ISSN 0409-7467 CCSIRSIR NEWSNEWS Progress, Promise and Prospects

VOL 60 NO 21 & 22 NOVEMBER 2010 Distribution Ceremony of Shanti Swarup CONTENTS Bhatnagar Prizes and CSIR Award for S&T Innovations Address by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, for Rural Dr Manmohan Singh Development

Welcome Address by Prof. Samir. K. Brahmachari, Director General, CSIR

Address by Shri Prithviraj Chavan, the then Hon’ble Minister of State (IC) for S &T

CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development – 2009

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes for Science & Technology—2009

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes for Science & Technology—2010

CSIR, India and UNIK, Malaysia Sign Agreement for R&D Collaboration

website: http://www.csir.res.in PRIZE DISTRIBUTION CEREMONY

The Honíble Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh, Presents Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes 2009 and 2010, and CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development 2009

Seen on the dais during the CSIR Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize Distribution Function at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi (from left) are: Prof. Samir. K. Brahmachari, Director General, CSIR; the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and President CSIR, Dr Manmohan Singh and Shri Prithviraj Chavan, the then Hon’ble Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences and Vice President, CSIR

The Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh, who is also the President of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, gave away the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes 2009 and 2010, and the CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development 2009 at a glittering Function held at Vigyan Bhawan on 20 October 2010. Shri Prithviraj Chavan, the then Hon’ble Minister of State for Science & Technology (Independent Charge) and Earth Sciences and the Vice President of CSIR presided over the Function, which was attended by a galaxy of scientists, technocrats and media personnel. Prof. Samir K. Brahmachari, Director General, CSIR, extended a warm welcome to eminent personalities, the Prize-winners and their families, the distinguished invitees and the CSIR family.

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Welcome Address by Prof. Samir. K. Brahmachari, Director General, CSIR

The Hon’ble Prime Minister and They represent the best of our science. President, CSIR Society, Dr. Manmohan It is very apt that they will henceforth Singh, Hon’ble Shri Prithviraj Chavan, be called “Bhatnagar Awardees”, an Minister for S&T and Vice President, Award named after a great Indian CSIR Society, Awardees and their scientist, Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, families, invited guests, CSIR staff, who laid the foundation of a great Ladies and Gentlemen. I extend you all institution, the CSIR and was also a very warm welcome to the Bhatnagar instrumental in the setting-up and growth Prize and CSIR Awards for S&T of many others, including Atomic Innovations for Rural Development Energy. distribution ceremony and thank you for CSIR Award for S&T Innovations DG CSIR, Prof. Samir. K. Brahmachari joining us on this special occasion. for Rural Development instituted in the delivering the Welcome Address The Hon’ble Prime Minister, Sir, year 2006 seeks to recognize those your presence today is very special as it contributions, which bring in an Planetary and Atmospheric sciences. maintains a legacy, a faith of the one at innovation-centric, technology-driven Yet the bar of performance is no barrier the highest echelon of the governance change for the betterment of our rural for those who give their best. in us. For the past more than 10 years, population. It is an Award, which is Today, we have also achieved a these Awards are being conferred by complementary to CSIR’s flagship landmark. Of all the 14 women the Prime Minister of India, confirming programme, CSIR-800. scientists, who are recipients of this for us your commitment and priority the Sir, Bhatnagar Prizes were instituted prestigious Award since 1956, 30 per Government accords to the importance in 1956 and were first given in 1958. So cent are being honoured today. It is a of Science, Technology and Innovation. far, 463 proud Indians have got it, very positive reflection of more and Thank you, Sir. including the ones getting today of which more women adopting science as a Science system in India, generically 14 are women. The Awards are given career. This trend is quite visible in the speaking, represented by Departments to scientists, below 45 years of age, young girl engineers who have joined in of Atomic Energy, Biotechnology, working in India in one of the seven 2009 and 2010 CSIR’s most innovative Space, Science & Technology, Scientific science areas, namely Chemical, programme, the Post-Graduate and Industrial research, Earth Sciences Biological, Physical, Medical, Research Programme in Engineering and others couldn’t have been better Mathematical, Engineering and Earth, (PGRPE). It is a programme meant to blessed than to have Shri Prithviraj Ocean, Planetary and Atmospheric prepare engineer researchers, like our Chavanji as our Minister, himself an sciences. own Minister, whom we need to further engineer researcher. He understands Sir, when I said that these awardees strengthen the manufacturing base of our the system well and has deep empathy represent the best of our science for nation. for the researchers working in it. We these years, this is a confirmation of the It is also symbolic of the rising owe him a gratitude for his inspiring stringent, transparent and globally women power in India as has been leadership. equitable selection criteria followed by proven by our women athletes in the Sir, we are honoring today 20 young the selection panels. It is for this reason recent Commonwealth Games. Sir, I, Indians, and a ‘company’ who have alone that for the year 2010, no scientist representing the scientists of India, made a difference to the path of science has been recommended for the areas thank you and the Hon’ble Minister for and innovation, which they are pursuing. of Mathematical and Earth, Ocean, creating enabling policies and systems.

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PRIME MINISTER’S ADDRESS

develop an Indian model of innovations being a resource rich land, taking for private enterprise partner public S&T that will go beyond formal R&D based granted the limitless bounty of mother institutions in their translation and systems. It will focus on creating an Nature. In fact, the reality is that as a transformational efforts. Let them join appropriate ecosystem conducive to nation we are not well endowed with hands with our public institutions in fostering innovation across diverse natural resources when measured on creating new manufacturing strategies sectors of our economy. It will use a per capita basis. We should, for both strategic and non-strategic enabling technologies to develop not therefore, inculcate the traditional applications. Let there be publicly only new products, new processes and values of thrift embedded in our culture owned and privately operated world- new services but also improve existing and our civilization and saving in the class R&D facilities. production and delivery systems. The use of our scarce natural resources. In this context, I congratulate the Council will identify policy changes Scientific innovation should be Indian Oil Corporation’s R&D Centre that may be required to spur and harnessed to the needs for at Faridabad for developing an promote the cause of innovation. conservation. We have to extract environment-friendly, non-toxic, While encouraging all important “more from less”. We have to be able biodegradable “agrospray oil” to sectors of our economy to innovate, it to develop technologies that create control plant pests. The Centre, will make special efforts to facilitate “wealth from waste”, thereby tackling therefore, richly deserves the “CSIR innovation in the micro, small and the depletion and degradation of our Award for S&T Innovations for Rural medium enterprises sector and in the environment while conserving our rich Development” for the year 2009. delivery of public services. biodiversity and finite resources. I In conclusion, I wish to say that In this context, I am happy that believe that Institutions like the CSIR we are in a period of transition in Indian emphasis of research is on problems have to play a catalytic role in this science. There is a huge expansion in facing our rural sector and this has area. our higher education infrastructure. It received recognition from the CSIR. I Our government is establishing an is in these new institutions that we have commend this initiative of the CSIR Academy of Scientific and Innovative to sow seeds of a new work ethics, a wholeheartedly. Innovation is a key to Research, which will use the new work culture, a new orientation solving the critical challenges our infrastructure of the CSIR to impart and a bold new vision of where Indian nation faces in providing food, water cutting-edge research training in science can be and should be in the and energy security for our people. In frontier areas of science and next few decades. We have to build India we have lived with the idea of engineering that are not ordinarily infrastructural assets but also taught elsewhere. knowledge bases. We need to If we are to give generate knowledge but also know meaning to our how to put to good use. We need to search for new encourage individual excellence but frontiers in Indian also solid teamwork. I am very Science, then a optimistic about the future of our much larger country and the future of science in participation of the our country. I am confident that the private sector is spark I see in many of the young faces also essential. We in front of me will power the engine of have to leverage Indian science powerfully in this 21st the private sector’s century. With these words, I once again strengths by congratulate all the distinguished The Hon’ble Minister Shri Prithviraj Chavan, presenting a shawl to the Hon’ble creating high awardees and I wish them still greater Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at the SSB Prize Distribution Function. impact success in the service of the people of DG CSIR is also seen in the picture collaborations. Let our great country.

