YELLOW CYAN MAGENTA BLACK

ISSN 0409-7467

VOL 58 NO 20 30 OCTOBER 2008

< CSIR Foundation Day Celebrations

Founded in 1942, the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) celebrated its 67th Foundation Day on 26 September 2008. On this occasion the entire Team CSIR of 37 Institutes/Laboratories spread all over the country took stock of the progress made during the year that had gone by and planned for the future to serve the nation with still greater dedication. It was also an occasion to accord recognition to excellence in science through presentation of the various awards.

Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of Seen on the dais during the CSIR Foundation Day Function at NPL, Science & Technology and Earth New Delhi (from right ) are: Prof. Samir K. Brahmachari, Shri Kapil Sibal, Prof. Sciences and Vice President, CSIR, was Bartha Maria Knoppers, and Dr Vikram Kumar the Chief Guest at the main function held in NPL. Shri Sibal addressed the august gathering of Scientists and Technologists and gave away the various awards. Prof. Bartha Maria Knoppers, Faculte deD roit, University of Montreal and Senior Researcher at the Centre de Recherché en Droit Public (CRDP), Canada, delivered this year's foundation day lecture. The title of her lecture was “Investments in Health Research and International Interoperability”. Prof. Samir K. Brahmachari, Director General, CSIR, extended a warm welcome and Dr Vikram Kumar, Director, National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New Delhi, proposed the vote of thanks.

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The names of the winners of Awards for School Children were Brahmachari introduced the much coveted Shanti Swarup presented at the function that was speakers. He recalled his long and Bhatnagar Prizes and CSIR Award marked by understated elegance fruitful scientific association with for S&T Innovation for Rural and style. Prof. Knoppers. Referring to Shri Development were announced and A workshop on ‘Know Your Sibal as “Champion of Science, not the winners of the CSIR Young Genome’ was also organized at NPL only of CSIR but of the entire Scientist Awards, CSIR Technology for the high school and junior- nation”, he pointed out, “We have Awards and CSIR Diamond Jubilee college students. gathered here to celebrate the 67th The objective was to expose the birthday of CSIR and to recognize younger generation to the current the outstanding S&T with awards at excitement in genomics sciences. The the hands of Shri Kapil Sibal.” He, workshop was planned to coincide in particular lauded the efforts of with CSIR Foundation Day and also young innovators, calling them to herald the opening of the Human “especial.” “It was most befitting Genome Meeting ( HGM) 2008 at that CSIR should encourage and Hyderabad, an event which Prof. motivate young talents,” Prof. Samir K. Brahmachari, Director Brahmachari remarked. General, CSIR, chaired. Prof. Brahmachari also In his welcome address at the mentioned that the workshop on Foundation Day function Prof. S.K. “Know Your Genome”, which had

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concluded only a few minutes commonly referred to as before the CSIR Foundation Day intellectual property – function was aimed to light a spark which are not owned or of intellectual curiosity in young controlled by anyone. minds. The workshop had the She elaborated on the presentations entitled: “History and Napoleonic Code for Future of the Human Genome” by things in the public Prof. Doron Lancet, Ralph & Lois domain. Unknown to Silver Chair of Human Genomics & many, Napoleon’s Head, Crown Human Genome greatest contribution to Center, Department of Molecular society was the creation Genetics, Weizmann Institute of of a universal system of Science, Israel;” Making Eyes: From laws that replaced Disease to Development” by Prof. contradictory and Prof. Bartha Maria Knoppers delivering the V. Heyningen, MRC Human antiquated provincial CSIR Foundation Day lecture Genetics Unit, Western General policies. Hospital, Edinburgh, UK; and She spoke about the concept of particular efforts by the Wellcome “Decoding Genetics of Tobacco “common heritage of mankind.” It Trust and the Sanger Institute, Addiction” by Dr Stephen C. Ekker, was recognized quite early that developed the Bermuda Principles Professor of Biochemistry and some things are common to all in 1996 in response to the threat of Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, mankind and cannot be reduced to fundamental genomic sequence data Minnesota, USA. the property of an individual. For becoming proprietary to private Prof. Brahmachari was example, Grotius argued that “what companies. The Bermuda Principles emphatic in his statement that CSIR cannot be seized or enclosed — such advocated automatic release of stood not only for the Council of as the open sea cannot be reduced sequence assemblies larger than 1kB Scientific & Industrial Research but to property of individual states.” (preferably within 24 hours), also for Council of Scientific and Similarly the entire sky cannot be immediate publication of finished Innovative Research with Corporate appropriated by a person or annotated sequences, and making Social Indian Responsibility.” country. UNESCO in its 1997 the entire sequence freely available Prof. Bartha Maria Knoppers Human Rights Declaration also in the public domain for both began her lecture by quoting from upheld this concept albeit in a research and development in order Science, 15 August 2008 issue, watered down way. It recognized to maximize benefits to society. which stated that India ranked third human dignity when it stated, “The These actions were intended to as the most attractive country human genome underlies the allow researchers – academic and location for new R&D facilities. fundamental unity of all members of commercial – to make immediate Only China with 61%, and USA with the human family, as well as the use of the data. It was also hoped 41% were ranked ahead of India recognition of their inherent dignity that early release of the data would (29.5%). Japan came in at fourth lace and diversity. In a symbolic sense, lead to the prompt creation of ‘prior with 14% and she wryly remarked it is the heritage of humanity.” The art’ that could potentially defeat that “my country (Canada) is not on UNESCO Human Rights patent claims based on similar the list!” Her talk highlighted that Declaration (1997) also guided the DNA-sequencing efforts in the there are privately owned and state HUGO Ethics Committee. private sector. owned property but then there are She then moved on to speak This was followed by the Ft. also those property that fall in public about the next big step in facilitation Lauderdale Rules (2003) which domain. The public domain is a of data-sharing. The international basically underpinned the Bermuda range of abstract materials – scientific community, with Principles. The Ft. Lauderdale

