Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh at CSIR-CFTRI

Mysore/Mysuru: Union Minister of State for Science, Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the Union Government has come forward for engaging the private sector in fields such as  Science and Technology and even in nuclear power.

He was delivering the valedictory address of the Platinum Jubilee (75th anniversary) celebration of CSIR-CFTRI at CFTRI’s IFTTC Auditorium on KRS Road in city yesterday.

Maintaining that the Union Government will provide the necessary technical and financial support for entrepreneurship development, Dr. Jitendra Singh observed that the Government has taken this decision when no one had expected it.

Stressing on the need for inclusivity in order to give fillip for growth, he said that Start-Ups are the future of the country. “The Centre has also a part of  responsibility  in taking small enterprises to the global stage or network expansion through capacity building. As such, the Union Government has been creating a favourable atmosphere for scientific research and innovation,” he noted.

Asserting that CFTRI has played a major role in ensuring food security in the country, the Union Minister said, the Institute which is always on the path of progress, has laid a strong foundation for sustainable development. Emphasising that CFTRI’s innovations and products  should reach every common man of the country, he said all innovations should be digitalised and the Institute should make small videos of its recipes. The Institute should also hold interaction with farmers and entrepreneurs and to promote entrepreneurship by dissemination of knowledge and technology.

Stating that the country’s economy is stable at a time when most of the nations are facing an economic crisis due to global Geopolitics and west Asia tensions, he said that Institutes like CFTRI and other Science & Technology Institutions have played a key role in ensuring the country’s economic stability. The CFTRI should expand its network and promote food processing industries for creating a revolution of sorts in production of Nutritious foods.

CSIR Director-General Dr. N. Kalai Selvi, in her address, called for more innovations in formulation and preparation of Space Food Systems.

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Wadiyar, in his virtual address, highlighted the support extended by the erstwhile Mysore rulers for the establishment of CFTRI. He wished the Institute for coming up with more innovations and achievements in the coming days.

Dr. Jitendra Singh released a couple of souvenirs brought out marking the 75 anniversary of CFTRI and special stamp and postal  envelope on the occasion.

The Minister also inaugurated the ‘Bio Nest Incubation Centre’ in the CFTRI campus and laid the Foundation stone for the Hostel Block being constructed under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (Remunerative approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sectors Rejuvenation) at CFTRI’s Maragowdanahalli campus. The block features class rooms for training sessions and residential facilities.

CFTRI Director Prof. Giridhar Parvatam, BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Cuncil) MD Jitendra Kumar and Food Scientist Prof. Chindi Vasudevappa were present.