CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) organised India International Science Festival (IISF-2018) outreach programme and 76th CSIR Foundation Day celebration on 26th September, 2018. Hon’ble Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Hansraj Ahir was the Chief Guest and Dr. Rajan Welukar, Vice-Chancellor, GH Raisoni University was the Guest of Honour.
While addressing the audience, Shri Ahir said that though CSIR-NEERI has significantly contributed but expectations are still high looking at the worsening environmental problems. The Institute has a big responsibility to provide clean air and clean water to the people. Expressing concern over the disasters, the Minister said in the recent monsoon season, floods and landslides have affected thousands of people across. We need to find out some effective solutions, he added. He also expressed concern over ever increasing environmental problems related to chemicals and fertilizers. He also lauded the efforts of our Prime Minister for improving the work culture. He opined that CSIR-NEERI should have been utilized to the fullest extent possible for solving environmental problems in the country. He said that people are leaving rural areas to better live in the city which is a major concern. We need to create conducive environment in rural areas, he added. He applauded the initiatives of CSIR-NEERI to reach the masses through outreach programmes.
Dr. Welukar expressed concern over environmental degradation. He stated the roles of various institutions to ensure growth and development of the country. He advised the scientists to more focus on ‘FEW’, i.e. Food, Energy, Water. He advised that everyone should know big data and how to use it to determine the risks on environment. He also advocated that we need to understand our society so that proper care can be taken.
Earlier, Dr. Rakesh Kumar informed that the Institute has been working on rejuvenation of water bodies and control of air pollution. He listed some of the recent achievements of the Institute.
The Hon’ble Minister Shri Hansraj Ahir inaugurated the first extension centre of Centre for Strategic Urban Management (C-SUM) to be set up in Delhi on this occasion.The Institute remained open for general public including students. Approximately 2500 students visited the Institute. Science Models Exhibition-cum-Competition on environmental science & engineering for school-students was organized. The Institute will showcase its scientific achievements and research facilities to students and the general public. The institution will open its labs to the common public and organize exhibitions, scientist-student-public interactions, popular lectures, etc.
Science Models Competition was organized on this occasion. The dignitaries gave away the prizes to the winners. In the first category (5th to 7th standards), first prize was conferred to Bhavan’s B.P. Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines, Nagpur for presenting the model on ‘Smart Kitchen’; second prize was given away to Centre Point School, Katol Road, Nagpur for the model on ‘Air Pollution Control’, third prize was handed over to Podar International School, Godhani, Nagpur for model on ‘Solid Waste Management’ and consolation prize to Saraswati Vidyalaya, Nagpur for model on ‘Air Pollution Control’. In the second category (8th -10th standards), first prize was given away to Sandipani Hazaripahad, Nagpur for the model on ‘Wave Power Plant’, second prize to Delhi Public School, Kamptee Road, Nagpur for the model on ‘Resource Conservation’, third prize was conferred to Bhavan’s B.P. Vidya Mandir, Srikrishna Nagar, Nagpur for the model on ‘Mapping Solutions for Green Planet’ and consolation prize to TBRAN’s Mundle English Medium School, Nagpur for the model on ‘Rainwater Harvesting’.
In the third category (11th to 12th standards), first prize was conferred to Kendriya Vidyalaya, Vayusena Nagar, Nagpur for presenting the model on ‘Green Screens and Plants’, second prize was given away to Bhavan’s B.P. Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines, Nagpur for presenting the model on ‘Maharat: Waste Management Plant’, third to J.N. Tata Parsi Girls’ Junior College, Nagpur for the model on ‘Sensory Vertical Farming’ and consolation prize to Centre Point School, Katol Road, Nagpur for presenting the model on ‘Solid Waste Management’
The mementoes were presented to the CSIR-NEERI employees on their completion of 25 years of service in CSIR. The samaanpatra, shawls and mementos were given to the recently retired CSIR-NEERI employees. The winners and runner-ups of the sport competitions were also given away the prizes on this occasion.
Dr. J.S. Pandey proposed vote of thanks. Mr. Prakash Kumbhare conducted the proceedings.