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principles stressed the rapid, pre- that the nature of research was genomic sequences in the public publication release of sequence data slowly but definitely moving towards domain. as a tremendous benefit to the a collaborative and co-operative Prof Knoppers briefly touched scientific community that should be mode and into an area where upon the recommendations of the continued and extended to other previously strictly drawn HUGO Ethics Committee. These large datasets. boundaries (be it of subject, topic or included (amongst others) The next important step that even nationalities) were recommendations that: Prof. Knoppers outlined was the disappearing. • Human genomic databases are Berlin Declaration on Open Access Meanwhile other trends were global public goods; to Knowledge in the Sciences and also becoming apparent, Prof. • Knowledge useful to human Humanities (2003). This Declaration Knoppers continued. A study of the health belongs to humanity; came about as a result of the Emerging Trends in Ethics showed Human genomic databases are a scientific community’s feeling of that there was a clear movement public resource; obligation to address the challenges from Autonomy to Reciprocity; from • All humans should share in and of the Internet as an emerging Privacy to Mutuality; and from have access to the benefits of medium for distributing knowledge. Equity to Universality. As Prof. databases; It was clear even then that the Knoppers put it, “This past decade • Individuals, families, Internet was a powerful medium of discovery has been accompanied communities, commercial that would significantly alter the by a shift in emphasis towards entities, institutions and nature of scientific publishing. the ethical principles of reciprocity, governments should foster the “Open Source” is the new mutuality, solidarity, citizenry public good;. buzzword; the mantra of the times. and universality.” The emphasis • Public engagement is a Open Source is the ultimate source was shifting towards public goods. prerequisite of public of benefit sharing. It is relevant in Global public goods are those whose responsibility; the current global context, and has scope extends worldwide, are • The free flow of data and the fair perhaps arisen out of it, because enjoyable by all with no groups and equitable distribution of stringent IPR rules are poised to excluded, and, when consumed by benefits from research using boomerang—to lead to under-use of one individual are not depleted for databases should be encouraged; a resource— because it has been others. • Insofar as it benefits humanity, divided up amongst a number of Prof. Knoppers spoke about The the free flow, access, and owners who may not be willing to HUGO Ethics Committee that in its exchange of data are essential. cooperate with one another. The statement on Human Genomic Cooperation and coordination costs associated with proliferating Databases 2002, recognized: between industrialized and IP rights threaten to exclude all but • The potential global good arising developing countries should be the top-end players from shaping the from genetic research; facilitated; direction of technological change. • The scientific and clinical uses of • Repositories should be Open Source licensing is a style of genomic databases; established and funded to ensure intellectual property management • The potential for conflicts the continuation of publicly that has evolved out of the Free between the free flow of available databases; Software movement, initiated in the information that is crucial to • Compatibility should be fostered early 1980s in response to restrictive research advances and the through the use of common copyright licensing practices legitimate rights to return from nomenclature, and, where adopted by commercial software research expenditure; possible, the pooling of databases developers. Biotechnology was • The potential risk of misusing should be encouraged; quick to adopt the principles of genetic data; and • The choices and privacy of Open Source of its own. It is clear • The need to rapidly place primary individuals, families and

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communities should be respected; and collaboration. research moving forward at such a • Prior consideration should be The use of a consortium like P³G pace and by the perceptible change given to the possible negative was demonstrated by The Human in thought as we go forward into the socio-economic effects, if any, of Genome Project and the 21st century.” He expressed great the collection, sharing, and International HapMap Project amazement at all that Genomics is publishing of the data; where global collaboration was the doing for us by moving us into an • Researchers, institutions, and key to success. The generation of a era where “R&D and business commercial entities have a right wealth of reports regarding model in healthcare is changing.” He to a fair return for intellectual and susceptibility genes has created the was appreciative of the fact that financial contributions to need to generate large well- there was a sharp change in the way databases; characterized data sets from science is being done. The trend is • There should be reciprocity and population-samples. These studies “towards sharing of knowledge.” He exchange of information with fair will allow the biomedical expressed his delight at Prof. return (for example, non- community to unravel the complex Knoppers’ speech and emphasized exclusive licenses, copyright, genetic and environmental that “Our genetic make-up is the monetary, non-monetary – like interactions responsible for most heritage of mankind.” A person’s publication or credits), database common diseases. The P³G serves genome is “individualistic” because pools, and central repositories. as an international consortium for it belongs solely to one individual. Prof. Knoppers gave a brief the development and management But it is also part of the common insight into the exciting “race” that of a multidisciplinary infrastructure heritage of all mankind. Thus there the human genome sequencing for comparing and merging results is a need for a balanced outlook effort turned out to be. It was a race from population genomic studies. It when dealing in genomes. There is between the company Celera enables international research the need to balance the individual’s Genomics (headed by Craig Venter) communities to deliver more right with respect to his own genetic and the publicly funded Human effective healthcare strategies aimed material with the society’s right to Genome Project. Finally a high- at disease prevention, and at use it for the good of mankind. It quality, “finished” sequence of the personalizing treatment regimens. follows therefore, “That we have to human genome was completed in It was clear from Prof. change the business model too. 2003 with Celera Genomics placing Knoppers’ talk that collaboration Because if after multi-billion dollar some information in the public and cooperation were the only R&D, the ultimate medicine is domain. productive ways forward as far as unaffordable, there is no use of the Prof. Knoppers also elaborated the scientific community was research. If 21st century healthcare on The Public Population Project concerned. This was the way the problems are to be resolved, we have (P3G), which is a non-for-profit fruits of science could be delivered to change the existing R&D international consortium to promote to the common man at an affordable healthcare model,” he stressed. collaboration between researchers cost. In this context, Shri Sibal in the field of population genomics. Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of congratulated Prof. Brahmachari for It was launched to provide the Science & Technology and Earth launching Open Source Drug international population genomics Sciences, in his speech began by Discovery (OSDD) targeted at community with the resources, tools greeting the Award Winners. Shri Tuberculosis. He said, “We know and know-how to facilitate data Sibal’s speech highlighted the that there is a wealth of knowledge management for improved methods advances in scientific R&D and also dispersed around the world on of knowledge transfer and sharing. focused on the new trend that is cancer, on TB, on Autism, on Its main objective is to create an Open Source; a collaborative way of Alzheimer’s, etc., but there is no open, publicly accessible knowledge making progress. He said that he platform to share the knowledge.” database. The motto is transparency was, “excited by science and He praised the OSDD platform and

