
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research observes Swachhata Pakhwada 2025
New Delhi [India], May 18 (ANI): The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) observed Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 from 1st to 15th May 2025 at its Headquarters in New Delhi and across all its constituents' laboratories/ institutes/units, as part of the Government of India's flagship Swachh Bharat Mission, aimed at realizing Mahatma Gandhi's dream of a clean and hygienic India, the Ministry of Science & Technology said in a release on Sunday.
As per the release, the 'Swachhata Pakhwada' is a concept inspired by the Prime Minister's vision. The Pakhwada was organised in accordance with the Calendar of Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 issued by the Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India
The Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 commenced on 1st May 2025 with a pledge-taking ceremony at CSIR Headquarters. The Swachhata pledge was led by Dr N Kalaiselvi, Director-General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR in the presence of, Mahendra Kumar Gupta, Joint Secretary (Admin), CSIR, and Chetan Prakash Jain, Financial Advisor, CSIR and all CSIR Hqrs employees. The collective reading of the pledge reaffirmed CSIR's commitment to the values of cleanliness, discipline, and civic responsibility, and set the tone for the activities that followed over the fortnight. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation and served as a strong motivational start to the Pakhwada.
According to the release, during the fortnight, cleanliness drives were conducted across the premises. DG, CSIR, along with all officers and staff of the Headquarters, enthusiastically participated in the cleanliness drive. During the event, the hardworking Safai Mitras were felicitated for their tireless year-round efforts to maintain cleanliness.
Special efforts were made to clear construction debris and dispose of scrap. Further, efforts were made to clear pending e-files in the e-office. Heads of Divisions mobilised their teams for this effort, and the IT Division provided hands-on training sessions on e-file parking and closure. As Pakhwada placed particular emphasis on canteen cleanliness, the Civil Section and the canteen staff undertook a revamp of the facility, greatly enhancing the user experience. Other activities such as air conditioning cleaning, water purifier cleaning have also been carried out.
For the first time, a Photography Competition was introduced as part of the Pakhwada at CSIR Hqrs, an initiative of the DG of CSIR to promote creative engagement with the theme of cleanliness. Alongside this, other competitions, such as slogan writing, painting, and Kavita path, helped raise awareness in a participatory manner.
The Pakhwada concluded on 15th May 2025 with a valedictory function led by the DG of CSIR. Winners of various competitions were acknowledged and felicitated. In her address, the DG of CSIR emphasised that Swachhata is not just a campaign but a way of life that must be reflected in both physical and digital workspaces. She urged all employees to sustain the momentum of the Pakhwada and integrate cleanliness into the organizational culture.
According to the release, the end-to-end implementation of Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 at CSIR Hqrs was coordinated by Mayank Mathur, Chief Scientist and nodal officer for Swachhata Activities, and Dr. A.S. Nirmala Devi, Principal Scientist and deputy nodal officer, along with Standing Swachhata Committee Members Dr. P. Rama Rao, Ms. Deepti Sharma Dullu, Vinod, and Avinash Kumar.
The successful observance of Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 at CSIR underlines the institute's continued commitment to the national Swachh Bharat Mission and to fostering a clean, efficient, and responsible work environment. (ANI)
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The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Wealth from waste: how crop residue can provide nutritious cattle fodder, make farming eco-friendly
Scientists at CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) here seems to have found a solution to the country's mounting problem of dealing with agriculture residue such as paddy straw and rice and wheat husk. Over the past few years, scientists at the premier institute have been working on converting rice straw and other crop residue into nutrient rich fodder for the livestock and also other value-added products such as Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) and Fermented Organic Manure (FOM). Usually farmers resort to burning the crop residues, leading to environment pollution. Though it is already being used as cattle fodder, it is not as nutritious as other foods. Scientists have now shown that crop residue like rice straw when treated with a relatively simple chemical process could effectively help bridge the gap in the country's fodder needs, besides protecting the environment. By separating 'lignin', a complex polymer found in plant cell walls, and adding a few essential ingredients, rice straw could be turned into a cattle fodder with improved palatability and digestibility. The process is called 'delignification', said principal scientist Polumati Anand. After testing the process in an in house pilot plant on the institute campus in Tarnaka, the fortified fodder was evaluated in field trials. Buffalo calves and sheep were fed the fodder and their food intake, digestion and growth examined. These field trials of the fortified fodder held at the ICAR-National Research Centre on Meat, Chengicharla, (Hyderabad) showed 'remarkable' improvements in