Srinagar, August 28: NITI Aayog Member Dr M. Srinivas on Friday visited the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Srinagar, and reviewed the institute’s work in scientific research, innovation, entrepreneurship and societal outreach in Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr Srinivas was accompanied by NITI Aayog Economic Adviser Subhash Chandra Meena, Deputy Adviser Dr Muniraju S.B. and Atal Innovation Mission Programme Lead Sumaya Yousuf. The delegation interacted with scientists, researchers, startups and officials during the visit.
Dr Srinivas toured the AIC-IIIM Bioinnovation Foundation, the institute’s Atal Incubation Centre, and reviewed its incubation and entrepreneurship activities. Officials briefed him on support provided to startups and innovators through mentorship, institutional guidance, technology development and enterprise creation.
During an interaction with scientists and researchers, Dr Srinivas reviewed research in areas including phytochemicals, medicinal and aromatic plants, floriculture and healthcare. He stressed the need to translate scientific research into technologies, products and solutions with wider societal applications.
He also called for stronger linkages between research, innovation and entrepreneurship and encouraged researchers and startup founders to focus on practical applications and technology commercialisation. He highlighted the importance of collaboration among scientists, clinicians, industry and policymakers.
Director CSIR-IIIM and CSIR-NBRI Lucknow Dr Zabeer Ahmed briefed the delegation on the institute’s research, technology development, incubation and outreach activities. He highlighted the role of the Technology Business Incubator, AIC-IIIM and Industrial Biotechnology Parks in supporting the development of scientific ideas into technologies and enterprises.
Ahmed also raised challenges related to research and development in phytopharmaceuticals and plant-based interventions, including the need for timely research permissions and specialised facilities for clinical translation and commercialisation. Dr Srinivas assured the institute that the concerns would be examined at the appropriate level.
The delegation was also briefed on the Technology Business Incubator, Floriculture Mission and Aroma Mission and their work in promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, value addition and livelihood generation.
The programme concluded with the felicitation of the visiting dignitaries and a vote of thanks.
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