Latest news with #CSIR-IICT
New Indian Express
12 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Sigachi Industries refutes reactor blast as cause of tragedy, confirms 38 dead
SANGAREDDY/HYDERABAD: The state government on Wednesday constituted an expert committee to investigate the explosion that killed at least 38 people at Sigachi Industries in Pashamylaram. Rescue operations continued on Wednesday, with two more bodies recovered from the debris, bringing the official death toll to 38. Another 10 workers are still unaccounted for. Meanwhile, the company announced that it will offer an ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore to the kin of each deceased. The committee, chaired by B Venkateshwar Rao, Emeritus Scientist at CSIR-IICT, has been tasked with identifying the causes of the blast and recommending measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The order to set up the four-member panel was issued on Wednesday by M Dana Kishore, Principal Secretary, Labour and Factories department. The committee, which includes T Pratap Kumar (chief scientist, CSIR-IICT), Surya Narayana (chief scientist, CSIR-IICT), and Santosh Ghuge (safety officer, CSIR-NCL, Pune), has one month to submit its report. The explosion, which occurred around 9.20 am on June 30 while microcrystalline cellulose powder was being manufactured for use as a binding agent in pharmaceuticals, caused extensive damage to the facility. At the time of the incident, 143 workers were present on-site. Sigachi MD and CEO Amit Raj Sinha, who visited the site on Wednesday, said that external experts had inspected the remaining equipment to help determine the cause of the explosion. Internal and third-party assessments are underway, and findings will be shared with government investigators, he said. Collector P Pravinya confirmed that blood samples from six persons have been sent for DNA analysis. So far, 18 bodies have been handed over to families, she said.
The Hindu
13-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Telangana govt to host event to bring farmers, farm research bodies together
Telangana Government is planning to organise a conclave of the Hyderabad based Central and State scientific organisations working on agriculture research to have an outreach programme with the farming community, informed Agriculture secretary M. Raghunandan Rao on Thursday (June 12, 2025). Addressing farmers and scientists at a one-day workshop on 'Environmentally Benign Farming Practices for Farmers: Fermented Organic Manure from Anaerobic Digestion and Pheromones for Pest Control' organised by the CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) here, Mr. Rao said about 25 such organisations are researching diverse crops like rice, millets and also in meat, poultry, bio-manures, biogas etc., are working from the capital region. The government wants farmers of the State to know about the four to five key products being offered by these organisations in the planned exhibition, where farmers can also interact with the scientists. Proposed to be held over a period of three days in two months time, it is to help farmers enhance their incomes and livelihoods by going for eco-friendly measures in agriculture and in livestock maintenance. Action plan to disburse Rythu Bharosa ready The annual financial assistance of ₹6,000 per acre ('Rythu Bharosa') will soon be released for all the farmers, and an action plan is ready for the same. The government has also decided to participate in centrally sponsored agriculture schemes for improving soil health, mechanisation, drip irrigation, digitisation, and promoting oil seeds production with a budget allocation of ₹1,600 crore after a gap of five years, said Mr. Rao. CNG plant using paddy residue Another interesting concept in the offing is the proposal to set up agri-based industries using biomass and others on lands belonging to the agriculture department with CNG plants likely to take off first using paddy residue. The secretary has urged farmers to avoid overuse of fertiliser as it would affect the soil health and not to burn paddy residue. 'Let us not follow Punjab and Haryana, where soil health has taken a beating due to the excess usage of fertilisers. Burning of paddy residue will lead to atmospheric pollution and other hazards. We will soon have a plant to make use of it,' he said. Earlier, CSIR-IICT director D. Srinivas Reddy explained about the institute's initiatives towards helping farmers and promoting green energy like the production of biogas using vegetable waste, bio-manure, and others. Senior scientists A Gangagni Rao and B.V. Subba Reddy participated. About 300 participants were later shown the pilot plants for organic farming, anaerobic gas lift reactor technology, accelerated anaerobic composting technology, and the pheromone application eco-friendly pest management that traps insects/pests.
