Engineering a Self-Reliant India

Prof. Harish Hirani, 

Director CSIR-CMERI

Science and Affordable Innovations can play a significant role in giving an adrenaline shot to the Nation’s Economy and consequently its prosperity. India has the advantage of having a favourable Demographic Dividend which can be leveraged as a facilitator towards making the nation a Global Economic Nerve Centre. The core competencies of the Youth can be fortified through the three-stage approach: “understanding Science”, “aptitude towards affordable Innovation” and “motivation towards “Skilling, Reskilling and Upskilling”. The CSIR-CMERI three-stage initiatives are shaped and created in tandem with some of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. These initiatives will help develop a very competent Workforce to drive the Industries including MSMEs, which are the lifeline of the National Economy.

In today’s highly inter-connected society, the students and learners of Engineering face dynamic and ever-evolving challenges of developing Affordable and Ecology-Friendly Technology Interventions. These technologies, apart from functional requirements, are needed primarily to preserve the fragile Environment and generate the least Carbon Footprint. Therefore, the engineers having knowledge in various disciplines need to get associated with problem-solving to the maximum extent, and orient their minds towards seeking novel approaches by nurturing their minds in Situational-Analysis and Simulative Thinking. Every Complex Problem such as Municipal Waste Management, Plastic Management, Agricultural-Post Harvest Management, Water Purification Technologies, etc. can be solved by breaking it in a number of sub-problems. Through these efforts, CSIR-CMERI has been supporting the mandated Sustainable Development Goals. Some of the Goals specifically targeted by CSIR-CMERI are Clean Water and Sanitation, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Affordable and Clean Energy, Mechanized Scavenging, Farm mechanization, Industry services, etc.  

India is aspiring to be a leading Manufacturing hub and also eying for Self-Reliance on many parameters. For this a skilled work force is the first pre-requisite. Practical skills and First-Hand work exposure to the latest technology and not merely theoretical studies are the most important factors for turning an Engineering Graduate/Diploma into a Real technologist. On the one hand India is producing significant number of Engineering Graduates on the other hand there is a huge dearth of skilled manpower, equipped with exposure to the latest technologies being felt by the Industries. Answer to the question, ‘Why there is huge unemployment amongst the engineering Graduates in India?’ is that While most of the students remain engaged in “Exam Culture” with an objective only to qualify the exams and not understanding the priority and scope in undergoing practical exposure and hands-on experience and original thought process. An engineer having exposure and skills and equipped with latest theoretical knowledge will have the capability to handle numerous opportunities and challenges, besides there exists a feel of pride and satisfaction in providing sustainable solutions through technology development to the problems being faced by our society and the country. A culture of inquisitiveness, scientific temper, and an objective to take the challenges in order to provide solutions to the society creates a real Engineer.

National Labs and other public funded Institutions having state of the art infrastructure are expected to play a very important role in bridging his gap and thereby contributing towards Atma Nirbhar Bharat, in order to provide the scope of skills training and exposure to the latest technology and also in order to create a spark of inquisitiveness and service through Science and Technology innovations. CSIR-CMERI as a National lab considers this a National duty to create an ambience of thought provoking technological challenges and to facilitate skill training to the youth.   To instil a Sense of Pride amongst the Young Engineers, CSIR-CMERI has multiple avenues for these Potential Champions such as SKILL DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING PROGRAMME (https://www.cmeri.res.in/skill-development-training-programme), BoPT Apprenticeship Trainees -(https://www.facebook.com/CSIRCMERIDgp/photos/a.627037870809721/1273265486186953/),  besides many others. This will provide an appropriate platform for the budding Students to gain exposure to the latest technological advancements of a premier R&D Institute. CSIR-CMERI houses some of the State-of-the-Art Equipment Infrastructure, which can be accessed by the students to holistically comprehend the Engineering Sciences. Thus, CSIR-CMERI through its outreach efforts intends to reach out to the future Entrepreneurs and Trend-Setters and facilitate them to realise their Goals. The CSIR-CMERI established CRTDH is one such example. CSIR-CMERI is also organising a National-Level Essay Competition (https://www.facebook.com/CSIRCMERIDgp/posts/1668695136643984) to ensure that the Youth are able to further provide perspectives on boosting the Sustainability and Innovative factors of CSIR-CMERI technologies. Thus, in this manner Engineering may be considered as an effective tool for Self Reliant India.

