The CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI), Chennai, celebrated the 85th Foundation Day of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on October 9, 2026. The occasion marked the inauguration of the Centre of Excellence – Design Studio for the Footwear and Leather Sector at the institute’s Shoe and Product Design and Development Centre (SPDDC).

Gracing the event as Chief Guest, Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), underscored the imperative of material innovation, indigenous design expertise, and global branding to enhance India’s leather export competitiveness under Viksit Bharat @2047. He recommended structured international exposure for designers and urged that the Design Studio be accessible to MSME units. Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR, commended CLRI’s contributions to waste management, Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems, vegan materials, and musical instrument leather.

The event featured the release of the CSIR-CLRI Annual Report 2024–2025, the Shoe Factory Handbook, and the updated CSIR-CLRI Technology Compendium 2026. Technology transfer agreements for musical instrument leather processing were exchanged with folklore organizations. Guests of Honour Padma Shri Dr. M. Rafeeque Ahmed, President, AISHTMA, and Shri M. Abdul Wahab, Regional Chairman (South), Council for Leather Exports, also addressed the gathering.

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