‘First Institute which gave concept of Purple revolution’
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Feb 25: Union Minister of State in PMO with independent charge of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Ministries, Dr Jitendra Singh laid the foundation stone of Rs 55 crore – a new State-of-the-Art “Green” building, possibly the first of its kind, at CSIR-IIIM (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine here, today.
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Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the function, Dr Jitendra Singh said it will be a total green area and the new building will function with solar energy. This will be probably a new concept for Jammu of non fossil energy, he added.
Highlighting the contribution of IIIM Jammu, which was established prior to independence by Sir Ram Nath Chopra on the request of then Maharaja Hari Singh as drug laboratory, he said it is the first institute which gave the concept of purple revolution to world. Today the states like Utrakhand, Arunachal Pradesh as well as other hilly states have started cultivating Lavender. He congratulated the Director IIIM, Dr Zabeer Ahmed, other scientists and staff of the IIIM as well as people of Jammu for this revolutionary mission.
Dr Jitendra Singh said IIIM Jammu has the honour of discovering Mint tablet. He said Prime Minister is the Chairman of CSIR and its first vice chairman was Dr Shayama Prasad Mookherjee who was the first Industries Minister after independence and he was also closely linked to J&K.
Dr Jitendra Singh said besides the IIIM Jammu started first Cannabis Project and the drug produced from cannabis will be used for treatment of even diseases like cancer. It will also be used as pain killer and for diabetes etc. It will give new identity to this institute, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said the drugs used for intoxication have many more advantages also. He however said the research is going on it and first the Government had to seek permission for plantation of Cannabis which is a banned crop and second was seeking permission for its transportation. Then it is to be examined properly in laboratories followed by tests of medicine on human beings.
Dr Jitendra Singh said the IIIM is manufacturing this drug in private partnership with France.
He said PM Narendra Modi has given thrust to private partnership and our Ministry is also working on the same formula.
Later addressing the function Dr Jitendra Singh said the Biological, Chemical and Quality Control and Quality Assurance (QCQA) block will complement the existing campus, providing critically required laboratory and support facilities for scientists and the researchers.
The Union Minister said that the Rashtriya Vigyan Puruskar recently conferred by the President of India upon the “Team Aroma Mission” under CSIR-IIIM is a national recognition of the “Purple Revolution” that originated from Jammu & Kashmir. He noted that large-scale lavender cultivation under the mission has generated sustainable alternative livelihood opportunities for farmers and youth, particularly in remote areas. It has transformed the region into a hub of aroma-based agri-economy, he added.
Highlighting the significance of the new building, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the upcoming complex will be the first-ever green construction of its kind in Jammu. The State-of-the-Art complex will incorporate non-fossil energy resources and advanced research facilities to meet global standards. He added that the enhanced Biological, Chemical and QCQA facilities will strengthen the institute’s capacity to produce and export high-quality medicines, reinforcing India’s position in the global pharmaceutical sector.
Referring to the growing concern over drug abuse in certain regions, including Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab, the Minister said that the unique Cannabis project in PPP model undertaken by this institute will aim to put the so-called drug abuse drugs to medicinal use as pain killers etc and add to quality medicine production and research capabilities under the aegis of CSIR-IIIM would be a strong societal message by promoting health, innovation and constructive engagement.
Dr Jitendra Singh also announced that a new guest house will be constructed at CSIR-IIIM, which will be the first of its kind across the chain of CSIR-IIIM institutions in the country, facilitating greater academic collaboration and scientific exchange.
Underscoring the Government’s commitment to cutting-edge technologies, the Union Minister said that India is moving rapidly in frontier areas, such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence and clean energy. Referring to reforms in the nuclear energy sector, the Minister said that reliable non-fossil energy sources will be critical to meet the rising power demands of emerging technologies, including AI-driven data infrastructure.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM said the upcoming building has been sanctioned at an estimated cost of 54.55 crore rupees. He said it aims to enhance the institute’s capabilities in biological sciences, natural product chemistry, quality control & quality assurance, strengthening India’s initiatives in modern drug discovery. It would be constructed over approximately 7500 square, and the building is expected to be completed within 18 months, Dr Zabeer informed. He further added that the new block will house fully-equipped laboratories for plants and pre-clinical animals research, natural product chemistry labs, and quality control and assurance sections. The facility will also include conference halls, meeting rooms, utilities, and adequate parking space, ensuring a functional and conducive environment for scientists.
According to CSIR-IIIM, the new building will house biological laboratories, including plant sciences and pharmaceutical divisions, catering to the requirements of scientists engaged in modern drug discovery.
Besides, it would have the natural product chemistry and the accredited quality control & quality assurance facilities.
In addition, it will include a natural product chemistry lab along with quality control and quality assurance sections, augmented with the high end machines and instruments, ensuring high standards for research outputs. The facility will also feature conference halls, meeting rooms, utilities, and adequate parking space, ensuring a functional and conducive environment for staff and researchers.
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