In response to an often asked question, ‘Is it better to have a work experience before pursuing Master’s in Engineering?’ I had opined that if the students intend to establish themselves as a Self-Made Entrepreneur, having a hands-on Work Experience will go a long way in establishing the fundamentals of the student before seeking further Academic Education. It is very important for the Students to strengthen their Knowledge Fundamentals before jumping deep into any discipline. ‘Calculated Risks’, which leads towards the objectives/goals, is the key strategy towards achieving Success. In doing so he/she might make numerous mistakes, however such mistakes will provide valuable experience and a learning curve for further improvisation of R&D approach.  Different Circumstances require Different Solutions and thus having a Dynamic and Responsive Mind-set is the key.  Reverse Thinking by strengthening the Fundamentals of the paradigm is critical to a Professional’s Life, even at advanced stages of Academic Career. The Engineers can play a substantial role towards realising this success story

Farm Mechanization- The Future of Indian Agriculture

Prof. Harish Hirani, 

Director CSIR-CMERI

Food is the most fundamental commodity for a civilisation to thrive. Thus, whenever a Society undergoes any undue stress for the reason of calamities or pandemics, such as COVID-19, Agriculture is bound to be the key-driver behind keeping the Economy and the Society afloat. The massive Reverse Migration trends across the Nation saw a colossal influx of labourers back to their native villages, which are primarily agriculture-based rural localities. CSIR-CMERI’s Farming Technology Arm i.e. Centre of Excellence in Farm Machinery (CoEFM), Ludhiana, and its dedicated organ the Centre for Precision & Conservation Farming Machinery (CPCFM) is a hub for intensive brain-storming and consequent development of Farm Mechanization Technologies using Sustainable Technology Design and Modelling to achieve Precise Impact and Maximum Conservation of scanty resources.

Farm Mechanization and Agricultural Technologies can be adequately complemented by Post-Harvesting Technologies. These Post-Harvesting Technologies can play the role of extending the shelf-life of the Agricultural Produce and facilitate the expansion of its application arena. The CSIR-CMERI developed Post-Harvesting Technologies has already positively influenced the lives of over 50000 beneficiaries (https://drive.google.com/file/d/12j_whWfa2iA79qTJcVfo0pATQfYKgDFM/view) in the North-eastern states of Manipur and Mizoram. Read the full Blog post on Post-Harvest Technologies (https://csircmeri.blogspot.com/2020/08/post-harvest-technologies-for.html).

CSIR-CMERIs’ Farm Mechanization R&D policy is influenced by Market Articulation and Translation of Market-Demand. Indian Agriculture can make rapid strides towards Productivity and Prosperity, if backed up by Advanced Farm Mechanization Technologies. Understanding the practical lacunas in farming practices across the diverse geographical landscape and thereafter developing Innovative Tools for plugging those loopholes is approach adopted by CSIR-CMERI. The Farm Mechanization Technologies are intended for a variety of beneficiaries i.e. the Marginalised Farmers, Farmers with Small Land-Holdings, Large-Scale Farmers. Besides, the technologies being modular are diversiform in nature and thus can help orient the farming community towards achieving profound improvisation in productivity statistics.

The Technology Prototypes are also rigorously tested for a variety of factors at the state-of-the-art Testing Facilities of the Centre namely soil bin for testing of soil working tools, Planter Calibration cum Testing Rig, Small Field Laboratory along with inspection of manufacturing quality using Portable CMM and 3D scanning facility and the existing NABL accredited Metrology Lab. Establishment of an Advanced Farm Machinery Testing Centre is also being conceptualised at CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur.

Government’s thrust towards promotion of Farm Mechanization to boost productivity can be gauged from the numerous Subsidy Schemes for the Farmers so that Output is not compromised owing to lack of resources. Some CSIR-CMERI developed Farm Mechanisation Technologies have been enlisted in some of the standard Government Farming Schemes. Availing these Subsidy Schemes by the farmers would help them gain access to Productivity Multiplication Technologies alongside drastically reducing Input Costs. M/s Singha Components Pvt. Ltd., Howrah, a Technology Partner of CSIR-CMERI for the Krishi Shakti Tractor, is empanelled in the website agrimachinery.nic.in, as a business entity, entitled for Subsidy from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Government of India.

The CSIR-CMERI’s Renewable Energy Initiatives were conceptualised and developed with a special emphasis towards its application in the domain of Agriculture. The CSIR-CMERI developed Solar Trees are a perfect specimen of such a technology, which augment the vertical, instead of the horizontal, space for harnessing Solar Energy. This will help in saving maximum horizontal land area usage and can play a crucial role in providing complete Energy Sufficiency for the marginal farmers with small farm-holdings. The Solar Trees (https://csircmeri.blogspot.com/search/label/Solar%20Tree) might also promote farming in remote access areas, since they would facilitate power generation even in the remotest and the most undue terrains, for Farming Applications. The CSIR-CMERI developed Bio-Gas Plant and Bio-Mass Briquetting technologies can also be an appropriate Energy Alternative for the farming communities in a sustainable manner. The Bio-Mass Briquetting Technology uses redundant materials such as dry grass, dry leaves etc. to prepare Briquettes, which can be used as a substitute for cooking fuel.

