Chief Guest Prof. Rohini Godbole addressing the audience

CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Nagpur, celebrated 81st CSIR Foundation Day on 28 September 2022. Prof. Rohini Godbole (Padmashri-2019), Honorary Professor, Centre for High Energy Physics, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, wasthe Chief Guest and Prof. Amitav Mallik (Padmashri-2002), Defense Technologist & Green-Tech Adviser and Former Member, National Security Advisory Board was the Guest of Honour.Dr Atul N. Vaidya, Director, CSIR-NEERI and Mr Prakash Kumbhare, Sr Principal Scientist,CSIR-NEERI,werealsopresentonthis occasion.

While addressing the audience, Prof. Godbole highlighted the importance of inclusion in thevision of the new CSIR. She informed that the Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy (STIP)-2020 was drafted toform anurtured ecosystem thatpromotes research andinnovation onthe part of both individuals and organisations. To create an inclusive culture in thepractice of science, equal opportunity in academics and research should be provided to women,she added.

She pointed out that diversity,inclusion and equity arenot only for the people whoare excluded,butthese are alsorequiredforthe developmentof Science,Technology andInnovation. She hoped that the STIP-2020 will provide access to the grass root innovators forconverting innovations into products. Prof. Godbole said that women are keepers of traditionalknowledge which can lead to significant innovations. She advocated that CSIR should workmore to encourage young women entrepreneurs.

Speaking on ‘India at 75 – Energy and Environment Challenges’, Prof. AmitavMallik said that Indian eeds to promote sustainable energy policies thats pureconomic growth and environment protection, particularly in terms of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions that contribute to climatechange. He urged scientists to participate in Science and Technology Development activitieseven after their retirement. He briefed about the initiatives taken by Pune International Centreunder his leadership to combat the challenges of energy, environment and climate change. Weneed specific and concrete policy pathways for deep decarbonisation in India which should workatthe corporationandgrampanchayatlevel,he added.

In his welcome address, Dr Atul Vaidya, Director, CSIR-NEERI, informed that CSIR has formulated a 10-point programme on its 81st Foundation Day for revitalisation of CSIR. Industrial application, techno-feasibility, and societal benefits are some of the important features of this programme. Dr Shalini Dhyani, Sr Scientist, CSIR-NEERI, conducted the proceedings.

CSIR-NEER Ilaunched the SAFRA and WDS portals for datamanagement to ensure a safedrinking water system. ‘Handbook on Water and Wastewater Analysis’ was also released on thisoccasion. 

The staff members of CSIR-NEERI, who had completed 25 years of service, and thosewhohad retired during the currentand precedingyears,werehonouredontheoccasion. Besides, Science Models Competition was alsoorganised and prizes were given away to the winners. In thefirst category (5th to 7th standards), the first prize was conferred to Bhavan’s B.P. Vidya Mandir,Ashti for presenting the model on ‘Multifunction Heating System’; the second prize was given awaytoCentrePointSchool,KatolRoad,Nagpurforthemodelon‘EcoSmartVillage’;the thirdprize was jointly awarded to the South Public School, Ring Road, Nagpur for the model on ‘Manual BriquetteModel’ and NEERI Modern School, RPTS Road, Nagpur, for the model on ‘Green Vehicle’. Inthe second category (8th-10th standards), the first prize was given away to School of Scholars,Wanadongri for the model on ‘Auto Power Cut Off for Increased Noise Pollution’;second prizeto Montfort School Nagpur for the model on ‘Waste Management: River Cleaning Model’; andthird prize was conferred to Somalwar High School & Junior College, Nikalas Branch, Nagpur for the model on ‘Air Pollution Control-Pollution Free City’.

In the third category (11th to 12th standards), first prize was conferred to The SwaminarayanSchool, Nagpur for presenting the model on ‘Oil Separation from Water Using Ferrofluids’;second prize was given away to J.N. Tata Parsi Girls’ H.S. & Junior College, Nagpur for themodel on ‘Eco Bricks-Solution for Plastic Pollution’; and third prize to Bhavan’s B.P. Vidya Mandir, Ashti for the model on‘ Low Humidity Air Cooler’.

The winners of the poster competition organisedfor Research Scholars (UDAAN 2022) were also given away prizes during the Foundation Day function.

The Institute was kept open tothe general public including students.2169 students of 36 schoolsand colleges from Nagpur and Vidarbha visited the institute. CSIR-NEERI scientists briefed thevisitors about significant R&D activities and achievements of the Institute with some practicaldemonstrations at the laboratories and Harit Sangrahalaya. The visitors interacted with CSIR-NEERI scientists on various issues relating to environmental science and engineering. Students from various schools presented science projects  depicting effective solutions to environmental problems.