Department of Science & Technology (DST) celebrates it’s foundation day

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Science & Technology
03-May, 2018 16:36 IST
Department of Science & Technology (DST) celebrates it’s foundation day

Dr Harsh Vardhan lays foundation stone of new state of the art building of DST

DST celebrates Swachhata Pakhwada from 01st May 2018 to 15th May 2018

Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Harsh Vardhan, today laid the foundation stone of New State of Art Building of DST. Giving brief introduction about new state of the art building, Secretary DST Prof. Ashutosh Sharma said that IRCON has promised to complete phase one of project within 15 months. Prof Sharma appealed to audience to share any ideas that can bring unique science & technology elements in news building. “Construction of new state of the art building should be completed by 3rd May, 2021 when DST will celebrate it’s Golden Jubilee”, said Dr Harsh Vardhan. He also expressed his happiness as environment Minister as New building follows all green building norms and he insisted that latest norms should be followed during construction.

DST, one of the three departments of Ministry of Science & Technology, was established on 03rd May, 1971 with the express objective of exploring and developing new areas of S&T, to strengthen national Science & Technology capacity and capability, cutting across institutions and disciplines.

The existing DST Complex known as Technology Bhawan was constructed and used for storage of food-grains by US Aid Agency under PL-480 “Public Law- 480”. PL-480 is an “Agricultural Trade Development Act” signed into Law on 10th July 1954 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Prior to that, US extended food aid to countries experiencing natural disaster and provided aid in time of war, but not as a permanent program. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy renamed it as “Food for Peace”. In India, this programme was operative for the period from 1961 to 1969. After closure of the scheme in India, the assets created by US Aid Agency were agreed to be handed over to Govt. of India on 17th February 1970. Department of Science and Technology moved into these buildings on 3rd May 1971.

There was an unfortunate fire incident in 2013 causing a great loss of property to the building of DST. This necessitated construction of a new building for DST within the campus of 8.87 Acres at Technology Bhawan. Accordingly, DST has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with IRCON Infrastructure & Services LTD (A Government of India Undertaking, under Ministry of Railways). The new building will accommodate two departments of Ministry of Science and Technology, namely, DST & DSIR and also a few Autonomous Institutes such as SERB, TIFAC, TDB and VigyanPrasar located at Delhi. These AIs are presently functioning from rented premises.

Among other dignitaries present on the occasion were CSIR Secretary Dr Girish Sahni, Ministry of Earth Sciences Secretary Dr. M. Rajeevan, IRCON CMD Shri S. K. Chaudhary, DST joint secretary & Financial adviser Shri J. B. Mohapatra, DST joint secretary Ms Anju Bhalla, former DST secretaries Dr P. Ramarao& Prof. V. S. Ramamurthy.

As a part of Swachh Bharat Mission, SwacchtaPakhwadais also observed in the Department of Science & Technology from 01st May 2018 to 15th May 2018. DST every year celebrates its Foundation Day on 03rd May, which this year falls during the SwacchtaPakhwada. Among other activities during the Pakhwada, DST also organized Round-Table Discussion on challenges for DST and expectations from stakeholders. Different stakeholders like distinguished Former-Secretaries of DST, Eminent Scientists, Senior Fellows and Media Persons participated in discussion.

Other activities planned during the Swachhta Pakhwada include expert talks and stakeholders’ consultations on clean water, clean air, clean energy and waste management. DST has been funding research projects in these areas for many years, and during the Pakhwada, technologies developed with support from DST will be discussed by scientists and experts. An Exhibition to showcase these technologies will also be held from 07th May to 10th May, 2018 on the Technology Bhawan Campus, and on 11th May, 2018 at Vigyan Bhawan, where the National Technology Day will be celebrated. Child innovators will also showcase their innovations and prototype models for Swachhta on 14th May, 2018 at Technology Bhawan.

*****

 

[Hindustani78]

The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan laying the foundation stone of New State of Art Building of DST, at Technology Bhavan, in New Delhi on May 03, 2018.