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ADDRESS OF MINISTER FOR S&T AND EARTH SCIENCES that about 100 industrial partners at Kalyani and Nano It is time we bring in a new S&T of CSIR would be showcasing Science and Technology Institute Policy for the country. Globally, their products and services based at Mohali, are some of the science and technology now on CSIR’s knowledgebase in CSIR initiatives which aims at preparing operate in a large overarching Technofest being organized as a specialist manpower of tomorrow. domain where the boundary lines part of India International Trade These are unique endeavours as between , chemistry, Fair 2010 in November this year. they recognize the talented and energy, IT, nanotechnologies, It indeed would be a glorious offer remuneration and facilities materials, etc. have all blurred tribute to CSIR’s 68 years of at par internationally. I am proud thereby leading to a multi- service to the cause of the nation. to say that my Ministry cares for disciplinary convergence. This Setting up of Academy of students and researchers in should indeed be the take off point Scientific and Innovative Research academia, industry and government for our XII plan blueprint for is a quantum leap by CSIR into institutions. For us they represent science and technology sector. knowledge space. Sir, not only this the intertwined Triple helix to Investment in science and Academy would offer most progress. technology is an investment for thoughtful, innovation driven and Sir, While setting the XIth our future. I am happy to know that industrially relevant curricula but Plan’s inclusive growth agenda for CSIR is going to address this need would have the best of faculty that the country, we had envisioned to through a soon to be unveiled is the practicing scientists of CSIR spend 2 percent of our GDP on long-term policy document,” system. I convey our gratitude to R&D funding, but we have been CSIR Vision 2022” you, Sir, for making it possible for able to reach only about 0.9% with In extending you all a welcome us. We have already given a soft private sector contributing about again, I am tempted to quote from launch to the Academy. one fourth of it. This needs to be Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Sir, it gives me great pleasure seriously looked at. Although we Bhatnagar Awards 2008 speech and pride that ever since our have set up many new institutions wherein he exhorted the then government coming in power, the and clusters under Department of Awardees, by saying: Ministry of Science and Science and Technology, “Even as we applaud these Technology has given a big thrust Biotechnology, Space, Atomic achievements, we have to address to promoting science, technology Energy; launched several ourselves as a nation to the and innovation driven schemes. We manpower development schemes larger challenge before us. How have set up several new institutions like INSPIRE, Nehru Fellowship can science, industry and and clusters, primarily to give our and Post-graduate Research government work as one efficient country a head start in its Programme in Engineering and integrated machine to translational efforts leading to (PGRPE); created funding deliver to the people the benefits utilization of laboratory generated mechanisms like Science and of these scientific and know-how to industrial processes. Engineering Research Board technological advances?” This National Agri-Food Biotechnology (SERB), Wellcome Trust-DBT call remains equally true for those (NABI) at Mohali, Translational India Alliance and Promotion of receiving the Awards today, and Health Science and Technology University Research and Scientific all of us. Let’s live up to his Institute (THSTI) at Faridabad, Excellence (PURSE); yet the XIth and nation’s expectations. Thank you National Institute of Biomedical Plan target is far off. all.

NOVEMBER 2010 247 AWARD FOR S&T INNOVATIONS FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT

CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development ñ 2009

CSIR had instituted, in 2006, the “CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development” (CAIRD) to recognize and honour outstanding S&T innovations that have helped transform the lives of rural people. The effort through this Award, in a way, is to give a boost to rural development through intrinsic innovation and implementation at ground level. The Award, which has emerged as a very prestigious one within a short period, carries a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh, a citation and a shield. CSIR Award for S&T Innovations The Award being presented by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh to for Rural Development - 2009 has been Mr. B. M Bansal Chairman, IndianOil and Dr R. K Malhotra Director (R&D), IndianOil, in the presence awarded to Indian Oil Corporation, of Shri Prithviraj Chavan, the then Minister of State (IC) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences R&D Centre, Faridabad. The Award and DG CSIR, Prof. Samir. K. Brahmachari was presented by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh one of its kind. Possessing more than conventional pesticides. It thus fits well to B. M. Bansal Chairman, Indian Oil 70% biodegradability, it meets ecomark in the present pest management Corporation and Dr R. K. Malhotra requirement of Government of India. regimen. The development of IOCL Director (R&D), Indian Oil The agrospray oil gives not only has benefited farmers extensively. Corporation. The IOCL has bagged insignificant residue in crops but also the Award for developing an preserves their freshness and nutritional environment-friendly, non-toxic, bio- value. It could help replace harmful and degradable ‘Servo Agrospray oil’ for toxic chemicals for controlling pests/ pest control in diverse agricultural insects. crops. The oil is highly effective for Introduced for the first time in India, controlling pests in agricultural crops Servo Agrospray oil is based on new such as cotton, pulses, grains, mustard, generation bio-degradable base stocks. groundnut, sugarcane, potato, tea, It fits well in integrated pest grapes, mango, apple, citrus fruits etc. management programme, reducing It is also effective in controlling certain overall pest management cost. Servo plant diseases like sigotoka in banana, Agrospray oil can be sprayed through powdery mildew and scab on apples etc. normal spraying equipments without Considerably economical and non- using safety precautions like goggles, detrimental for flora, fauna, human gloves and oxygen masks, which are health and environment, the product is normally wore for spraying of The CAIRD Shield

248 CSIR NEWS SHANTI SWARUP BHATNAGAR PRIZES

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science & Technology

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) Prize for Science and Technology was 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. Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) working in India are also eligible. 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 • Chemical Sciences • Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Sciences • Engineering Sciences • Mathematical Sciences • Medical Sciences • Physical Sciences SSB Awardees are also entitled to a special honorarium of Rs.15000/- (Rupees fifteen thousand only) per month, till superannuation or till the age of 65 years (whichever is earlier). Till 2010, 463 scientists have received the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology. Majority of SSB Awardees have remained in the country and contributed immensely to Indian Science & Technology. On 20 October 2010, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India presented the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes to 11 awardees for the year 2009 and 9 awardees for the year 2010.