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commented on the importance of because of their such Open Source platforms that “peculiar policies” allow scientists to share. He added multi-nationals “This does not mean that neglect certain multinationals should not make drugs/diseases but money or that individuals must not we could find an get patents. But sharing of ideas and answer the OSDD knowledge come first. With cross- way. He cautioned fertilization of ideas come solutions.” about “huge ethical Then, of course, Venture issues” as we moved Capitalists are encouraged to invest forward and because they sense this is a winning, mentioned stem- marketable and profitable solution. cell research as an They will invest only when ideas can example. He also be turned into products. pointed out the Shri Sibal said that India is the need to develop Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, third most-favoured R&D stronger linkages delivering his speech destination today, thanks to the with industry. He scientists at the helm of affairs and said that while science developed He praised the Soleckshaw—solar with their efforts bearing fruits, well in CSIR, the linkages with operated rickshaw, designed by brains that had left India are industry needed strengthening. CSIR, as an example of a “solution returning too. “Open Source is a wonderful for the people.” The 37 CSIR laboratories have platform to develop linkages and He exhorted CSIR to address to a wealth of information. They need working with industry is rewarding the needs of the people by creating to “address the issue of free flow— always as solutions come,” he said, a roadmap for solutions for the 800 this is at the heart. We must think citing the Green leather technology million poverty-stricken Indians. how to have free flow of ideas and developed by Central Leather In his concluding comments information across 37 laboratories Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai, Shri Sibal said, “Science is for the (of CSIR) and then move forward, as a case in point. He called this an people, It is not meant to sit in labs. the Open Source way to (cover) the example of Public Private There is no point if you do not have world,” Shri Sibal said. Partnership at its best, saying that solutions for the people. CSIR must Shri Sibal pointed out that without sharing there is no solution. have solutions for the people.”

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SHANTI SWARUP BHATNAGAR PRIZES: 2008

nstituted in 1957, the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes are the most coveted S&T Prizes in the country. IThese prizes, each carrying a cash award of Rs 200,000, a citation and a plaque, are awarded annually for notable and outstanding research, applied or fundamental, in (1) Biological, (2) Chemical, (3) Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary, (4) Engineering, (5) Mathematical, (6) Medical and (7) Physical Sciences. Any citizen of India engaged in research in any field of Science and Technology, who is not more than 45 years old on 31 December of the year preceding the year of the Prize, is eligible. He/she should have made, in the opinion of CSIR, conspicuously important and outstanding contribution to human knowledge and progress – fundamental or applied — in the particular field of endeavour, which is his/her specialization. The prize is awarded on the basis of contributions made through work done primarily in India during the five years preceding the year of the prize.

Ten scientists have been selected for the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes for the year 2008:

Biological Sciences Indian Institute of Technology Homi Bhabha Road, Kanpur 208 016 Mumbai 400 005 Dr Gajendra Pal Singh Raghava Head, Bioinformatics Centre Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean Medical Sciences Institute of Micobial Technology and Planetary Sciences Sector - 39A Dr Ravinder Goswami Chandigarh 160 036 Department of Endocrinolgy & Dr P. N. Vinayachandran Metabolism Centre for Atmospheric All India Institute of Medical and and Oceanic Sciences Sciences Indian Institute of Science New Delhi 110 029 Dr L. S. Shashidhara Bangalore 560 012

Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology Physical Sciences Hyderabad 500 007 Engineering Sciences Dr Raghunathan Srianand

Inter-University Centre for Chemical Sciences Dr Ranjan Kumar Mallik Astronomy & Astrophysics Department of Electrical Ganeshkhind, Dr Pradeep Thalappil Engineering Pune University Campus Department of Chemistry Indian Institute of Tehchnology Pune 411 007 & Sophisticated Analytical New Delhi 110 016

Instrument Facility Indian Institute of Technology and Chennai 600 036 Mathematical Sciences Dr Srikanth Sastry and Dr Jaikumar Radhakrishnan Theoretical Sciences Unit School of Technology & Computer Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Science Advanced Scientific Research Dr Jarugu Narasimha Moorthy Tata Institute of Fundamental Bangalore 560 064 Department of Chemistry Research

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CSIR AWARD FOR S&T INNOVATIONS FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT - 2008 jointly won by Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow and Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI), Bhavnagar

SIR had instituted in 2006, is a felt need thus to improve inputs of end-to-end innovation for C“CSIR Award for S&T strategically the agri-economics for benefit of rural farmers. Innovations for Rural Development” rural farmer. This is possible only by Explaining the CSMCRI to recognize and honour S&T augmenting and introducing some innovation, Prof. Brahmachari said innovations that have helped economically viable specialty crops that out of the total 20 million tonnes transform the lives of rural people. along with the traditional salt produced in the country The award carries a cash prize of agricultural crops. CIMAP has annually, about 6 million tonnes is Rs 10 lakh, a citation and a shield. gainfully utilized Medicinal and produced in the rural sector by the Prof. Samir K. Brahmachari, Aromatic Plants (MAPs) for this marginal salt producers. The salt Director General , CSIR, announced purpose by conceptualizing produced by marginal salt bestowing of the CSIR Award for “Biovillage Mechanism” and manufacturers is of inferior quality S&T Innovations for Rural operationalizing it strategically. owing to the presence of higher Development (CAIRD) - 2008 jointly Varieties and agrotechnologies of amounts of certain ionic impurities upon Central Institute of Medicinal MAPs have been developed and and other insolubles. The rural and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), disseminated, aiming at sustainable manufacturers also lack scientific Lucknow for “Biovillage strategy for production and commercialization knowledge of salt manufacturing. agri-business of Medicinal and of these plants in rural areas. This Thus, this type of salt fetches very Aromatic Plants” and Central Salt has helped in economic upliftment low price. & Marine Chemicals Research of farmers in a big way. CSMCRI has developed various Institute (CSMCRI), Bhavnagar, for CIMAP has backed the concept processes for the recovery of high “Innovations in the area of salt for of Biovillages by developing several purity salt by rural salt producers rural development”. new cultivars of mint, artemisia, addressing the problems faced by Providing details on the geranium, patchouli and khus suiting the rural salt manufacturers. innovations made by both the to diverse agro-c1imates. Processes for removal of impurities institutions, Prof. Brahmachari Linkages with industry have through heap washing and mentioned that shrinking land also been established for necessary desulphatation, utilizing distiller holdings, decreasing productivity of buy back of the produce from farm waste liquor of soda ash plants, Indian soils and increasing input itself thus benefiting farmers which otherwise poses the problem costs to agriculture are resulting into directly. A dependable complete of disposal and creates diminished returns from package for managing distillation environmental pollution, have been conventionally grown crops. The waste, farm waste, weed waste, etc. developed. CSMCRI has backbone of Indian economy, the has also been developed and specifically taken care that no traditional agriculture is gradually integrated to generate biofertilizer. additional time or infrastructure is proving to be uneconomical. There CIMAP’s Biovillage Concept has required to implement the processes

