CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), New Delhi, celebrated its platinum jubilee on completing 75 years of dedicated service to the nation, which also coincides with the 75 years of Independence and ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, on 4-6 January 2022. During the three-day event, various activities were conducted at CSIR-NPL.
The celebration was kicked off on 4 January 2022, with the inauguration of the Metrology Conclave with the theme ‘Recent Trends in Metrology’. The conclave was inaugurated by Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology.
Dr Shekhar C. Mande, DG CSIR and Secretary DSIR presided over the event and Prof. Venugopal Achanta, Director CSIR-NPL welcomed all. On this occasion, a Special Postage Stamp and Special Cover commemorating the 75th Platinum Jubilee year of CSIR-NPL was released by the Hon’ble Minister in the presence of Shri Ashok Kumar, Postmaster General, India Post (Delhi Circle). To mark the platinum jubilee celebrations, a compendium (1947-2022: A Compendium of Scientific Triumphs’) of scientific and societal contributions of CSIR-NPL was also released.
The Minister also released Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya (BNDs) to support the testing and calibration laboratories for quality assurance at par with the international certified standards for high purity gold, silver and other elements. He also launched Certification Process for India-made Ambient Ozone Analyzers and low-volume PM2.5 Sampler to fight air pollution. The minister also launched the Calibration Facility for Infusion Pump Analyzer used for testing of Infusion Pump and unveiled a new responsive website of CSIR-NPL showcasing the metrology-related activities in an appealing design format.
During his address to the galaxy of eminent guests, scientists and students, the Minister said that CSIR-NPL is a monumental illustration of India’s incredible scientific journey in the last 75 years and asked to plan for the next 25 years with the conscious realisation that science and technology are going to be the main currency for the inclusive growth of India. Dr Jitendra Singh said that three important tasks need to be focused on: integration of different science streams among themselves and with the general line Ministry streams in due course; speedy conversion of lab technologies for use by common man at affordable costs; and giving proper recognition to scientists.
On the same day, the Minister also dedicated to the nation, ‘LED Photometry Laboratory’ at CSIR-NPL to fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to develop energy-efficient illumination technology. He also inaugurated a Science Exhibition by school students and interacted with them on the demonstrated themes and subjects. On this occasion, CSIR Technology Demonstration Pavilion was also inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister. He visited the pavilion and the technologies demonstrated by CSIR-NPL and other sister CSIR laboratories like CSIR-CEERI, CSIR-AMPRI, CSIR-CFTRI, CSIR-IIP, CSIR-NAL, CSIR-CDRI among others. He took keen interest in all the technologies and interacted with scientists and students demonstrating the technologies.
During the technical sessions of the Metrology Conclave, conducted in hybrid mode, speakers from across the world delivered talks on current advances and future directions of Metrology. Some of the noted speakers were Dr Richard Davis and Dr Gerard Petit from BIPM France, Dr Koji Ogushi from AIST, Japan, Prof. Graham Machin from the University of Birmingham UK and Prof. J.T. Janssen from NPL UK. The technical sessions were chaired by Prof. A. K. Grover, Chairman Research Council of NPL and Dr V.M. Tiwari, Director, CSIR-NGRI.
On the second day, an MSME meet was organised in hybrid mode at CSIR-NPL. MSMEs are the growth engines of the Indian economy, contributing to 30% of the nominal GDP. The meet was dedicated to discussing the needs and ways to technically support the MSME sector for realising the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' mission under the aegis of “Make in India” and “Vocal for Local”. The theme of the meet was ‘MSME 2022: The Key to Inclusive and Sustainable Growth of Indian Economy’.
The meet was the first of its kind organised in India and was very successful in bringing the various stakeholders like Quality Council of India (QCI), NABL, Ministry of MSME, CII, MSMEs and CSIR-NPL (NMI of India) together on a common discussion platform to deliberate on ways to support the MSMEs to strengthen the Indian economy. The chief guest of the inaugural function was Shri Adil Zainulbhai, Chairman QCI. DG CSIR, Dr Shekhar C. Mande presided over the function and also addressed the gathering. Prof. Venugopal Achanta, Director CSIR-NPL welcomed the guests and participants with his address. Other eminent guests and speakers at the inaugural function included Dr Ishita Ganguli Tripathy, ADC (MSME), Shri Shreekant Somany, Chairman CII National SME Council, Shri S.V. Sharma, Joint Director MSME Training Centre, Dr R.K. Bharti, Head MSME Development Institute, and Ms Shikha Mehta, AGM Canara Bank.
In the technical session, expert talks were delivered by the representatives of CII, NABL, Ministry of MSME, Canara Bank, CSIR-NPL and industry. There were seven expert talks. The representatives of the sister labs of CSIR also showcased their technologies to participants. An interactive panel discussion and open forum discussion were conducted which comprised seven panellists from all the stakeholder institutions. The meet was concluded by Director CSIR-NPL with a resolve to support the MSMEs in every possible way. The meet was attended by more than 100 MSMEs in the online mode and about 50-60 participants attended the one-day meet in person.
A Stakeholders meeting on the “Certification of Air Pollution Monitoring Equipment” was organised on the final day of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. Prof. Venu Gopal while welcoming highlighted the role of the environmental sciences division of CSIR-NPL in building environment monitoring facilities in Antarctica and various places across India. Guest of Honour Dr Prashant Gargava, Member Secretary CPCB addressed the participants. Dr C. Sharma explained the status of the certification scheme and its future plan. Dr Shankar G. Aggarwal talked about Low-volume PM2.5 particle sampler development. Dr Radhakrishnan talked about Ozone Analyzers. There were remarks by CPCB representatives and MOEFF&CC. The meeting also included a panel discussion.
The three-day event culminated with a valedictory function. Prof. A.K. Grover, Chairman of RC, CSIR-NPL, distributed awards to students for science model and writing competitions organised as part of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. Excellence awards were also given to CSIR-NPL Technical and Administrative staff for their dedicated service.
