NewzVille Desk
CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) today celebrated its 5th Foundation Day. The event was graced by Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, ANRF as the chief guest. On the occasion SVASTIK web portal was launched by Dr. Kalyanaraman.
SVASTIK (Scientifically Validated Societal Traditional Knowledge) is a national initiative implemented by CSIR-NIScPR, aimed at communicating India’s scientifically validated traditional knowledge to the society. Dissemination is being done through SVASTIK channels in English and 19 Indian languages, along with 5 foreign languages.
Dr. Geetha Vani Rayasam, Director, CSIR-NIScPR; Dr. Viswajanani J Sattigeri, Head, CSIR-TKDL Unit; Dr. Kanika Malik, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, researchers, scientists and students were also present on the occasion.
In her welcome address. Dr. Geetha Vani Rayasam congratulated whole staffs of the Institute and said, “We need to engage global institutions. We are working on how to leverage AI in regional language communication”.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Viswajanani J. Sattigeri said, “Traditional knowledge is very important, and we are the only lab that validates traditional knowledge. Policy research at NIScPR has huge potential—previously, our policy document was released by the Former President of India. TKDL is now fully digitized, so we can research more relevant tools.”
Chief Guest Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman praised NIScPR’s alignment with ANRF’s vision of catalysing India’s rise as a research and innovation powerhouse. “I praise the idea of NIScPR going global—we need to think global. NIScPR uses policy to solve societal problems, and we need to become world-class; the institute has the potential to do that. Our scientists and engineers should work with AI specialists and we can partner with NIScPR on pioneering new formats.”
Dr. Kalyanaraman also invited NIScPR to use ANRF’s Saral AI tool to simplify research and amplify impact through social media.
CSIR-NIScPR came into existence in 2021 with the merger of CSIR-NISCAIR and CSIR-NISTADS. The Institute continues to impact science communication, policy research, and traditional knowledge validation, positioning India as a leader in global innovation.
