In order to commemorate the announcement of the discovery of the Raman Effect by Sir C V Raman on 28 February 1928, CSIR-NPL celebrated the National Science Day (NSD-2025) programme on 28 February 2025. During the programme, the “Poster Presentation Symposium” was held in the morning session along with interactive “Fun with Science Activities”. Also the “National Science Day Lecture” was organised in the afternoon session.
The NSD Celebrations begin with the poster session, herein the students presented their poster under the three broad categories i.e. Materials Science and Technology (MST), Physics, Engineering and Metrology (PEM) and Environment, Health and Chemistry (EHC). During the poster session, a live Prodcast of Prof. Venu Gopal Achanta, Director, CSIR-NPL, was held, wherein he responded to several questions related to core strengths of NPL, expectations from CSIR-NPL staff and students, new area he wishes to set up at NPL and advice to students. Subsequently, the Director and all staff of NPL visited all posters and interacted with the presenting students & team. At the end of the poster event, a brief interactive session was organised involving fun with science activities including quiz, enactment of physics laws, poem reading, etc. Those who actively participated and gave correct answers were given on spot prizes, making everyone happy and excited.
In the afternoon session, Dr Sushil Kumar, Convener NSD-2025 welcomed everyone and gave his remarks about the NSD celebrations and conducted activities.
Dr Venugopal Achanta Director gave the opening remarks and extended a warm welcome to dignitaries including Chief Guest Dr S Sathiyanarayanan Ex Chief Scientist & Head, CSIR, Central Planning Directorate (CPD), and Guests of Honour, Dr Vibha Malhotra Sawhney, Outstanding Scientist & Head, CSIR Technology Management Directorate (TMD), Dr Debashis Bandyopadhyay, Chief Scientist and Head, CSIR-Innovation Management Directorate (IMD). He also talked about the connection between Sir CV Raman and CSIR-NPL through the co-discoverer of Raman Effect Sir KS Krishnan, who was the founder director of CSIR-NPL. He also reminded all about the great achievements of NPL and asked everyone to keep doing high-impact fundamental research and translational outcome-related technological activities, and proposed to take up challenges related to quantum metrology and metrological interventions related to emerging areas of science and technology.
The “National Science Day Lecture” by Chief Guest, Dr Sathiyanarayanan was on the theme “Strategies for Corrosion Protection” wherein he highlighted his work on the global problem of Corrosion, specialised corrosion protective coatings developed by them in collaboration with CSIR-NPL, specific features & advantages of these coatings and successful licensing of 3 technologies to various industries. Dr Vibha Malhotra Sawhney talked about the importance of making the right kind of proposal with clearly defined goals, objectives and deliverables. Dr Debashis Bandyopadhyay talked about the importance of the circular economy and also described various aspects of project handling at CSIR HQ.
In the next part of the event, technical presentations in the priority areas were given by CSIR-NPL scientists including Dr Dilip Shivagan Sr Principal Scientist, (Quantum Metrology), Dr Sachchidanand Singh Chief Scientist (Environmental Sciences & Biomedical Metrology), Dr Sushil Kumar Chief Scientist (Advance Energy Materials), Dr Nahar Singh Chief Scientist (Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya: Indian Reference Material). Finally, the Chief Guest/Dignitaries have given the Best Poster Awards to the winning students. The event was concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Asit Patra Sr Principal Scientist, followed by a Group Photograph outside the NPL auditorium.
