CSIR Chief Urges NEERI to Focus on Global Technologies and Kodaikanal Clean-Up as National Pride Nagpur: Dr. N Kalaiselvi, the head of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), called for a renewed global focus in scientific research during her address at the 68th Foundation Day celebrations of the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) on April 8. Highlighting the institute’s role in addressing environmental challenges, she emphasized the need to prioritize at least two long-term, globally competitive technologies to position NEERI as a National Centre of Excellence. Her remarks underscored the importance of impactful science, with the successful remediation of the mercury-contaminated site in Kodaikanal serving as a “matter of national pride” and a model for transformative research. Dr. Kalaiselvi, who delivered the keynote speech, urged scientists at NEERI to revive the institute’s legacy by enhancing research excellence and societal impact. She called for active participation in proposal submissions, mentorship of at least three students each, and the generation of meaningful success stories. While acknowledging NEERI’s progress in tackling societal challenges, she pointed out gaps in research impact, urging a tripling of its current output. To achieve this, she advocated for the accreditation of all R&D facilities, expansion of accredited labs, and the formation of collaborative consortia to boost visibility and outcomes. The CSIR chief also praised NEERI’s testbed facility, stressing the need for sustainable business models to ensure long-term viability. She emphasized that the institute’s work must not only address immediate environmental issues but also contribute to broader scientific advancements.#csir #csir_chief #neeri #kodaikanal_clean_up #foundation_day_celebrations
