Chintan Shivir: The Common Research and Technology Development Hubs (CRTDHs) program of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, has been launched in 2014 with an aim to promote translational research and facilitate collaboration between industry and research institutions.
The primary focus of these hubs is to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge, ideas, and inventions and their practical application in the form of marketable products and services. By offering access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources to Micro, Small Enterprises & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), start-ups and innovators, these hubs facilitate the translation of research outcomes into commercially viable solutions.
Under the CRTDH program, DSIR has created an infrastructural ecosystem across five sectors namely Electronics/Renewable Energy, Affordable Health, Environmental Interventions, Low-Cost Machining, and New Materials/Chemical Processes and has supported 18 CRTDHs located at various Public Funded Research Institutions (PFRIs) across the nation. These hubs are playing a crucial role in promoting industry-institution interaction, encouraging collaboration and knowledge exchange between researchers and industry experts and simultaneously creating significant societal impact.
As a part of the “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” initiative and while traversing the journey towards “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” and to strengthen the interaction between the CRTDHs and MSMEs/Start-ups/innovators, DSIR has planned to organize “Chintan Shivir-CRTDHs Empowering MSMEs” across all the established CRTDHs.
These shivirs will serve as platforms for in-depth discussions and engagement with various stakeholders. Three Chintan Shivirs have already been organized at IIT Kharagpur, CSIR-IITR, Lucknow and at CSIR-CMERI Durgapur. Current one day Chintan Shivir would be organized by the CRTDH at CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneshwar (IMMT) along with DSIR.
The event will begin with project coordinator leading the Guests and Delegates to the established CRTDH facilities. The event commences with an inaugural address of Dr N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, DSIR & Director General, CSIR and Dr. Ramanuj Narayan, Director, CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneshwar. The session proceeds with an overview of Chintan Shivir by Dr. Sujata Chaklanobis, Scientist-G & Head-CRTDH, DSIR followed by release of official video of DSIR-CRTDH at CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneshwar.
The event will also be attended by Dr Vipin C Shukla, Dr Ranjeet Bairwa and Dr Suman Mazumdar from DSIR along with Dr. Yatendra Chaudhary, PI-CRTDH along with his team. Representatives from Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and delegates from the Chambers of Commerce, industry associations will also participate in this event to explore the benefits of CRTDH in their R&D endeavors.
The thematic sessions will begin with an overview of CRTDH at CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneshwar by Dr. Yatendra Chaudhary. Participants would explore and discuss the challenges confronted by the MSMEs, with a strong emphasis on fostering research and development as tools for problem-solving.
The purpose is to generate new ideas, insights, and perspectives that can contribute to the development and implementation of policies, programs and initiatives aligned with the goals of the Government. Delegates from the Chambers of Commerce, industry associations will present the insights on the need of MSMEs in achieving their R&D needs. These sessions will highlight the role of CRTDH in empowering MSMEs with research infrastructure, technologies, futuristic technologies and current & future opportunities for MSMEs in the country.
At conclusion of ‘Chintan Shivir’, a ‘Samvad’ is planned where among all the challenges being faced by MSMEs/Startups/Innovators, five Grand Challenges would be identified and possible suggestive solution would be explored to address it.
Overall, the event aims to tap into the combined wisdom, knowledge, and expertise of Government officials and stakeholders through in-depth discussions, critical analysis, and strategic planning. The goal is to brainstorm potential solutions for the challenges that MSMEs, startups, and innovators encounter in the country while also leveraging opportunities to establish India as a prominent global center for industrial research and manufacturing.