digestibility of buffaloes as palatability increased from 20% to 60%, he explained. Weight gain in the sheep was approximately 3.7 times higher and methane emissions from the animals also dropped. Following tests on sheep, goats and buffaloes, the treated biomass is being fed to cows as well, said Dr. Anand. Utilising the 'delignified' paddy straw in the animal diets offers a sustainable and economical alternative, reducing feed costs and promoting eco-friendly farming practices. Studies are also being carried out at P.V. Narsimha Rao Telangana Veterinary University, Rajendranagar (Hyderabad), to evaluate the effect of fortified fodder developed by CSIR-IICT on the milk yield and quality, said the principal scientist. Scientists are of the view that treated biomass could effectively deal with the growing need for a cost-effective animal fodder with enhanced nutritional efficiency with farmers as direct beneficiaries. The institute has also developed a Dry Anaerobic Digester with Unique Hydrodynamics (DAD-UH) Technology for the generation of CBG and FOM from rice straw and rice husk. A pilot plant, which is being operated on the institute campus for the past 18 months, has shown that about 100 kg and 140 kg of CBG could be generated from one tonne of rice husk and straw respectively, said scientist Sameena. Chief Scientist A.G. Rao said that as per the Centre's SATAT (Sustainable Alternative towards Affordable Transportation) programme, a minimum of two tonnes per day capacity CBG plant can be installed by an entrepreneur, and the gas generated could be supplied to nearby CNG bunks being operated by Oil Manufacturing Companies. These plants are remunerative with a simple payback period of four years with guaranteed CBG and FOM (Fermented Organic Manure) purchase from by the Centre, he said. The pilot plants and the process of reinventing crop residues was showcased during a recent farmers conclave held at the institute, where Telangana Agriculture Secretary M. Raghunandan Rao expressed concern over farmers burning crop residue. The government is proposing to set up agri-based industries using biomass and others, including CNG plants on land belonging to the Agriculture department, he said. Hailing the farm friendly products, CSIR-IICT Director D. Srinivasa Reddy said the institute, which had played a pioneering role in promoting pharma and allied industries, has also been working on developing eco-friendly technologies. 'Resources currently considered as 'waste' are being utilised as 'resources' for the generation of value-added products in addition to complimenting farmers' income,' he added.
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First Post
3 days ago
- First Post
ISRO has been very successful; Subhanshu Shukla will carry the torch forward: Rakesh Sharma
April 3, 1984, marks a historic milestone in India's space journey. On this day, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma of Indian Air Force, became the first Indian to travel to space, as he flew aboard the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz T-11 which was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. The mission crew also included two Russians, including spacecraft commander Yury Malyshev and flight engineer Gennadi Strekalov. After reaching the orbit, the trio docked with the Salyut 7 space station, where Sharma spent 7 days, 21 hours, and 40 minutes and conducted various scientific and technical experiments. During the course of the mission, Sharma participated in a televised conversation with the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. When she asked him, how does India look from space, he famously replied, 'Saare Jahan Se Achcha'—a phrase that has since become part of India's space folklore. Sharma returned to Earth, landing safely near the town of Arkalyk in northern Kazakhstan. On April 3, 1984, the Department of Posts commemorated this historic event by issuing a postage stamp and a First Day Cover. The stamp depicts the Soyuz T-11 spacecraft approaching the Salyut 7 space station, symbolizing the critical docking phase of the mission. Via a gazette notification dated May 7, 1985, the Government of India conferred its highest peacetime gallantry award, the 'Ashoka Chakra', on him. As Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares for his international flight as part of Axiom-4 mission to become the second Indian to travel to space, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma shares his views on India's quest for the stars. Excerpts: Q. How did it feel to be the first Indian to travel to space aboard Soyuz T-11 on April 3, 1984? A. Although I have been following manned space programme ever since Yuri Gagarin's space flight, I have to admit that I never dreamt of ever going to space, primarily because the Indian Space Research Organisation at that time never had a manned space programme. But when we learned, we in the Air Force, I mean, that Mrs. Gandhi had asked the Indian Air Force whether we would like to send one of our pilots to space, so Air Chief Marshal Latif, who was the chief of the air staff at that time, thankfully said yes. And then this long selection process started, at the end of which Air Commodore Ravish Malhotra and myself were selected to undergo training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmodrome Training Centre just outside Moscow at Star City. Q. How did your career as a fighter pilot prepare you for the rigors of spaceflight? A. Well, my career as a fighter pilot, most importantly, prepared me for the space flight because the qualification that was required from amongst the aspirants, the selection was made from amongst military pilots, fighter pilots who were test pilots. And