4-Jan-2022: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launches the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of CSIR-National Physical Laboratory

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today released a Special Postage Stamp commemorating the 75th Platinum Jubilee year of CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (NPL) New Delhi, which is one of the earliest CSIR laboratories that was set up around the time of independence and its 75th year coincides with the 75th year of India's independence.

The Minister also dedicated the nation ‘LED Photometry Laboratory’ at CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi to fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to develop energy-efficient illumination technology. He also inaugurated Science Exhibition by school students and interacted with them on the demonstrated themes and subjects.

Later, addressing the galaxy of scientists and students, Dr Jitendra Singh said that CSIR-NPL is a monumental illustration of India’s incredible scientific journey in the last 75 years. He said, the Platinum Jubilee celebration is coinciding with the “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is also an occasion to plan for the next 25 years with conscious realisation that science and technology is going to be the main currency for the inclusive growth of India.

The Minister said that PM Modi has a special aptitude for science driven developments, which has enabled all the scientific programmes to concentrate on applications which are relevant to bring “Ease of Life” to the common man.

Dr Jitendra Singh said that all the six Science & Technology (S&T) departments including Space and Atomic energy and the Autonomous Institutes have contributed hugely in the fight against COVID-19 through the research for development of vaccines, genome sequencing and other protocols. He said, the first DNA vaccine trial was done by the Department of Bio-Technology and it has again taken the lead for the Omicron Virus.

The Minister also recalled the role of ISRO for providing Liquid Oxygen continuously on a large scale to several State governments from their own manufacturing facilities or from the existing stock. Similarly, he added that the Department of Atomic Energy developed re-usable PPE kits and N-99 masks using HEPA filter technology.

In his concluding remarks, Dr Jitendra Singh said that three important tasks of integration of different Science Streams among themselves and with the general line Ministry Streams in due course, speedy conversion of lab technologies for use by common man at affordable costs and giving proper recognition to Scientists have become a necessity to achieve at the earliest.

Referring to the ‘LED Photometry Laboratory’ at CSIR-NPL, Dr Jitendra Singh said, this national level facility would contribute to making India ‘Atma-Nirbhar’ in the apex level calibration and testing of LED lighting products. These will not only save the foreign exchange spent on availing testing and calibration services from abroad but also significantly reduce turn-around time.

The Minister also released Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya (BNDs) to support the testing and calibration laboratories for quality assurance at par with the international standards for high purity gold, silver and other elements. He also launched Certification Process for Indian made Ambient Ozone Analyzers.

Among other releases to mark the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the Calibration Facility for Infusion Pump Analyzer used for testing the infusion pump. He also launched Certification Process for Indian Made Low-Volume PM2.5 Sampler to fight pollution. The Minister launched the Responsive Website of CSIR-NPL, the aim of which is to showcase and disseminate the details about the Metrology-related activities of CSIR-NPL, in a fully responsive and more appealingly designed format.

4-Jan-2021: CSIR-NPL celebrates its 75th Foundation Day

The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi delivered the inaugural address at the National Metrology Conclave 2021 organised by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR)   -National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) , New Delhi on its 75th year of inception.

CSIR-NPL, New Delhi, is one of the few premier laboratories established under Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR)  before independence on January 04, 1947. As a beginning of the Platinum Jubilee year and to commemorate this special day as its NPL Foundation Day Celebrations, CSIR-NPL  organised a National Metrology Conclave  under the theme ‘Metrology for the Inclusive Growth of the Nation’. The theme of the conclave was ‘Metrology for the Inclusive Growth of the Nation’. Vice-President, CSIR and Union Minister of Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Health & Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan and Principal Scientific Advisor Dr Vijay Raghavan were present at the function.

Addressing at the inauguration,  the Prime Minister lauded the Indian scientists for successfully developing two Indian COVID vaccines. He said India’s Covid vaccination Program is the largest in the world and is about to be started. He lauded the scientific institutions in the country including CSIR for coming together to find solutions for every challenge faced by the country.

Shri Narendra Modi also dedicated National Atomic Timescale and Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravya Pranali to the Nation and laid the Foundation Stone of National Environmental Standards Laboratory  through a video conference on the occasion.

The Prime Minister urged CSIR to interact with school students to raise awareness about the efforts of the institute. He said this would inspire and motivate them to become scientists in future. He praised CSIR NPL for having played an important role in the evolution and evaluation in the development of the country.

The Prime Minister remarked that as India’s timekeeper CSIR-NPL also has the responsibility to change the future of India. He said over the decades, India was dependent on foreign standards for quality and measurement. But now India’s pace, progress, rise, image, and strength of India will be decided by our own standards. He said metrology which is science of measuring also sets the foundation for any scientific achievement. No research can proceed without measurement. Even our achievement has to be measured on some scale. He said the credibility of the country in the world will be dependent on the reliability of its metrology. He said metrology is like a mirror showing us our standing in the world, the scope for improvement. He gave a call to remind that the goal to achieve a self-reliant India consists of quantity as well as quality. He urged to win the hearts of every customer who purchases Indian products. He stressed to ensure that Made in India products not only meet global demand but also get global acceptance.

The Prime Minister pointed out, historically, any country has progressed in direct correlation to its effort to promote science. He termed this ‘value creation cycle’ of Science, Technology and Industry. Explaining further, the Prime Minister said that a scientific invention creates a technology and technology leads to industry development. Industry, in turn, invests further in science for new research. This cycle keeps on taking us in the direction of new possibilities. CSIR-NPL has played a major role in taking forward this value cycle, the Prime Minister added.

