Posted On : Dec 13 , 2024
Posted By : Team CureSureMedico
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research is redefining the industrial innovation landscape in the country, bringing down substantially India's reliance on imports, especially from China. Dr N Kalaiselvi, the first woman Director General of CSIR, speaks with Jitendra Choubey on initiatives the organization is taking to make India self-reliant in pharmaceuticals and technology and drive industrial innovation.
Major Innovations and Commercial Success
The recent years have seen some path-breaking innovations at CSIR. Some of the most important ones are indigenously developed Type-IV hydrogen cylinders, hydrogen fuel cell technology, aerospace-related technologies like Hansa-3 two-seater light trainer aircraft, technology for seaweed farming, and sustainable steel slag utilisation in road construction.
Was India Dependent on Imported Paracetamol?
Yes, till now, India has been getting raw materials for Paracetamol from other nations. However, with a new technology which is less expensive and made by CSIR, very shortly, next year, India will produce Paracetamol. Karnataka-based Satya Deeptha Pharmaceuticals Ltd would become the first company to make Paracetamol under this breakthrough technology at an inexpensive price. Thus, making the drugs affordable, apart from making contributions to self-dependent India in the pharmaceutical sectors.
A Radical Change in Industrial Innovation
In the last few years, CSIR's approach has been very different. It is not CSIR reaching out to the industries for technology; instead, industries are coming to CSIR to find solutions. The organization identified eight key thematic areas that are very important and plays an important role in helping to revolutionize the production system of the industries, adding strength to India's role in the global supply chain. CSIR teams regularly meet the industries to understand their needs and provide them with tailored solutions.
Globally Acclaimed Recent Innovations
One of the major successes of CSIR is the indigenous process of manufacturing hydrazine hydrate (HH), a chemical the country imported from Europe. HH is used in many industries such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, automotive, mining, and leisure. This innovation has reduced India's imports of HH by 60%. Another achievement is CSIR's technology for managing steel slag in road construction. The technology, implemented successfully on five highways, including the Surat-Vadodara-Mumbai-Goa highway, is now receiving international attention. Apart from five other countries including China, the U.S. maritime industry has shown interest in adopting it.
The Guwahati Declaration: A Vision for India's Future
CSIR has laid out an ambitious vision in its Guwahati Declaration for a globally driven science and technology-based manufacturing hub for India by 2047. It emphasizes that every science and technology institution align to the vision of transforming India's manufacturing landscape, thereby ensuring its global supply chain positions.