so, I was one. So was Air Commodore Ravish Malhotra and quite a few others. And then a long series of medical tests started. So, in that sense, if I hadn't been in the Air Force, at least for that flight, I wouldn't have been qualified even to get selected. So that's how the Indian Air Force helped me to be one of the aspirants for selection. Q. Millions of Indians still fondly recall the moment when you famously described India as 'Saare Jahan Se Achha.' What are your own recollections of that historic moment? A. Well, my recollection of that particular event. I do remember that I was extremely nervous because one doesn't get to speak with one, our country's prime minister. We were never trained for that, never had the opportunity to do that and to then do it from space near Earth orbit at a time when I knew that the entire country would be following this. So that was discomforting, you know. So, I tried to remain focused on what she was asking. And that's how that interview went. So, I know later on, it has become quite a historic sort of a reply to her question. But that was because, I must tell you that our country truly looks beautiful from space. Q. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is all set to take forward your legacy as he goes to the International Space Station as part of the Axiom-4 team. How do you view India's advancements in Space Technology from 1984-2025? A. Group captain Subhanshu Shukla indeed is going to be carrying the torch forward. And I must say it's been 41 years and during this period, ISRO has been slowly, steadily and very, very successfully realising the vision that was given to it from stalwarts like Vikram Sarabhai and other worthies. Satish Dhawan and the various chairman of ISRO have been working towards that vision, which is to use satellite technology for the betterment of our nation, both economically as well as how the output of space would impact the lives of our countrymen. positively. So, in that sense, I must say that ISRO has very successfully realised those aims. Along with that, the science which ISRO has done has been also very commendable, whether you take missions to the moon or to Mars, which were also very successful and lately to the sun, that is the Aditya mission. So, a lot has happened and moving on towards man space programme, it is the logical next step and presently ISRO is working towards that end and I'm very confident that very shortly we will be having our own astronauts launching on our own launchers from our own space port and that will be something worth cheering about. Yes, and Subhanshu Shukla will share all the experience he is going to gain shortly on this Axiom 4 flight. And we are all looking forward to his flight and a safe return and further contributions towards the manned space programme of India. Q. You have been closely associated with the Gaganyaan Mission, which is scheduled for next year. How crucial is the mission for India's space programme? A. I think I have partially answered this question during my answer to the previous question of yours. So, this particular flight and the Gaganyaan mission thereafter is going to demonstrate and give us confidence in taking humans to near Earth orbit and returning them safely. And it would have proven the technology of space transportation towards near Earth orbit and back. And that is crucial for the establishment of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, which is going to be set up years from now. And then that becomes the laboratory where we are going to be doing science, quite like what is presently being done at the International Space Station. So, all this experience. is going to benefit us and we know what the landscape is going to be like and what the state of art is required to be perfected before we embark on those important missions. Q. How do you view India's space journey today—especially Chandrayaan, Gaganyaan, and Aditya missions? A. Well, the missions you have mentioned, Chandrayaan, Gaganyaan and Aditya missions, I must say that they have been extremely successful as has been demonstrated and reported by the media. Now, the thing is that what stands out is the frugality with which India has achieved these missions on a shoestring budget. But the technology is absolutely indigenous. And on the very first attempt, we have managed to achieve success for these missions. So, we're going to look forward to many more such scientific missions. And one thing I'd like to highlight, and that is India's approach, which is that all the science data which we have collected already from Chandrayaan, Gaganyaan and we will be doing from Aditya is freely shared with other countries. So, we are not trying to keep it to ourselves. We are sharing all the data with all the other countries so that they also benefit, even though the Indian taxpayer is paying for these missions. But then that's who we are, and that is our cultural ethos. We believe that the world is one family. Q. What advice would you give to young Indians who dream of becoming astronauts? A. For young Indians who are dreaming to become astronauts, all I have to say is, when opportunity comes knocking on your door, just remember to open the door. And if you think that it's going to be extremely difficult for you to become an astronaut, just remember that things are never as difficult as they appear at first glance. So, just go for it. and make sure and there are many verticals with which you can be a researcher you can be an environmental engineer because there's a lot of activity that's going to happen in the medium term when we set up colonies initially on moon and later on, mars so don't miss the bus and all the best to all of you. Jai Hind.