This value creation cycle of science to mass creation has become all the more important in today’s world when the country is moving forward with the goal of Atmanirbhar India. CSIR will have to play its role in this.

In his address, Dr. Harsh Vardhan congratulated the National Physical Laboratory as well as CSIR on the occasion and said, “The expertise found within the many science laboratories of India is driving the ground-breaking research and development and is a key force in helping our country become a leading science superpower”. He stated, “The scientific community has been the most prominent in the last one year…….The Herculean efforts made by our scientists have finally paid off.” The Minister said, “Today, we have several vaccines that have been developed across the world, two of which have been developed at a record-breaking speed and granted authorization in India”.  He pointed out, “It has all been possible due to the exemplary and collaborative efforts of scientists across the world, it has been an extraordinary level of sharing of science and its knowledge”.

The Minister expressed his belief, “Our scientists can give us game-changing ideas and the opportunities that can be harnessed to boost our industry, create new jobs, and make a real difference in everyday life”. ”Science can be the biggest equalizer. It can ensure that the poorest man leads a comfortable life with just simple ideas and innovations. That’s what I want you all to do”, DR Harshvardhan explained.

CSIR-NPL which is the National Metrology Institute (NMI) of India; Member of the General Conference of Weight and Measures (CGPM), BIPM an International Intergovernmental organisation constituted by diplomatic treaty i.e. ‘The Metre Convention’; and Founder Member of the Global Regional Metrology Organisation i.e., Asia Pacific Metrology Program (APMP), has the mandate to realize, establish, upgrade, maintain and disseminate the measurement standards by Act of Parliament.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan, first inaugurated the “Poster Gallery” depicting the mandate of CSIR-NPL and its achievements at CSIR-NPL. Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, Director General, CSIR & Secretary, DSIR; Dr. D.K. Aswal, Director, CSIR-NPL were present at the function. Thereafter, a short animated film on CSIR-NPL’s activities was showcased.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan released a Book titled “Metrology for Inclusive Growth of India”, edited by Dr. D.K. Aswaland contributed by CSIR-NPL’s Scientists. This book signifies the role of metrology for inclusive growth in India and describes various metrological applications. He also releases a “Thesaurus of NPL” on the occasion.

On the occasion of CSIR-NPL entering its platinum jubilee celebrations, a series of events have been organised with world science leaders. More than 50 thousand participants joined through online which includes several Metrologists, Industrialists, Regulators, Policy Makers, academicians and students. Several other dignitaries from all over the world are also participating in the event to commemorate the 75th Foundation day of this premier laboratory. A technical session on the theme ‘Metrology for Inclusive Growth of the Country’, was chaired by Prof A. K. Grover, Chairman, Research Council, CSIR-NPL. Talks and technical deliberations by  Directors of BIPM and Directors / Science Leaders of various other NMIs (Germany, UK, Japan, South Africa, Australia and India)  are some of the other highlights of the Conclave.

17-Mar-2017: National Physical Laboratory(NPL)- CSIR dedicates the first “Pristine air-quality monitoring station at Palampur” to the Nation

National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has established an atmospheric monitoring station in the campus of Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT) at Palampur (H.P.) at an altitude of 1391 m for generating the base data for atmospheric trace species & properties to serve as reference for comparison of polluted atmosphere in India. At this station, NPL has installed state of art air monitoring system, greenhouse gas measurement system and Raman Lidar. A number of parameters like CO, NO, NO2, NH3, SO2, O3, PM, HC & BC besides CO2 & CH4 are being currently monitored at this station which is also equipped with weather station (AWS) for measurement of weather parameters.

The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) has funded this project under its XII Five Year Plan projects.

In India, air quality parameters are mostly measured in industrial and residential areas, however, data for air quality of pristine atmosphere is not available in India. NPL’s station will contribute to fill this important gap. The NPL’s station will also serve as a base station for inter-comparison of air quality monitoring equipment being used in India to improve quality of monitored data in India. As the issues of atmospheric pollution has assumed a significant proportion of social concerns, it is utmost important to ensure quality of atmospheric monitoring so as to devise appropriate policies for abatement of air pollution based on sound scientific data for their effectiveness.

NPL has undertaken activities to contribute in improving the quality of atmospheric monitoring through providing traceable measurement facilities to various stake holders in the country and the NPL ’s monitoring station is an important step in that direction. In addition, NPL is also developing calibration standards for different pollutant gases and PM10 samplers for use in atmospheric monitoring.

The pristine CAAQMS station houses calibrated state-of-the-art-equipment for the continuous measurements of ambient and greenhouse gases (CO, NO, NO2, NH3, SO2, O3, PM1, PM2.5, PM10, hydrocarbons, black-carbon, CO2 & CH4), and weather parameters. Because of Palampur’s pristine air, and the capability of the new monitoring station for detection of small amounts of pollutants, the impact of faraway pollution sources can be measured precisely. The data taken at this station during past one year shows that the pollution levels are far below the limits of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). In addition, this new station has the experimental facilities to investigate the aerosol/cloud interactions, and such investigations would be helpful in generating a better understanding of the Earth's climate system.

The data generated by pristine CAAQMS station at Palampur will act as background data for the measured pollution at various cities in the country. The generated background data will be shared with different pollution control boards and agencies in the country so that the more precise pollution mapping traceable to standard values can be done, which in turn, would assist policy decisions for the abatement of air pollutants.