The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan laying the foundation stone of New State of Art Building of DST, at Technology Bhavan, in New Delhi on May 03, 2018. The Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Prof. Ashutosh Sharma and the DG, CSIR, Dr. Girish Sahni are also seen.

The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan at the foundation stone laying ceremony of New State of Art Building of DST, at Technology Bhavan, in New Delhi on May 03, 2018. The Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Prof. Ashutosh Sharma and the DG, CSIR, Dr. Girish Sahni are also seen.

The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan at the foundation stone laying ceremony of New State of Art Building of DST, at Technology Bhavan, in New Delhi on May 03, 2018. The Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, the DG, CSIR, Dr. Girish Sahni and other dignitaries are also seen.

The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan addressing at the foundation stone laying ceremony of New State of Art Building of DST, at Technology Bhavan, in New Delhi on May 03, 2018.

The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan addressing at the foundation stone laying ceremony of New State of Art Building of DST, at Technology Bhavan, in New Delhi on May 03, 2018.

 

[Hindustani78]

President's Secretariat
11-May, 2018 13:38 IST
President of India Addresses the National Technology Day Celebrations

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, graced and addressed the National Technology Day Celebrations in New Delhi today (May 11, 2018).

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that after Independence, India began to climb the value chain in technology and knowledge production in the areas of space and atomic energy. Today, we have expanded to best-in-class capacities in communication technology, IT, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. This has changed perceptions about our country and helped both our people and our economy. In the past year itself, we have had stand-out achievements such as the launch of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System - 1L. We are also making preparations for the Chandrayaan-2 mission to the moon. India has a formidable reputation in drugs and vaccines.

Congratulating the award winners at the event, the President said the emphasis on quality in our innovation and technology endeavours is non-negotiable. There was a time when we tended to confuse frugal and low-cost innovation with jugaad – small, incremental change or essentially a cut-and-paste approach to technology. As a society, we have and we must continue to overcome that mindset. Today’s award winners are examples of how we are moving ahead with daring, with risk-taking ability and with ingenuity – how we are making genuine leaps of imagination and of innovation. Beyond the products and processes, it is this new energy among our technology incubators that is refreshing.

The President said that now we have to explore new frontiers. The government has proposed to establish Centres of Excellence to train young technologists in robotics, artificial intelligence, digital manufacture, Big Data Analytics, quantum communication, and in the Internet of Things. The government is also pursuing demonstration and deployment of successful technology solutions for clean energy options and for meeting the challenge of water availability. These are 21st century challenges – and they require 21st century answers.

The President said that technology is destiny, but technology must also be equity. Its fruits must be accessible to all. Finance and resources should be available to all technologists who may wish to turn entrepreneurs – and to migrate from the lab room to the shop floor. Above all, gender equity must be integrated with technology production and technology sharing. We need more of our country’s young women to enter the technology and innovation space. Those who are already working here are doing a remarkable job, but their numbers need to improve. And improve urgently.



***


President's Secretariat
11-May, 2018 13:40 IST
Address by the Hon’ble President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind on the Occasion of National Technology Day Celebrations

1. I am happy to be here for the 20th National Technology Day, which is the anniversary of a landmark moment for our country. It was on this day two decades ago that the Pokhran nuclear tests took place and demonstrated India’s capacity as a nuclear weapons state as well as a mature and responsible technology power, capable of harnessing sensitive knowledge.

1. The Pokhran tests of May 1998 were a demonstration of both scientific capacity and political will. India’s nuclear programme was built brick by brick in a period of technology denial. Yet, our scientists and our technologists persevered and took our country to greater heights. In 1998, the government of the day took the bold decision to go ahead with the tests – and reposition India on the global stage. Those tests had a far-reaching impact on how the world came to see India – and on our foreign policy, our strategic relations and eventually our international technological collaborations.

