CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI), Karaikudi, celebrated the 79th Foundation Day of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) with usual gaiety, in a virtual mode. In his welcome address, Dr D. Velayutham, Chief Scientist, CSIR-CECRI travelled down the memory lane and shed light on the birth history of CSIR, which became a reality on 26 September 1942.
Dr (Mrs) N. Kalaiselvi, Director, CSIR-CECRI, in her presidential address, recalled the seminal contributions of CSIR and the significance of CSIR Labs in rising to fulfil the needs of the society through its scientific interventions. She highlighted the Mantra of Self Reliance by our Hon’ble Prime Minister and the R&D activities of CSIR-CECRI towards realising it by striving to be the Centre of Excellence in the areas of Energy and Metallurgy. She gave examples of the establishment of incubation centres to nurture fundamental and technological research in this regard. By sponsoring candidates for their research, private industries and the host institutions can mutually gain a lot and diversify to extend the areas of research catering to the pressing needs of the society, she opined.
Dr R. Mukundan, MD and CEO of Tata Chemicals Limited (TCL), Mumbai, was the Chief Guest and also delivered the 79th CSIR Foundation Day Lecture. Citing the recent trends set by CSIR, particularly in the present pandemic period, he remarked that a new CSIR has been born with a vibrant leadership and energetic researchers. Both CSIR and TCL are working on a common agenda – to serve society through science and tools of science for the public good – towards a common goal, he added. He recalled the association of TCL with CSIR-CECRI on corrosion science and engineering in the past and on energy storage at present. He appealed to all the participants to join hands in creating a net-zero carbon world so that the passionate dream of our Hon’ble PM to be the First Carbon-free Country can become true.
Dr D. Singh, CMD, Indian Rare Earths Ltd, Mumbai, and Dr Rahul Walawalkar, MD, Customized Energy Solutions India Pvt. Ltd and President, India Energy Storage Alliance and Chair, Global Energy Storage Alliance, Pune, were the Guests of Honour and briefed the audience on the pivotal role of CSIR-CECRI in setting the standard on e-mobility and its crucial role to play in developing an Energy Independent India.
On this occasion, the Annual Report (2019-20) of CSIR-CECRI was also released. The event concluded with vote of thanks by Shri C. Shyam Sunder Administrative Officer, CSIR-CECRI. As a sequel to the celebration at CSIR HQ, staff members of CSIR-CECRI who have completed 25 years of service and those who retired from service during 2019-20 were felicitated with a memento, shawl and Samman Patra by Director, CSIR-CECRI at Karaikudi on 26 September 2020.