NewzVille Desk
Minister of Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh today inaugurated “National Environmental Standard Laboratory” and “National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration” at the 80th Foundation day celebration of CSIR–National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in New Delhi.
“The National Environmental Standard Laboratory” is the second-ranked facility, while the “National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration” stands as the fifth of its kind in the world after the USA, Germany, China and Japan.
Addressing the gathering the Minister said, while the “National Environmental Standard Laboratory” marks for India a major leap in Environmental Governance, the “National Primary Standard Facility” makes India a member of Elite Global League in Solar Metrology.
Dr Singh said that laboratories like the CSIR–National Physical Laboratory embody India’s scientific journey from pre-Independence foundations to global technological leadership.
The Minister said that science and technology reforms will be the key drivers shaping India’s socio-economic future.
He said CSIR is older than independent India, making NPL one of the earliest “siblings” among the 37 CSIR laboratories.
Highlighting its historic significance, the Minister recalled that the laboratory was mentored by eminent national leaders including Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, calling NPL a rare institution where history and science intersect.
He noted that institutions like CSIR–NPL, despite limited financial resources, possess immense intellectual and infrastructural assets that can be leveraged through collaboration with industry, MSMEs and the private sector. Such integration, he said, will allow scientific institutions to directly contribute to economic growth in the years ahead.
Prof. Venu Gopal Achanta, Director, CSIR-NPL; Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR); Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE); S.R. Dhakate, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NPL; and scintiests were also present on the occasion.