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developed and significant CSIR YOUNG SCIENTIST improvements in salt purity and whiteness are brought about. AWARDS 2008 With CSMCRI’s innovation, even rural salt producers are ntroduced in 1987, these awards are open to scientists working producing salt of purity >99.5% Iin CSIR system who have not attained the age of 35 years by 26 September and whiteness index of 87-91. of the preceding year. The awards are given annually for outstanding Rural salt producers of Gujarat, contributions made by the young scientists, based on work done primarily Rajasthan and Orissa have been in India, in the following fields: Physical Sciences (including instrumentation); greatly benefited from these Chemical Sciences; Biological Sciences; Engineering Sciences; and Earth, efforts. Further, CSMCRI Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Sciences. The scientist should be a regular innovations have enabled the employee of CSIR, holding a post of Group IV (Scientist ‘B’ or above) and rural salt producers to enhance should have joined the CSIR laboratory on or prior to 26 September of the their income by many folds. previous year. The awards carry a citation, a plaque and a cash prize of Rs Being easy to adopt, eco-friendly 50,000 with a grant of rupees ten lakh spread over a period of five years for pursuing research project independently. and cost effective, these innovations can be implemented The recipients of the CSIR Young Scientist Awards for the year 2008 without any risk in any rural salt are as follows: works irrespective of the source Biological Sciences While Dr Ghosh has been of brine and the type of salt awarded for his contributions to works. the total synthesis of biologically Dr Beena Pillai, Transcriptomics, active natural products, Dr Deepa Institute of Genomics & Integrative Prof. Brahmachari hoped received the award for her Biololgy, Delhi that bestowing of CAIRD-2008 contribution to the development of jointly upon CIMAP and Dr Pillai is one of the first electrochromic films and devices. CSMCRI would inspire young investigators in the country, who have successfully applied scientists engaged in the Engineering Sciences profession and business of microarray technology in gene expression profiling in different innovation, particularly aimed at system. This would eventually help rural development in the Dr Satyajit Vishnu Shukla, in understanding human diseases. country, to accelerate their National Institute for efforts of innovating on one hand Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), and implementing them Chemical Sciences Thiruvananthapuram successfully at ground level on the other. The livelihood of our Dr Subhash Ghosh, Bioorganic and rural brethren would be Laboratory, Organic Chemistry III, elevated and transformed in a Indian Institute of Chemical Dr Ranjan K. Sahu, MST sustainable and gradual manner Technology, Hyderabad Division, National Metallurgical this way, elaborated Prof. Laboratory, Jamshedpur and Brahmachari. These efforts Dr Shukla has been awarded for development of hydrogen would also build a newer form Dr Melepurath Deepa, sensors and separation techniques, of support to Indian economy, he Electronic Materials Division, and Dr Sahu, for the development added. National Physical Laboratory, New of magnetoresistive materials. Delhi

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Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean & Dr Lidita Dilip has been to understanding geological Planetary Sciences awarded for her studies to elucidate complexities. the interactions between chemical signals transmitted by bacteria and Physical Sciences Dr Sinai Khandeparker Lidita settling larve of fouling organism in Dilip, Marine Corrosion & Materials marine environment. Her researches Research Division, National Institute led to the detection of fungoid Dr Pankaj Poddar, Physical & of Oceanography, Goa microorganism in natural biofilm. Materials Chemistry Division, and National Chemical Laboratory, Pune Dr Padhy has been awarded for Dr Simanchal Padhy, his significant contributions to seismic Dr Poddar has been awarded for Department of Seismology, National anisotropic structures and his excellent work on biosynthesis of Geophysical Research Institute, attenuation of body waves in relation magnetic and ferroelectric Hyderabad. nanoparticles.

CSIR Young Scientist Award-winners with Shri Kapil Sibal, Prof. Samir K. Brahmachari, Prof. Bartha Maria Knoppers and Dr Vikram Kumar

Release of CSIR: Making Pathways into New Frontiers with a Human Face — The profusely illustrated publication highlights the CSIR’s Yeoman service into the various socio-economic and strategic sectors

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CSIR TECHNOLOGY AWARDS 2008 nstituted in 1990, ‘CSIR Technol- and Molecular Biology (CCMB), endangered animal. International Iogy Awards’ seek to foster and Hyderabad for developing novel patents have been obtained for this encourage in-house multidiscipl- universal technique to establish the innovation. inary team efforts and external identity of enormous number of The team comprises Dr Lalji interaction for technology animal species for forensic Singh and Dr Sunil Kumar Verma. development, transfer, marketing applications. The Technology Award for and commercialization. These The developed technique is Innovation has been given to Central awards are given annually in based on polymerase chain reaction Drug Research Institute (CDRI), different categories, each carrying (PCR), which without knowing the Lucknow, for discovery of a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh, a plaque history of a forensic sample, is able guggulsterone and development of and a citation. to reveal whether the source of the analogues with novel mechanism of For the year 2008, three awards sample is human or animal, and if action as hypolipidemic agent. out of the available five were given, animal which animal. The The innovation involves following a very stringent criterion technique is simple and uses one set development of a potent lipid so as to maintain high standards set of novel primers to amplify and lowering formulation to fight the for the awards. They are in the sequence the PCR amplicons. The widely prevalent metabolic category of “Life Sciences”, molecular technique can be applied syndrome encompassing “Innovation” and “Business universally with a tiny piece of meat/ hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, Development & Technology drop of blood or even a single hair diabetes and hypertension. The Marketing”. originated from any of the thousands developed Guggulsterone has been The Technology Award in Life of species of animals including any isolated from the resin of Sciences goes to Centre for Cellular of the threatened and/or Commiphora mukal, a product earlier developed by CDRI. Several structural analogs of Guggulsterone have been designed and synthesized following lead from Gugulipid. The most active Guggulsterone analogue has undergone appropriate biological profiling through regulatory pharmacology, toxicity and pharmacokinetics. Phase III multi- centric clinical Team members of CSIR Technology Award-winners from CCMB, CDRI and URDIP trials for efficacy

