The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Guwahati Branch Office, observed World Standards Day 2026 on 14 October at Guwahati. The event brought together senior government officials, representatives of the Guwahati Police, academic institutions and industry to highlight the role of standards in ensuring safety, quality and sustainable development. This year’s theme was “Shared Vision for a Better World: Spotlight on SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy.”

Shri Shouvik Chanda, Scientist-E and Director & Head of the BIS Guwahati Branch Office, welcomed the participants and emphasised the vital role of standards in achieving affordable and clean energy. He reaffirmed BIS’s commitment to raising awareness of standardisation among consumers and manufacturers.

Special addresses were delivered by Smt. Anasua Dutta Barua, IAS, Secretary, Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Department, Government of Assam, and Dr. Manisha Chelleng, ACS, Secretary, Industry, Commerce and Public Enterprise Department, Government of Assam. They highlighted the need for close coordination between the State Government and BIS to strengthen the quality ecosystem, along with greater consumer awareness while purchasing products. Dr. Partha Sarathi Mahanta, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Guwahati Police District, attended the programme as the Guest of Honour. Other dignitaries present in the event included Smt. Indira Kalita, IAS, Secretary, Industry, Commerce and Public Enterprise Department, Government of Assam, Prof. D. V. L. N. Somayajulu, Director, National Institute of Technology (NIT), Manipur and Prof. Mohan V. Aware, Director, NIT Arunachal Pradesh.

A key highlight of the event was the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between BIS and three institutions—NIT Manipur, NIT Meghalaya and Assam Textile Institute. The partnerships aim to integrate standardisation and quality compliance into engineering, technology and textile education, strengthen collaboration between academia and industry, promote joint research and technological innovation, and equip students with knowledge of quality standards and frameworks.

The technical sessions featured a presentation by Prof. Pankaj Kalita of the School of Energy Science and Engineering, IIT Guwahati, on the institute’s sustainability and energy initiatives. Shri Bhaskarjyoti Das, Deputy Manager, New and Renewable Energy, APDCL, highlighted government initiatives to promote green energy adoption in Assam. Dr. Atul Agarwal, Head of Quality Control, IOCL, underscored the importance of quality and safety standards in the petroleum sector. The sessions highlighted the role of standardisation in technological advancement, sustainable development and consumer welfare.

The celebrations also featured a cultural performance by staff artists of the Song and Drama Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

 

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