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes 2009 CITATIONS

Biological Sciences and cell signaling. His and quantum simulations to the study of studies have provided important insights physicochemical properties of liquids. into the plasticity of signal transduction Dr mechanisms in immune cells and have Dr Narayanaswamy Jayaraman Dr Amitabh Joshi of the Jawaharlal revealed how these may be exploited for Dr Narayanaswamy Jayaraman of the Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific therapeutic purposes. Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore Research, Bangalore has made has made notable contributions toward outstanding contributions to the study of the synthesis of complex carbohydrates experimental evolution and population Chemical Sciences and evolution of novel dendritic systems. dynamics. His work has creatively explored the action of natural selection Dr Charusita Chakravarty under laboratory conditions. Dr Charusita Chakravarty of the Indian Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean Institute of Technology, Delhi has made & Planetary Sciences Dr significant contributions in the Dr Bhaskar Saha of the National Centre development of path integral methods for Dr S K Satheesh for Cell Science, has made studying quantum effects in chemical Dr S. K. Satheesh of the Indian Institute outstanding contributions in the area of systems, and for applications of classical of Science, Bangalore has made

NOVEMBER 2010 249 SHANTI SWARUP BHATNAGAR PRIZES outstanding contributions to the study of Mathematical Sciences multimodal management of orbital atmospheric aerosols and their retinoblastoma have been recognized implications to climate. worldwide. Dr Venapally Suresh Dr Venapally Suresh of the University Engineering Sciences of Hyderabad, Hyderabad has made Physical Sciences outstanding contributions in the algebraic Dr theory of quadratic forms and the study Dr Dr Giridhar Madras of the Indian of division algebras. Dr Rajesh Gopakumar of the Harish- Institute of Science, Bangalore has Chandra Research Institute, Allahabad made significant and fundamental Medical Sciences has made fundamental contributions to contributions to understanding and the understanding of string theory, development of novel means of Dr Santosh Gajanan Honavar quantum field theory and mathematics. degradation of polymers. Dr Santosh Gajanan Honavar of the LV His work provides deep and new insights Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad has into the relation between gauge theory Dr Jayant Ramaswamy Haritsa made seminal contributions to the and gravity. Dr Jayant Ramaswamy Haritsa of the management of advanced Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore retinoblastoma with dramatically Dr has made outstanding contributions to the improved patient survival, eye salvage, Dr Abhishek Dhar of the Raman theory, design and analysis of database and visual recovery. His work on high- Research Institute, Bangalore has got engines, spanning across both dose chemotherapy and periocular insightful as well as rigorous results in transaction-processing and decision- chemotherapy for advanced intraocular classical and quantum transport in low support environments. retinoblastoma, adjuvant therapy to dimensional systems and has made minimize the risk of metastasis in seminal contributions to non-equilibrium patients with high-risk features, and fluctuation theorems.

The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize winners (year 2009) with the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, the then Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Shri Prithviraj Chavan, and Director General CSIR, Prof. Samir. K. Brahmachari

250 CSIR NEWS SHANTI SWARUP BHATNAGAR PRIZES

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes 2010 CITATIONS

Biological Sciences Chemical Sciences Institute of Science, Bangalore has made outstanding contributions in developing new theories and design Dr Dr Sandeep Verma techniques in the emerging field of Dr Sanjeev Galande of the National Dr Sandeep Verma of the Indian compliant micromechanisms, as well Centre for Cell Science, Pune has made Institute of Technology, Kanpur has as made innovative inter-disciplinary outstanding contribution to the made significant contribution toward contributions in bio-design. understanding of how dynamic changes enzymes through metal mediated in higher-order chromatin architecture systems and studied ordered peptide Dr Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay lead to spatiotemporal changes in gene assemblies. expression. In particular his work has Dr Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay of provided important insights into the role Dr Swapan K Pati the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata of the in T-cell Dr Swapan K Pati of the Jawaharlal has made pioneering contributions to development and differentiation. Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific the theory and algorithms in Research, Bangalore has made evolutionary computation, pattern Dr significant contributions to understand recognition and . Her Dr Shubha Tole of the Tata Institute of novel electronic, optical and magnetic computational studies on miRNAs Fundamental Research, Mumbai has phenomena in molecular systems. and their involvement in cancer made fundamental contributions to our provide deeper insight into the understanding of brain development in Engineering Sciences functioning of these bio-molecules, identifying the mechanisms that control critical for developing new lines of the formation of hippocampus, which Dr G K Ananthasuresh therapy. controls learning and memory. Dr G. K. Ananthasuresh of the Indian

The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize winners (year 2010) with the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, the then Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Shri Prithviraj Chavan, and Director General CSIR, Prof. Samir. K. Brahmachari

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Medical Sciences CSIR, India and UNIK, Malaysia Dr Mitali Mukerji Sign Agreement for Dr Mitali Mukerji of the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR), Research and Development Collaboration Delhi has made outstanding contributions to genomics, particularly in deciphering the genomic underpinnings of some important neurological disorders. She has also provided leadership and important insights into the genomic diversity of the people of India, with profound implications on disease-association studies. She has pioneered integration of Ayurveda and Genomics.

Physical Sciences

Dr Dr Kalobaran Maiti of the Tata Institute of The High Commissioner of India to Malaysia, Shri Vijay Gokhale and the Malaysian Chief Executive Fundamental Research, Mumbai has made Officer, Special Innovation Unit of the Prime Minister’s Office, Y. Bhg Dato’ Dr. Kamal Jit Singh signing outstanding contributions in the field of very the Agreement between Special Innovation Unit (UNIK) and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research of India (CSIR), on Research and Development Collaboration, in the presence of the Prime Minister, high resolution photoelectron spectroscopy in Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Abdul Razak, at understanding the physics of metal-insulator Putrajaya, the Prime Minister Office, in Malaysia on 27 October 2010 transition, charge density wave and Kondo systems. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Special Innovation Unit, Unit Innovasi Khas (UNIK) of Prime Minister’s Dr Umesh Vasudeo Waghmare Department of Malaysia signed an Agreement on Research and Dr Umesh Vasudeo Waghmare of the Development Collaboration during the visit of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Dr. Manmohan Singh to Malaysia on 27 October 2010, to increase Scientific Research, Bangalore has made cooperation in research, development innovation and commercialization outstanding contributions in developing ab- of technology. initio methods and using microscopic models The Agreement envisages establishment of a Joint Innovation that capture the spirit of soft modes, Accelerator Centre in Malaysia to carry out research on areas of mutual magnetism, defects & chemical disorder in interest such as green technology, water treatment, medicinal and aromatic materials in understanding key properties of plants and also includes other innovative technologies. It also encourages bulk and nano scale materials. transfer of knowledge; exchange of experts, scientists and researchers; production of joint reports of publications; and study visits relating to the Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean & projects and programme to be undertaken by the Joint Innovation Planetary Sciences Accelerator Centre. Both CSIR and UNIK will also explore and develop the use of herbs, plants, flowers and fruits for medicinal and aromatic No Award purposes by way of extraction tech-niques, processes and methodologies. Mathematical Sciences In pursuance of the above Collaboration Agreement signed between Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India and Unit No Award

