Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu, today celebrated the 84th CSIR Foundation Day by organising a simple but impressive event at C K Atal Auditorium of the institute. Dr. Ram A. Vishwakarma, Distinguished Scientist, CSIR & Ex-Director, CSIR-IIIM, Jammu, was the chief guest of the function which was attended by the invited guests from the industry and academia, scientific, technical and admin staff including the research scholars and the pensioners. A spokesperson informed that the event also witnessed the signing of significant collaborative agreements, marking another milestone in the institute's journey of scientific excellence and innovation.
Delivering the Foundation Day address on "Pharma/Biopharma Landscape in CSIR: Targets and Roadmap," Dr. Ram Vishwakarma traced CSIR's pioneering role in India's pharmaceutical sector. "This day holds a significant importance, as everything around us is driven by science. Real transformation is achieved through scientific innovation – it represents the genuine return on investments (ROI)," Dr. Vishwakarma emphasized. He elaborated on CSIR's establishment in 1942, even before India's independence, and its foundational contributions to the nation's drug research ecosystem.
Dr. Vishwakarma paid special tribute to Sir Ram Nath Chopra, highlighting that the Indian Drugs and Cosmetics Act was conceptualized at CSIR-IIIM Jammu under his leadership. "We must always remember his contributions and strive to maintain the benchmark he established," he urged the gathering. The CSIR-IIIM with unique strength of natural resources in the region, has lots of opportunities to become a global competitor in Phytopharmaceuticals especially the botanicals, he added.
Dr. Vishwakarma's presentation also outlined CSIR's comprehensive engagement across the pharmaceutical spectrum – from New Chemical Entities (NCEs) and generic drugs to New Biological Entities (NBEs), including therapeutic proteins, monoclonal antibodies, and biosimilars, alongside phytopharmaceuticals and diagnostics. He underscored CSIR's role in laying the scientific foundation of India's pharmaceutical industry post-independence and its continuing mandate as a provider of quality human resources to the sector.
Earlier, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM Jammu, delivered the welcome address and emphasized the significance of this year's celebration. "This Foundation Day holds special meaning as we have the privilege of hosting Dr. Ram A. Vishwakarma, who served this institute with distinction for over 11 years. We continue to draw inspiration from the dynamic leadership and innovative spirit he exemplified during his tenure. The legacy he established has set a high threshold for our scientific community," Dr. Ahmed stated.
He presented the institute's impressive annual achievements, highlighting that CSIR-IIIM Jammu has filed 20 patents abroad and 9 patents in India, published 174 research publications in one year with an average impact factor of 3.75, and validated 7 New Chemical Entities (NCEs) as potent compounds. Dr. Ahmed also mentioned the institute's commitment to societal projects, including lavender cultivation under the Purple Revolution and the successful development of mono-floral honey from lavender under the floriculture mission. He noted that the Atal Incubator at the Kashmir branch is currently supporting 12 incubatees working from the Srinagar branch.
The ceremony witnessed the signing of strategic partnerships aimed at accelerating translational research. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was executed between CSIR-IIIM Jammu and Sarvatgc Technologies Private Limited, Bangalore, followed by the signing of an Umbrella MoU with Firmland Bio, strengthening collaborative frameworks for drug development and commercialization.
During the event, retirees of the preceding year and the employees who have completed their 25 years of legitimate services were felicitated with ‘Saman Patra’ and gifts. Er. Abdul Rahim, Chief Scientist and Head, Research Management, Business Development, and Information Science and Technology (RMBD & IST), proposed the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the Chief Guest for his inspiring address and acknowledging the contributions of all stakeholders in advancing the institute's mission while Dr. Gurleen Kaur, Scientist, conducted the proceedings of the function. The event was attended by Heads of Departments, senior scientists, research scholars, technical staff, and administrative personnel of the institute.