One-day workshop on CSIR initiatives for Science & Technology led development in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir under the aegis of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and J&K Science & Technology Department was held on 19th September at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Center. Dr Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space inaugurated the workshop whileas distinguished scientists, academicians and bureaucrats, faculties of various Colleges and Universities from across Union Territory of J&K have attended this workshop.     

On the occasion, while addressing the galaxy of scientists, academicians, technocrats and heads of civil administration of J&K UT, Dr Jitendra Singh said that Science & Technology is also priority sector of the Govt. and there is a visible change for the past many years in this field. While complimenting the organizers of the workshop, Dr Jitendra Singh said that such workshops are the need of the hour as awareness is a must for optimum outcomes as the dependency of several sectors on technology is increasing day-by-day.

He underscored that there is a need to commit ourselves to technological tools as there is no other option to compete without it. He also said that Indians have had a strong scientific temper for ages and we have talent in abundance and with this India is bound to be the world leader in the technological sector. While commenting on the technological interventions in J&K, Dr Singh said the region can reap maximum benefits out of the technological interventions in different fields.The Union Minister said that J&K has become pioneer of the purple (lavender) revolution in India after taking lead in the production of lavender in different parts of the UT. Dr Jitendra Singh said that CSIR also provided support to J&K during the COVID-19 pandemic with respect to the infrastructure of RT-PCR machine, biosafety and also trained manpower. He added that two Industrial Biotech Parks are being established in J&K while giving details about the ongoing activities of CSIR in J&K.

Dr Shekhar C Mande,  Director General, CSIR delivered a detailed presentation on various Science & Technology led developmental initiatives CSIR envisaged for the J&K Union Territory. Dr Mande also talked about the success story of CSIR Aroma Mission transforming lives in J&K and gave a detailed summary of the several activities under Aroma Mission and about the support to infrastructure development in J&K under the Purple (lavender) Revolution in J&K through floriculture activities.Sh. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary J&K, appreciated the efforts of organisers for holding such kind of event which bears a significant impact to address the diverse problems the J&K UT is confronted with. He impressed upon the Scientists & Technology to aptly use Science for Solutions.

Dr. D. S. Reddy,   Director CSIR–IIIM in his welcome address enumerated the deployable CSIR Initiatives for Union Territory of J&K. Sh. Alok Kumar, Principal Secretary, Science & Technology, J&K, presented formal vote of thanks in the inaugural session.Later during the technical session, Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy, Director, CSIR-IIIM, Jammu, Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Director, CSIR-IHBT Palampur, Dr.V.M.Tiwari, Director, CSIR-NGRI, Hyderabad, Dr. Ajay Chourasia, Sr. Principal Scientist and Dr. N. Gopalakrishnan, Director of CSIR-CBRI, Roorkee and Dr. Ashish Kishore Lele, Director CSIR-NCL Pune , Dr. Ritesh Vijay, Sr. Principal Scientist, CSIR-NEERI Nagpur, Dr. Suresh Kumar, Principal Scientist, CSIR-CLRI, Chennai, Dr. Dr. A. Gangagni Rao and Dr. S. Sridhar  CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad, Dr. Ambika Behl, Principal Scientist, CSIR-CRRI, New Delhi and Dr. Sumit Gairola, Principal Scientist, CSIR-IIIM, Jammu during their presentations have given the domain area wise detail of technologies they have and the other knowledge support their respective institutes can provide for the mitigations of problems like of roads, low cost housing, Dal Lake rejuvenation.

Shri. Manoj Sinha, Lt. Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory was Chief Guest of Valedictory session of CSIR workshop. Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor expressed gratitude to Sh Jitendra Singh, for bringing together the scientists of the premier institutes of CSIR, and taking initiative for accelerating J&K’s development through the intervention of science and technology.The Lt Governor observed that the impressive deliberations and brainstorming on the implementation of Science and Technology interventions will be a big step towards making J&K a modern, safe, self-reliant and prosperous UT.

He also said that the technologies developed by CSIR will be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir to a maximum possible extent so that works like Purple revolution of Lavender cultivation under the Aroma Mission can be implemented in other areas across the UT.Recalling his recent meeting with Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, DG, CSIR, and Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy, Director, CSIR-IIIM, the Lt Governor said that he had asked them to organize a brainstorming on identifying the technologies available with CSIR for their implementation in the J&K.

Appreciating the initiative of CSIR and J&K S&T department for holding first of its kind workshop, he called upon the CSIR scientists to work in the areas like recycling of the material used in the construction of roads, and Cold Mix Plant-based technology instead of Hot Mix Plant for longer life of roads in regions like Jammu and Kashmir.