DRDO Chief Launches DIPAS Golden Jubilee Celebrations
Dr. Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri, Secretary – Deptt. of Defence R&D, Ministry of Defence & Director General R&D launched the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences (DIPAS) here today.
DIPAS is engaged in R&D work in the area of human physiology especially under extreme conditions of adversities, harsh climate, mental stress etc. DIPAS was established under the aegis of DRDO in 1962 in the wake of Chinese aggression wherein a large number of casualties occurred mainly due to exposure to extreme environment of cold and high altitude. Incidentally, Rear Admiral (Retd) Dr MS Malhotra who was the founder of the laboratory and had initiated steps for its formation in 1957, was also present today in the function. In 1968, the laboratory was relocated within the premises of Army Base Hospital, Delhi Cantonment and later in 1993 shifted to its existing location at Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi.
In his inaugural address, Dr. Saraswat congratulated the laboratory for its stellar contributions and on reaching the important milestones of 50 years. He said the work of Life Sciences laboratories especially DIPAS has received the appreciation by soldiers themselves. He was pleasantly surprised to know that all the three Service Chiefs considered DIPAS to have done yeoman service to the nation. This laboratory has done commendable job in the area of human physiology and human centric research and contributed significantly to major DRDO programmes such as the MBT Arjun and LCA. He said the majority of the collaborative research areas identified during his recent visit to United Kingdom belong to the area of life sciences. He directed that the lab should not rest on its laurels and should focus on product development for troops for their future needs. He said the lab should draw up a road map for the years 2025 and 2050 and identify research areas that would bring them at par with international achievements. He concluded by hoping that the women scientists led by its Director would ensure highest participation in forthcoming 99th Indian Science Congress which has as its focal theme “Science and Technology for Inclusive Innovation – Role of Women”.
In his address, Dr. W Selvamurthy, Distinguished Scientist & Chief Controller Research & Development, Life Sciences & International Cooperation (DS & CC R&D LS & IC) gave an account of the valuable research contributions of DIPAS over the last 50 years covering high altitude acclimatization schedule and tenure of posting, prevention and treatment modalities of cold injuries, treatment of pulmonary edema by nitric oxide therapy, yoga packages for Armed Forces, nutritional requirement of Armed Forces and adequacy of ration scales, high altitude load carriage, prevention of noise induced hearing loss, ergonomic inputs for designing of work stations and equipment designing, anthropometric data base of body dimensions of Indian soldiers.
Earlier, Dr. (Smt.) Shashi Bala Singh, an eminent physiologist and Director, DIPAS, who has the distinction of having headed the world’s highest located laboratory engaged in R&D on high altitude agro-animal research, delivered the welcome address.
The function was also attended by Sh. SC Narang, Chairman – Centre for Personnel Talent Management (CEPTAM) and Dr. KD Nayak, Chief Controller Research & Development Micro Electronics & Devices & Management Information System and Technologies (MED & MIST).
PK/NN