CSIR - Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai celebrated its 77th Foundation Day on 25.04.2024. Mr. KC Velappan, Chief Scientist welcomed the august gathering for the foundation day celebration.
Dr. KJ Sreeram, Director, CSIR-CLRI presided over the function and remembered the contributions of all the former Directors for the development of the Institute as well as the Leather and allied sector. He also recalled the journey of CSIR-CLRI and its significant contributions towards the growth of the Indian leather industry, Director spoke on the upcoming and ongoing research projects- footwear for women healthcare, establishment of pilot plant facilities for non-leather footwear, projects on Carbon neutrality, Tanneries to Hide/Skin factories, Materials for footwear, Tissue Engineering research, life style products from leather & non-leather, Siemens software for footwear and leather design studio, and second phase project of Indian foot sizing system. He highlighted the customized training programmes conducted in Leh and Ladakh, entrepreneurship programs organized for North-Eastern women, Kolhapuri Couture for artisans in Kolhapur.
Shri Habib Hussain, Former Chairman of Research Council, CSIR-CLRI and Chairman, AVT Groups, Chennai was the Chief Guest of the foundation day celebration. In his address, he said that in order to reach 10% of global share from the present 3% share, the industry has to benchmark European countries in planning, research and implementation. He wished CSIR-CLRI in its endeavour of achieving the global leadership and suggested to follow best management practices. He also shared his experience of the Business Model followed in AVT Groups to serve the products on time to satisfy the customers.
The Chief Guest released a Lab Safety Manual and the first copy received by Dr. Sivarajan, Senior Principal Scientist, Cell for Industrial Safety & Risk Analysis (CISRA). The logo lapel of CSIR-CLRI was launched by Shri Habib Hussain on this occasion as part of branding efforts of the institute to enhance its visibility. AROGYA 2.0 Software used for the medical support of the staff and pensioners was launched by the chief guest. Dr Abhay Anant Pashilkar, Director, National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bangalore shared his insights about the software. A Certificate of Appreciation was awarded to the inventors who filed the Patents and Copyrights during the year 2023-24. Awards and certificates were distributed to the winners of the Young Innovator talk competitions organized for the research scholars in the areas of Biological Sciences, Leather Sciences and Chemical Sciences. Shri KM Sridhar, Senior Controller of Administration of the Institute proposed the vote of thanks. On the occasion of 77th CSIR-CLRI Foundation Day celebration, the institute organized an open day on 24th and 25th April 2024 and about 570 students from various schools and colleges in and around Chennai visited CSIR-CLRI. They were oriented towards the R & D activities of the institute.