Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of Science and Technology, recently highlighted India’s urgent need to cultivate a self-sustaining science and technology ecosystem. He emphasized that this vital goal requires significantly greater involvement from the private sector.
His remarks came during the inauguration of the golden jubilee celebration finale for the CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
The Minister advocated for a comprehensive national strategy, urging a “whole of government,” “whole of science,” and “whole of nation” approach, all bolstered by heightened private sector engagement.
He pointed to recent reforms as examples, stating, “We have opened up sectors previously considered off-limits, such as the space sector, and this year’s Budget announced the liberalization of the nuclear sector.”
According to Dr. Singh, the era of isolated research is fading, evidenced by a significant rise in interdisciplinary initiatives and planning in recent years.
He specifically noted that NIIST’s unique strength and identity are rooted in its commitment to an interdisciplinary agenda.
Commending NIIST’s founders for their foresight in establishing an institute with an interdisciplinary focus, Dr. Singh remarked that NIIST has successfully fulfilled its foundational purpose. He challenged the institute to now advance to its “next level” of innovation.
C. Anandharamakrishnan, Director of CSIR-NIIST, shared the institute’s ambitious vision to evolve into an ‘International Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology’ in the coming years.
Introducing Vidyut Swasthya
During the event, Dr. Singh also unveiled ‘Vidyut Swasthya,’ an innovative pedal-assisted exercise system designed to convert human kinetic energy into electricity, perfect for charging various gadgets.
Other notable NIIST initiatives launched included the Golden Jubilee Innovation Centre, ‘ANANDHA’ — an Automated Nodal-hub for Assembly of Next-generation Dye-sensitised Light Harvesters, functioning as an advanced AI and machine learning laboratory, and a significant eco-restoration project for the Padmatheertham Pond in Thiruvananthapuram.
The institute further marked the occasion by transferring its developed technology for advanced aluminium-magnesium-scandium (Al-Mg-Sc) alloys. Additionally, Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged for projects focusing on sustainable wastewater management in houseboats and the development of smart tires.
Prominent speakers at the event included Krishna Ella, Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech; Dipankar Banerjee, Vice Chancellor of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology; Rajeev Chandrasekhar, BJP Kerala State president and former Union Minister; and P. Nishy, Chief Scientist at CSIR-NIIST.