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evaluation in patients of CSIR DIAMOND JUBILEE INVENTION hyperlipidemia are under progress in collaboration with AWARDS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN Cadilla Pharma, Ahmedabad. CDRI has secured several n order to enhance creativity proposals were received for these patents on the development. Iamongst school children, CSIR awards from various parts of the The Technology Award for announced for the first time country and 41 inventions were Business Development & Diamond Jubilee Invention Award selected for various prizes by a Technology Marketing goes to for School Children on 26 April 2002 High-level Awards Selection Unit for Research and – the day celebrated as World Committee. Development of Information Intellectual Property Day During the year 2007, only two Products (URDIP), Pune, for throughout the world. The inventions — one for the Third Prize creating the niche in the objectives of these awards are: to of Rs 15,000 and the other for a knowledge based service capture creativity and Consolation Prize of Rs 5000/- were sector. URDIP has designed, innovativeness amongst school selected out of 223 proposals developed and provided value children and create awareness about received for these awards, and these added information services in IPR. were presented on the CSIR the areas of Patinformatics, There are a total of 60 awards to Foundation Day-2008 Phytoinformatics and be given each year. The first prize The Third Prize of Rs 15,000/- Toxinformatics. winner becomes eligible for WIPO’s has been awarded to Miss Neha Lalit URDIP is involved in the Young Inventor’s Award carrying a Sharma, student of Class X of FR. pre-research and pre- medal and a certificate besides cash Agnel Multipurpose School, Vashi, development phase of the prize of Rs 50,000/- Navi Mumbai, for her invention research projects. The output During the last five years, i.e. “Herbal formulation to control of URDIP’s services is used from 2002 to 2007, about 2221 Brown Dog Tick”. The inventor has by clients to identify new emerging applications, new directions for product development, discover trends in competing technology approaches and competitor watch. These studies enable companies to drive their research strategy and innovation. Over the years, URDIP has acquired an excellent stature in Patinformatics and these services are sought by several research institutions, small, medium & large enterprises and multinationals. URDIP has registered a sustainable commutative growth of over Winners of CSIR Diamond Jubilee Invention Award for School Children with Shri Kapil Sibal, 65% in the last three years. Prof. Samir K. Brahmachari, Prof. Bartha Maria Knoppers and Dr Vikram Kumar

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utilized common and CMERI-developed solar rickshaws, freely available plants like castor, custard Soleckshaw, launched in Delhi apple and tobacco for controlling brown dog ticks (Rhipicephalus spp.) The activity is enhanced in presence of mahua butter base, augmented by shikakai wash. The formulation provides an eco-friendly, economic, and efficacious solution to the problem. Consolation Prize of Rs 5,000/- has been awarded to Master Shikhar Bhandari of class XI of B.V.B Mehta Vidyalaya, K.G. Marg, New Delhi, for his invention “Multiple use of a two-wheeler scooter”. This invention relates to modified two- Union Minister of Science and Technology Shri Kapil Sibal and Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Sheila Dikshit wheeler useful as riding a solar-electric rickshaw after launching it in Delhi electrical generator, water pump, air he Central Mechanical which is comfortable and affordable for compressor and crop Engineering Research Institute the poor. Soleckshaws will be their threshing unit. A pulley T (CMERI), Durgapur, developed solar Nano.” is fixed at the side of the cycle rickshaws – the green rickshaw, Ms Sheila Dikshit observed, “It is engine, near the kick named Soleckshaw: which was a sturdy mode of transport which start pedal. Fan belt is launched in Chandni Chowk in Delhi functions on clean energy.” fixed to the pulley and on 2 October 2008, the birth Weighing about 210 kg each, this attachments like anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The green rickshaw is able to run at a speed generator, water pump. inaugural ceremony was attended by of 15 to 20 km per hour. Designed by Accelerator knob is used Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Sheila CMERI in eight months, these to get the rpm of the Dikshit, Union Science & Technology rickshaws are battery operated. “The engine according to the Minister, Shri Kapil Sibal, and CSIR battery that is inbuilt is charged by requirement. The Director General Prof. Samir K. solar energy. The energy is transmitted electricity generated by Brahmachari. to a gear system which moves the three the scooter engine can Lauding the development of wheels of the rickshaw. Though be useful in extreme and Soleckshaw, Shri Kapil Sibal said, pedaling is not required, if pedalled, remote areas. “There is a need for urban transport Soleckshaw will gain power,” said A.

30 OCTOBER 2008 317 R&D Highlights/R&D Facilities

Roy, who was part of the team that High Pressure Raman Spectroscopic developed the rickshaw. It is a redesigned version of the Facility and ubiquitous cycle rickshaw, which is equipped with a robust low-power high- Recent Studies on Rare Earth torque brushless DC motor developed Sesquioxides Ln O by Crompton Greaves on specifications 2 3 provided by CMERI. (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, The battery re-charge station, comprising a central sonal panel, has Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, Y) at NPL been set up near the Chandni Chowk Metro Station and a rickshaw puller will ver the last few decades physics of solids under high be given an alternative battery while his Opressure and associated phase transition properties of several battery is being recharged. It will cost types have emerged as a new dimension of research in condensed Rs 45 to get the battery re-charged, matter. Use of such tools in reducing the volume by compression which can run till 70 km before dying has been currently developed due to sophisticated high pressure out. Initially introduced as a pilot instrumentation like diamond anvil device (DAC) and other project in Chandni Chowk, to ply within techniques. The Pressure and Vacuum Standard Group of the a radius of 3 km from the Metro Station, National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New Delhi, has established these will be later introduced in other High Pressure Raman Spectroscopic Laboratory which has a low- areas of the city. cost Laser Raman Spectrometer with Micro Raman Facility (Shown Speaking on the occasion, Prof Samir in Fig. 1) and DAC (Shown in Fig. 2) which generate the high K. Brahmachari, Director General, pressure. CSIR, said, “The advanced versions of The basic objective of this set-up is to understand the the Soleckshaws will have better phenomenon taking place under high pressure like pressure-induced aesthetics and a speed of 15 kmph and phase transition, modification in electronic and phonon properties will be ready for a full-fledged launch of matter, etc. During the last two years, the group is concentrating before the Commonwealth Games 2010. on investigating the vibrational, structural, electronic and phonon