1. That is why today we remember my predecessor as President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who led the dedicated scientific team that made preparations for the Pokhran tests. We also remember the leadership and courage of our then Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

1. National Technology Day is much more than the anniversary of a historical event. Like technology itself, it is a pathway to the future. Today we celebrate the achievements of some of our best scientists and innovators, and their success in shaping technology into usable, commercial products and processes that change the lives of people. My congratulations to all those present here, and particularly to the Award winners!

1. The achievements that we have applauded today range from a vaccine that will help defeat rotavirus, which is a leading cause of diarrhoeal deaths among children, to a low-cost but high-performing diagnostic machine for kidney and other non-communicable illnesses. Among those who have won technology start-up awards, there are companies that have demonstrated advance in wireless communication, in drug delivery for cancer patients, and in medical tests that help fight the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance. We have also seen the launch of a charger for lithium ion batteries, and been introduced to a host of other technological innovations.

1. These new technologies have three attributes in common. First, they offer solutions that are necessary in the Indian context, and contribute to the social and economic needs of our people. Second, they achieve all this at competitive price points. Third, and this to my mind is the most critical, they don’t compromise on quality.

1. This emphasis on quality in our innovation and technology endeavours is non-negotiable. There was a time when we tended to confuse frugal and low-cost innovation with jugaad – small, incremental change or essentially a cut-and-paste approach to technology. As a society, we have and we must continue to overcome that mindset. Today’s award winners are examples of how we are moving ahead with daring, with risk-taking ability and with ingenuity – how we are making genuine leaps of imagination and of innovation. Beyond the products and processes, it is this new energy among our technology incubators that is refreshing.

1. After Independence, India began to climb the value chain in technology production in the areas of space and, as I mentioned earlier, atomic energy. Today, we have expanded to best-in-class capacities in communication technology, IT, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. This has changed perceptions about our country and helped both our people and our economy. In the past year itself, we have had stand-out achievements such as the launch of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System - 1L. We are also making preparations for the Chandrayaan-2 mission to the moon. India has a formidable reputation in the drugs and vaccines value chain. And in the manufacture of medical devices and diagnostic machines, I am optimistic we will replicate our success in generic drugs.

1. Now we have to explore new frontiers. The government has proposed to establish Centres of Excellence to train young technologists in robotics, artificial intelligence, digital manufacture, Big Data Analytics, quantum communication, and in the Internet of Things. The government is also pursuing demonstration and deployment of successful technology solutions for clean energy options and for meeting the challenge of water availability. These are 21st century challenges – and they require 21st century answers. Such answers will be provided by our young technologists in this audience.

Ladies and Gentlemen

1. Technology and innovation have cross-cutting implications. All of our national programmes – such as Make in India, Skill India, Digital India, Start-up India, Stand-up India, Ayushman Bharat, enhancing agricultural productivity and farm incomes, and others – require a force multiplier in the form of technology. Our attempt to build affordable housing for all our people and to provide universal energy access calls for a force multiplier in the form of technology. Our effort to fight pollution, whether in the air of our cities or the water of our rivers, needs a force multiplier in the form of technology. Our goal is a technology society and our means to that goal too will incorporate technology. Technology is our destiny.

1. Technology is destiny, but technology must also be equity. Its fruits must be accessible to all. Finance and resources should be available to all technologists who may wish to turn entrepreneurs – and to migrate from the lab room to the shop floor. Above all, gender equity must be integrated with technology production and technology sharing. We need more of our daughters and more of our country’s young women to enter the technology and innovation space. Those who are already working here are doing a remarkable job, but their numbers need to improve. And improve urgently.

1. With those words, and with the confidence that the almost magical synthesis of curiosity and experiment, of science and innovation, and of technology and change, is set to revolutionise India, I wish you all the best for your future endeavours.

Thank you

Jai Hind!

