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 Transport

01 Jun 2026

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Infrastructure Urban

01 Jun 2026

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

Infrastructure Urban

01 Jun 2026

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..