The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, will attend the Golden Jubilee Grand finale celebration of the CSIR–National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR–NIIST), Pappanamcode, Thiruvananthapuram, under the Ministry of Science and Technology as Chief Guest, tomorrow. The event will be held at 10 a.m. on October 15, 2025.

Dr. Jitendra Singh will inaugurate the Golden Jubilee Innovation Centre, aimed at promoting innovation-based entrepreneurship and strengthening industry-institute collaboration. He will also inaugurate an Automated Nodal Hub for Next-Generation Dye-Sensitized Light Harvesters and an Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI-ML) Laboratory.

The Union Minister will also launch ‘Vidyut Svasthya’, a pedal-assisted exercise system that converts human kinetic energy into electricity for charging electronic devices such as laptops and mobile phones. Developed using hybrid technology at NIIST, the system promotes both fitness and energy sustainability.

On the occasion, CSIR-NIIST will sign an MoU with the Kerala Houseboat Owners Federation, in collaboration with the Suchitwa Mission and the Kerala Pollution Control Board, to address wastewater management challenges in the houseboat industry. The initiative aims to promote eco-friendly recreational travel by developing purification systems for onboard and off-board wastewater treatment.

An MoU with MRF Limited will also be signed for the development of smart tyre technology, enabling self-monitoring and performance optimization. In another milestone, the Aluminium–Magnesium–Scandium alloy technology developed by NIIST will be transferred to Star Alucast, Mumbai, strengthening India’s defence and aerospace sectors.

As part of its Golden Jubilee initiatives, NIIST has also developed a nature-based water purification system to restore Padmatheertham Pond near Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The system, which addresses algal bloom and odour issues, will be monitored for one year before wider implementation.

The Government of Kerala has allotted 10 acres of land at the Bio360 Life Sciences Park, Thonnakkal, on a 99-year lease to NIIST for establishing a Bio-Manufacturing Innovation Hub, focusing on probiotics, bioactive foods, alternative proteins, and biopolymers. CSIR-NIIST Director Dr. C. Anantharamakrishnan will preside over the function. Prof. Dipankar Banerjee, Vice Chancellor, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology; Dr. Krishna Ella, Executive Chairman, Bharat Biotech; Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, former Union Minister; Dr. P. Nishi, Head, Business Development Division, CSIR–NIIST; and Dr. K. V. Radhakrishnan, Head, Agro Processing Division, CSIR–NIIST will also be present.

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