CSIR-IMTech

#Chennai: "Deeply deeply humbled by the 'Lifetime Achievement Award in Medicine & Diabetes' conferred at the National Meet 'MVCON 2026', organised by M.V. Diabetes Chennai founded in 1954 by Late Prof M. Viswanathan, popularly remembered as one of the founding fathers of Diabetology in India, along with his equally illustrious contemporaries of the time.  Although, this is the second Lifetime Achievement Award in Medicine bestowed on me in less than two years, the last one also during an international meet at Chennai  in July 2024, I honestly believe that I quite fall short of the award citation which lauds , according to it, "outstanding contribution as a distinguished medical professional, teacher, author, researcher particularly known for his work on 'Stress Diabetes in  displaced Kashmiri Pandit community' and 'Diabetes in  Pregnancy',  and also an advocate for advancing Diabetes care and public health". Frankly, I owe much of this to the mentorship and kindness of nationally acclaimed stalwarts  like Prof V. Seshiah, Prof Sam GP Moses, Prof MMS Ahuja and Prof N.S. Pathania, as also my teachers at Stanley Medical College, who were all very  generously indulgent with me and did the hand-holding to pull up this unknown boy hailing from a peripheral region, and enabled me to gradually inch towards the centre stage of medical academics in India. I cannot repay them for all that I received from them in abundance, but have in a modest way tried to be the same to the students who came under my charge during my several decades as a teacher of Medicine. Today, when I see some of these boys and girls, who had done their MD or their thesis under me, heading their respective departments in leading medical institutions of Delhi, Chennai and other places, and fondly remembering the time they spent with me, I feel the strange satisfaction of having done some thanksgiving to my own teachers ...though not wholly but in a very small fraction. My ultimate gratitude to my patients whose trust kept me going. It is touching when some of them meet me with a lamination- preserved prescription written by me years ago".

India’s bioeconomy has grown from around $10 billion in 2014 to over $195 billion in 2025, reflecting significant progress. He noted that biotechnology is playing a key role in healthcare, agriculture, climate solutions, and sustainable manufacturing, with India aiming for a $300 billion bioeconomy by 2030. The #BioE3 policy and a ₹1 lakh crore fund to boost research, innovation, and biotech startups. #BIRAC

“The highlight of this year’s Foundation Day of "Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council" #BIRAC is that, as per the India Bio Economy Report #IBER2025 released today, India achieves a quantum rise in bio-economy, touching the figure of 195.3 billion U.S. dollars. This is significant , particularly because before the Modi government came in 2014, India's bio-economy stood at mere 10 billion U.S. dollars, which means that there has been a nearly 20 times hike in just over a decade. This milestone is in keeping with the collective realisation that the next industrial revolution is going to be biotechnology driven and the entire paradigm of economic growth is going to shift from IT to majorly Biotech and, when that happens, India would have already taken a lead. Similarly, while in 2014 the number of biotech #StartUps in this country was just around 400, today it is nearly 12,000, which is again quite a record. While congratulating the entire fraternity and the industry for this synergised effort, it is important to mention that, this success story has been possible primarily because of an enabling milieu and patronage provided by PM Sh @NarendraModi, who not only made sure that India was among the first few countries in the world to launch a dedicated Biotechnology policy called #BioE3, but he also made it a point to publicly announce this in his Independence Day address of 2025, calling upon the youth of the country to explore the biotechnology sector to discover a bright future for themselves”.

Laid the foundation stone of India’s first dedicated BioFoundry Centre at “National Agri-food & Biomanufacturing Institute #NABI, #Chandigarh, under Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, with an outlay of ₹42 crore over two years. In an age when the world is exploring options of food security through “smart foods”, this facility will enable scaling of advanced agri-food biomanufacturing, including processed proteins, bio-inputs and bio-based products, bridging lab research with industry and thus also strengthening India’s bioeconomy.

A backpack-sized jet engine — proudly developed in India 🇮🇳 A scientist from @CSIRNALOFFICIAL unveils the NJ100, an indigenous small turbojet engine generating 100 kgf thrust for #UAVs, drone interceptors, and compact cruise-missile class platforms. A strong step forward for #AtmanirbharBharat, strengthening India’s capabilities in advanced #Aerospace propulsion and unmanned technologies.

Dev Discourse: India at the Helm of a Green Future: Decisive Steps Towards Sustainable Development Read: devdiscourse.com/article/scienc…

India Education Diary: Warfare Becoming Increasingly Technology-Driven; traditional man-to-man combat is gradually reducing. Read: indiaeducationdiary.in/warfare-becomi…

My keynote address at the  "Sustainable Business Futures Summit 2026", organised by #FICCI at New Delhi: Takeaways: "India today stands at a decisive stage in the global transition towards a green future and is well placed to play a leading role in shaping it. With her 1.4 billion population, India holds the key to "Green World" transition. This presents both a responsibility and an opportunity for India to emerge as a major global driver of sustainable development powered by green technologies and clean energy systems. This would also call for extended collaborative strategies, involving both the government and the non-government entities, to achieve the target goals. The evolving global economy is moving towards recycling, regeneration and environmentally sustainable technologies, and India is aligning its development pathway with these emerging priorities. SHANTI Act , for instance, is a landmark  reform by the @narendramodi government, that opens the nuclear energy sector for wider participation, including private players, and enables new avenues for clean and dependable energy generation".

