Dr V.K Paul, Member NITI Aayog graces IMTECH’s 42nd Foundation Day

New Delhi: CSIR–Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh, marked its 42nd Foundation Day with a series of events on 24th January, highlighted by the Foundation Day Lecture delivered by Dr Vinod K Paul, Member, NITI Aayog.

Dr Paul, who leads the health, nutrition and education verticals at NITI Aayog, delivered the lecture on “Future Pandemic Preparedness: What We Must Do Now.” He said India’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was firmly rooted in science and evidence, with the government, society and the nation acting as key stakeholders. He commended CSIR-IMTECH for its contributions during the pandemic, including RT-PCR testing for detection and surveillance, development of a COVID-19 subunit protein-based vaccine, and antiviral screening against SARS-CoV-2.

Emphasising the need for readiness, Dr Paul said future pandemic preparedness requires scientists to be equipped in advance with strategies and countermeasures that can be deployed within the first 100 days of an outbreak. “We prepare for war when we are not at war. Similarly, much of the work for tackling future pandemics must begin now in microbial laboratories like IMTECH,” he said, identifying governance, surveillance, research and partnerships as the cornerstones of future pandemic strategy.

He outlined a roadmap for IMTECH scientists, urging them to focus on priority pathogens with pandemic potential, develop countermeasures up to Phase II clinical trials, strengthen industry partnerships, build efficient supply chains, and demonstrate speed and capability in response.

Welcoming the guests, Dr Sanjeev Khosla, Director, CSIR-IMTECH, highlighted the institute’s achievements over the past year. “Innovating with microbes and impacting lives has guided IMTECH for over four decades. The 42nd Foundation Day reflects our continued pursuit of excellence in microbial sciences, with innovation at the forefront,” he said. He also briefed the audience on ongoing projects in bioremediation, natural farming, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), neurodegenerative diseases, and multiple industry collaborations.

Strengthening its industry connect, CSIR-IMTECH, through its Business Development Group, signed Confidential Disclosure Agreements (CDAs) with Praj Industries Ltd, Pune, and Henkel AG & Co., Germany.

On the occasion, a book titled “Biography of Dr Girish Sahni: A Life in Science and Service” was released in memory of late Dr Girish Sahni, former Director General, CSIR, and Director, CSIR-IMTECH. Authored by Dr Rajinder Singh and Dr Abhay H. Pandey, the book chronicles Dr Sahni’s scientific legacy and his impact on future generations.

The institute also organised an Open Day for the general public, drawing students, researchers and science enthusiasts from the Tricity region, who interacted with scientists and explored various facets of microbiology and biotechnology.

Established in 1984, CSIR-IMTECH is a national centre of excellence in microbial sciences, focused on building a strong translational ecosystem through fundamental research to address unmet healthcare and industrial needs.