Excelsior Correspondent
KOLKATA, Jan 20: During the inauguration of the “XXVII International Congress on Glass (ICG), 2025” at Biswa Bangla Convention Centre today, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, emphasized India’s rapid technological advancements over the past decade, particularly since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014.
The ICG 2025 is scheduled to take place from January 20-24, 2025, organized by the CSIR-Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute (CSIR-CGCRI).
Dr. Jitendra Singh remarked that India is experiencing a golden era for science, driven by Prime Minister Modi’s initiatives. He noted that India is no longer merely following the pace set by other nations, but is instead pioneering advancements in science and technology. He highlighted significant achievements such as ISRO’s successful landing near the Moon’s southern pole and the introduction of the Bio E3 policy.
The Minister reiterated that the journey towards the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047 will primarily be fuelled by technology.
He underscored the critical need for collaboration between academia and industry, stating that the ultimate aim of scientific progress is to enhance quality of life. In connection with this, Dr. Jitendra Singh introduced the “one week, one theme” initiatives for CSIRs, which aim to facilitate interaction and synergy among researchers.
Focusing on the extensive applications of glass in everyday life, Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed that the glass sector is entering a transformative phase, highlighting its roles in space exploration, atomic energy, optics, and defense. He proclaimed, “glass has indeed broken the glass ceiling,” and emphasized its reusability and commercial viability.
The event attracted notable figures from the global glass community, including Hiroyuki Inoue, President of the International Commission on Glass and professor at the University of Tokyo, as well as Professor Bikramjit Basu, Director of CSIR-CGCRI. The ICG 2025 is set to welcome over 550 delegates, featuring 150 international participants.
