Union Minister of Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also the Vice President of CSIR (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research), announceda "One Week One Lab" theme-based campaign to showcase the technological breakthroughs and innovations in each of the 37 CSIR laboratories/institutes spread across the country, on 26 September 2022.

Addressing the first-ever CSIR Leadership Meet attended by the Directors of CSIR labs, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the legacy of CSIR is built on the cumulative contribution of its several national laboratories and institutes. He said, each laboratory of CSIR is unique and specialises in as diverse areas ranging from genomics to geology, material technology to microbial technology and food to fuel.

The Minister also recalled how the laboratories came together during the COVID pandemic last year and developed several technologies that helped India's fight against COVID. The Minister further said, the success stories of each lab must be brought to the fore of the country through a massive mass media campaign.

Dr Jitendra Singh mentioned that CSIR breakthroughs like drone, heliborne technology, state-of-the-art sewage cleaning machines, and the Aroma Mission have opened up huge opportunities for developing meaningful and equal stake partnerships among Research, Academia and Industry. The Minister said, the state-of-the-art heliborne survey technology with cooperation from Jal Shakti Ministry was introduced last year in the States of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana and this could play an important role in positively contributing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vision and Mission of “HarGharNal Se Jal”. Similarly, the mechanised sewage cleaning system developed by CSIR will help in achieving the target of the Swachh Bharat Mission, he added.

The Minister said that under the Prime Minister’s leadership, Science & Technology has got an enhanced budget and a very special impetus in the last eight years and the scientific pursuits and endeavours are now being assigned special importance. He said, the ultimate goal of all scientific innovations is to bring “Ease of Living” to the common people.

Dr Jitendra Singh called upon a pool of over 4,500 CSIR scientists to reorient and revitalise the organisation to emerge as a global centre of innovations in the Amrit Kaal. He said, they must focus on emerging innovations in areas like hydrogen in the energy transition, carbon capture and storage, accessible solar power, plastic recycling and cheap energy storage.

Dr Jitendra Singh said that there should be a Science Pavilion on the lines of DST and DBT at PragatiMaidan. He also urged the DG-CSIR to organise CSIR-Expos in various parts of the country to showcase its technological prowess to various states and industries, besides other stakeholders.

He asked CSIR and all the science departments to explore S&T innovations needed in the next ten years to make India globally a frontline state in technological achievements and innovations. The Minister said, “We should not restrict our ambition to be the best in India but strive to be the best in the world as India is blessed with the demographic dividend of youth and they can take up any challenge with the right training and motivation.”

DG-CSIR, Dr N. Kalaiselvi said in her welcome address that the 21st century is going to be the century of India and for India. She said, the Science and Technology fraternity must rise to the occasion and work hard to make India a respected name in the global arena.