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Surya Prakash Singh is first researcher from CSIR-IICT to receive INSA Distinguished Lecture Fellowship
CSIR–Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad, scientist Surya Prakash Singh has been awarded the prestigious INSA Distinguished Lecture Fellowship for the year 2025 by the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) on Tuesday. (May 13, 2025). Dr. Singh is the first researcher from CSIR-IICT and the city of Hyderabad to receive this distinguished honour, making it a landmark moment for the institute and the region. He leads a research group focused on photosensitizers to boost the efficiency of next-generation solar technologies like dye-sensitised, organic, and perovskite solar cells. Another key achievement has been the development of neutral, non-toxic, stable, and highly fluorescent 'Bodipy' dyes for mitochondrial imaging in biological systems, as per a press release.
New Indian Express
12-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma hails Centre's efforts to make science more accessible
HYDERABAD: Governor Jishnu Dev Varma on Sunday said, 'This is the age of research, of technology, of finding ways to make the world a better place.' He was speaking at the National Technology Day celebrations and ASTC Annual Convention held at CSIR-IICT. Addressing the gathering, the governor lauded the Union government's efforts to make science and research more accessible and expressed hope that CSIR institutions would continue to undertake transformative work for the benefit of society. In his welcome address, CSIR-IICT director Dr D Srinivasa Reddy underscored the role of scientific innovation in addressing global challenges. He highlighted the institute's contributions, including the development of compostable plastics, affordable sanitary pads and AGR technology for converting organic waste into biogas. Delivering the ASTC Foundation Lecture on 'Gut Microbiome – The Science & Application', AIG Hospitals chairman Dr D Nageshwar Reddy discussed the microbiome's critical role in modern medicine, touching on its impact on immunity, metabolism, mental health and neurological disorders. He stressed that manipulating the gut microbiome could help manage a wide range of conditions.
United News of India
12-05-2025
- Science
- United News of India
CSIR-IICT celebrates National Technology Day 2025 with ASTC annual convention
Hyderabad, May 11 (UNI) The CSIR–Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), in collaboration with the Academy for Science, Technology and Communication (ASTC) and the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI), Hyderabad Chapter, celebrated National Technology Day 2025 along with the ASTC Annual Convention at the CSIR-IICT campus on Sunday. Governor of Telangana, Jishnu Dev Varma, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. In his address, he stated, 'This is the age of research, of technology, of finding ways to make the world a better place.' He also lauded the efforts of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government in democratizing access to science and research, expressing hope that CSIR institutions will continue to deliver transformative contributions to society. Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr D Srinivasa Reddy, Director of CSIR-IICT, highlighted the importance of scientific innovation in tackling global challenges. He said, 'The theme this year is very meaningful. It reminds us that science and technology must help solve the problems we face today.' He also showcased CSIR-IICT's key contributions, including compostable plastics, affordable sanitary pads, and AGR technology that converts organic waste into biogas. Dr Vinay Kumar Nandicoori, Director of CSIR–Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), emphasised the central role of technology in CSIR's mission. He discussed CCMB's pioneering work in rare disease diagnostics, wildlife forensics, DNA fingerprinting, and the development of a low-cost screening test for sickle cell anaemia priced under Rs 100. Dr Prakash Kumar, Director of CSIR–National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), noted that "the courage to think differently creates impact." He outlined NGRI's initiatives to build an earthquake-resilient society through mega-projects assessing and mitigating seismic hazards in the Himalayas, Ganga Plains, and other vulnerable areas. Delivering the ASTC Foundation Lecture on 'Gut Microbiome – The Science & Application,' Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman of AIG Hospitals, underlined the critical role of the gut microbiome in modern medicine. He explained its profound influence on immunity, metabolism, mental health, and its potential in managing a wide range of disorders. In the Presidential Address, Dr Ch Mohan Rao, Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Council–ASTC and NASI Hyderabad Chapter, gave an overview of the inception of National Science Day and highlighted the ongoing activities of NASI. The event also featured the release of the latest issue of ASTC Communications, the felicitation of contributing authors, and the presentation of ASTC Awards in categories including Science Popularization, Excellence in Science and Technology, and Lifetime Achievement. Dr D Srinivasa Reddy and Dr S Venkata Mohan, Director of NEERI and former Chief Scientist at CSIR-IICT, were honoured with the Excellence in Science and Technology Award. UNI VV SS