Hans India
4 days ago
- Hans India
Accuracy of scientifically generated weather forecasts remains limited
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) was established in 1875 as a pivotal organisation for weather observation, forecasting and climate monitoring in the Indian subcontinent. Incidentally 'India' is the correct word. Many national organisations use 'Indian' at the beginning of their names, which I find somewhat racist in its flavour. As someone pointed out, it is the India cricket team that plays against the teams of other countries and not the Indian team! IMD is the principal government agency for meteorology and related subjects and plays a vital role in disaster management, agriculture, aviation, and public safety by providing critical weather and climate services. Its vision includes achieving high forecast accuracy-zero-error for up to three days and 90 per cent accuracy for a five-day forecast. As one of the first scientific departments of the Government of India it celebrated its 150th anniversary on January 15, a milestone which is a testament to its long-standing contributions to the field of meteorology and its impact on the nation. The roots of meteorology in India trace back to ancient times. Early philosophical texts like the Upanishads discuss cloud formation, rain processes, and seasonal cycles, as long back as 3000 BCE. Modern meteorology gained a scientific foundation in the 17th century with the invention of the thermometer, barometer, and the formulation of atmospheric gas laws. The first meteorological observatory in India was established in 1785 at Kolkata. Having worked in the agriculture and related sectors for over two decades, I enjoyed a close association with IMD. As a member of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in particular, I had the opportunity to study the working of the organisation closely and often visited its headquarters in Lodhi Road, Delhi. Its distinguished past record and ambitious plans for the future notwithstanding, the fact remains that, at least so far as agriculture is concerned, I found IMD's forecasts are of limited, if not doubtful, value. Being a scientific organisation, it quite rightly puts out predictions based on studies of weather patterns using various instruments in different types of technology. The forecasts, excellent as they are from a technical point of view, however, are more relevant at the global level and have difficulty in relating to grassroots level requirements. I have for long argued that disaggregated and locally relevant short term forecasts ought to be the objectives which the agency needs to espouse. Agriculture is a tricky area and what is a good thing for one place can spell disaster for another. Likewise, what is a good event at one time in a given place can, at the wrong time, have extremely adverse consequences-the sauce for the goose not being the same for the gander, in other words. Take, for example, Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh, where I began my career in civil service. Groundnut is a common crop there. If it does not rain in the first week of July, it is difficult to plant the seed. Another spell of rainfall is required a few weeks later, to whet the appetite of the growing plant for nourishment. Much later, when it is time for harvesting the crop, a shower, makes it easy for the groundnut to be plucked out of the ground. If any of these events happens at the wrong time, production and productivity will both suffer substantially. When the IMD says, for example, that rainfall is expected to be normal this year, it can very well mean that there may be floods in Bihar, eastern UP and West Bengal and severe droughts in Vidarbha or in the western parts of Rajasthan. The average of the two can satisfy the prediction of IMD, although there is disaster everywhere! As a member of the NDMA, I found that my earlier feeling, that it is difficult, if not almost impossible, to predict the occurrence of earthquakes had, in fact been scientifically validated. Forecasting, however, is possible in the case of other natural calamities, such as cyclones, floods and droughts. In the case of cyclones, I was aware that a technology was in vogue in other countries like the USA, by which aircrafts are sent into the eyes of cyclones, to study parameters such as the radius of maximum wind and temperature, which are crucial for anticipating the likely structure and intensity of the storms. I remember having taken it up with IMD with a view to seeing whether it could be used in India too. It is indeed gratifying that, subsequently, IMD did buy the appropriate technology from the USA. They are waiting to see if the Indian Air Force (IAF) can spare one of the aircrafts available with them, which are known to be suitable for the purpose, could be spared, so that they can also commence the process. In the meanwhile, it is understood that Taiwan has also started using the method, with the help of the USA. Despite all the mostly unjustified criticism against them, the weather forecasters, when all is said and done, do a reasonably good job. It is no fault of theirs, after all, that phenomenons such as the butterfly syndrome, make it well-nigh impossible for accurate predictions of the manner in which the climate in the world or the weather in a local situation will behave. We live in a world which today undoubtedly is free from any gender bias, a world in which women have, quite rightly, and on their own steam, proven their ability to occupy the highest positions in various walks of life, from politics to space travel, and acquitted themselves much better than their male counter parts. William Shakespeare, however, belonged to another era, not quite as enlightened. He would probably have assigned to the entity of weather the feminine gender. In order to correspond with his saying, as Hamlet said, in the play with the same name, 'Frailty thy name is woman.' There is, in fact, also a Telugu equivalent expression, reflecting the same spirit, 'Kshanakshanikamul javarandra chittamul', or freely translated, a moment is all that a lady needs to change her mind! A spirit, no doubt, that belonged to a less emancipated times! There are, after all, limits to even the most scientifically generated weather forecasts. There is this well-known butterfly syndrome in climate, a concept in chaos theory that describes how a small change in the initial conditions can lead to significant and unpredictable outcomes. The fluttering of the wings of a butterfly in Paris, for example, can lead to a super cyclone in the Bay of Bengal! Talking about weather forecasts reminds me of the time when in the early 1970s, P.V. Narasimha Rao, as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, travelled to Chittoor district to acquaint himself with the devastation caused by a severe drought. And as the Collector of that district at that time, a senior and respected colleague, Valliappan told me later, bursting with laughter, the Prime Minister went around in pouring rain! (The writer was formerly Chief Secretary, Government of Andhra Pradesh)