The year 2022 marks the completion of 80 years of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) which was set up on 26 September 1942. This year, CSIR, one of the largest R&D organisations in India, celebrated its 81st Foundation Day. The Delhi-based CSIR laboratory, the National Institute of Science Communication & Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) celebrated the 81st Foundation Day of CSIR on 27 September 2022 at the National Agricultural Science Complex (NASC), New Delhi.

Distinguished guests Prof. Virendra K. Vijay, IREDA Chair Professor, CRDT, IIT Delhi & National Coordinator, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) and Dr Ashok Jain, former Director, CSIR-NISTADS, graced the occasion. During the Foundation Day celebration, a book published by CSIR-NIScPR bringing together different formats of science communication literature was released. The book is an outcome of a workshop organised by CSIR-NIScPR aimed at science communication in the regional languages of India. Prominent formats like science fiction, poetry, puppet, science blog, etc. have been discussed in the book.

The guests also awarded retirees, staff on 25 years’ service completion and 10th & 12th class brilliant wards of NIScPR staff. Later, a cultural programme on various themes was performed by the staff members of NIScPR. Dr Mohammad Rais, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, proposed the vote of thanks.

Earlier, CSIR-NIScPR also organised an open day programme at Vivekanand Hall, NIScPR, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, on 27 September 2022. During the open day, 130 school students visited various institute facilities. CSIR-NIScPR Director, Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal addressed the students and motivated them for a bright future ahead.

During the Student-Scientist Connect Session of the Open Day, a special lecture was delivered by Dr G. Mahesh, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR. Dr M. Rais, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR and Chief Coordinator of CSIR’s 81st Foundation Day Celebration at NIScPR and Shri C.B. Singh, Sr Principal Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, also shared their thoughts with the students.

During the open day, the exhibition of CSIR-NIScPR publications, Ayur Vatika and RHMD visits were other special attractions for the visiting students. Special issue of NIScPR’s monthly popular science Hindi magazine Vigyan Pragati focused on Indian organisations engaged in science popularisation was also distributed among the students.