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Innovasi Khas (UNIK), A Towering Success of CSIR the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Terafil for the Thirsty Plants (CIMAP), a national laboratory of Dr. P. Cheena Chawla CSIR, Monash University Sunway Campus, Water — the elixir of life — is abundant on by the name Malaysia and UNIK, our planet but alas, access to safe drinking Terafil Malaysia signed a water is a major challenge faced by most magically partnership (tripartite) developing countries including India. About cleans impure, agreement for the 800 million people that represent the face of turbid water establishment of a Joint rural India are severely prone to water-borne into sparkling Innovation Accelerator in diseases, primarily diarrhoea in children. Sure, drinking water. Malaysia for prospecting it is the lack of adequate drinking water — This filter has the natural flora; to the basic requirement for survival — that astounding explore and to develop poses a major health burden on our people. ability to the use of plants and its No doubt, one of the UN Millennium remove parts for medicinal and Development Goals (MDGs) is reducing to sediments, aromatic purposes by half, by year 2015, the proportion of people suspended way of extraction without sustainable access to safe drinking particles, iron techniques, processes and water and adequate sanitation. and harmful products; for the It is a heartening fact that today CSIR microorganisms exchange of experts, stands strong with an indigenously developed from contami- scientists and researchers technology, which amply suits the needs of nated water. Model of domestic Terafil and other programmes people in rural areas who use water from both The credit that shall be of mutual surface and ground water sources like dug for this benefit of all the partners. wells, ponds, tube wells and rivers for drinking innovative achievement goes to Dr. Surendra Prof. , purpose. One simply needs to ‘see’ to Khuntia and his team at the Design & Rural Director, CIMAP signed ‘believe’ it, for how such a low cost device Technology Department, Institute of the agreement on behalf Minerals & Materials Technology (IMMT), of CIMAP. Bhubaneswar, who strived for three long UNIK has been set years and came up in 1998 with this simple up in 2010 in the Prime yet efficient water filtration technology. CSIR Minister’s Department to scientists, led by Dr Khuntia, arduously enable it emerge as an perfected the porous media for filtering water important focal point for by changing the proportion of the raw innovation in the country. material – ordinary pottery clay, sand and CSIR, a premier scientific wood saw dust – and firing temperature and industrial research through hundreds of experiments, and thus organization in India, the protocol was finally standardized. This would share its technology was first demonstrated in an All knowledge and expertise India Science Exhibition in 1997 held at for mutual benefit. Community Terafil serves the drinking water needs of a large population Gangtok. In the same year, a micro-pottery

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pressure of water over the Terafil disc. The pores inside the Terafil disc, therefore, work like micro-reservoirs of filtered water. The opening of the capillaries are, however, too small for the impurities to enter into the capillaries, which is why such impurities, comprising suspended particles and microbes, get Making of Terafil discs — deposited on the top of Terafil disc as The innovative water filter designed by CSIR scientists water is filtered through it. It is for this reason that the core of Terafil disc is cottage industry, M/S Modern Pottery particles are sintered around the sand never clogged unlike the ceramic candle Industry, Bhubaneswar joined hands particles leaving large elliptical/circular filters that are in vogue in most currently with CSIR for developing the mass pores in between. available filters. production process of Terafil discs. If Terafil is over sintered, then the The water filtered through Terafil With its filtration discs being size of the pores is reduced. Thus, is thus free from turbidity, colour, bad prepared under license and training from proper sintering of Terafil is important odour while the process also effectively IMMT, Terafil is gaining widespread for obtaining the required thickness of removes microorganisms, soluble iron popularity, and is already being used by membrane as well as the shape of pores, and heavy metals from raw water. thousands of households in the States which defines the strength of the filter. Terafil also removes fluoride, chromium, of Orissa, Karnataka and Meghalaya. These pores are not connected with nickel, cobalt, lead, and chloride from Technically, Terafil disc is formed each other, unlike that in white ceramic raw water. All these impurities get from a mixture of red clay (silt clay/ filter candles, but are separated by semi- precipitated on the top surface of terracotta), river sand and wood saw permeable, thin clay walls of 50-100 Terafil, which can be periodically dust without using any chemicals. The micron thickness. These clay walls removed by cleaning the filter disc. Thus dough of the mixture, in specific contain several ultra-fine capillary regular cleaning of the top surface of proportion, is sintered at high openings. The average diameter of the Terafil is important as over a period of temperature in a low cost coal/wood capillary openings is sub-micron in size. time the collected impurities may clog fired furnace to make the disc structure During the filtration process, water the outer surface of Terafil, thereby porous. During sintering process, the flows from one pore to another pore reducing the flow rate of filtered water. wood particles are burnt and clay through the capillary openings due to Besides, the rate of filtration is also dependant upon the turbidity and pressure of raw water as well as the diameter of Terafil disc inside the filter. The outer surface of Terafil, therefore, needs to be scrubbed, once a week or as and when required, with a soft nylon brush or coir to remove the sedimented impurities to open new pores for facilitating the filtration process. Although the thickness of Terafil may slightly reduce by scrubbing its top surface, the quality of water filtered by Large scale production of Terafil filters in progress it does not change for about five years.

254 CSIR NEWS R&D HIGHLIGHTS

As the pH of filtered water is also improved, Terafil water filter is CSIR 800 well suitable for treatment of both surface and ground water with For Equitable and Inclusive Growth affordable cost and without significant maintenance for a long period. CSIR-800 is a revolutionary initiative of CSIR linked The circular, disc shape of Terafil filter is more preferable to the socio-economic prosperity of 800 million due to its high strength, long operational life and for easy people who are at the ‘bottom of the pyramid of maintenance, besides being simple to produce and fix with the life’. It is envisaged that with proper utilization of container. The Terafil discs in both domestic or community filters CSIR technologies, through a network of activists/ are easy to dismantle/reassemble. Generally Terafil discs of 50 NGOs, there could be rapid transformation of rural mm thickness and 100 & 220 mm diameter are produced to obtain India ensuring equitable and inclusive growth of the maximum benefits. deprived masses. Domestic Terafil water filter is available in 20 and 30 liter The technology for producing Terafil water filter sizes with 1 to 4 litre/hr rate of filtration. The cost comes to just is undoubtedly novel yet simple and, therefore, can Rs.2/- per ton of filtered water. Domestic Terafil water filters are be manufactured anywhere by small and micro- normally made with chambers made from food grade plastic. For entrepreneurs, without any prerequisite conditions. installing community Terafil water filters, space required is 1 to All what is required is the easy availability of its raw 300 square meters for filters of 1,000 to 1,00,000 litres/day materials, namely, red clay (clay used by potters), capacities. The chambers of Terafil filters, for community use, river sand and wood saw dust. The production unit are usually cemented structures where filtration and collection of requires one 5 hp Atta Chaki (Pulverizer) for filtered water occurs. Besides, electricity is not required for grinding red clay, manual/motorized sieves, mixing operation of the Terafil water filters. On-line pressure Terafil machine, hand tools for moulding green Terafil, RCC filter with capacity of 60 to 10,000 litres/day have also been platforms (60 ft × 40 ft) for sun drying of Terafil, developed. coal/wood fired pottery kiln for sintering of Terafil, IMMT, Bhubaneswar had distributed 1000 sets of Terafil water filters to the victims of cyclone in affected areas of Orissa during and a shed of 30ft × 20ft size. A three phase 5 KW power is required for operations of the machines. November 1999 to March 2000 for evaluation of the performance of these filters. Different Govt. departments, NGOs, International Manpower, without any specific expertise, can be organizations like UNICEF and OXFAM have distributed about easily trained for producing Terafil water filtration 30,000 sets of water filter in rural areas of Orissa. These filters discs. There is a minimal technology fee for licensing are being installed in schools, community centers and villages in the manufacture of Terafil discs. Orissa by Rural Development (RD) Department, Govt. of Orissa. The traditional artisans can be trained to produce Such efforts are being replicated in other States as well, under Terafil water filters, in place of water pitchers in rural Central Govt. Schemes like Bharat Nirman Yojana and Jalmani areas of the country. The marketing of Terafil water (a Ministry of Rural Development scheme for Installation of Stand filters can be carried out by the artisans themselves, Alone Drinking Water Purification Systems in Rural India). just as water pitchers and other domestic earthen Meanwhile, CSIR scientists are working to develop more items are sold. The cost of complete set of Terafil advanced versions of Terafil discs that have nano-silver water filter with clay containers is about impregnated into them for complete removal of microorganisms Rs.200/-. from raw water. Sure then, there is a bright ray of hope that as For further information, please contact: Director/Dr S. Khuntia, Terafil filter goes places touching the lives of common masses, it Head, Design & Rural Technology, Institute of Minerals and could emerge as the most promising solution to providing sustainable Materials Technology (IMMT), P.O. RRL, Bhubaneswar – drinking water to our people. 751013, India; Tel (off): 0674 2581635-39, (Ext.-522 & 307); Fax: 0674 2581637, 2581160; E-mail: [email protected], (Technical Inputs & Photo courtesy: Dr. S. Khuntia, Head, Design & Rural [email protected], [email protected] Technology Department, IIMT, Bhubneswar)

