CSIR - Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai in coalition with CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad and CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat conducted GT@90 event in Commemoration of 90th Birth Anniversary of Dr. G Thyagarajan at CSIR-CLRI on 2nd May 2024.
As part of this important event, the first Dr. G Thyagarajan Memorial Lecture was delivered by Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, FRS, and Former Director General of CSIR. Dr. K J Sreeram, Director, CSIR-CLRI welcomed the august gathering. Dr. T. Ramasami, Former Secretary of Dept. of Science and Technology, GOI introduced the speaker and explained the importance of his talk to the audience.
Dr. R.A. Mashelkar delivered a lecture titled “Creating the Magic of Exponential Growth with an Inclusive Development". Before delivering the lecture, he recalled the scientific support provided by Dr. G Thyagarajan on various major programs where the country faced difficulties such as development of pesticides, modernization of industries, Bhopal Gas leakage tragedy, etc. While delivering the lecture, he said that India has to think of doing research for achieving goals in time to withstand in the market for longer run. He insisted for aiming “Pole Vaulting“ rather than “Leap Frogging” to achieve exponential and inclusive growth. He quoted many examples of successful budding technologist, entrepreneurs and their products reaching the market in short span of time. He also presented the concept of “more from less for more people”, the MLM paradigm.
During the latter part of this event, reminiscences from former secretary Prof. Harsh K. Gupta, Ministry of Earth Sciences, who also chaired the session, former and present Directors of various CSIR Laboratories namely Dr. V. Prakash, Former Director of CSIR-CFTRI, Dr. S. Sivaram, Former Director of CSIR-NCL, Dr. P.G. Rao, Former Director of CSIR-NEIST, Dr. M. Lakshmi Kantam, Former Director of CSIR-IICT, Dr. B. Chandrasekaran, Former Director of CSIR-CLRI, Dr. G. Narahari Sastry, Former Director of CSIR-NEIST, Dr. V.M. Tiwari, Former Director of CSIR-NEIST, Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy, Director of CSIR-IICT, Dr Shailaja, Zaheer Science Foundation, Hyderabad, Dr Ganga Radhakrishnan, representing COSTED and industrialist, Shri Habib Hussain, Chairman, AVT Groups, were exchanged. They also shared their association and wonderful experiences in doing scientific and social endeavours during the tenure of Dr.G.T.
A special issue of Leather Post - a monthly magazine of CSIR-CLRI, Book Cover of Reminiscences of GT@90 and Photo Story of GT@90 were also released during the function. Finally, Capt. Ravi Rajan, Son of Dr Dr. G. Thyagarajan, delivered the vote of thanks.