Subscribe print version with complimentary e-version @Rs.530 per annum; Subscribe only e-version @Rs.400 per annum. || !! ATTENTION ADVERTISERS !! Advertisers are requested to give full details of job Vacancies/ Minimum size will now be 200 sq.cm for shorter advertisements || Click here to become an e-resource aggregator of Publications Division || New Advertisement Policy || ||

Special Content


Issue no 31, 02 - 08 November 2024

CSIR’s ‘One Week, One Theme’ Campaign Spotlights India’s Scientific Advancements Dr. Manish Mohan Gore Science and technological advancements are the bedrock of any nation's progress, driving economic growth, enhancing quality of life, and securing a competitive position on the global stage. From addressing pressing challenges like climate change and healthcare to fostering innovation in industries, scientific research and technological breakthroughs shape the future of nations. In a rapidly evolving world, countries that lead in science and technology not only ensure sustainable development but also build resilient economies, improve public welfare, and assert their strategic influence globally. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has been at the forefront of these efforts for over eight decades. As one of the largest R&D organisations in the country, CSIR has played a vital role in strengthening India's industrial and scientific capabilities. Through its extensive network of 37 national laboratories, CSIR has delivered path-breaking innovations in the fields ranging from biotechnology to aerospace, contributing significantly to the nation's self-reliance and global competitiveness. In its continued pursuit of excellence, CSIR has launched the "One Week One Theme" (OWOT) programme, a unique initiative designed to spotlight India's scientific advancements and foster greater collaboration across sectors. This programme follows the successful "One Week One Lab" campaign and seeks to engage a broad audience by showcasing R&D achievements across diverse thematic areas. Initiatives like OWOT are not only crucial for positioning India as a global leader in science and technology but also for catalysing innovation that drives economic growth, industrial development, and societal well-being. The Prime Minister of India is the Ex-officio President of CSIR Society and the Minister of Science & Technology is the Ex-officio Vice President of CSIR. Expertise of CSIR covers a wide spectrum of science and technology, including aeronautics, chemicals, drugs, biotechnology, genomics, environmental engineering, geophysics, instrumentation, mining, information technology, nano-technology, oceanography, radio and space. CSIR laboratories have spearheaded a number of R&D breakthroughs to serve the nation. Indelible election ink, Swaraj tractor, fully indigenous Hydrogen fuel cell bus, lavender cultivation linked purple revolution; steel slag road technology and footwear sizing technology are such remarkable breakthroughs of CSIR. In the year 2023, CSIR organised a National campaign of 'One Week One Lab' (OWOL) where each National Laboratory of CSIR came forward and showcased their R&D outputs, technological advancements and overall scientific strength to their stakeholders in society. OWOL was the brainchild of Union S&T Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. He launched this campaign with the sole purpose of initiating a dialogue between laboratories and the general public. Building on the success of the 'One Week One Lab' campaign, the Ministry of Science and Technology is currently observing the 'One Week One Theme' (OWOT) programme throughout 2024. The initiative, which began on June 24, 2024, is set to continue until December 17, 2024. The OWOT programme features weeklong activities across CSIR laboratories, organised under eight broad R&D thematic areas. Each themed week showcases technology packages, innovative and indigenously developed products, processes, and devices. This ongoing event series highlights CSIR's diverse contributions to India's scientific and industrial progress, while engaging with various societal sectors. Vision Behind OWOT R&D Themes The One Week One Theme (OWOT) programme is designed to encourage collaboration among multiple CSIR laboratories working on similar projects. By facilitating synergy across labs, the programme aims to accelerate research and development in key areas of national importance. During the curtain raiser event, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasised the programme's role in motivating scientists to reflect on how India can achieve its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Energy and Energy Devices Theme: Leading in Green Technologies One of the central themes of OWOT is "Energy and Energy Devices," which aims to position India as a global leader in scalable, sustainable green technologies. This theme focusses on ensuring the long-term energy security of the country by promoting the use of renewable and non-renewable energy