NOVEMBER 2010 255 TRAINING PROGRAMMES

HRDC Conducts Entrepreneurship Development Programme

Recognizing that promoting science and In order to sensitize and train the enterprise, Innovators vs Entrepreneurs engineering based enterprise and entre- scientific and technical manpower of vs Managers and Intrapreneurship etc. preneurship is the future challenge for CSIR in subtle nuances associated with During the Programme, a number Indian R&D institutes, the Government entrepreneurship, HRDC in association of first generation entrepreneurs were approved, in the year 2009, DSIR/ with a leading business school of New invited to share their experiences with CSIR’s scheme on “Encouraging De- Delhi organized a six-day Training the participants. This interaction acted velopment and Commercialization of Programme on “Entrepreneurship as a stimulus for the participants who Inventions and Innovations”. This Development” from 26-31 July 2010. wanted to move into the marketplace and scheme provides budding scientist en- The Programme focused not only commercialize their research output. A trepreneurs ways and means to unleash on familiarizing and orientating the visit to ‘SAMTEL’ a high tech industry their entrepreneurial skills. It not only participants on a range of issues relating was also arranged to demonstrate how provides the more business-savvy sci- to setting up, promoting and putting in innovation driven enterprises operate. entists a platform to move into the mar- growth trajectory the knowledge driven The Programme was well received ketplace and commercialize research businesses but also on salient provisions by all the participants suggesting orga- using the knowledge they carry with of CSIR’s Scientific Entrepreneurship nizing more of such programmes. A par- them but also encourages them to cre- Scheme. The Programme attended by ticipant Dr. B. D. Malhotra, Scientist ‘G’ ate new business/spin off companies 25 middle to senior level scientists from NPL, felt that the week spent in through the “Scientific Entrepreneur- covered diverse yet cognate topics: this programme was the best period of ship Scheme” that leverages scientific Enterprise Planning, Project Preparation, his life when learning and relaxation in research, inventions and innovation and Financing and Feasibility Analysis, HRDC’s salubrious ambience went transforms them into commercializable Venture Funding, Issues related to HR, hand in hand, a feeling echoed by many technologies/products. Marketing, Operation for a new other participants.

(Left to right) Sitting Row: A.R.R. Menon, M. Ravi, S.Y. Bodkhe, S.K. Goel, J.K. Bassin, A.S. Shawl, Naresh Kumar, Girija N.Nair, K. Sathiya Mals, Kumkum Srivastava, B.D. Malhotra, R.K. Singh, Laxman Singh Meena, Pratap K.Das, Sitendu Mandal

Standing Row: Abhitij Roy, Vinay Kumar, Neelesh Kumar, O.P. Chakraborty, Bittagopal Mondal, Pranab Samanta, Y.N. Sreerama, K. Senthil Kumaran, K. Sathiyamoorthy, Amol P. Bhondekar, J.L. Raheja, R. Ranga Rao, N.P. Yadav, Kaaran Dhar, Ankeet Bhat

256 CSIR NEWS PGRPE COURSE

Inauguration of PGRPE Course on Engineering of Flight Vehicles

CSIR has started Post-Graduate expected to join by the end of the week. implementation of this PGRPE Research Program in Engineering Dr. Biswas in his address briefed the programme and had put in great efforts (PGRPE) since last year to recruit gathering about the PGRPE courses to make it so successful. He thanked bright talents having Bachelor’s degree conducted last year with 54 students. This Dr. Biswas for his kind words about in Engineering for its various year 11 courses were offered with 110 NAL. He welcomed the six students engineering laboratories. Under this students. He emphasized the need for who had joined and explained about program this year, a course on inclusion of Mathematics as a subject to PGRPE courses being run at NAL. He ‘Engineering of Flight Vehicles’ was form a comprehensive course. He also recalled that in the previous year, NAL initiated by National Aerospace mentioned that people trained at CSIR had joined with SERC Chennai, in Laboratories and 12 students were were valued Engineers outside, and conducting a course on ‘Engineering selected as per the prescribed briefed the students that the courses they of Structures’ and nine students were procedure. The Inaugural Function to had entered related to the future of Indian attending the course at NAL. induct the new students was held on Aviation. He also brought out the Dr. A. R. Upadhya mentioned that 10 August 2010. Dr. Gautam Biswas, importance of PGRPE course stating that ‘Engineering of Flight Vehicles’ had Director, Central Mechanical the manpower trained can be deployed a wider scope and required fundamental Engineering Research Institute directly to the specific application and knowledge of all aeronautics disciplines. (CMERI) Durgapur and Chairman, explained about the importance of NAL. Compared to any other organization, PGRPE Committee was the Chief Guest. In the national context, NAL had CSIR was a technology institution Dr. Sajeer Ahmed, the Course designed, fabricated various aircrafts and leading to scientific innovations and Coordinator welcomed the Chief flight-tested them. He also lauded the role publications, R&D, and product design Guest, new students and the audience. of NAL in meteorological computing and and development. CSIR-NAL was like He thanked Dr. Biswas for accepting its contribution in strategic sector. He a microform of CSIR. He said that the the invitation at such short notice and called NAL as ‘pride of the Nation’. He present students of PGRPE had a lot to introduced the Chief Guest to the also mentioned that development of a contribute to drive the basic engine and audience. He further informed the Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA) for senior leaders can provide the support. details of the course and its importance which a one-year feasibility and definition He wished the students good luck and to the laboratory. He stated that the study has been approved with National thanked NAL colleagues involved in the course was conducted by five divisions Aerospace Laboratories as the lead programme for making PGRPE a of the laboratory namely Flight organization lead to prosperity and success. Dr M N Sathyanarayana, Joint Mechanics and Control Division enhancement of livelihood. Every Head, KTMD and Student Advisor (FMCD), Centre for Civil Aircraft technology involved under RTA could be delivered the Vote of Thanks. Design and Development (C-CADD), taken up as network project. Thus the beginning of PGRPE Experimental Aerodynamics Division Dr. A. R. Upadhya, Director, NAL course marked another major milestone (EAD), Computational and Theoretical in his remarks mentioned that he was in the history of NAL by bringing Fluid Dynamics Division (CTFD), happy that Dr. Gautam Biswas accepted academics as another activity in addition Propulsion Division (PRD); and as on the invitation to be the Chief Guest. He to research, design and development for that date six students had joined and said that Dr Biswas had been very building talents for future aerospace the remaining six students were instrumental in the design and activity of the country.

