ICAR-NINFET, Kolkata Celebrates its 86^th Foundation Day

3^rd January, 2024, Kolkata

The 86^th Foundation Day of the ICAR-National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology, Kolkata was joyously celebrated today.

Dr. S. N. Jha, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Engineering), ICAR has graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and commended the Director and the entire staff for their remarkable achievements during 2023. He has emphasized upon the economic impact assessment of the technologies developed by the institute.

The introductory remarks for the inaugural programme were given by Dr. S. Debnath, Head, MP Division & Organizing Secretary.

Dr. D. B. Shakyawar, Director, ICAR-NINFET in his welcome address has presented an overview of the Institute's journey, highlighting the major achievements in the past one year. The contributions made by the institute staff members were appreciated in his address.

Dr. Narsaiah Kairam, Assistant Director General (Process Engineering), ICAR has delivered the foundation day lecture. He has appreciated the efforts of Director and associated scientists for NABL accreditation of the institute.  He has further emphasized upon the development of international standards for better acceptability of institute R&D outputs.

Dr. Gouranga Kar, Director, ICAR-CRIJAF has congratulated the staff members of ICAR-NINFET on the occasion of the foundation day celebration and urged for more collaboration with his institute for better outputs.

Shri. Ajay Kumar Jolly, Chairman and Managing Director, Jute Corporation of India, in his address, appreciated the collaboration between NINFET and JCI for execution of extension activities amongst the jute growers & processors.

Dr. Pradip Dey, Director, ATARI, Kolkata in his address has spoken about the need of more and more technology dissemination activities for better penetration amongst the stakeholders.

Institute publications viz. Annual report, First Announcement of International Conference & HRD training calendar were released by the dignitaries on dais.

Certificates of appreciation in different categories were presented to best employees for the year. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between ICAR-NINFET, Kolkata & M/s Franktex Enterprices, Kolkata regarding the transfer of technology on Multi-Fibre Exstractor.

During this auspicious occasion, Lignocellulose Biotechnology Laboratory, NABL Accredited Fibre Testing Laboratory along with other newly created facilities was inaugurated by the dignitaries. Inauguration of exhibition stalls representing ICAR institutes/KVKs/FPCs/Enterprise was another highlighting event of the day. Dr. Avijit Das, Head of Quality Evaluation & Improvement Division and Chairman of the Hall Management Committee has proposed hearty vote of thanks at the end of the inaugural programme.

An invited seminar on “Paradigm shift in natural fibre sector” was organized in the afternoon session where Dr. D B. Shakyawar, Director, ICAR-NINFET, Kolkata & Dr. Nachiket Kotwaliwle, Director, ICAR-CIPHET, Ludhiana have delivered lectures on emerging issues on natural fibres.  The seminar was followed by a panel discussion chaired by Dr. Shadanan Patel, Emeritus Professor and Dr. Rajeev Varshney, Director, IICT, Bhadoi.

About 350 persons including staff members, ex-employees, students, entrepreneurs, farmers, guests and media representatives have participated in this event.

(Source: ICAR- National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology, Kolkata)