Union Minster, Science and Technology & Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, visited Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow . On his maiden visit, he lauded the research work being carried out by the scientists in the field of palaeosciences and appreciated the efforts made to widen the scope of research activities in the institute. Dr. Harsh Vardhan recapitulated the pioneering role of Late Prof. Birbal Sahni in the establishment of this Institute in 1946. He saw a set of instruments used by late Prof. Birbal Sahni in his early research work and took keen interest in the unique fossils collection housed in the museum.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan viewed a presentation given by the Director, BSIP on the various recent developments and ongoing research activities in the institute. He also appreciated the BSIP’s efforts in implementing the NASA’s Education Program ‘Spaceward Bound India 2016’ being coordinated by the Institute in India. Subsequently, he visited the various newly established laboratories and the museum of the Institute. There the Minister reviewed important scientific instruments like the Raman Spectroscope for analyzing the bio-genecity of fossil material, the Geological Clock depicting various events in the Earth History on a 24-hour clock and India’s oldest working age determination Carbon dating facility for geochronological dating of fossil material inter alia.
Finally, the Minister addressed the scientific staff including research scholars of the institute. In his address, Dr.Harsh Vardhan called upon them to raise the level of scientific accomplishment through increased Innovation Coefficient (IC) and enhance the co-operation among the laboratories within the country for judicious use of funds.