resources. The initiative aims to enable a self-reliant India and establish the country as a global hub for energy-sector startups. Key focus areas include coal energy, hydrogen energy (including the hydrogen economy), bio-energy, energy conversion devices, energy storage, and energy management. Chemicals and Petrochemicals Theme: Sustainable Development The OWOT programme also emphasises "Chemicals (including leather) and Petrochemicals," a thematic area dedicated to cutting-edge R&D in these sectors. The goal is to develop technologies that are economically viable, environmentally sustainable, and socially acceptable, with a reduced carbon, energy, and water footprint. Major areas of research include C1 Chemistry, biomass to chemicals, leather processing, agrochemicals, marine chemicals, potash fertilisers, and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). Civil Infrastructure and Engineering: Innovation for Sustainability CSIR laboratories under the theme "Civil Infrastructure and Engineering" have developed innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to foster the growth of sustainable civil infrastructure. The OWOT programme highlights key areas such as structural health monitoring, disaster mitigation, rural infrastructure development, mobility infrastructure planning, automation and robotics, and waste-to-wealth initiatives, all designed to offer high-value services to industry and society. Mining, Minerals, Metals, and Materials: Optimising Production Another significant theme is "Mining, Minerals, Metals, and Materials," which focusses on catalysing and optimising sustainable production and reuse of metals and materials. The goal is to benefit both local and global markets through advanced processes. Key areas of research include lean resource processing, the use of low-grade resources, and the extraction of strategic metals from primary and secondary sources. Ecology, Environment, Earth, and Ocean Sciences: Tackling Natural Challenges The OWOT theme "Ecology, Environment, Earth & Ocean Sciences and Water" is dedicated to developing knowledge-based solutions to address the challenges posed by natural resource exploration, geo-hazard mitigation, ocean dynamics, and sustainable environmental practices. The focus is on generating effective strategies for environmental protection and natural resource management. Agriculture, Nutrition, and Biotech: Ensuring Food Security The theme "Agriculture, Nutrition, and Biotech" centers on securing sustainable agriculture and nutritional security through cutting-edge biotech research and innovation. Focus areas include agro-technologies, the enhancement of medicinal and aromatic plants, bio-stimulants, farm mechanisation, and precision farming. The aim is to ensure that India remains at the forefront of agricultural advancements. Healthcare: Post-Pandemic Bio-Innovations Healthcare has become a critical area of focus, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As one of the major themes of CSIR's OWOT programme, the healthcare theme is dedicated to bio-innovations that aim to make healthcare more affordable and accessible. The sessions will explore modern techno-logies alongside traditional knowledge to address India's healthcare challenges effectively. Aerospace, Electronics, and Strategic Sectors: Global R&D Hub The OWOT theme on "Aerospace, Electronics & Instrumentation, and Strategic Sectors" is focussed on positioning India as a global hub for R&D in cutting-edge technologies. Discussion points in this theme include civil and military aviation, advanced aerospace materials, electronics and embedded systems, and smart agriculture. The goal is to develop innovative technologies that can serve both civil and strategic purposes. In this way, we find that 'One Week One Theme' programme of CSIR brings together a diverse group of R&D themes, participants as well as provides an enabling platform of collaboration among laboratory, academia, industry, start-ups and students in the wide canvas of S&T disciplines. This grand endeavour will not only drive the commercialisation of innovative and indigenous technologies but it will also generate employment opportunity in coming future in the cutting edge areas of science and technology. Calendar of 'One Week One Theme' Sr. No. Thematic R&D Areas Duration 1. Energy and Energy Devices June 24-28, 2024 2. Chemicals (including Leather) and Petrochemicals July 15-20, 2024 3. Aerospace, Electronics and Instrumentation & Strategic Sectors August 2-30, 2024 4. Civil Infrastructure and Engineering September 2-6, 2024 5. Agriculture, Nutrition and Biotechnology October 21-26, 2024 6. Healthcare November 11-15, 2024 7. Mining, Minerals, Metals and Materials November 25-30, 2024 8. Ecology, Environment, Earth & Ocean Sciences and Water December 10-17, 2024 (The author is a Scientist with CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research, and Editor of the popular science magazine 'VigyanPragati'). Views expressed are personal.