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New Incubators for Tomorrowís Leaders Convocation Address by Prof. Samir K. Brahmachari, Director General, CSIR at Kalyani University

His Excellency, Shri. M. K. Narayanan, Kalyani University. They are the ones role by Hon’ble Chancellor, Kalyani University; who have tempered the steel of youth focusing on Prof. Alok Banerjee, Vice Chancellor, and fashioned it into instruments that are rural economy Kalyani University; Shri. Utpal empowered, and entrusted, to change and the need Bhattacharya, Registrar, Kalyani the course of our nation’s destiny. To and aspirations University; Shri Nirendranath the first group, I offer my of the youth in Chakraborty; Shri. Dwijen congratulations. To the second, I give the region. Mukhopadhayay, Dean and Heads of my thanks…for they are the custodians This was a the various Departments; distinguished of a long heritage. They are, by their time that invitees; all the students graduating efforts, keeping the future of the nation witnessed today, ladies and gentlemen. I always well secured. major changes in many areas. Actually enjoy interacting with young students; Addressing the audience at a there was something magical in the air students who represent untold and Convocation ceremony always fills me in the first half of the 20th century; infinite potential. Each time I address with a tremendous excitement…a sense particularly in Bengal. It is a time that students at the Convocation ceremony, of anticipation…and hope. I am excited the world recognizes as “The Bengal as they wait to graduate, I find I cannot by what the students represent: a brand Renaissance.” Intellectual giants such shake off the image of aircrafts lining new generation of Indians educated at as Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee, Acharya up on the runway, just waiting to take- a University with a proud legacy of P.C. Ray, Sir J. C. Bose and Dr. Bidhan off. In a way, I suppose the motif is an excellence. Of course, education and Chandra Ray were at the helm of appropriate one. Just as the limitless sky training in pure and applied sciences has Universities, Centres of learning and beckons the aircraft; so too does had a flourishing tradition in India dating research institutions. Their spirit lives on, unlimited opportunity beckon the student; back over 2500 years. infusing with forward-looking vision, the especially in the “flat” world of today. Under the British rule, the higher echelons of education in India Here only talent and training matter. Universities of Bombay, Calcutta and even today. However, there are at least two major Madras were established in 1857, As I stand here addressing you, I differences between an aircraft and you, interestingly the very year that coincides cannot but help remembering what Dr. a student. There is no limit to how high with the first War of our Independence. Bidhan Chandra Roy, the spirit behind you can fly and no limit to how far you It is ironic that while the nation’s political Kalyani township, said in his can go. liberation was still many years away, Convocation Address on 15 December I am truly delighted to be here today institutions that were entrusted to grant 1956 at the University of Lucknow. To addressing an audience that is so bright education that liberates the mind, were the students, Dr. Roy said, “My young with the promise of tomorrow. In the being set up. In any case, this welcome friends, you are soldiers in the battle audience, I can see the happy faces of move was not limited to three of freedom: freedom from want, fear, the young graduates eagerly awaiting the Universities but continued even after ignorance, frustration and degrees to be conferred. I see also, the Independence, this time with renewed helplessness. By a dint of hard work quietly satisfied faces of their vigour. The Kalyani University was set for the country, rendered in a spirit teachers— the distinguished faculty of up, as you know in 1960. It plays a major of selfless service, may you march

258 CSIR NEWS CONVOCATION ADDRESS

ahead with hope and courage...If you milk as an excuse. Despite the claims think about it, the message is a timeless of multinationals that buffalo milk has Kalyani University conferred the one and one whose fervor has not been too high a fat content, India’s indigenous Honoris Causa D.Sc. degree to diminished by time. This is the hallmark baby food had excellent digestibility. DG CSIR, Prof. Samir K. of eternal truth because time is a catalyst The trend continued with the 20 hp Brahmachari at the 23rd that changes everything else. tractor, called SWARAJ that ushered in Convocation of the University The period between1900-1950 was the era of mechanized agriculture. You held on 3 September 2010. characterized by an amazing resurgence will agree that the name is redolent with in Indian Science. India, at that point of national pride. Today there are nearly time was blessed with globally one million SWARAJ tractors tilling the developing known catalysts, CSIR competent leadership. The dawn of Indian soil alongside CSIR’s next- introduced its own brand of new zeolite Independence therefore, though fraught generation Indian tractors called catalysts, named encilites, for diverse with enormous challenges, was also a SONALIKA. The new nation had many industrial processes. It created a large period marked by hope and tremendous mouths to feed and CSIR undertook the indigenous base for a whole host of achievements in many fields. Almost at task of filling the granaries. It also industries; be it petrochemicals such as the birth of the new nation, Pandit mounted an integrated programme to the one in Haldia, or pharmaceuticals or Jawaharlal Nehru announced develop cost-effective processes to chemicals. Soon, India was exporting unequivocally that, “…the future manufacture essential pesticides. Over catalysts to the world— including to the belongs to Science and those who 70 per cent of the new pesticides western markets. Today, India is among make friends with Science.” Despite production was based, in those days, on the top few countries that possess world- many constraints faced by the nation, CSIR technology. class capabilities for development and an entire chain of National laboratories From the 1970s to the 1990s the manufacture of new catalyst were established, to cater to the growing nation sought to test its wings to fly free formulations. needs in different sectors. S&T was in the sky of science. However, the CSIR also built Flosolver Mk1— used as crucial weapons for economic winds of technology denial were strong. the first parallel computer of India, way growth and social transformation. This Many developed nations denied India the back in 1986; again an appropriately helped the new nation to consolidate its technology she wanted. The denial was defiant response to technology denial. S&T prowess, which was essential for intended to deter India in her quest for The PARAM series of supercomputers self-reliance. advancement. However, the world was later assembled by the Centre for A nascent India placed great forgot that the young never take “No,” Development of Advanced Computing emphasis on self-reliance. So from the for an answer. It forgot that not all needs (C-DAC) in Pune. In a diametrically 1950s to around the 1970s, Indian can be denied. Indian science merely different field, yet one of no less science strove not just to meet the needs looked inwards and discovered importance to the nation, CSIR National of the people but also their expectations. enormous pockets of strength. Tapping Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore, From the CSIR laboratories came the enormous pools of indigenous talent created Varsha, a hydrostatic spectral technologies and products that were and fired by unwavering determination general circulation model developed at sorely needed by the newly independent to overcome, the scientists found ways Flosolver. It is used for modeling nation. I wonder if you know that the to overcome international sanctions and weather and forecasting the monsoon. Amul milk powder, that is still a national technology denials. Today India’s IT prowess is recognized favourite, owes its genesis to CSIR This was the time that CSIR- worldwide. scientists who stepped in to develop a National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), CSIR also, confidently entered the process to manufacture baby food from Pune, virtually smashed the global world of optical-glass manufacturing and buffalo milk when multinationals barrier that made the manufacture of since then it has developed 400 different refused to set up a manufacturing facility industrial catalysts such a closely- types of glasses including radiation citing inadequate production of cow’s guarded technology. Starting from shielding glasses to provide protection

