The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute(NEERI) has entered into 50th year of foundation on 8th April 2007.On this occassion,the institute has planned to organize various scientific events during the year to celebrate the golden jubilee year.
At the outset, NEERI organized a launch ceremony of the golden jubilee year on completion of its 49th Foundation Day on 8th April 2007. Dr. T. Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India and Director General of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) was the Chief Guest on this occasion. The programme was unveiled with an invocation song followed by lighting of lamp by the Chief Guest.
While speaking at the inaugural function, Dr. T. Ramasami briefed about the importance of the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute for the society and nation. He praised the R&D activities carried out so far at the Institute, which helped in creating environmental awareness in the country. But NEERI has much larger role to play in the future, he added. Addressing to three generations of scientists at NEERI, who were present on this occasion, i.e. the ones who formed the Institute, the ones who are running it and the ones who would be heading it a decade later, Dr. Ramasami said that all should work together for adding more value to the existing stature of NEERI. It would be a matter of pride for India that by 2020 its younger generation of scientists would create an unprecedented space in the world’s scientific community, he added. Dr. Ramasami said that India is also emerging as a R&D hub and in this context NEERI will have a wider role to play in the field of environmental science and engineering. He advised that NEERI should act like a custodian for environmental security of the country. Citing an example of the leather industry, Dr. Ramasami said that prior to 1995, the apex court ordered to close down 400 tanneries in Tamil Nadu, since the pollution control norms were not met by the tanneries. As a result, the people working in this industry became unemployed and their families started suffering, he said. Dr. Ramasami informed that in such difficult situation, NEERI and the other Institutes came forward for establishing common effluent treatment plants, and thus, the problem was resolved. He advocated that the scientists should do such kind of novel work to save our people, society and the nation.
Earlier, while delivering the welcome address, Dr. Sukumar Devotta, Director, NEERI traced the history and activities of the Institute from 1958 onwards and listed the landmark achievements of the Institute. He informed that NEERI made a modest beginning from a small rented place as Central Public Health Engineering Research Institute (CPHERI) and now it has emerged as an agency supporting the judiciary in implementing environmental regulations. Besides conducting R&D activities in the field of environmental science and engineering, the Institute also drives societal missions for the people and acts as a problem solving body for various industries, he added. Dr. Devotta said that the Institute has been successful in maintaining a balance between R&D and consultancy projects. The Institute is working on a number of projects with UNEP, UNICEF and WHO, he informed. Dr. Devotta said that NEERI is taking up a big project
in Kalpasar, which is related to creation of India’s biggest freshwater lake in sea in Gujarat.
During the programme, various awards were given to NEERI scientists. The award for "Best R&D Division" was given to Environmental Materials Unit (EMU), which was received by Dr. (Mrs.) Sadhana Rayalu, Scientist and Head, EMU. The award for generating maximum external cash flow (ECF) was conferred to Environmental Impact and Risk Assessment (EIRA) Division. This award was received by Dr. S.R. Wate, Scientist and Head, EIRA Division. The "Best Paper Award" was given to Dr. K. Krishnamurthy, Scientist, Environmental Biotechnology Division. The "Best International Patent Award" was given to Dr. Hemant Purohit, Scientist and Head, Environmental Genomics Unit.
The golden jubilee souvenir of the Institute was released on the occasion. Prof. S.J. Arceivala and Dr. R.N. Singh, former directors of NEERI; Dr. Deepak Kantawala, Ex- Chairman, NEERI Research Council and Dr. S.N. Kaul, former Scientist and Head, WWT Division, NEERI were felicitated on this occasion.
Dr. T. Chakrabarti, Director Grade Scientist, NEERI proposed a vote of thanks. The programme was compered by Dr. (Mrs.) Atya Kapley, Scientist, NEERI. The main building of the Institute was beautifully illuminated on this occasion. A gala dinner was arranged near the Institute’s Swimming Pool for the invited delegates and the family members of the staff of the Institute.
To mark the occasion, a series of lectures were organized in the Institute on 9th April, 2007. In the first lecture, Prof. Arceivala briefed about water conservation and its reuse in India. He said that water is becoming critical in India. Hence, water conservation measures today have to be borne by public water supplies and industries, he added. Prof. Arceivala remarked that the concept of reuse has been developed in India from 1982, which was initially for agriculture and horticulture, then it was much implemented in industries to meet chronic shortages in public water supplies. From 1998 onwards the concept of reuse has been applied for community development and augmentation of public water supplies. Prof. Arceivala also drew attention towards the new role of scientists and engineers for developing cleaner technologies for industries and for augmentation of water resources for public uses. To conserve water resources, Prof. Arceivala suggested to encourage rainwater harvesting, wastewater harvesting, reuse as a policy in industries and zero discharge.
Dr. R.N. Singh, CSIR Emeritus Scientist, National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad delivered a lecture on "measuring sustainability". Dr. Singh gave details about four facets of sustainability including protection of the environment. He said that an effective model is needed for measuring sustainability. Describing about mathematical metaphors in science, Dr. Singh said that as science advanced to capture reality, new metaphors have been developed. Dr. Singh specifically threw light on the metaphors related to sustainability.
Dr. Deepak Kantawala, Ex-Chairman, Research Council, NEERI addressed about the state of the environment. He briefed about the National Environmental Policy (NEP). Dr. Kanatawala opined that the National Environmental Policy is not much effective. He emphasized on the need to formulate a National Environmental Plan. Because plan provides objectives, targets and time frames, while policy is only one of the enabling instruments of implementing the plan, he added. In this direction, Dr. Kantawala informed that the work of formulating environmental plan has been initiated by the Enviro Control Group of Companies, Surat. The plan includes water, air and land environment, he added.
Mr. P.N. Devrajan, Ex-Chiraman, Research Council, NEERI delivered a lecture on "Environment, Economy and Equity". He stressed on the need to relate environment and economy for the country. He advised NEERI scientists to take up new and challenging issues coming up in the field of environmental science and engineering. Mr. Devrajan specifically highlighted the issues regarding sustainability, nanotechnology and E-waste management and he urged the scientists to provide innovative ideas in these areas.
A cultural programme was organized in the evening of 9th April, 2007 for the invited delegates and the staff of the Institute.
