level to a is envisaging such a development with VERITy process complex cocured primary structure like the prepregs in the years to come. CSIR-NAL wing of a transport aircraft. The principle has demonstrated that an integral structure of VERITy is that the reinforcement is can now be realised using VERITy process held in a tool cavity, infused with resin by with at least 15-20% reduction in cost maintaining a differential pressure using when compared to prepregs with autoclave vacuum to impregnate fiber bundles. moulding. The development of wing Subsequently the part is cured in an interspar box with such a high degree of autoclave wherein external pressure is integration using a variant of VARTM applied prior to gelation in order to achieve process has not been reported in open desired fibre volume fraction & better literature so far.

CSIR News OCTOBER 2015 239 Appointments Appointments Dr. Samit Chattopadhyay Joins as Director, CSIR-IICB

Dr. Samit Chattopadhyay He has received a number of has assumed charge as prestigious awards in recognition of Director, CSIR-Indian his significant contributions in diverse Institute of hemical Biology areas of Biological and Health Sciences (CSIR-IICB), Kolkata w.e.f. 25th among which Sir J C Bose National August 2015. Earlier he was Fellowship by DST (2013), Fellow Scientist G and Associate Dean of Indian National Science Academy at the National Centre for Cell (FNA), Delhi (2013), Fellow of Academy Science, Pune. of Science (FASc), Bangalore (2011), The focus of his research Fellow of National Academy of Science interest covers a wide range (FNASc), Allahabad (2006) and Fellow of biological sciences like of Maharashtra Academy of Science Epigenetics in Cancers and other (FMASc), 2000 are notable. diseases; Molecular biology work He has published several book on HIV transcription and latency; chapters and more than seventy papers Immune responses upon Mycobacterial mostly in leading international Journals infection; Role of nuclear matrix like Immunity, EMBO Journal, Mucosal proteins in DNA damage repair, splicing; Immunology, NPG; Proceedings structure function relation of MAR of National Academy of Sciences binding proteins; miRNA in cancer and (PNAS); Molecular and Cellular Biology other diseases, Immunobiology etc. (MCB), Nucleic Acids Research (NAR), Born in 1959 in West Bengal, Journal of Immunology (JI), Journal of Dr. Chattopadhyay received his B.Sc. Biochemistry (JBC); Journal of Molecular (1981) and M.Sc. (1983) degrees in Biology (JMB), International Journal of from the University of Calcutta. Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IJBCB); Most interestingly, in his earlier career Virology etc. Dr. Chattopadhyay has he worked in CSIR-IICB as research guided more than twenty PhD students scholar during 1984-1989 and received and taught courses at NCCS, Pune his PhD degree (1989) in Molecular University, Calcutta University and Biology, Biochemistry from Jadavpur Vidyasagar University. University. Dr. Chattopadhyay has done He has acted as member of several his Post Doctoral research work in the professional committees and Task Forces University of Connecticut, Farmington, in CSIR, DST, DBT and other national USA (1989–1995) and in Massachusetts level organizations and also as reviewer Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston, of several specialized international USA (1995–1998). journals.

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