NOVEMBER 2010 259 CONVOCATION ADDRESS

from harmful radiation. The CSIR ourselves. If what we are now has be expected to earn your wings in a new Institute that contributed so much to this been the result of our own past global order when you take up the cause is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee actions, it certainly follows that challenges of your first professional this year. It is the Central Glass and whatever we wish to be in future can assignment. In today’s changed world, Ceramics Research Institute and you be produced by our present actions; geographical distances mean little. will be happy to know that it is located so we have to know how to act.” So, Technology has bridged this gap well not very far from here…in Kolkata. I today’s developments are a happy and the communications revolution has could go on and on with the CSIR story! footnote to the struggle that our scientist shrunk the globe into a networked village. From the tea gardens of Kangra to the waged in the period spanning the two Lack of resources can be overcome bamboo forests of the North East; from decades: 1970s to1990s. It is also an using open-source technology and cloud the coal mines to the leather and the unequivocal message about just how computing. Even hierarchical set-ups catalyst industries of India; from building much the world order has changed in can be by-passed using peer-to-peer up a new national resource on the the past 50 years. In this change lie the networking. A huge problem can be genomic profiles of the Indian seeds of what our actions should be broken into smaller pieces and each populations to topping the list of nations today, if we aspire for leadership position piece of the jigsaw can be addressed by producing generic drugs…CSIR’s tomorrow, as well. individuals or teams who bring their contributions have always been silently One must understand both yesterday diverse skills to bear on it. You are lucky at the service of the nation. Now that and today if one is to plan and to prepare indeed to be entering a world that is so India has announced the Decade of successfully for tomorrow. As you flat and flexible. However, just being Innovation there is the need for timeless know, the post 90s period was lucky to be around when times are innovation enterprise, not only at CSIR, characterized by a wave of liberalization changing is not enough. The trick is to but at all S&T and educational institutes that swept through the world. During the be always ahead of the change. The idea in India, in order to meet the new next decade, Intellectual Property is to consolidate any competitive challenge. generation became the new advantage that we have. One positive result of the efforts of “buzzword”. Global competitiveness held As globalized citizens and Indians, Indian scientists is that the world has the key to development and progress. we must blaze new paths, not follow the been forced to take notice of India’s This was only natural since globalization trail that many have traveled before. You growing strength in S&T. So today, we and liberation are directly linked with must understand that today’s technology have many potential partners who are each other. Today we are at home in a will not be adequate for tomorrow’s well interested to contribute and collaborate globalized world. Ironically, it was an being. You must accept that though the on the next Chandrayaan Mission Indian scientist of colonized India who country today has vast S&T being planned. Although, complacency had articulated the concept as early as infrastructure comprising national has no place in global and knowledge- in 1927. Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose had laboratories, institutes, universities and driven economy, it is pertinent, however, said in his Presidential Address at the colleges but not all are future-ready, let to remember that the triumphant launch Indian Science Congress at Lahore, “… alone equipped to anticipate change. You of Chandrayaan-1 too has roots that there must also be an unity of all must be ready to rewrite this scenario go back to the era of technology-denial human efforts and in the realm of the by becoming the change we want to see and we owe a debt of gratitude to those mind there can be no boundaries and in this country. However, there is no visionary leaders in those days who did no separations…” reason to be afraid. You are the proud not hesitate to pick up the gauntlet In 2010, we have arrived at a world inheritors of a rich legacy. If you flip the despite the heavy odds. that, in many ways, has no boundaries. pages of history you will realize that Swami Vivekananda, had once said Our India too is a new India. And you exceptional people have walked the that, “We are responsible for what we will enter that new arena the moment corridors of Indian Universities…the are, and whatever we wish ourselves you step out of this auditorium armed institutes have traditionally empowered to be, we have the power to make with your graduation certificate. You will minds to soar high.

260 CSIR NEWS CONVOCATION ADDRESS

The likes of Ashutosh Mukherjee such as China and South Korea, which desired human resources and pursuit of who was Vice Chancellor of the were once behind India in their scientific R&D through involvement of young University of Calcutta from 1906 to output, have not only overtaken but also minds. 1924; Arcot Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar are well ahead of India. Our country is In an attempt to “grow to reach new , the longest serving Vice-Chancellor of likely to lose a large number of students heights”, and in keeping with CSIR’s Madras University (for 27 years) and interested in interdisciplinary areas to tradition of being prepared for the future, his twin brother, Sir Arcot Ramasamy other countries unless similar we have establishment of an Academy Mudaliar who was Vice Chancellor of opportunities are created indigenously. for furtherance of the advancement of Travancore University for eight years This problem is further learning and prosecution of research in are examples of the legendary intensified by “brain drain” or the the field of science & technology. This academicians India can be proud of. migration to other countries. This means Academy of Scientific and Innovative Many of our Universities are following that there will soon be a critical shortage Research, called AcSIR for short, places in their footsteps and academic giants of appropriately trained, highly educated special emphasis on emerging areas and still walk the corridors of many young talent in science and education. on such areas of inter-disciplinary and Institutes, mentoring the next generation. We need to immediately invest trans-disciplinary nature that are not However, sometimes simply carrying the resources to build new centres of ordinarily taught in regular universities. banner forward is not enough. This is learning, which will act as generators of The Academy has been conceptualized particularly true at that point of history, knowledge and provide world-class as a one-stop solution to synergize which marks the ending of an era and training in the appropriate areas. Such education, research and innovation on the beginning of another. centres of learning must also equip the cutting-edge trans-disciplinary areas of The present period is one such time, students to be able to not merely cope, science and engineering. when traditionally established subjects, but to provide leadership in emerging The Academy perceives a natural that used to be studied as if these were areas in these times of change. advantage as we believe that the water-tight compartments, are suddenly Under such rapidly evolving opportunity to work on the frontier and becoming fluid. Traditionally established conditions, as we are witnessing today, trans-disciplinary areas will attract the areas of studies are merging and it is necessary to recall that philosophers best of the young minds, thus creating evolving into a new avatar…and have always held that continuity gives reversal of brain drain. It will also place emerging as new branches. For example, us roots and change gives us branches, an army of highly skilled and well- Computer science (itself a new area of letting us stretch and grow and reach trained personnel at the service of the study) has merged seamlessly with new heights. We must remember that nation. We will be well-placed to harness Biology to emerge as the subject of India has always reacted in an the natural and engineering sciences into Bioinformatics. exemplary manner when faced with interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary Another matter of grave concern is apparently-insurmountable problems. pathways for directed and translational that, according to the India Science & It is universally recognized that S&T research; and be favourably placed to Technology 2008 report published by is the driver of economic growth. So, a create global technological niches. CSIR (National Institute of Science, high standard of science education is India desperately requires a critical Technology And Development Studies), mandatory if our forthcoming S&T mass of qualified human resources that over the last few years the growth of efforts are to be crowned with success. would be crucial to capitalize on the highly specialized manpower (Ph.D) has It is clear to all educationists that the ensuing Asian economic boom. I am sure been much less than the growth in S&T of the future will be multi- that this Academy with its unique nature, graduate S&T manpower. India’s disciplinary. Tomorrow’s science will structure and knowledge base shall leadership in science and engineering of demand an integrative and trans- effectively complement our other higher tomorrow would depend upon its disciplinary approach. It is clear that education institutions in achieving this strengths in interdisciplinary and trans- there is the need to create a structure, critical mass. Kahlil Gibran once said, disciplinary areas of science. Countries which can leverage development of about teachers that, “If he is indeed

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wise he does not bid you enter the University and Bidhan Chandra charged with new excitement. house of wisdom, but rather leads you University of Agriculture and many other I hope that the cluster of educational to the threshold of your own mind.” educational institutions. It is currently institutions; old and new, will contribute This is exactly what AcSIR proposes to witnessing a resurgence of developmental towards making history repeat itself. I do…help you to realize the full power activity on the academic front. Two new hope that Golden Bengal, renowned for of your potential so that you can carve institutes namely; National Institute of providing enlightened leadership to India your name on a global template. Biomedical Genomics and the West will emerge once again. In summation Kalyani has always enjoyed the Bengal University of Technology are I can do no better but to repeat the distinction of being regarded as, slated to begin functioning here shortly. message of Vivekananda, “Arise, “…university town…” because it has Once this happens, there is no doubt that awake and stop not till the goal is two universities namely, Kalyani the academic climate in Kalyani, will be reached.” Thank you.

