CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) celebrated 77th CSIR Foundation Day on 26th September, 2019. Smt. Nanda Jichkar, Hon’ble Mayor, Nagpur Municipal Corporation was the Chief Guest. Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Director, CSIR-NEERI, Dr. J.S. Pandey, Chief Scientist & Head, Climate Change and Skilling Division & Science Secretary, CSIR-NEERI and Mr. Prakash Kumbhare, Sr. Principal Scientist, CSIR-NEERI were also present on this occasion.
While addressing the audience, Smt. Jichkar said that Nagpur Municipal Corporation has always been receiving the guidance of CSIR-NEERI for sustainable development of Nagpur City. The role of CSIR-NEERI is also important in city projects, she added. She informed that India has recently signed the Paris agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and use green energy sources. Accordingly, Nagpur has already taken initiatives – electric vehicle project and e-bus ‘Tejaswini’ have been launched for public mobility, she added.
She informed that some administrative buildings are running on solar energy and treated municipal wastewater is being used for power plant cooling. She also briefed about pilot projects of Nagpur City. She assured that Nagpur will be on global map in terms of sustainable development, if there is full public participation in all initiatives taken by the government.
In his welcome address, Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Director, CSIR-NEERI highlighted the genesis and goals of CSIR, and its contribution in the field of science and technology. He also briefed about the recent contributions of CSIR-NEERI. Dr. J S Pandey introduced the Chief Guest and Prakash Kumbhare proposed the vote of thanks. Mehek and Samruddhi conducted the proceedings.
CSIR-NEERI launched its newly developed Noise App (Noise Tracker) which can be used by the general public to record the noise levels. The App displays minimum, maximum and average decibel levels, and can locate the noise source by using GPS. This App can also be used by the regulatory authorities which are involved in noise monitoring and noise data management.
The staff members of CSIR-NEERI, who had completed 25 years of service, and those who had retired during the preceding year, were honoured on the occasion.
Science Models Competition was organized and prizes were given away to the winners. In the first category (5th to 7th standards), first prize was conferred to Ira International School, Nagpur for presenting the model on ‘Membrane Distillation’; second prize was given away to NEERI Modern School, Nagpur for the model on ‘Wetland for Wastewater Treatment’; third prize was handed over to R S Mundle English School & Jr. College, Nagpur for model on ‘Waste Management’; and consolation prize was given to Mount Carmel Girls’ High School, Nagpur for the model on ‘Air Pollution Control Monitoring and Purifying Device’. In the second category (8th -10th standards), first prize was given away to NEERI Modern School, Nagpur for the model on ‘Hydromate’, second prize to Lalita Public School, Nagpur for the model on ‘Waste Water Management’, third prize was conferred to TBRAN’s Mundle English Medium School, Nagpur for the model on ‘Lake Water Cleaning Machine’ and consolation prize to New Apostolic English High School, Nagpur for the model on ‘Water Colour Separation by Membrane Technology’.
In the third category (11th to 12th standards), first prize was conferred to Sandipani Jr. College, Hazaripahad, Nagpur for presenting the model on ‘Pollution Controller’; second prize was given away to Ira International School, Nagpur for the model on ‘Waste Water Treatment’ and third prize to Dr. Ambedkar College, Nagpur for the model on ‘Water Technology and Management’.
The Institute was kept open for general public including students. 1300 students of 40 schools and colleges from Nagpur and Vidarbha visited the Institute. CSIR-NEERI scientists briefed the visitors about significant R&D activities and achievements of the Institute with some practical demonstrations at the laboratories and Harit Sangrahalaya. The visitors interacted with CSIR-NEERI scientists on various issues relating to environmental science and engineering. Students of various schools presented the science projects depicting effective solutions to the environmental problems.
