CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI), Lucknow, organised “One Week, One Lab” programme during 4-19 August 2023. CSIR-NBRI designed thecelebration in such a way that each R&D area of the Institute showcased their respective R&D achievements during the week-long celebrations. The campaign also included events for scientist-student connect, panel discussions on various emerging issues, popular talks by eminent experts, R&D Exhibitions, and industry meets.
The week-long programme was inaugurated on 14 August 2023 by Dr NKalaiselvi, DG, CSIR, New Delhi and Shri Mahendra Kumar Gupta, Joint Secretary, CSIR. They also released/launched various R&D outcomes of CSIR-NBRI viz. New Variety of Lotus ‘NBRI Namoh 108’; New Variety of Aloe vera ‘NBRI-Nihar’; apparels made from lotus fibre and Perfume ‘Frotus’ developed from Lotus plants in collaboration with FFDC, Kannauj; herbal products ‘Herbal Cold Drops’ & Herbal Anti Dandruff Shampoo; a database of 500 Raw Drug Repository developed as per Indian Pharmacopeia Standards; Virtual Herbarium; herbal colours from temple offered flowers for various applications; and a book on Rose in CSIR-NBRI Garden. An MoU was also exchanged with M/s Nucleome Informatic, Hyderabad, for collaborative research on cotton. Dr N Kalaiselvi also inaugurated a beautification drive initiated by CSIR-NBRI at Laxman Chowk, Lucknow Airport under CSIR Floriculture Mission. The day ended with a panel discussion on Emerging Opportunities in Gardening & Floriculture.
Day 2 started with the 77th Independence Day Celebrations. Dr AK Shasany, Director, CSIR-CBRI, hoisted the National Flag at KN Kaul Block as well as Distant Research Centre, Banthra. A plantation drive of ‘Miyawaki Forest’ and ‘Mother Blocks of Roses’ was also organised at Distant Research Centre, Banthra. Under the beautification drive, ornamental plants were planted on the divider of the road near the KN Kaul Block of the institute.
On Day 3, the thematic exhibition on Plant Diversity, Systematics & Herbarium was inaugurated by Shri Durga Shankar Mishra, Chief Secretary, Govt of UP, in the presence of Dr M Sanjappa, Former Director, BSI; Dr PV Sane, Former Director, CSIR-NBRI & Dr Ramanuj Narayan, Director, CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneshwar. The display of the Linnean Trail showcasing some plants named by the father of taxonomy Carolus Linnaeus and a selfie point featuring State Flowers of India were the key attraction among the general public. E-Flora of Uttar Pradesh, a book on plant resources of Uttar Pradesh and a brochure on ‘CSIR-NBRI Herbarium’ were also released on the occasion. The day ended with a panel discussion on ‘Plant Taxonomy and Biodiversity: Cross-sectoral Linkages & Impacts on Conservation and Sustainable Development’.
Day 4 marked the thematic exhibition on “Climate Change, Microbial & Environmental Technologies” inaugurated by Shri Surya Pratap Shahi, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister, Agriculture & Dr Arun Kumar Saxena, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Environment & Forest, Government of UP. Three MoUs were exchanged by the Institute with the Agriculture Department, UP Government; M/s Agrifort Technologies & Forest Department, Uttar Pradesh, respectively on the occasion. The day concluded with a Panel Discussion on Technological leads with reference to the present challenges in the environment and agriculture sectors of India and a Stakeholder Connect Meet programme.
Day 5 started with the Thematic Exhibition on ‘Plant Molecular Biology & Genetic Improvement’ inaugurated by Dr Rakesh Tuli, Former Director, CSIR-NBRI and Dr Arvind Kumar, DDG (Research) ICRISAT, Hyderabad. An MoU was exchanged with M/s Ankur Seeds, Nagpur, for collaborative research on the development of cotton seeds. A NASI Debate competition was organised for students. The day concluded with a Panel Discussion on ‘Agri-biotechnology Innovation & Technology Adoption: Bridging the Gap between Research & Implementation’ and a poster competition in which more than 50 research scholars presented their research work.
The final day of the programme started with Thematic Exhibition on ‘Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry & Pharmacology’ inaugurated by Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya, DG, CCRAS, New Delhi; Dr CS Nautiyal, Former Director, CSIR-NBRI &Dr Sanjay Kumar, Chairman, ASRB, New Delhi. The day also marked with a unique workshop on Traditional Recipes (Millets) for Health Benefits where more than 25 selected participants presented their recipes. A Panel Discussion on Challenges & Opportunities in Herbal Drug Development was also organised.
The concluding day witnessed a special session under the chairmanship of Dr Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister (Science & Technology), Government of India & Vice-President, CSIR, New Delhi, who also visited the R&D Pavilion of the “One Week, One Lab” and appreciated the efforts of CSIR-NBRI in the field on floriculture, plant diversity, molecular biology areas. He also released/launched various R&D outcomes of CSIR-NBRI including dedication of Lotus Variety ‘Namoh-108’ & Lotus Based Products to the Nation; Lotus Mission; Herbal Products (NBRI-Gout out & NBRI-Phyto-V) & Microbial Products (Bio Arsenic Guard, BIO PAL-1, BACI-GUARD & BIOAGENT PBE8); Certified Reference Materials (Eucalyptol, Andographoide, Curcumin).
The weeklong “One Week, One Lab” festival was concluded on 19 August 2023 with a valedictory function at CSIR-NBRI. Shri Brajesh Pathak, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Govt of UP was the Chief Guest whereas Shri Awanish Kumar Awasthi, Administrative Advisor to Hon’ble CM, Government of UP and Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya, DG, CCRAS, New Delhi,graced the occasion as Guests of Honour. The dignitaries also felicitated the winners of various competitions such as poster and debate competitions.
