From healthy goodies —banana toffee, chocolates, plant nutrients-based carbonated fruit juices and Omega 3 enriched ice creams — to low cost housing technologies and 3D printed prototypes used for the design and validation of various aerospace components in the high-tech sector: These and many other technical research and innovation that has made the life of the common man easy are being showcased at the mega expo Technofest 2016 here.
The mega show has been organized by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) which is celebrating its Platinum Jubilee this year.
Union Science and Technology Minister Harshvardhan, who inaugurated the Technofest 2016 at Hall No 12 A at Pragati Maidan on Monday, said that it is a golden opportunity for the students, researchers, scientists, business man and a common man to witness science innovation and researches being conducted by the 38 laboratories of the CSIR located across the country under one roof here.
“The entire history and contribution of the scientists from the CSIR since its inception 75 years ago can be seen through this window created in the IITF, 2016,” added CSIR DG Girish Sahini adding that all the labs in one or another way has taken efforts to make the life of the common man easy.
Apart from 14 theme-based information panels highlighting the science and the technology components of major CSIR contributions, informative exhibits including demonstrable models are the highlights at the Technofest 2016.
For science enthusiast kids, their are science quiz and demonstrations, while the pavallion has a lot to offer for the startups as well the industry.
If carbonated beverages based on grape, sugarcane, pomegranate and sweet lime and anti-obesity oils and quinoa based chocolates have been developed by the Mysuru-based Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), the lucknow based National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) has exhibited anti-diabetic products and other health related innovations.
A brand of tea, Tea wine, which has a 7-12 per cent alcohol content by volume, which has been exhibited by the Himachal Pradesh-based Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT) has been a centre of query among many of its other herbal products catering pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, and plant industries.
CFTRI senior scientist Dr Malathi, who has worked on a project to develop an indigenous variety of two highly nutritious (grain crops Chia( rich in omega-3 fatty acid and alpha linolenic acid) and quinoa (high protein content) said that the seeds can be highly beneficial supplements in a country like India that has a large number of malnutrion kids. “We are looking for more tie-ups,” she added.
lucknow-based Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIAMP) has showcased herbal formulations such as anti-diabetic products, mosquito repellent creams and tobacco free herbal mixture Herbichew.
Other labs which have showcased their researches include National Aerospace laboratores, and Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute (aerospace & strategic sector), central leather Research Institute (leather), Central Building Research Institute (engineering & Infrastructure), NMl (mining, minerals & materials) National Environmental Engineering Research Institute(environment) and National Chemical laboratories (chemicals & petrochemicals).