Research plays important role in solving S&T problems: Jharkhand Governor

CSIR-NML Jamshedpur holds ‘One Week One Lab’ curtain raiser in Ranchi

Ranchi, April 24: CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur began ‘One Week One Lab’ (OWOL) Programme curtain raiser at a hotel in Ranchi on Monday.

Jharkhand Governor C P Radhakrishnan graced the occasion as chief guest, Dr N Kalaiselvi, Secretary, DSIR and Director General, CSIR was the guest of honor. Dr Avanish K Srivastava, Director, CSIR-NML and Dr Sanjay Kumar, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NML were amongst the dignitaries present at the event.

The rest of the programme will be held at CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur. The One Week One Lab (OWOL) countrywide campaign of CSIR and each of its 37 Laboratories has been launched by Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh.

Jharkhand Governor C P Radhakrishnan on Monday said one should find the correct way of discarding old gadgets as it can give a fillip to the economy of recycling and reuse. The Governor was speaking at a programme of the ‘One Week One Lab (OWOL)’ campaign of CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML), Jamshedpur.

Noting that “Today’s latest gadgets are also e-waste of tomorrow”, the Governor said CSIR-NML has developed a technology for recovery of precious and other metals from old devices.

“The celebration of all small and big achievements of Indian scientists will create a leaning towards science and help us in this Amrit Kaal. I believe the One Week One Lab campaign of CSIR is a significant step in that direction,” he said at the event here.

The Governor also pointed out that NML, one of the first five laboratories established by CSIR, has worked on arsenic removal technology.

“Water in some parts of Jharkhand is rich in arsenic which causes serious health issues for the people consuming it. I would like to see a large-scale implementation of the technology for removing arsenic content from drinking water,” he said.

The NML, he said, has also developed a technology for the reclamation of coal mine water free of harmful microorganisms, and making it fit for human consumption.

Earlier, Director, CSIR-NML in his welcome address briefed about the establishment of the laboratory in the mineral rich state of Jharkhand, with a purpose of ores beneficiation and composite alloy development for the benefit of the industries. He also explained about the Scientific and Technological achievements of CSIR-NML in different eras.

The CSIR-NML one week one lab program at Jamshedpur will be open for all including students, MSMEs, industries and general public for the variety of events like Jigyasa (Teacher-Student Interaction Program), ShilpakarMela (Artisan’s Meet), Scientific & Technological Exhibition, Academia Meet, Technology Hackathan and Poster Presentation on Futuristic Ideas and Technical Workshops. 

Dr N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, DSIR and DG, CSIR mentioned about the reason of establishment of CSIR laboratories in various locations of India and their contributions for the upliftment of Science & Technology in the country, for both industrial and societal applicability. According to her, CSIR is focusing on problem areas that are not only relevant in the current times but will be relevant in coming future as well like Climate Change, Indigenous Technology Development, Waste to Wealth Development and EV battery research.

She explicitly said that CSIR-NML is focusing on mining, beneficiation and alloy development that are relevant to not only the mineral rich state of Jharkhand but for the entire country as well. She also mentioned the collaborative research conducted by the CSIR-NML with TATA Steel for the development of industry relevant technologies.

H.E. Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, Governor of Jharkhand, started his speech by congratulating CSIR-NML for its efforts to align with the government missions like “Skill India”, “Make-in-India”, Swachh Bharat”, Self-Reliant India” and others. He appreciated the initiatives of the laboratory like Women Technology Park, Urban Ore Recycling Centre for waste to wealth (e-waste recycling) , Lithium metal extraction and other Rare earths extraction.

According to him, research has a very important role in solving the S&T problems and the result of R&D should solve problems of industries and make people happy. He explicitly emphasized upon the energy focused research , as the electronic vehicles are for future. He also mentioned that though the drinkable water percentage in Jharkhand could be raised from 6% to 36% , due to efforts of R&Dand Govt. of India Mission “Jal Jeevan”,  but the same has to go much beyond towards 100% drinkable water for the state. He praised the efforts of the laboratory in the area of Arsenic removal from the Jharkhand water sources and the removal of contamination of Mine water. He also explained that the R&D of the developed countries, make them super power, as the R&D expenditure of the developed companies are very high. India might have started from not very high budget of R&D but is continuously increasing its R&D investment for new ventures and relevant efforts.  According to him, R&D cannot be quantitative and its results are not certain, only the dedicated efforts of the researchers can make it a success. The hon’ble Governor of Jharkhand has also put up a challenge to the Indian R&D to compete with the countries that are much ahead of our country in the areas of manufacturing and machining. He reemphasized that the R&D, that will be industry friendly and people friendly will certainly make the country more capable and competitive.

NML has established Women Technology Park in association with the National Institute of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Ranchi, for women-centric product innovation and tools for improving the working conditions of women in Jharkhand.