CSIR-IITR Celebrates 60th Anniversary with Key Milestones and Innovation Launches
LUCKNOW: January 28, 2025. Celebrating its 60 years of outstanding services in several research and technology-oriented activities pertaining to public health issues, the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research today marked the day with union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh. The anniversary also highlighted all the pioneering efforts for which the institute holds an exceptional record and is now known as one of the unique institutions in the country and internationally.
Dr. Singh admitted that the institute was an exemplary institution in researching the cause of the mysterious disease plaguing the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, which has now become a national phenomenon. He further elaborated that CSIR-IITR continues to support start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) particularly in environmental monitoring and pollution control by schemes such as the DSIR-CRTDH Environmental Monitoring Hub and BIRAC-BioNEST.
He emphasized that the institute contributes a lot to the bio-economy of India; he further emphasized that it helped more than 30 startups and 55 MSMEs towards developing environmental innovation. This help played a huge role in setting the culture for entrepreneurship, in particular, of environmental sustainability.Among these, new facilities being inaugurated to further enhance research and innovation at CSIR-IITR are the Diamond Jubilee Arches, the Diamond Jubilee Block, and the NaMo-ATAL facility. In addition, the third-floor TDIC Technology Development and Innovation Centre will be the launch pad for the operational hub of the BioNEST initiative to support biotech startups.
In line with its thrust on solving the most pressing health problems, CSIR-IITR also launched some new products during the event. Apatkaleen AHAAR is a shelf-stable, high-nutrition food product that can be used for disaster relief and emergency preparedness. NFit is a compact superfood in tablet form for endurance and cognitive performance. MIL-FiT is a millet-enriched food solution for trekkers and adventurers. Another innovation included SenzSCAn, a portable chromogenic sensor for the rapid detection of sickle cell anaemia in underserved regions.
Dr. Singh also highlighted the institute's translation activities by putting its research work into practical applications. Technology transfers of key products such as TT and Oneer of VV Sansa were formalized at the event, which was a testament to CSIR-IITR's commitment towards making scientific innovations accessible to the public. CSIR-IITR Annual Report and Vish-Vigyan Sandesh Sankalan were also released during the event, reporting the recent activities of the institute.
The launch of new research conferences, WARMEST and EARTH-25, was also announced. Such events will be platforms for scientists and researchers working in matters of environmental and health challenges to come together and work. In light of institute educational initiative, Dr Singh also launched the Diamond Jubilee Internship and the E-PARAM program to facilitate skill development and digital transformation by young scientists.
It has grown from its early days, initially known for industrial toxicology to still current problems like food safety, environmental hazards, public health emergencies such as the Odisha cyclone and epidemic dropsy outbreak. The institute plays a very important role in national emergencies like NamamiGange and air quality monitoring.Dr. Singh appreciated the work of the institute in developing affordable health care products, such as field detection kits for hemoglobin content and sickle cell anaemia, that can greatly be translated in achieving accessible health care in remote areas.
He also appreciated CSIR-IITR since it is the only CSIR lab to be accredited by NABL and GLP, ensuring the international quality level compliance.The CSIR-IITR has promised to continue such crucial work on scientific innovation as it is a part of the Prime Minister's vision to make India "toxin-free" by 2047. It would do this by conducting comprehensive research and development work to support health and environment-friendly technologies at affordable prices.
Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB) Delhi, January 28, 2025
