CSIO celebrates foundation day

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 30

The Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) celebrated its foundation day here today. Several events were organised to commemorate the occasion.

An online quiz competition and an e-presentation competition were held as part of a virtual online open day to encourage, attract and motivate young students to take up science and research as a career.

UT Adviser Manoj Parida inaugurated a 911 kWp solar power plant on the CSIO campus. Debendra Dalai, Chief Conservator of Forests, Chandigarh, was also present on the occasion.

CSIO Director Prof S Anantha Ramakrishna said: “Solar energy is going to be a major medium of energy needs, not only today but also in the times to come. Furthering the commitment of the CSIO towards clean and green energy, the solar plant, besides meeting its own energy requirements, will also feed surplus energy into the grid.”

Towards this extent, the CSIO today also signed a ‘sponsored research-cum-licensing agreement for design of pristine/doped photocatalytic materials for pollutants degradation’ with Novorbis ITUS, a company providing air purification solutions. The CSIO, in collaboration with Raymold Luminaires Private Limited, also launched Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) products and systems that can effectively deactivate 99.9 per cent of infecting viruses, including coronavirus.

Dr Shekhar C Mande, Director-General, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, presided over the launch. Dr Shekhar said this would help in the development of useful products for society at large and especially the support being provided to the start-ups.

Prof Ramakrishna highlighted the aims and goals of the CSIO and its contribution to the field of science and technology and gave an overview of the ongoing projects and future plans of the organisation. The annual report was also released.