• Union Minister for Science & Technology and CSIR Vice President to kickstart two-day mega event featuring agri, healthcare, and tech startups; key MoUs and collaborations to be signed

JAMMU: Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy & Space and Vice President of CSIR will inaugurate the “National Startup Festival” on Saturday, the 22nd February at the Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, which is being organized by CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu.

Giving the detail of the National Startup Festival, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director CSIR-IIIM, Jammu, in a press meet held here today, informed that as a part of the Institute’s continued efforts towards promotion and fostering the startup ecosystem in the region, a two-day “National Startup Festival” is being organized in which Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (I/C) for Science & Technology and Vice President of CSIR, will be the Chief Guest and will inaugurate this mega event, whileas Satish Sharma, J&K UT Cabinet Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Science & Technology, Information Technology, Youth Services & Sports, and ARI & training departments would be the guest of honour.

Further, Dr. Ahmed said that a total of 50 startups coming from all over India will showcase their innovations and technologies, including Agri-based, Healthcare, Nutraceutical, Tech-based, Service-based, and Consumer products. “A key focus of this event is to empower local youth, students, women, and farmers from the Jammu region, including districts such as Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua, and Samba” he added.

During the inaugural event, it was informed that very important MoUs will be signed by IIIM for collaborative research with industry & CCRUM. A Grant Letter Agreement (GLA) will also be signed with Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Deptt. of Biotechnology. Besides, new startups will also be enrolled with BIRAC incubator of Industrial Biotech Park, Ghatti, Kathua.

The organizers have issued invitations to all stakeholders, academicians, scientists, policy makers, industry representatives, students from schools, colleges and universities, and members of civil society.  Among the confirmed dignitaries participating in the event are Padma Shri Prof. Vinod K. Singh, Chairperson, Recruitment & Assessment Board (RAB), CSIR and Institute Chair Professor of Chemistry at IIT Kanpur, Dr. N. Zaheer Ahmed, Director General, CCRUM, Dr. Prabodh Kumar Trivedi, Director, CSIR-CIMAP, Lucknow, Dr. Ajit Kumar Shasany, Director CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow, and Dr. Jitendra Kumar Managing Director, DBT-BIRAC .

The event is organized with the patronage of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, under overall supervision of Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, assisted by his team of HoDs and Scientists, including Er. Abdul Rahim, Dr. Asha Chaubey, Dr. Dhiraj Vyas, Dr. Shashank Singh, Dr. Sumit Gandhi, Dr. Naveed Qazi, Dr. Suphla Gupta, Dr. Saurabh Saran, Dr. Raj Kishore, Vikram Singh, Sr. COA, Ajay Kumar, CoFA, Dilip Gehlot, SPO, Rajesh Gupta, AO and Er. Ashwani Chopra.

Your voice can reach the world: At JK Monitor, we firmly believe that every well-researched idea has the power to inspire change beyond geographical boundaries. We are delighted to share an encouraging message from one of our esteemed contributors, Dr. Rakesh Verma (J&K Forest Services). “His article, ‘When Trees Become Rights-Bearing Citizens: A Lesson from Canada for India’s Ecological Future,’ published on JK Monitor, received appreciation from La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, the French non-profit organisation that founded and promotes the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.”.  Read the message here
In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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