As a part of the "One Week, One Lab" campaign launched by the Hon’ble Minister and Vice President of CSIR, Dr Jitendra Singh, the CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad, conducted a programme during 7-12 March 2023.

Dr Jitendra Singh launched the “One Week, One Lab” event at CSIR-IICT on 7 March 2023. Dr Krishna Ella, Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech International Limited; Dr MSN Reddy, Founder and CMD MSN Group and Mr Pradip Dave, President, Pesticides Manufacturers & Formulators Association of India (PMFAI) and Chairman, Aimco Pesticides were Guests of Honour for the Inaugural function. The Director of the Institute Dr D Srinivasa Reddy delivered the welcome address.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Jitendra Singh, pointed out that CSIR-IICT has developed several technologies for life-saving generic drugs such as AZT required in controlling AIDS, which ultimately brought down the cost of the drug in the world market. Similarly, anti-viral drugs and vaccine adjuvant for Covaxin developed by the institute played a pivotal role in limiting the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Addressing an exclusive session of business leaders including CEOs, CMDs and MDs from industries, startups and innovators, Dr Jitendra Singh said that Hyderabad is known to be a destination of health and wealth as the pharma capital of the region. Therefore, the specialised and skilled manpower developed by IICT should find a naturally integral place in the pharma and biotech industry of Hyderabad in particular and India in general.

During the inaugural function of the week-long programme, CSIR-IICT exchanged several MoUs in the presence of the Hon’ble Minister, including with M/s Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL), M/s Granules India Limited, and M/s Aragen, Kewaunee Lab way India Pvt. Ltd.

During the programme, booklets on posters and exhibits were released. Besides, CSIR-IICT audio video clip and superfood were also launched. The Hon’ble Minister inaugurated the Expo where the archives, products, technology demonstrations and scientific posters were displayed. Around 5000 people including students representing 120 educational institutions, researchers, teachers, industrialists, start-ups, the general public and press and media visited during the “One Week, One lab” event.

The week-long programme showcased CSIR-IICT’s contributions during the last eight decades of its journey in the service of mankind, since its inception in 1944. The programme also included the celebration of International Women’s Day on 8 March 2023 during which Dr Hemalatha, Director, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN), Hyderabad, was the Chief Guest and Ms Rani Kumudini, IAS, Special Chief Secretary to the Govt of Telangana, was the Guest of Honour. Women achievers from different walks of life shared their experiences on this occasion.

Kisan Mela & Technologies for Society was organised on 9 March 2023. Shri B Janardhan Reddy, IAS, (Retd), Telangana State Public Service Commission graced the occasion as Chief Guest; Prof. P Appa Rao, Former Vice Chancellor of Hyderabad Central University; Dr G Raji Reddy, former World Bank consultant and Director of Extension PJTSAU (Retd), were Guests of Honour.

Researcher’s Conclave was organised on 10 March 2023 where Prof. Gopal Reddy, Vice Chancellor, MG University, Nalgonda, was the Chief Guest. During the conclave, Dr Vinay Nandicoori, Director CSIR-CCMB, and Prof. Rene Gree, University of Rennes, France, were the Guests of Honour.

During the Outreach — Science Communication and Ethics in Science on 11 March 2023, Prof. Manoj Dhar, Director of the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) was the Chief Guest, Mr Pallava Bagla, Photo Journalist & Former Science Editor, NDTV was the Guest of Honour.

The valedictory function on 12 March 2023 was graced by Dr USN Murty, Director, NIPER, Guwahati as the Chief Guest.