Chandigarh, PIB News: Prof. Ashwani Pareek, Executive Director, NABI and Chief Executive Officer, CIAB welcomed Dr. Harsh Vardhan Hon’ble Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences on his visit to NABI and CIAB.
During his visit, Dr. Harsh Vardhan inaugurated the new Advanced High-Resolution Microscopy Facility at National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) and Unveiled the 4 Star GRIHA Certification of Center of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing (CIAB) Lab and Admin Building in Mohali, Punjab on 21st March 2021.
Both NABI & CIAB are autonomous institutes under the Dept. of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, GOI in the Knowledge City, Sector -81, Mohali, Punjab. NABI aims for transforming the agri-food sector into a globally rewarding and sustainable biotechnology-based enterprise through excellence in science and biotechnology innovation in developing products with enhanced nutrition and processing quality for better human health. CIAB which is located in the vicinity of NABI is the only institute in the country which works mainly on Secondary Agriculture and the development of value-added products from different types of bioresources. The campus comprises laboratory buildings, 15 acres of land for field experiments, a large glasshouse, transgenic net houses, office area, housing, guest house, research scholar hostel, utilities, and other requisite services.
Following the inauguration, Dr. Harsh Vardhan addressed the gathering and encouraged scientists/ students to exploit the biotechnological tools to address the problems related to the quality of food and malnutrition. Hon’ble Minister urged both the institutes to address the problems of hunger & malnutrition and to bring nutritional revolution in the country. Minister emphasized that with government impetus on doubling the farmer’s income by 2022-23, NABI and CIAB’s roles are crucial to achieving this ambitious goal. Dr. Harsh Vardhan appreciated research carried out in both the institutes especially that deals in secondary agriculture and the use of agri-food surplus and waste for value addition. During interaction with faculties and students Honorable minister was informed by Prof. Ashwani Pareek that research in both the institutes is well-tuned with Government of India “Poshan Abhiyan” also called National Nutrition Mission, launched by Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji to improve and provide nutritional quality food to children, pregnant women, and young mothers.