Gandhian Young Technological Awards in two categories presented virtually by Dr. Harsh Vardhan

During the virtual award distribution ceremony, 14 awards and 11 appreciations under SITARE-GYTI; seven awards and 16 appreciations under SRISTI-GYTI were presented.

The Union Minister of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr Harsh Vardhan, presented the Students Innovations for Advancement of Research Explorations – Gandhian Young Technological Innovation (SITARE-GYTI) and Society for Research and Initiatives for Sustainable Technological Innovations-Gandhian Young Technological Innovation (SRISTI-GYTI) awards virtually.

During the virtual award distribution ceremony, 14 awards and 11 appreciations under SITARE-GYTI; seven awards and 16 appreciations under SRISTI-GYTI were presented. Gandhian Young Technological Innovation awards constitute two categories of awards, SITARE–GYTI under Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and SRISTI-GYTI given by SRISTI. The awards and appreciations are given under these two categories to encourage students in technological fields to move towards setting up biotech and other start-ups. Professor Gupta in a statement said the SITARE-GYTI awards are given every year to the most promising technologies developed by the students in life sciences, biotechnology, agriculture, medical devices while SRISTI-GYTI awards are given to students in other engineering disciplines.

Under SITARE-GYTI awards, 250 entries from student innovators with potential for Biotech and Life Science start-ups were received in six categories from 96 universities and institutes across 23 states and Union Territories. More than 700 entries were received under SRISTI-GYTI in 42 technology domains from 270 universities and institutes belonging to 27 states and union territories.

Apart from Dr Harsh Vardhan, Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT); Dr Shekhar C Mande, Secretary DSIR and DG CSIR; Dr RA Mashelkar (Former Chairperson NIF and Former DG CSIR); Professor Anil K Gupta, Founder, Honey Bee Network and Coordinator, SRISTI, and awardees and other dignitaries were virtually present at the online function.

While congratulating all the students, the Minister urged them to address the unmet social, industrial and environmental needs and to create widespread awareness about the same. He pointed out, “More than Rs 10 crores worth of other awards and investment have been mobilized by the SITARE-GYTI winners so far besides 89 publications, and 39 patents being under progress”. “When we are celebrating 150 years of birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, GYTI awards are a fitting tribute to his legacy of using Science and Technology to solve societal problems”, he added.

Highlighting that all innovations and scientific solutions must be for transforming the lives of the people, Dr Harsh Vardhan said: “We are working on Scientific Social Responsibility policy right now, with focus on how efforts of our scientists can benefit all sections of society.”

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