This pedicel is easy to drive on plain as properties of rare earth oxides (Ln2O3) under high pressure. well as uphill roads”. The Soleckshaws were earlier flagged off at Durgapur on 17 August. Prof Brahmachari further said, “The designs of the rickshaws can be copied by anyone, but quality control will be done. We hope that the cost of the rickshaws is around the same as that of the current rickshaw at Rs 7000 as we will earn carbon credits for them.” “Soleckshaw is robust and ergonomi- cally designed to take the drudgery out of rickshaw pulling”, remarked Dr Gopal Sinha, Director, CMERI. CSIR is also looking at possibilities of modifying the rickshaws plying currently so that they can be made battery operated. Figure 1: A low-cost Raman Spectrometer with Micro Raman attachment

318 CSIR NEWS R&D Facilities

TABLE (Gd2O3) and samarium release of pressure Gd2O3 does not UPPER sesquioxide (Sm2O3), show any change and the DIAMOND under high pressure show transformation is found to be very peculiar results. irreversible.

For example, the On the other hand, Sm2O3 samples Y O and Gd O shows a weakening of cubic CULET 2 3 2 3 were found to be cubic at phase peaks while monoclinic phase

ambient, while Sm2O3 was peaks gain intensity up to about a found to be predominantly pressure of 6.79 GPa. However, METAL cubic with a small fraction thereafter the monoclinic phase GASKET of monoclinic phase. Y2O3 peaks also reduce in intensity seems to undergo a and mostly disordering sets in SAMPLE crystalline to partial which it does not show significant CHAMBER amorphous transition reversal as the pressure is when pressurized up to released. The details of these very about 19 GPa, with traces interesting results have been of hexagonal phase (Fig. 3). published recently. LOWER DIAMOND However, on release of Many other strategically pressure, the hexagonal interesting materials have also Figure 2: Diamond anvil cell (DAC) for generating high pressure phase develops into the been studied by the group dominant phase. Gd2O3 is in close collaboration with BARC The rare earth sesquioxides also seen to develop into a mixture (Mumbai), IGCAR (Kalpakkam) of amorphous and hexagonal phases and Universities of Jaipur and Ln2O3 (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, Y) have on pressurizing. However, on Bhopal.

a significant role in the industry 30000 0 GPa 9.85 GPa because of their potential use 1.58 GPa 11.03 GPa 6000 1.79 GPa 11.90 GPa as phosphorus for improved 2.56 GPa 12.78 GPa 3.19 GPa 13.85 GPa cathode luminescence and in lasers 4.29 GPa 25000 14.32 GPa as optical thin films and also as 6.48 GPa 15.49 GPa 5000 8.53 GPa 16.15 GPa control rods in nuclear reactors. 19.05 GPa

These are also used as protective 20000 and corrosion resistant coatings due 4000 to their wide range of thermal stability. 15000 3000 The Ln2O3 are known to exist in

three polymorphic forms: A . Intensity (a.u.) Intensity (a.u.) hexagonal, B. monoclinic, and C. 10000 cubic. It is known that as the 2000 pressure increases, there is a decrease in volume per mole of 1000 5000

Ln2O3 which undergoes C-cubic modification to B-monoclinic modification to A-hexagonal 0 0 225 425 625 825 1025

modification. In contrast, recent 225 325 425 525 625 725 825 925 1125 1025 Raman shift (cm-1) studies on yttrium sesquioxide Raman shift (cm-1)

(Y2O3), gadolinium sesquioxide Figure 3: Raman spectra of Y2O3 plotted with increase in pressure

30 OCTOBER 2008 319 Meetings

Meeting on Sensors/Instrumentation for Water Pollution: Physical, Chemical and Biological: Detection and Mitigation

Department of coordination and A Science & Technology monitoring of the (DST)- sponsored cluster of activities. Dr (Mrs) Neeta projects’ meeting on Thacker, Scientist & ‘Sensors/Instrumentation Head, Analytical for Water Pollution: Instruments Division, Physical, Chemical and NEERI and organizer of Biological: Detection and the meeting, explained Mitigation’ was organized about various state-of-art at the National on-line, lab and field Environmental instruments available Engineering Research globally. She also outlined Institute (NEERI), technologies used for Nagpur, in the recent mitigation of water past. DST has been pollution problems. promoting the area of Dr B. S. Satyanarayana instrumentation through Dr Tapan Chakrabarti, Acting Director, NEERI, speaking at the inaugural delivered a lecture on its Instrumentation session of the DST sponsored cluster of projects meeting. Seated on the dais ‘Water Pollution Detection Development Programme (from left): Dr (Mrs) Neeta Thacker, Prof. E.S.R. Gopal and Mr Chander Parkash and Mitigation — Status, (IDP). The programme Challenges and Opportu- focuses on strengthening nities’; Dr Dipankar indigenous capability for research, areas of sensor technology. He also Chakraborti on ‘Need-based research design, development and production explained about novel ideas to invite should be the approach of Indian of instruments in the country project pre-proposals from potential scientific community’; Prof. (Ms) leading to fulfillment of the following project investigators (PIs) and to Kamal Singh on ‘Electrochemical objectives: provide requisite feedback to help water sensors’; Dr A. Q. Contractor • Indigenous development and them in formulating sound on ‘Electrochemical sensors for production of instruments; proposals. Shri Chander Parkash rapid detection and estimation of talked about the efforts of DST in • Continuous updating of the environmental and healthcare helping the sensor instrumentation technology of instruments to parameters’ and Dr T. Venkatesh on activity in various institutions across keep pace with technology ‘Lead — A useful and hazardous the country. He expressed improvements taking place commodity’. satisfaction that many proposals globally; and There were a total of 39 pre- have been received from less proposal presentations during the • Innovations in the area of endowed institutions. instrumentation. meeting. There was a good Dr Tapan Chakrabarti, Acting interaction between the PIs and the In the meeting, Prof. E.S.R. Director, NEERI, briefly explained members/experts/speakers. Gopal, Chairman, IDP Committee, the activities of the institute and Dr G. L. Bodhe, Scientist, briefed about the role of the outlined the general background of NEERI, proposed the vote of committee in organizing the cluster the activities in this area. He thanks. of projects meeting in different emphasized on the need for good