The Hindu: Government clears 23 institutions to set up ‘quantum labs’ #DST #NationalQuantumMission thehindu.com/sci-tech/scien…

Dainik Bhaskar: भारत प्रौद्योगिकी-आधारित राष्ट्रीय विकास के एक नए चरण में प्रवेश कर रहा है bhaskarhindi.com/other/hindi-in…

#Sahitya_Akademi_Award_2025 द्वारा देश की 24 मान्यता प्राप्त भाषाओं के साहित्यकारों को सम्मानित किया जाना हमारी समृद्ध भाषाई विविधता और साहित्यिक विरासत का गौरवपूर्ण प्रतीक है। वरिष्ठ #Dogri कवि ठाकुर सतसई तथा #Kashmiri कवि नजदावनेकी पॉट अलाव को मिला यह सम्मान विशेष रूप से #JammuAndKashmir के लिए गौरव का विषय हैं। सभी सम्मानित साहित्यकारों को हार्दिक बधाई एवं शुभकामनाएँ।

Director of IIT Gandhi Nagar #Gujarat, Prof Rajat Moona called on to give an update of various academic projects undertaken in the institution with the support from Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. Also briefed about the Research Park set up in the premises of IIT #Gandhinagar.

Chaired the joint monthly review meeting of Secretaries of Science Ministries and Departments. The meeting reviewed major scientific programmes, upcoming national events, and efforts to strengthen coordination among different science ministries. Approval granted for establishing quantum teaching facilities/laboratories in 23 academic institutions across India in different states while 100 more are under consideration, to support advanced research and training in emerging quantum technologies. #ISRO Chairman shared the plan for the launch of the next PSLV mission.  Emphasised greater coordination among Science Ministries to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem.  Received a brief about  preparation for the next "India International Science Festival" (#IISF); RISE Conclave to Boost Research–Industry–#StartUp Collaboration.

"Foundation stone of Rs 600 to 700 cr, India's first of it's kind indigenous Antibiotic related manufacturing plant in #Kathua holds the promise of a quantum economic leap for the region, reiterates the @narendramodi government's thrust on equitable development of tier 2 cities, priority on engaging private sector since the pharma company involved has it's presence in nearly 40 countries of the world and simultaneously this initiative places #JammuAndKashmir on the export map of India. An affordable accessible source of medicine, also for other states and countries, lives up the Mantra of Atmanirbhar Vishwabandhu Bharat. Kathua's wholesome health ecosystem, developed over last one descale, also includes a Govt Medical College, which has also started Cancer care facility under the aegis of Tata Memorial Centre Mumbai, and North India's first Homeopathic Medical College coming up in Jasrota. Kathua's other current major noteables include nearing completion Shahpur Kandi project, upcoming Ujh Multipurpose project, soon to be functional Delhi-Katra Express  Highway, upcoming Arun Jaitley International Stadium at Hiranagar, upgradation of Kathua Railway Station, North India’s first Industrial Biotech Park, recent Vande Bharat, first ever Seed Processing plant, Engineering College under RUSA, inter-state Keediyan Gandyal bridge, first ever statue of Maharaja Gulab Singh at Lakhanpur, Birla Park and Highland Park, Basohli's North India's first-ever  cable free Ravi bridge at Basohli  etc.

My Address at the “Unstoppable Bharat Conference 2026” at Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi. Takeaways: "Space, nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, and advanced technologies play a decisive role in shaping India’s future security architecture as well as national development. No shortage of scientific talent in the country, and therefore the @narendramodi government has been working to create an enabling ecosystem to nurture innovation from an early stage, to encourage students at school level itself. For example, programs such as Vigyan Jyoti for mentoring school girls. India’s Space Startup ecosystem expanding rapidly following the Space sector reforms while nuclear energy to play a critical role in supporting future technologies such as artificial intelligence and large-scale data centres. Warfare becoming increasingly technology driven; traditional man-to-man combat gradually declining".

From traditional farming to smart agriculture! In #Udhampur, farmer Kewal Kumar has transformed his livelihood by adopting polyhouse technology under a 95% government subsidy. By cultivating high-yield organic hybrid tomatoes, he is boosting productivity and income while embracing modern, sustainable farming practices. A shining example of how innovation and government support are empowering our farmers.

Congratulations to #ISRO on the successful sea-level hot test of the CE20 Cryogenic Engine at 22-tonne thrust at the ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. The successful test featuring the nozzle protection system and multi-element igniter marks another important step in strengthening India’s advanced cryogenic propulsion capabilities and further enhancing the reliability of the LVM3 programme.

As India assumes a global role in the impending Biotech revolution, #JammuAndKashmir joins the mainstream of India’s grand Pharma leap, with #Kathua, despite being a 2-tier city, being chosen for setting up India’s first indigenously developed 7-Amino Cephalosporinic Acid product, antibiotic for resistant infections commonly seen in patients with cancer, poorly controlled diabetes and other immuno compromised patients. Laid the foundation stone of Orchid Bio-Pharma, a Dhanuka Group Multi National Company with presence in around 40 countries. The new Pharma establishment is estimated to involve an investment of around Rs 600 to 700 Cr. ….a great boost for region’s economy and employment, and a motivation for other industrial houses to follow. Facilitated by #BIRAC, Department of Biotechnology, the project reflects the @narendramodi government’s focus on promoting India’s biotech entrepreneurship and life sciences sector.

Governor of #Chhattisgarh, Sh Raman Deka @ramendeka16, currently on a visit to the national capital, called on for a courtesy meeting. Discussed administrative and other key issues concerning the State.

Congratulations to Dr. Venkat Ramana Vemuluri and his team on acceptance of their manuscript entitled "Deinococcus pantiae sp. nov., a UV-resistant bacterium isolated from a lake in Schirmacher Oasis, Antarctica” in Microbiology Society. It is indeed a proud moment for IMTech Family. Wish you many more such accomplishments. @CSIR_IND @CSIR_NIScPR