CSIR celebrated its 83rd Foundation Day on 26 September 2024 at NASC Complex, PUSA, New Delhi, with great fervour. The Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, graced the programme as the Chief Guest. Dr K Radhakrishnan, Former Chairman, ISRO, delivered the Foundation Day Lecture. Principal Scientific Adviser, GoI, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood was also present. The celebrations included various sessions, such as Thematic Exhibition on CSIR for Viksit Bharat @2047, CSIR Leadership Conclave and Cultural Programme.

The celebration began with the inauguration of the Thematic Exhibition on CSIR for Viksit Bharat @2047 by the Vice President of India. The exhibition showcased how CSIR’s contributions across various sectors align with the National Agenda for India by 2047.

Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, during his address, said, “It is CSIR’s Foundation Day, but it is integrally connected with the firm foundations of Bharat. You are firming up those foundations of the most vibrant and functional democracy on the planet. You are firming up the foundations of a nation that is on the rise as never before, and the rise is unstoppable”. He further termed CSIR as “Catalyst for Scientifically Imaginative Rashtra”. He also appealed for establishing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure that investments in human resources and institutions are directed towards authentic and impactful research. Giving his best wishes to CSIR, Shri Dhankar said, “CSIR exemplifies excellence, academic brilliance and cutting-edge research”.

The Hon’ble Minister of State, S&T and the Vice President of India, Dr Jitendra Singh, in a video message, said, “CSIR plays a vital role in making India a global leader in science by promoting women in science, driving economic growth, and ensuring innovations benefit society. Through its initiatives, CSIR contributes to the Viksit Bharat @2027 vision by fostering indigenisation.”

Dr Singh added that CSIR is a national treasure for all of us and a true changemaker of our time. He congratulated CSIR on its 83rd Foundation Day and on making our country proud in various R&D breakthroughs like green hydrogen technology and agriculture-based start-ups that are changing the lives of farmers and common people. Lavender farming has transformed the landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, making it a hub for agri-based entrepreneurship, praised Dr Singh.

In his address, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood quoted a valuable thought of India’s former President, late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, “Economic Development is powered by competitiveness. The Competitiveness is powered by knowledge. Knowledge is powered by technology and innovation”. He further added that technology and innovation are powered by fundamental science. Later, he said, “For India to move towards its ambitious goal of becoming a five trillion economy soon by making India a major product nation over and above the presently dominant service economy, I am sure CSIR is and will be a major player in this journey”.

Earlier, in her welcome address, Director General of CSIR, Dr N Kalaiselvi, emphasised on the contributions and commitments of CSIR for the vision of making India a developed nation in 2047. She informed that CSIR has organised a leadership conclave to take up recommendations of the visionary leaders and make it our roadmap.

During his lecture, Dr K Radhakrishnan spoke on “Team Excellence and Indian Space Odyssey”. He explained how Indian space research has grown with team excellence and perseverance to achieve success in all space missions of the country.

A book titled “Innovation Trailblazers: The Leadership Legacies of CSIR” was released during the programme. The book presents the remarkable leadership of twenty-four Director Generals of CSIR who have led and shaped the CSIR since it started in 1942. It showcases their vision, scientific contributions and legacy. Subsequently, the CSIR movie was also featured, depicting the journey, achievements and commitments of CSIR to scientific excellence and innovation in building a self-reliant India.

Besides, the winners of the CSIR Energy saving campaign were also felicitated, with CSIR-CGRI securing first prize, CSIR-CECRI with second prize, and CSIR-CSMCRI with third prize. In collaboration, the CSIR and Energy Swaraj Foundation launched an energy-saving campaign aiming to reduce energy consumption across all CSIR labs during June, July and August 2024.

Concluding the first session, Dr G Mahesh, Head, DGED at CSIR and the CSIR Foundation Day 2024 Coordinator, presented the vote of thanks.

In its second session, CSIR hosted a unique and first-of-its-kind leadership conclave where former Director Generals of CSIR came together to share their vision and suggestions on what could be the CSIR’s contribution towards Viksit Bharat 2047.

The 83rd Foundation Day 2024 evening was concluded with a cultural programme during which an Odissi dance performance, Vistaar, was performed by Padma Shri Madhavi Mudgal and Team.