320 CSIR NEWS Foundation Day Celebrations/Orations

SERC celebrates its Foundation Day Dr C.R. Krishna

he Structural Engineering behaviour and measured data. He Murti Memorial TResearch Centre (SERC), touched upon the recent work on Oration Chennai, celebrated its Foundation Cold-Formed Steel Housing Day on 10 June 2008 at the Vigyan System (CFS) and emphasized that at IITR, Lucknow Auditorium, SERC. Dr V. light-weight nature and fast-track Kalyanaraman, Senior Professor of wall panel construction are he Indian Institute of Civil Engineering at IIT Madras supportive of constructing CFS T Toxicology Research and a distinguished member of the house system even in earthquake (Formerly Industrial Toxicology Research Council of SERC, was the prone zones. Dr Kalyanaraman Research Centre), Lucknow, Chief Guest on the occasion. Dr emphasized the need for adopting organized the Dr C.R. Krishna Kalyanaraman delivered the Sixth performance-based structural Murti Memorial Oration on 5 Prof. G.S. Ramaswamy Memorial designs. June 2008, in memory of Dr C.R. Lecture on ‘Recent Studies on Earlier, Dr N. Lakshmanan, Krishna Murti, a well known Cold-Formed Steel Structures’. In Director, SERC, while welcoming biochemist and environmental his lecture, he pointed out that the distinguished gathering, scientist of India and Director of cold-roll forming of steel provided mentioned that SERC has been IITR during 1978-83. Prof Harsh it flexibility so that it could take on among the excellent performing Gupta, a renowned geophysicist, any shape and thus was amenable laboratories of the CSIR system for former Director, National to function as different types of many years now. He felt justifiable Geophysical Research Institute structural members. However, the pride in mentioning that SERC was (NGRI), Hyderabad and load behaviour of these members, a most sought-after R&D Centre by presently Raja Ramanna Fellow particularly the buckling of steel the structural engineering industry at the same institute, delivered members, has been a subject of in the country for high quality the oration entitled ‘India’s intense study by many researchers research and consultancy services. Initiative in Mitigation of all over the globe for several The laboratory’s performance, as Tsunamis and Storm Surges’. decades. The complexity of load far as publication of research papers Prof Gupta said that the behaviour involves local buckling, in international journals of repute population of south-east coastal distortional buckling, overall is concerned, has been on the up- areas of India is victim of both buckling, and a combination of all trend. The Director exhorted the storm surges and tsunamis, and these modes. scientists to achieve further laurels their mitigation has several Dr Kalyanaraman presented a in that direction. commonalities in terms of brief review of the existing Codal On the occasion, 20 members observational network, database Provisions of the Euro Code, the of staff of SERC were honoured on bathymetry and coastal American Iron and Steel Institute with Certificates of Appreciation topography, data communication, Code, the German Codes and the and Cash Incentive awards for their dissemination of warnings, Australian Code. From a contributions to Business training and education, and comparison of available Code Development of SERC during operational practices. It is, procedures with experimental data, 2007-08. Mementos were given to therefore, prudent and cost he showed that there were large those staff members who had made effective to address them deviations between theory and contributions at different stages of together. Accordingly, it was experiments. Once we employ the the establishment and planned to develop an integrated Direct Strength Method, he commissioning of the Advanced mitigation system for the showed that there was very good Seismic Testing and Research Lab oceanogenic disasters such as agreement between predicted at SERC during 2007.

30 OCTOBER 2008 321 Lectures

tsunamis and storm surges in the northern part of the Indian Ocean region with the ultimate India in the Exciting Space Frontier goal to save lives and property. Prof. Gupta explained that the design of the A.V. Rama Rao Technology Award system is based on end-to-end principle, involving Mean real-time estimate of earthquake Lecture by parameters; Assessment whether a tsunami has indeed been generated through deployment of Prof. U. R. Rao ocean bottom pressure sensors and tide gauges; Numerical modeling for tsunami and storm he Indian Institute of Chemical Technology surges with all associated data inputs; T(IICT), Hyderabad, celebrated this year’s National Generation of coastal inundation and Technology Day by arranging the A.V. Rama Rao Technol- vulnerability maps; Development of Tsunami ogy Award Lecture by Prof. U. R. Rao, Former Chairman, Warning Centre at INCOIS, Hyderabad and Space Commission and ex- Secretary, Department of Space, its operation on 24 x 7 basis for generation of Government of India. Prof. Rao spoke on “India in the excit- timely advisories for implementation, and ing space frontier”. Capacity building, education, and training for all stakeholders. A former faculty member of MIT, USA and a disciple of late Prof. Vikram Sarabhai, Prof. Rao talked about the Space He informed that the planning of the project started in January 2005. All the details were research in India and Chandrayaan, India’s ambitious Moon worked out by March 2005 and it was estimated mission and said that India could hopefully send manned that it would be operational by September 2007. missions to the Moon in the next 6 to 7 years. He further He proudly mentioned that the deadline was explained that using the present space technology, India met successfully and the system was validated could achieve green revolution as well as monitor the cli- during the occurrence of the tsunamigenic mate, environment and biodiversity. Space technology would earthquake on 12 and 13 September 2007. Today, be handy for the country’s energy security and water man- this is the best system operating anywhere in agement and crop yields can be monitored in addition to the world. The project was implemented by authentic surveys of land and oceans for minerals and other the Department of Ocean Development (now natural resources. Earth observations was the need of the Ministry of Earth Sciences) through its hour in order to monitor the climate and changing institutions, with active participation from Department of Science and Technology, biodiversity, Prof. Rao emphasized. Department of Space, Council of Scientific and Earlier, Dr J.S. Yadav, Director, IICT, highlighted the Industrial Research, and University significance of the National Technology Day and stated that departments. IICT has been observing this day every year by inviting a Dr C.R. Krishna Murti Memorial Oration reputed scientist / technologist to deliver a lecture. Dr has been delivered earlier by eminent A.C. Kunwar, Director-Grade Scientist, introduced the personalities like Prof. A.K. Tyagi (2007), Prof speaker to the gathering. After the lecture, Prof. Rao was N.K. Ganguly (2006), Prof. Mohan K. Raizada felicitated with the A.V. Rama Rao Technology Award which (2005), Dr Dinakar M. Salunke (2004), Prof. carries a cash award of Rs. one lakh and a citation. This Samir K. Brahmachari (2003), Dr Kanury V.S. award was instituted in honour of Dr A. V. Rama Rao, former Rao (2002), Prof Rajendra Prasad (2001), Dr Director of IICT and is conferred on an eminent scientist/ Maharaj K. Sahib (2000), Prof. R.K. technologist who has immensely contributed to national Maheshwari (1999), Prof. Asis K. Dutta (1998) goals. and Prof. S.S. Agarwal (1997).

