DG, CSIR launches NRDC drafted ‘Compendium of Indian Technologies’ to combat COVID-19

By Umashankar Mishra

New Delhi: A “Compendium of Indian Technologies for Combating COVID-19 (Tracing, Testing and Treating)”, prepared by National Research Development Corporation  (NRDC), was launched by  Dr Shekhar C. Mande, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, Govt. of India, at CSIR Headquarters, New Delhi, on 5 May 2020.

The Compendium carries information about 200 COVID-19-related Indian technologies, ongoing research activities, technologies available for commercialization, initiatives and efforts taken by the Government of India, categorized under 3Ts of Tracking, Testing and Treating. Most of these technologies have been tested for proof-of-concept (PoC) and can help entrepreneurs to market them faster as they do not have to reinvent the wheel.

Technologies presented in the Compendium include a digital and molecular surveillance database, COVID-19 rapid testing kit, Surveillance system to fight COVID-19 through a unique tracking mobile application, Real-time PCR test, an antimicrobial fabric, Minus Corona UV Bot to disinfect hospitals, a Bio Body Suit and herbal products to boost the immune system.

Dr Shekhar C. Mande (R) launching the Compendium of Indian Technologies for Combating COVID-19. Present with him is Dr. H. Purushotham (L).

Dr. Mande appreciated the initiative of NRDC for bringing out the Compendium of Indian Technologies for Combating COVID-19 as it is very timely and would benefit the MSMEs, start-ups and the public at large.

Dr H. Purushotham, CMD, NRDC, informed that the team at NRDC has made an attempt to compile most relevant and emerging indigenously developed technological innovations, including those which are at research stage, to fight COVID-19. He expressed hope that this compendium will serve as a ready-reference for policy makers, industries, entrepreneurs, start-ups, MSMEs, research scholars, scientists and other stakeholders. He also informed that several of the technologies compiled are approved by ICMR.

The information presented in the compendium is sourced from various government bodies and premier academic institutions including Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Institute(s) of Technology (IITs), Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB),  Technology Development Board (TDB), National Innovation Foundation (NIF), Startup India and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), and Indian Institute of Science (IISc).

For more information, including transfer of technology, one may reach NRDC, an enterprise of Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India at cmdnrdc@nrdc.in.

(India Science Wire)