The CSIR-NIScPR organised a “Student-Scientist Connect Programme” on 7 November 2025 at Vivekananda Hall, CSIR-NIScPR, Pusa Campus, New Delhi. The event welcomed students from Rajkiya Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya, Shakurpur, and Ryan International School, Mayur Vihar, New Delhi.
A total of 57 students participated in the programme along with 6 teachers, including the Principal of Rajkiya Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya, Shakurpur. The programme aimed to cultivate scientific curiosity among young learners and offer them first-hand exposure to scientific and industrial research through interactive sessions and meaningful engagement with scientists.
The programme began with a warm welcome address by Mr CB Singh, Head of the Jigyasa, Training, and HR Division, and also the Head of the Popular Science Division, CSIR-NIScPR. Interacting with the students, Mr Singh made them familiar with the vision and activities of CSIR, NIScPR, and the Jigyasa initiative. He offered an informative overview of the 37 CSIR laboratories spread across India, elaborating on their diverse areas of specialisation and their significant contributions to advancing scientific research. Emphasising the crucial role of CSIR-NIScPR, he highlighted Jigyasa’s mission to inspire curiosity and encouraged the students to be inquisitive and to develop a passion for science that could help them become future scientists and innovators.
Dr Suman Ray, Senior Principal Scientist and Jigyasa Nodal-PI at CSIR-NIScPR, delivered an engaging presentation on the remarkable “Role of CSIR in the Scientific Progress of India” over the past eight decades. She highlighted the wide range of technologies and innovative solutions developed by various CSIR laboratories that have significantly advanced science and technology while contributing to national development and public welfare. Among the notable achievements, Dr Ray showcased the development of indelible ink by CSIR-NPL, an integral component of India’s electoral process, and the cost-effective paracetamol production technology innovated by CSIR-NCL. She also discussed the contributions of CSIR-NAL in creating indigenous kamikaze drones capable of flying up to 1,000 kilometres using home-built engines, thereby strengthening India’s defence capabilities. Additionally, she shed light on CSIR–IIIM’s “Aroma Mission,” which promotes lavender cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir to enhance farmers’ livelihoods and support the growth of India’s aromatic crops-based economy.
Ms Sonali Nagar, Senior Scientist and Editor, Science Reporter, CSIR-NIScPR, delivered an engaging presentation titled “Popular Science Writing with a Focus on Misinformation Overload.” She spoke about the growing impact of misinformation on society and emphasised the importance of maintaining scientific integrity while addressing and debunking false information. Ms Nagar illustrated practical methods for verifying facts, validating authentic data sources, and identifying misleading or fraudulent websites. She highlighted the critical role of effective writing skills in science communication, explaining the art of crafting and accessible science narratives. Emphasising clarity, creativity, and accuracy, she encouraged students to present scientific concepts in a manner that both informs and captivates readers from diverse backgrounds, keeping them engaged and inspired by science.
To ensure active participation and reinforce key learning outcomes, a quiz was held after the presentations. The activity encouraged students to reflect on the insights shared during the session while testing their understanding enjoyably and interactively. Winners were awarded science kits as a token of recognition for their enthusiasm and attentiveness.
During the programme, issues of CSIR-NIScPR’s popular science magazines were distributed to students and teachers. The event also emphasised the vision and contributions of SVASTIK (Scientifically Validated Societal Traditional Knowledge), an initiative aimed at connecting modern science with India’s traditional knowledge systems and indigenous practices. This showcased how scientific principles can harmoniously align with time-tested traditional wisdom. The overarching goal of SVASTIK is to preserve the authenticity of heritage practices, encourage a scientific approach to evaluating them, and instil confidence in the enduring scientific significance of India’s traditional knowledge.
The programme’s experiential learning component also included a visit to the Raw Materials Herbarium & Museum (RHMD) at CSIR-NIScPR. RHMD serves as a unique repository, housing authentic samples of economically important raw materials of plant, animal, and mineral origin from across India. These engaging experiences allowed students to understand the tangible, real-world applications of science and its vital role in everyday life.
The principal and teachers actively participated in the programme and were felicitated with potted plants as a symbol of appreciation.
The event concluded with the distribution of participation certificates by Mr CB Singh, Head of Jigyasa at CSIR-NIScPR, and Dr Suman Ray, Jigyasa Nodal PI. In his closing remarks, Mr Singh expressed heartfelt appreciation to the participating students, teachers, and staff, and the programme came to an end with a vote of thanks, marking a meaningful conclusion to a day dedicated to inspiring young scientific minds.
