CSIR-NIScPR Celebrates 5th Foundation Day; SVASTIK Portal Launched for Multilingual Dissemination of India’s Traditional Knowledge

New Delhi, 14 January 2026: CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) celebrates its 5th Foundation Day. The event underscores NIScPR’s commitment to leveraging AI for regional language communication and advancing India’s science policy research on the global stage.

Dr. Geetha Vani Rayasam, Director, CSIR-NIScPR, highlighted the institute’s strong science communication legacy in her welcome address. “We need to engage global institutions. We are working on how to leverage AI in regional language communication”.

Dr. Viswajanani J. Sattigeri, Head, CSIR-Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) Unit, emphasized TKDL’s global recognition. She further added, “Traditional knowledge is very important, and we are the only lab that validates traditional knowledge. Policy research at NIScPR has huge potential—previously, our policy document was released by the Former President of India. TKDL is now fully digitized, so we can research more relevant tools.”

Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, ANRF while delivering his address in the Foundation Day program of CSIR-NIScPR

The event also featured a distinguished lecture by the Chief Guest Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Govt. of India. He praised NIScPR’s alignment with ANRF’s vision of catalysing India’s rise as a research and innovation powerhouse. “I praise the idea of NIScPR going global—we need to think global. NIScPR uses policy to solve societal problems, and we need to become world-class; the institute has the potential to do that. Our scientists and engineers should work with AI specialists and we can partner with NIScPR on pioneering new formats.”

Dr. Kalyanaraman also invited NIScPR to use ANRF’s Saral AI tool to simplify research and amplify impact through social media.

On this occasion SVASTIK web portal was launched by Guest Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, ANRF. SVASTIK (Scientifically Validated Societal Traditional Knowledge) is a national initiative implemented by CSIR-NIScPR upon the clarion call of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, aimed at communicating India’s scientifically validated traditional knowledge to the society. Dissemination is being done through SVASTIK channels in English and 19 Indian languages, along with 5 foreign languages.

This web portal will not only provide access to all SVASTIK content at one place but will also strengthen the outreach, accessibility, and sustained engagement of various stakeholders with India’s scientifically validated traditional knowledge.

NIScPR’s PhD students and S&T project staff explaining their study during the poster presentation session

Dr. Kanika Malik, Senior Principal Scientist and Chairperson of CSIR-NIScPR Foundation Day Program, proposed the vote of thanks. The program also includes the poster presentations by CSIR-NIScPR PhD students and S&T project staff.

CSIR-NIScPR continues to pioneer science communication, policy research, and traditional knowledge validation, positioning India as a leader in global innovation.