CSIR-NPL Hosts Dr K. S. Krishnan Memorial Lecture 2025

17 Jun 2025 CW Team

This year’s lecture was delivered by Prof. Ganapathy Baskaran, Distinguished Professor at IIT Madras, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Canada, and Matscience, Chennai. He was the Chief Guest for the occasion.

Dr Nita Dilawar, Director’s representative, CSIR-NPL, highlighted Dr Krishnan’s instrumental contributions to Indian science and technology. She spoke on the essential role of metrology in industrial development, international trade, and societal progress, while emphasising the growing impact of quantum science on modern metrology. She also detailed the valuable contributions made by CSIR and CSIR-NPL to India’s scientific landscape.

Delivering his talk titled “Prediction of Room Temperature Superconductivity in Graphite, K. S. Krishnan’s Favourite Mineral”, Prof. Ganapathy Baskaran paid tribute to Dr Krishnan’s legacy and his seminal work in light scattering, magnetic susceptibility, quantum mechanics, thermionics, thermal conductivity, and alloy resistivity. He discussed the unique properties of graphite and carbon-based materials and delved into the physics driving their superconductivity. Prof. Baskaran elaborated on the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) and Resonating Valence Bond (RVB) theories, explaining how the RVB model provides insight into achieving room temperature superconductivity in doped graphene and graphite.

As part of the memorial programme, CSIR-NPL also hosted a “Workshop on Quantum Metrology, Materials and Technologies” on 10th June 2025. The Chief Guest was Prof. T. Ramasami, Former Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, and Chairman of the K. S. Krishnan Memorial Trust. Research scholars and student interns from CSIR-NPL participated actively, presenting their research and project work. Thirteen outstanding participants were honoured with Best Presentation Awards for their contributions.

To honour the legacy of its Founder Director, Dr K. S. Krishnan, the CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), New Delhi, organised the annual Dr K. S. Krishnan Memorial Lecture on 16th June 2025. The event also commemorated the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology 2025. CSIR-NPL, a premier national research institute under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has held this lecture series since 1965, celebrating Dr Krishnan’s pioneering contributions to science by inviting eminent scientists of global repute. Over the decades, the platform has hosted Nobel Laureates and renowned scientific minds. This year’s lecture was delivered by Prof. Ganapathy Baskaran, Distinguished Professor at IIT Madras, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Canada, and Matscience, Chennai. He was the Chief Guest for the occasion. Dr Nita Dilawar, Director’s representative, CSIR-NPL, highlighted Dr Krishnan’s instrumental contributions to Indian science and technology. She spoke on the essential role of metrology in industrial development, international trade, and societal progress, while emphasising the growing impact of quantum science on modern metrology. She also detailed the valuable contributions made by CSIR and CSIR-NPL to India’s scientific landscape. Delivering his talk titled “Prediction of Room Temperature Superconductivity in Graphite, K. S. Krishnan’s Favourite Mineral”, Prof. Ganapathy Baskaran paid tribute to Dr Krishnan’s legacy and his seminal work in light scattering, magnetic susceptibility, quantum mechanics, thermionics, thermal conductivity, and alloy resistivity. He discussed the unique properties of graphite and carbon-based materials and delved into the physics driving their superconductivity. Prof. Baskaran elaborated on the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) and Resonating Valence Bond (RVB) theories, explaining how the RVB model provides insight into achieving room temperature superconductivity in doped graphene and graphite. As part of the memorial programme, CSIR-NPL also hosted a “Workshop on Quantum Metrology, Materials and Technologies” on 10th June 2025. The Chief Guest was Prof. T. Ramasami, Former Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, and Chairman of the K. S. Krishnan Memorial Trust. Research scholars and student interns from CSIR-NPL participated actively, presenting their research and project work. Thirteen outstanding participants were honoured with Best Presentation Awards for their contributions.

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Lucknow Metro East-West Corridor Consultancy Contract Awarded

The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation has awarded the first construction-related consultancy contract for the Lucknow Metro East West Corridor to a joint venture of AYESA Ingenieria Arquitectura SAU and AYESA India Pvt Ltd. The firm was declared the lowest bidder for the Detailed Design Consultant contract for Lucknow Metro Line-2 under Phase 1B and the contract was recommended following the financial bid. The contract is valued at Rs 159.0 million (mn), covering design services for the corridor. Lucknow Metro Line-2 envisages the construction of an 11.165 kilometre corridor connecting Cha..

Infrastructure Urban

06 Feb 2026

Div Com Kashmir Urges Fast Tracking Of Jhelum Water Transport Project

The Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir has called for the fast-tracking of the Jhelum water transport project, urging district administrations and relevant agencies to accelerate planning and clearances. In a meeting convened at the divisional headquarters, the commissioner instructed officials from irrigation, public health engineering and municipal departments to prioritise the project and coordinate survey and design work. The directive emphasised removal of administrative bottlenecks and close monitoring to ensure timely mobilisation of resources and contractors. Officials were told to in..

Infrastructure Urban

06 Feb 2026

Interarch Reports Strong Q3 And Nine Month Results

Interarch Building Solutions Limited reported unaudited results for the third quarter and nine months ended 31 December 2025, recording strong revenue growth driven by execution and a robust order book. Net revenue for the third quarter rose by 43.7 per cent to Rs 5.225 billion (bn), compared with Rs 3.636 bn a year earlier, reflecting heightened demand in pre-engineered building projects. The company’s total order book as at 31 January 2026 stood at Rs 16.85 bn, supporting near-term visibility. EBITDA excluding other income for the quarter increased by 43.2 per cent to Rs 503 million (mn),..