****

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Science & Technology
11-May, 2018 16:18 IST
“Technology Is Destiny, but Technology must Also be Equity”, says President Kovind

‘Let us Renew the pledge to Empower the citizens through rapid growth of inclusive Technology’: Dr. Harsh Vardhan 20TH National Technology Day 2018 Celebrated

Emphasising that technology is destiny, the President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind has said that technology must also be equity and its fruits must be accessible to all. Addressing the 20th National Technology Day celebrations at Vigyan Bhawan here today, the President said that finances and resources must be available to all technologists who wish to turn entrepreneurs and to migrate from the lab room to the shop floor. The President pointed out that gender equity must be integrated with technology production.

Shri Kovind highlighted that the new technologies have three common attributes – (i) they offer solutions that are necessary in the Indian context and contribute to the social and economic needs of our people, (ii) they achieve all this at competitive price points and (iii) they do not compromise on quality.

“The Government has proposed to establish Centres of Excellence to train young technologists in robotics, artificial intelligence, digital manufacture, big data analytics, quantum communication and Internet of Things. The Government is also pursuing demonstration and deployment of successful technology solutions for clean energy options”, President Kovind said.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan gave a call to renew the pledge to empower the citizens through rapid growth of inclusive technology. “National Technology Day is an occasion to remind ourselves of the transformative power of science & technology for the nation and society”, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said. The Minister added that such technological innovations, among others, will aid the government’s efforts to provide clean and green electric mobility.

Striking a note of caution against complacency, Dr. Harsh Vardhan recalled the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s message to the scientific community at the 105th Indian Science Congress in Imphal and to do research leading to development. The Minister pointed out that building on the strengths, we must let the innovation become the engine and technology as the driver for national growth. Recalling the former Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s slogan of “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan and Jai Vigyan”, Dr. Harsh Vardhan stated that in fact, ‘Vigyan’ (science) provides muscle to the Jawans and farmers of the country alike.

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presented awards of the Technology Development Board in three categories. The categories and the awards include –

Category A - For successful commercialization of indigenous technology

1. M/s Agappe Diagnostics Ltd, Erankulam, Kerala for Mispa 13, an automated cartridge-based protein analyzer;
2. M/s Bharat Biotech International Ltd, Hyderabad, for Rotavirus vaccine - ROTAVAC.

Category B - For successful technology commercialization by MSME

1. M/s Synkromax Biotech Pvt Ltd, Chennai for Synkroscaff, a bovine scaffold for tissue engineering;
2. M/s ANTS Ceramics Pvt Ltd, Vasai East, Maharashtra for high-end Zirconia ceramic products and carbon sulphur analysis crucible;
3. M/s 3B Blackbio Biotech India Limited, Bhopal for TRUPCR: a two-step realtime BCR ABL 1 quantitative kit for detection of BCR-ABL 1 fusion transcripts in bone marrow, or peripheral blood samples.
4. M/s Envision Scientific Privated Limited, Surat, for Albuminus DES +, a drug eluting stent for diabetic patients; and
5. M/s Hind High Vacuum Company Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru, for 3-layer metallization on alumina substrate.

Category C - For Technology Start-up

1. M/s Astrome Technologies Pvt Ltd, SID, IISC, Bengaluru, for GigaMesh, a wireless communication solution;
2. M/s CyCa Onco Solutions Pvt Ltd, KIIT, TBI, Bhubaneshwar, for CyPlatin and CyGlo for delivery of anti-cancer drug cisplatin.
3. M/s Xcellence in Bio Innovation and Technologies (xBITS) Pvt Ltd, Jodhpur, for RightBiotic, a point-of-care device for testing the antibiotic sensitivity.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan also launched three initiatives to mark the celebrations. The initiatives include – (i) Commercial launch of an electric charger made possible by support of Technology Development Board. (ii) Launch of the India, Science, Technology and Innovation web portal, which will have a 360° connect to all the activities of human resources, institutions, students, industry, public and private sector and all the other stakeholders of science and technology ecosystem. The third initiative is a web portal of Survey of India that allows the sharing of the digital map to every citizen of the country, to enable decision making for planning, development and governance. (Briefs on the three initiatives attached)

In his welcome address, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Prof. Ashutosh Sharma said that the awards present stories of compelling innovative technology. Referring to the 20th year of the celebrations, Prof. Sharma pointed out that the 20th year is important in human life, as it provides opportunities to build upon the preparation of the teen years.

