Lucknow: The CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow, celebrated the 85th CSIR Foundation Day with enthusiasm and renewed commitment to scientific excellence, innovation, and national development.
The programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the Chief Guest, Dr. Banani Poddar , Professor & Head, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow; Guest of Honour Dr. Akhilesh Gupta, former Senior Adviser, Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Distinguished Visiting Professor, IIT Roorkee; and Dr. Prabodh Kumar Trivedi, Director, CSIR-CIMAP, followed by an overview of the programme presented by Dr. Rajesh Kumar Verma, Scientist-G.
In his welcome address, Dr. Prabodh Kumar Trivedi, Director, CSIR-CIMAP, highlighted that for more than six decades, CSIR-CIMAP has made significant contributions to the science and technology of medicinal and aromatic plants, spanning plant biology, genomics, chemistry, biotechnology and agricultural sciences, and has developed over 160 plant varieties along with technologies for cultivation, processing, and value addition, benefiting farmers and industries.
Dr. Akhilesh Gupta, Guest of Honor, emphasized the growing focus on large-scale projects, industrial participation, and translational research, noting that future research will increasingly be assessed by its societal and policy impact. He urged CSIR researchers to prepare for this shift by focusing on impactful and socially relevant research.
On this occasion, Chief Guest Dr. Banani Poddar congratulated CSIR on its 85th Foundation Day and extended her best wishes to the entire CSIR family. She emphasized that when a patient’s condition is unlikely to improve, healthcare should focus not only on prolonging life but also on respecting the natural course of illness and ensuring the patient’s comfort and dignity. She stressed the importance of emotional support, companionship, and compassionate care, while recognizing that medicine may sometimes be unable to alter the outcome.
A major highlight of the programme was the exchange of MoUs and technology transfer initiatives aimed at strengthening research-industry linkages and promoting commercialization. An MoU was signed between the School of Livelihood & Rural Development – Yes Earth, Assam , and CSIR-CIMAP for large-scale aromatic crop cultivation in the North-Eastern Region under CSIR Aroma-4.0. The initiative will provide technical know-how, quality planting material, cultivation support, and market linkages.
In another industry-driven initiative, MoAs were signed with M/s Ayumantr Nutraceuticals Pvt. Ltd., Ghaziabad , for collaborative upscaling of three CSIR-CIMAP products—Relaxomap (Pain-Relieving Oil), Clean Germ (Floor Cleaner), and Mospray (Mosquito Repellent); M/s Kreole Biotech Inc., Kanpur , for Painja (Anti-inflammatory Pain-Relieving Gel); M/s Shree Divyam Fragrance, Lucknow, for utilizing flowers to make incense sticks and fragrant cones; and M/s Dhanvantreya Biotech LLP, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh , for phytomolecule extraction from turmeric and ashwagandha, with technical handholding by CSIR-CIMAP under the TBIC platform for commercialization of herbal products and promotion of eco-friendly, indigenous solutions.
The CSIR-CIMAP Annual Report 2025–26 was also released, along with the release of CIM-VAB , a vetiver root-derived activated biochar technology developed by Dr. Puja Khare and her team. The technology offers a cost-effective and efficient method for converting distilled waste into activated biochar for industrial applications. Another significant highlight was the release of CIM-Kasturi , a high-yielding variety of Muskdana (Abelmoschus moschatus L.) for Northern India developed by Dr. Gunjan Tiwari and her team. The variety offers improved seed productivity and essential oil quality.
The Program also included the felicitation of retired employees and wards of CSIR employees, along with the presentation of Best Employee Awards (2025–26), Best Research Paper Awards (2025–26), and prizes for the CSIR Foundation Day 2026 competitions.
The Institute remained open to farmers, students, and the general public, promoting greater outreach and engagement. Students and teachers from various educational institutions also visited CSIR-CIMAP and learned about its scientific and technological activities. The visiting groups included 40 students and 3 teachers from Valencia International School, Balaganj; 32 students and 2 teachers from Isabella Thoburn College, Faizabad Road; 60 students and 3 teachers from Shri Ram Swaroop Memorial University, Lucknow; and 28 students and 2 teachers from Rameshwaram Pharmacy College, Sitapur.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Ramesh Kumar Srivastava, followed by the National Song and National Anthem, while the proceedings were efficiently conducted by Dr. Sumya Pathak and Dr. Akanksha Singh.
