E-NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2024

BIOTECH GAZETTE

NATIONAL SCIENCE DAY 2024

‘INDIGENOUS TECHNOLOGIES
FOR VIKSIT BHARAT’

INTRODUCTION

NATIONAL SCIENCE DAY

NSD is celebrated every year to commemorate the discovery of
the Raman Effect by an Indian physicist, Sir C.V. Raman. On 28
Feb 1928, the Raman effect was discovered and Raman was
awarded Nobel Prize in 1930. Again In 1954, he was awarded the
Bharat Ratna. Furthermore, he established the Raman Research
Institute in Bengaluru in 1948 where he worked in his last days.
The theme of National Science Day reflects a strong focus on
promoting the ecosystem of Science, Technology and
Innovation which includes Artificial Intelligence,
Semiconductors, R&D, Quantum Computing, Sustainable
Technologies, Renewable Energy and many more. It is a key
element for the economic growth of our nation.
The government of India is making continuous efforts to
strengthen the S&T ecosystem in our country. We have
achieved breakthrough milestones from the lab to the moon—
developing indigenous COVID vaccines like COVAXIN and
COVIDSHIELD as well as setting a benchmark with the successful
landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the south pole of Moon.
Chandrayaan-3 also highlights the role of female scientists in
India’s marvellous growth and development.
On the NSD, various science-related events like debates,
workshops and seminars are carried out in schools, colleges
and universities to raise awareness about the importance of
science and technology in advancing our society and to inspire
students to pursue careers in scientific fields. lt also reminds us
about the power of S&T in shaping the future of our nation and
further contributing towards global advancement.
 KEYNOTES FROM OUR RESEARCHERS

According to Dr. Pathania, "Science is the knowledge that we gain

through observation and experimentation and then this knowledge
can be replicated for the welfare of the society.”
Further explaining his views on indigenous technologies, he adds that
Bharat can become viksit if we join our indigenous culture with our
knowledge. Explaining the importance of medicinal plants in the
Himalayan region, he encourages everyone to cultivate more such
plants to support our indigenous culture and our farmers, in order to
make Bharat viksit.

-DR. DEEPAK PATHANIA

Dean of Research studies, and Professor, EVS, CUJ

Being an Earth Scientist, seismologist and glaciologist, Dr. Dhar says,

“Science is incomplete without empirical research.”
Empirical research can help answer many questions which otherwise
remain unanswered. While working in the Himalayas since the last 30
years, Dr. Dhar believes that indigenous technologies are embedded in
our blood and engrained into our minds. As he moved to the high
altitude of the Himalayas he saw that Himalayan people are nature-
loving and more rooted towards indigenous knowledge. But over time,
we've lost our indigenous technologies, therefore, reviving these
technologies is very important for making Bharat visit.

-DR. SUNIL DHAR

Dean of school of Life Sciences, and Professor, EVS, CUJ

With years of experience in the field of human genetics and molecular

diagnosis, According to Dr. Sharma, "Science is to think different, work
different and plan different “. Further sharing his views on indigenous
technologies, he says that we have had great ancestors who had
Indigenous technologies like ayurveda and space technologies and it is
time to revive those Indigenous technologies to make Bharat viksit
“again”.

-DR .SWARKAR SHARMA

H.O.D. and Associate professor, CMB,CUJ
Dr. Ahmed says, “Science is a very innovative and interesting
discipline which has a novel and collaborative approach for the
development of the society”.
He further explains the amazing biodiversity of India with 4 out of a
total of 36 biodiversity hotspots existing in India alone- the Western
Ghats, the Himalayas, the Sundaland and the Indo-Burma. CUJ
itself is in the Himalayan region, so, by preserving biodiversity and
developing Indigenous technologies through collaborating with
industries we can develop India as an emerging leader and help
Bharat become viksit.

-DR. MUSHTAQ AHMED

Professor and DBT program coordinator, CMB, CUJ

Dr. Bairwa said “Science is a means for the betterment of human

society and it should be practised by all”. Further explaining his views
on indigenous technologies for Viksit Bharat, he says Bharat is full of
diversity which brings a lot of challenges and opportunities. According
to him, indigenous technologies can help us address the challenges
and will help us to develop innovative solutions to make Bharat
become viksit.

-DR. NARENDRA KUMAR BAIRWA

Associate Professor, CMB, CUJ

According to Dr. Audesh Bhat, "Science is An opportunity to

contribute something to the world”.
He believes, that the development of Indigenous technologies and
its application across all walks of life including—agriculture, health,
environment, space, and energy—will help to increase employment,
decrease our dependence on other countries and save money
spent in foreign exchange, all necessary for a Viksit Bharat.

-DR. AUDESH BHAT

Assistant Professor, CMB, CUJ
 For Dr Shelly Sehgal, "Science is the greatest means bestowed upon
humanity to understand things happening around us and even
distant apart." She further adds, "Its proven potential to logically
explain or reason everything fascinates me most.”
Additionally, having ISRO and DRDO centres in our institute is a step
towards Viksit Bharat through indigenous technologies.
Developing point-of-care kits in medicine, AI-driven disease
diagnosis, hydroponics-based smart agriculture, and Kalari
commercialization in the food sector are some prominent examples
of indigenous technologies in Jammu.

-DR. SHELLY SEHGAL

Assistant Professor, CMB, CUJ

According to Dr Singh, "Science is a very organised discipline

and involves careful thinking and developing technologies for
the betterment of the world.”
Further explaining his views on indigenous technologies, with his
expertise in bacterial genetics, he adds that we can use bacteria
to convert toxic elements present in the water into non-toxic
elements to solve the water contamination problem. Now through
genetic engineering techniques, we can modify organisms for the
betterment of mankind and subsequently make Bharat viksit.
-DR. SUDHIR SINGH
Assistant Professor, CMB, CUJ

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL THE FACULTY MEMBERS OF CMB,

DR. SUNIL DHAR AND DR. DEEPAK PATHANIA FOR BEING A
PART OF THE FEBRUARY ISSUE OF OUR E-NEWSLETTER.

DEPARTMENT: CENTRE FOR MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

EDITORIAL BOARD: GENETIC GUILD
MEMBERS: ANKITA, ANUSHKA DOBHAL, SIYA SHARMA, SMRITI SHARMA,
CHESTA MADAN, ABHISHEK KUMAR VERMA, ADITRI DIXIT, SAAKSHI,
RUCHIKA SHARMA AND SONALI BHAN
GUIDANCE: DR. SAWARKAR SHARMA (H.O.D.) AND
DR. NARENDRA KUMAR BAIRWA