322 CSIR NEWS Honours & Awards

Young Scientist Award to Prashant Barve gets CIMAP Scientist 2003 VASVIK Award for 2003

Shri Barve receiving the VASVIK Award at the hands of Dr Suaib Luqman Scientist CIMAP receiving Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Also seen (on the right ) is Dr Mohan I. Patel, the Young Scientist Award Chairman, Board of Directors, VASVIK Foundation

r Suaib Luqman, Scientist, Central hri Prashant P. Barve, Head, Process Development D Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Sand Engineering Group at the National Chemical Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow, has been given Laboratory (NCL), Pune, has been awarded the 2003 the Young Scientist Award for the year 2005- VASVIK Award for his contribution to Chemical Sciences 2006 of the Council of Science and and Technology. Shri Barve during the last few years Technology, Government of Uttar Pradesh has developed many novel and efficient processes for in a Science Award function held recently important fine and bulk chemicals, which are either at the Scientific Convention Centre, exported or produced by only a handful companies around Lucknow. the world. Dr Suaib did his Bachelor’s degree in Shri Barve and his team have developed a novel Biology from Ewing Christian College, process to make ATBS (acrylamido tertiary-butyl University of Allahabad (1995), Master’s sulfonic acid), a specialty monomer used as co-monomer degree in Biochemistry (1997) and Doctor in polymerization processes. The process protected by of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Science from patents, was further scaled-up to a kg level. A continuous the University of Allahabad (2003). Dr Suaib process was also developed. Both the processes were is working in the area of bioactivity transferred to Vinati Organics Ltd (VOL), Mumbai, for prospection and molecular aspects of commercial implementation. This is the first Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) at manufacturing plant for ATBS in India. NCL team led the Genetic Resources and Biotechnology by Shri Barve provided commissioning assistance and Division of CIMAP. His interest involves training of technical and analytical staff. molecular targets and biotransformation of This technology was earlier selected for CSIR active ingredients and secondary Technology Award for the year of 2005. The award was metabolites present in the medicinal and presented to Shri Barve at the hands of the former aromatic plants that have high potential to President of India, Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam on 16 August be used as a novel drug. 2008. The award carries a cash prize and a citation.

30 OCTOBER 2008 323 Honours & Awards

Dr P.S. Ahuja receives 2005 VASVIK Award for 2005

r Paramvir Singh Ahuja, towards tissue culture DDirector, Institute of propagation of some Rare Himalayan Bioresource Endangered and Threatened Technology (IHBT), Palampur, species of alpine Himalayas. has been awarded the VASVIK Dr Ahuja took over as IHBT Award for 2005 for his research Director on 13 April 1998. After contribution to Agricultural taking over as Director, Dr Sciences & Technology. Dr Ahuja transformed IHBT from Ahuja received the award from a tea research institute to a Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, former world class institute doing President of India, on 16 August frontier research on plant 2008 in Mumbai. These Awards sciences. Under his leadership are given by Vividhlaxi Audyogik the institute developed a focused Samshodhan Vikas Kendra, a mandate on sustainable non-profit, non-government Dr P.S. Ahuja receiving the 2005 VASVIK Award at the utilization of bioresource and organization established in 1973 hands of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam biodiversity conservation. He and run by the owners of the strengthened the basic Patel Extrusion Group. regeneration and that the research facilities and opened new From early years, Dr Ahuja has regenerants were somaclonal fronts particularly in the area of exhibited scholarly aptitude. He variation comprising aneuploids. plant genomics, proteomics, received National Merit He visited Canada and USA for post metabolomics and nanobiology. He scholarship for B.Sc. (Agri.) and doctorate work under Visiting developed mapping facility Junior Research Fellowship for Scientists Fellowships from integrated with GIS platform which M.Sc. (Agri.). His work led to the respective countries. Returning to resulted in creating species specific identification of two important Lr India Dr Ahuja joined as Scientist maps of economically important genes which were later ‘C’ in CIMAP, Lucknow and headed plants of H.P. supported with ground recommended for development in Division of Plant Tissue Culture. truthing. He strengthened work on multiple breeding programme by He developed infrastructure and a natural plant products. He co-ordinates the ICAR’s All India Co-ordinated research agenda. His work resulted a prestigious Tea Network Programme on Wheat. He received in development and release of the programme and is playing a pivotal Common Wealth Fellowship for first somaclonal variety CIMAP Bio role in characterization of the Ph.D. and carried out doctorate 13 of Cymbopogon winterianus in National Tea Germplasm. work under famous scientist Prof. India. He also carried out Dr Ahuja is also holding the E.C. Cocking from Nottingham commendable work on somatic additional charge as Director, University in 1983. He, for the first hybridization in tropane alkaloid Central Institute of Medicinal & time, established that cell bearing plants wherein 4 somatic Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, since suspension from leaf base callus hybrids were developed. 1 July 2008. were capable of whole plant Significantly, he also contributed

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