Entrepreneurial Training for Women at CIMAP

Central Institute of Medicinal and Business Development at CIMAP called Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Scientist, CIMAP Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow upon the participants to come forward proposed the Vote of Thanks. The organised a two-day Women for adopting CIMAP know-how for participants were also given certificates Entrepreneurship Development establishing small units for various herbal on successful completion of the training. Programme based on herbal products at formulations of daily use. At the end, Biotech Park, Lucknow during 14-15 September 2010. This Training Programme was aimed at developing the entrepreneurship in women by utilizing the CIMAP’s technologies for making Dr A. K. Singh herbal formulations useful to mankind. interacting with the participants The Programme included lectures and live demonstrations organized by Dr. Dinesh Kumar and his team. A visit of the participants to CIMAP Farm was also arranged by Dr. R. P. Bansal to get them acquainted with utility of medicinal and aromatic plants and their cultivation. Sixteen women participants attended the training programme. They learnt the technique of making Agarbatti (Incense Sticks), Rose Water, Floor Mopping Scented Emulsion and Mosquito Repellent Body Lotion. Prof. P. K. Seth CEO, Biotech Park inaugurated the Training Programme. Dr A. K. Singh, Head Technology & A group of women participants with CIMAP faculty

262 CSIR NEWS LECTURES

Dr. Vijay Nair delivers Prof. K. Venkataraman Memorial Lecture at NCL

Dr. Vijay Nair, former Director, the name of an Indian. Most of his early National Institute for Interdisciplinary publications are cited even today Science and Technology (NIIST) indicating the fundamental importance formerly Regional Research of his contributions. Dr. Sivaram talked Laboratory, (RRL), about Prof. Venkataraman’s academic Thiruvananthapuram, delivered a and professional career. lecture on Some Novel Carbon- Dr. Ganesh Pandey, Head, Organic Carbon Bond-forming Reactions Chemistry Division, introduced Dr. Catalyzed by NHCs and Related Vijay Nair to the audience. Dr. Pandey Chemistry. The lecture, held on 7t June said that Dr. Nair is a distinguished 2010 was part of a series conducted in Dr. Vijay Nair, delivering the lecture organic chemist of India and well known honour of Prof. K. Venkataraman, the for his research. Dr. Nair has Ph.D first Indian Director of the National of these include GABA analogues, degrees from Banaras Hindu University Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL). butyrolactones lactams and spirocyclic (1967, with Professor R. H Novel ways of C-C bond and compounds. Sahasrabudhey) and the University of carbon heteroatom bond formation Dr Nair concluded his talk by British Columbia (1969, with Professor occupies a central position in the elucidating a very novel and unusual James P Kutney). Subsequently he did repertoire of synthetic chemists. Dr. reaction where CO2 was shown to act post-doctoral work with Prof. Josef Nair talked about multicomponent as “oxidant”. In this reaction, aromatic Fried at the University of Chicago, Prof. reactions where new bonds (C-C and aldehydes were efficiently oxidised to Peter Yates at the University of Toronto C-heteroatom) are formed and broken the corresponding acids with the and Prof. Gilbert Stork at Columbia in a single pot. Multi-component concomitant reduction of CO2 to CO. University. About 43 students have reactions are those where two or more This concept is of particular interest in completed Ph.D. under his supervision reactants are mixed to furnish a new the context of CO2 emission. and he has published more than 200 compound in which all the atoms in the Dr. S. Sivaram, Director, CSIR- papers in major international journals. reactants are incorporated to form the NCL welcomed the audience and final product. This leads to diverse guests on the occasion. He presented structural scaffolds. Dr. Nair explained the credentials of Prof. K. how these reactions can be promoted Venkataraman in whose honour the by a variety of catalysts. His talk lecture was being held. Dr. Sivaram focused mainly on the use of NHC said that Prof. Venkataraman was the (heterocyclic carbenes) as catalysts to first Indian and the third Director of stitch together electron deficient species NCL from 1957 to 1966. A reaction involving reversal reactivity. He called ‘Baker-Venkataraman elucidated this concept elegantly by rearrangement’ was named after him several reactions involving electron that has applications in synthetic deficient olefins to access a wide array molecules. This is the only “named” Dr. Ganesh Pandey, Head, Organic Chemistry of difficult to access scaffolds. Some reaction in organic chemistry bearing Division, introducing Dr. Vijay Nair

NOVEMBER 2010 263 HONOURS & AWARDS

IITR Scientist Honoured Each year Council of Science & argemone oil and if they do not use such oil for cooking. Technology, U.P. invites applications natural contaminants, Using the mouse model, argemone under “Science Awards Scheme” to mycotoxins such as oil per se and its sanguinarine alkaloid honour eminent scientists either born in patulin, ochratoxin A were found to show genotoxic and car- Uttar Pradesh or who are working in and deoxynivalenol cinogenic effects. Moreover, studies Uttar Pradesh for last 10 years etc. Consumption of have suggested that singlet oxygen, hy- continuously. Under this Scheme, each argemone-adulterated droxyl radicals, depletion of free glu- year five Awards are given to young mustard oil is known to cause epidemic tathione and enhanced lipid peroxidation scientists below 35 years for their dropsy. The toxicity of argemone oil has were involved in argemone oil toxicity outstanding contributions to science and been attributed to benzophenanthridine and oxidative stress. It was observed technology development. Each Award alkaloids, sanguinarine and that bio-antioxidants such as vitamin E consists of cash Rs. 25,000/-, a memento dihydrosanguinarine. and riboflavin can protect against and a citation. This year Dr. Kausar In recent times higher incidence of argemone oil induced genotoxicity in ex- M. Ansari, Scientist ‘B’ working in Food gall bladder carcinoma in the Indo- perimental animals. The protective ef- Toxicology Division, Indian Institute of Gangetic basin has been linked with the ficacy of these bio-antioxidants would Toxicology Research (IITR), Lucknow, consumption of contaminated mustard be beneficial for dropsy patients as these has bagged the “Young Scientist Award oil. In addition, massage of hair and may lead to the development of systemic for 2008-09”. smearing the body with mustard oil in therapeutic interventions of the disease. The research work of Dr. Kausar children and population is quite popular Dr Ansari is now engaged in studying M. Ansari embodies the assessment and in northern States of India. If such the molecular mechanism of dermal tox- elucidation of biochemical and molecular mustard oil happens to be contaminated icity of the mytofixin, patulin, using in mechanism of toxicity of commonly with argemone oil, the chances of skin vitro/in vivo models. encountered food adulterants like absorption of argemone long-run even

IICB Scientist Selected as Associate of the Indian Academy of Science, Bangalore Dr. Suvendra Bhattacharyya who has joined the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB), Kolkata as Scientist EI in 2008 has recently been selected as the Associate of the Indian Academy of Science, Bangalore. The Academy selects every year a certain number of young Indian scientists as the Associates who are below 35 years of age and of great promise. Dr. Bhattacharyya’s present research interest is focused on the regulation of gene expression by miRNA in mammalian cells. Dr. Bhattacharyya is also an International Senior Research Fellow of the Wellcome Trust, London and a recipient of the Career Development Award Grant from the International Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HFSP).

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