The theme of this year’s National Technology Day celebrations is “Commercializing indigenous Technologies: Journey from Benchside to Business”.

National Technology Day: A brief background

The celebration of National Technology Day symbolizes India’s quest for scientific inquiry, technological creativity & innovations; and the integration of these developments into national socio-economic benefits and global presence. The day recognizes technological innovations and their successful commercialization, making fruits of research reach available to the people by awarding scientists, technocrats and companies, encouraging others to emulate them and creating micro & macro-ecosystems conducive for persistent endeavors towards technological excellence. The Day has a historical perspective, as it was on the May 11, 1998, that India achieved a major technological breakthrough by successfully carrying out nuclear tests at Pokhran. Further, the first indigenous aircraft "Hansa-3" was test-flown at Bangalore on this day and India also performed the successful test firing of the Trishul missile on the same day. Since 1999, the day is being celebrated as the “National Technology Day”.

Technology Development Board on behalf of the Ministry of Science & Technology celebrates May 11 of every year as the “National Technology Day” to commemorate achievements of Innovations and Technological Excellence in the country.

National Awards of Technology Development Board

Technology Development Board (TDB) recognises the achievements of those who have commercialised their innovations successfully with an outreach to the masses for the benefit of the Society. In order to encourage innovations and to nurture technologies flow to industry for product excellence so that our Nation has the competitive edge leading to our cherished vision of developed India, TDB gives Awards every year on Technology day.

The first National Award was instituted in the year 1999, for successful commercialization of indigenous technology by an industrial concern. Thereafter two more awards have since been introduced. There are two broad categories of Awards: One is for successful commercialisation given to an Industrial Concern and other is for Technology Start-ups for their technologies having potential for commercialisation.

In the first category, two Awards are given: One award is given for the successful commercialisation of innovative indigenous technology: Cash award of Rs. 25 lakh and a trophy to an industrial concern which has successfully developed & commercialized an indigenous technology. In case the technology developer and commercializing organizations are different, each one would be eligible for cash prize and a trophy. The second award is for the Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME’s) that have commercialised a product based on indigenous technological innovation. This award carries a cash prize of Rs. 15 lakh and a trophy each to a Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise that have successfully commercialized a product based on indigenous technology.

In the second category, Awards are given to technology Start-ups for promising new technology with potential for commercialization.

Click here to see Kalam fellowship

Click here to see Lithium battery

Click here to see Web portal

Click here to see SOI portal

Click here to see list of awardees



***

 

[Hindustani78]

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind lighting the lamp at the 20th National Technology Day celebrations, in New Delhi on May 11, 2018. The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan is also seen.

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind at the 20th National Technology Day celebrations, in New Delhi on May 11, 2018. The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, the Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, the DG, CSIR, Dr. Girish Sahni and other dignitaries are also seen.

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind lighting the lamp at the 20th National Technology Day celebrations, in New Delhi on May 11, 2018. The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan is also seen.

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presenting the National Awards on Technology, at the 20th National Technology Day celebrations, in New Delhi on May 11, 2018. The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan is also seen.

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presenting the National Awards on Technology, at the 20th National Technology Day celebrations, in New Delhi on May 11, 2018. The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan is also seen.

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presenting the National Awards on Technology, at the 20th National Technology Day celebrations, in New Delhi on May 11, 2018. The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan is also seen.

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presenting the National Awards on Technology, at the 20th National Technology Day celebrations, in New Delhi on May 11, 2018. The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan is also seen.

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presenting the National Awards on Technology, at the 20th National Technology Day celebrations, in New Delhi on May 11, 2018. The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan is also seen.

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind addressing at the 20th National Technology Day celebrations, in New Delhi on May 11, 2018.

The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan addressing at the 20th National Technology Day celebrations, in New Delhi on May 11, 2018.