CSIR-NIScPR Marks 5th Foundation Day, Launches SVASTIK Portal

16 Jan 2026 CW Team

Welcoming the gathering, Dr. Geetha Vani Rayasam, Director, CSIR-NIScPR, underlined the institute’s strong legacy in science communication and its future priorities. “We need to engage global institutions. We are working on how to leverage AI in regional language communication,” she said, emphasising the need for wider dissemination of scientific knowledge across linguistic and geographic boundaries.

Dr Viswajanani J. Sattigeri, Head, CSIR–Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) Unit, highlighted the international recognition of TKDL and its importance in safeguarding India’s traditional knowledge. “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,” she said.

The Chief Guest, Dr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Government of India, delivered a distinguished lecture, praising NIScPR’s alignment with ANRF’s vision of positioning India as a global research and innovation hub. “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,” he said, also inviting collaboration on AI-enabled research formats and outreach tools.

On the occasion, Dr Kalyanaraman launched the SVASTIK web portal—Scientifically Validated Societal Traditional Knowledge—a national initiative implemented by CSIR-NIScPR. The portal provides a single-window platform for accessing SVASTIK content and disseminates India’s scientifically validated traditional knowledge in English, 19 Indian languages and five foreign languages, strengthening outreach and stakeholder engagement nationwide and globally.

The CSIR–National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) celebrated its 5th Foundation Day, reaffirming its commitment to advancing science communication, policy research and the use of artificial intelligence for regional language outreach. The event highlighted the institute’s growing role in strengthening India’s science policy ecosystem and taking its research and communication efforts to a global audience.Welcoming the gathering, Dr. Geetha Vani Rayasam, Director, CSIR-NIScPR, underlined the institute’s strong legacy in science communication and its future priorities. “We need to engage global institutions. We are working on how to leverage AI in regional language communication,” she said, emphasising the need for wider dissemination of scientific knowledge across linguistic and geographic boundaries.Dr Viswajanani J. Sattigeri, Head, CSIR–Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) Unit, highlighted the international recognition of TKDL and its importance in safeguarding India’s traditional knowledge. “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,” she said.The Chief Guest, Dr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Government of India, delivered a distinguished lecture, praising NIScPR’s alignment with ANRF’s vision of positioning India as a global research and innovation hub. “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,” he said, also inviting collaboration on AI-enabled research formats and outreach tools.On the occasion, Dr Kalyanaraman launched the SVASTIK web portal—Scientifically Validated Societal Traditional Knowledge—a national initiative implemented by CSIR-NIScPR. The portal provides a single-window platform for accessing SVASTIK content and disseminates India’s scientifically validated traditional knowledge in English, 19 Indian languages and five foreign languages, strengthening outreach and stakeholder engagement nationwide and globally.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Apr 2026

InsideFPV Delivers ₹10 Crore Kamikaze Drone Order Under MoD’s EPR Route

InsideFPV, a Surat-based drone technology manufacturer, has successfully executed a ₹10 crore defence contract to supply indigenous kamikaze drones under the Ministry of Defence’s Emergency Procurement Route (EPR). The company completed the delivery of hundreds of FPV kamikaze drone platforms within a rapid two-month timeframe, highlighting its ability to meet urgent military procurement timelines.The supply orders were fulfilled under the emergency procurement mechanism, which is aimed at fast-tracking acquisitions for immediate operational needs. InsideFPV’s quick execution reflects it..

Infrastructure Energy

06 Apr 2026

Vedanta Resources Secures Fitch Upgrade to ‘BB-’, Best Rating Since 2015

Vedanta Resources Limited (VRL), a global player in metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power and technology, has received a credit rating upgrade from Fitch Ratings, marking its strongest bond rating in over a decade.Fitch has raised Vedanta Resources’ Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘BB-’ from ‘B+’, while maintaining a Stable Outlook. The agency also upgraded VRL’s senior unsecured rating, along with the ratings of US dollar-denominated bonds issued by Vedanta Resources Finance II Plc and guaranteed by VRL, to ‘BB-’.The upgrade represents Vedan..

Real Estate

06 Apr 2026

NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter Launched

The NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter was recently launched at Excelerate 2026 in Mumbai, marking a key step towards integrating emerging real estate leaders from the National Capital Region with the national platform. The initiative aims to promote sustainable and responsible urban development through collaboration and knowledge exchange.The event brought together young developers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Bhiwadi, and Meerut. Discussions focused on urban development, finance, sustainability, innovation, and policy, emphasisi..