The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), known for its cutting-edge R&D knowledge base in diverse S&T areas, is a contemporary R&D organization. CSIR has a dynamic network of 38 national laboratories, 39 outreach centers, 1 innovation complex, and three units with a pan-India presence. One Week One Theme (OWOT) campaign was launched by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, to highlight India's recent successes in science and technology.

Among the eight R&D themes of CSIR, numerous events are being organized at various places across the country. As a part of this campaign, a one-day event comprising a stakeholder meet cum exhibition under the OWOT Campaign initiative focused on Civil Infrastructure and Engineering (CIE) theme was organized on 5 September 2024, at CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre (CSIR-SERC), Chennai, with five CSIR labs working in the area, viz, CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CSIR-CBRI), Roorkee, CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), New Delhi, CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CMERI), Durgapur, CSIR-Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (CSIR-AMPRI), Bhopal and CSIR-SERC participating in it. This event aims to showcase the significant research contributions made and technologies developed by CSIR Laboratories in the areas of Building Physics & Materials, Rural Infrastructure, Mobility Infrastructure & Planning, Automation & Robotics, Waste to Wealth and Structural Health Monitoring & Life Extension, Disaster Mitigation for Infrastructure. Teams of scientists from five CSIR Labs under CIE theme, participated in the event. Stakeholders from industry, academia, research organizations, policymakers, and officials of regulatory bodies & government organizations attended the event. This event was a platform for knowledge sharing, technical demonstrations, and identifying the gaps between research outcomes and societal needs through focused discussions. The insights gained from this event shall help in contributing more effectively towards the development and maintenance of sustainable infrastructure.

The inaugural session of the event was organized with the lighting of lamp by the dignitaries. Dr. N. Anandavalli, Director, CSIR-SERC and Theme Director, CIE theme presided over the inaugural session. Prof. Ravindra Gettu, V.S. Raju Chair Professor, IIT Madras was the chief guest of the function. Prof. Prasad Rao Rangaraju, Clemson University, USA, and Prof. Hemanta Doloi, The University of Melbourne, Australia, were the guests of honour. Prof. R. Pradeep Kumar, Director, CSIR-CBRI, and Prof. Manoranjan Parida, Director, CSIR-CRRI, also graced the occasion. Dr. Amar Prakash, Chief Scientist, CSIR-SERC and Nodal Scientist, CIE Theme gave the introductory address, in which he briefed about the event and said that this campaign is an initiative to showcase our R&D capabilities. He also gave a brief on the CIE theme vertical and sub-verticals.

Dr. Anandavalli, in her welcome address, said that civil infrastructure and engineering are connected with the life of common people and that there are a lot of requirements for infrastructure. In her address, she spoke about the global infrastructure and its requirements, Indian infrastructure and requirements, and the vision of the CIE theme in meeting these requirements. She also spoke in detail on the seven sub-verticals of the CIE theme, recent achievements of the CIE theme, and the short-term, mid-term, and long-term plans of each of the sub-verticals.

Prof. Pradeep Kumar, in his address, gave a brief on the genesis and work of CSIR in 80 years of its existence. He said that the objective of this campaign is to create awareness among the public on the contributions of CSIR. He stressed on the importance of the three entities, viz, Government, Industry, and the R&D laboratories working together to serve society better.

Prof. Manoranjan Parida, in his address, spoke on the importance of infrastructure in the growth of the economy. He also briefed on the activities and works of CSIR-CRRI in the areas of national priorities. He said that CRRI is working actively on the sub-verticals, Waste of Wealth and Mobility Infrastructure & Planning.

Dr. S. Parivallal, Advisor (M), CSIR-SERC, introduced the chief guest, Prof. Ravindra Gettu, to the audience. The chief guest spoke on the topic Technology implementation as the key impact of research: IIT Madras approach in the past two decades. In his presentation, he spoke about the research implementation, experiences, and achievements of IIT Madras in three areas, viz, Fibre reinforced concrete, Early age response of concrete and Promotion of mixtures with unconventional components. He stressed on the importance of translational research and said that the complete realization of any research objective will take a minimum of ten years. He also mentioned that for technology implementation arising from research to yield impacts with positive values, there should be a proper understanding of the concerns of the industry, willingness to collaborate at the construction site, stamina for getting standards and pilot projects realized, and to realize that healthy academia-industry cooperation is essential.

Dr Ing. Saptarshi Sasmal, Chief Scientist, CSIR-SERC, introduced the Guest of Honour, Prof. Prasad Rao Rangaraju, and Prof. Hemanta Doloi, to the audience. Prof. Rangaraju, in his address, pointed out the importance of civil engineering in everyday life and said that civil engineering is vital for the upliftment of society. He also gave a brief on the areas of his research - recycling glass waste and alternate materials.

Prof. Doloi, in his address, mentioned that problems are unique among different countries and societies, and science should take note of the values, culture, and heritage of our vast and diverse nation. Science should not be imposed on society; rather, it should match the values and needs of society. He said that it is necessary to have a shared vision and values and that the urban-rural divide gap should be reduced.

Dr. Harikrishna, Chief Scientist, CSIR-SERC, proposed vote of thanks.

     

          

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