Farm Operation	Product	Actual view	Motivation behind the development	Bench Marking	Technology Partners
Planting	Precision Planter – for direct seeding of vegetable seeds into a optimum plant population		Increasing the input use efficiency (low seed requirement) with precision in seed placement. Also, removing farm drudgery due to manual seeding/ transplanting	Only Precision Planter available in India for direct seeding of vegetables. Tested at Indian Agricultural Research Institute and demonstrated at various farmers’ fields.	1. M/s Parmjot Industries, Ludhiana 2. M/s C. J. Enterprises, Ludhiana 3. M/s Ashlyn Chemunnoor Instruments (P) Ltd., Thrissur
Inter-row operation	Inter-row rotary cultivator – for weeding, earthing and fertilization		Removing drudgery due to manual weeding operation and reduce cultivation cost. Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIcZX_9PtiI	Bench marked with imported rotary tillers. Improved easy row spacing adjustment and tilling width to cater various wide-row crops. Recommended by PAU, Ludhiana for Punjab Package of Practices.	1. M/s Maghar Singh Matharoo & Sons, Ludhiana 2. M/s Nascent Agrimach, Ludhiana 3. M/s Raftaar Professional Engineering Company, Ludhiana
Inter-row operation	Offset rotavator – for inter-row and intra-row tillage of orchards		Mechanization of orchards, better intercultural operations without damaging tree trunks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJv47iu7lEg	Bench marked with imported offset rotary tillers. Wider working space to increase field capacity and efficiency. Evaluated and Recommended by PAU, Ludhiana and GBPUA&T, Pantnagar for Punjab & Uttarakhand Package of Practices.	---
Irrigation	Irrigation Scheduler – for optimum scheduling of water		No access to assured grid power availability in rural areas results in untimely irrigation. Automating the process coupled with the power availability for pumping can assure water availability to crops.	Bench marked with Advanced irrigation controllers installed at CPCT, IARI, New Delhi and results showed comparable performance for pressurized irrigation systems.	1. M/s Raftaar Professional Engineering Company, Ludhiana
Harvesting	Cotton picking head – for mechanical picking of cotton bolls		Major production cost is spent on picking of cotton bolls and mainly women & children are engaged in this laborious and drudgerous operation. Video Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnoUYsVBrdI	Tested by CICR, Nagpur for picking efficiency of the developed Picking head.	Being developed into a complete picker with Industry.
Harvesting	Mentha Harvester - for harvesting of menth a and windrowing it for easy collection		Efficient harvesting of mentha crop with ease, reduce the drudgery, avoid snakes (due to mentha smell) during harvesting.	Exhaustively tested by CIMAP, Lucknow for both rear mounted and front mounted system.	---
General Purpose cum Agricultural Tractor	Small Tractor ''Krishishakti'' - for tillage, haulage and other general purpose		Indigenously developed, affordable for small farmers for its low price and operating cost. Having low turning radius which helps in manoeuvrability to increase the efficiency of cultivating small lands. Video Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4846cpsCp9k		1. M/s. Singha Components Pvt. Ltd., Howrah 2. M/s. K N Biosciences Pvt. Ltd. Hyderabad

Currently, CSIR-CMERI has multiple projects on Farm Mechanization and a dedicated team of Scientists are incessantly working towards achieving excellence in Advanced Farm Mechanization Technologies. Some of the major projects are Creation of Basic Agricultural Implements Testing Facility (Dr. Subrata Mandal), Design and integration of drive train layout using 4kW and 10kW electric motor for traction applications in farm machinery (Mr. Avinash Kr Yadav), Development of Bare-Root Seedling Singulation System and Automatic Seedling Transplanter For Stevia (Mr. Gurlovleen Singh), AI based methodology for grading machine Harvested tea leaves (Dr. Pradeep Rajan), Design and Development of Retractable-Roof Poly House (Mr. Jagdish M), Design and development of compact utility Tractor-For socio-economic uplift of marginal and small farmers (Dr. Subrata Mandal), Socio-economic upliftment of rural tribal people of the state of Mizoram through appropiate science and technology interventions--- A CSIR-CMERI initiatives (Dr. Subrata Mandal), Centre for Precision & Conservation Farming Machinery (CPCFM) (Dr. Pradeep Rajan) and Development of Bio-fuel value chain for sustainable energy-Govt of Punjab, Forest Department (Dr. Krishnendu Kundu). The other major projects involve development of a Multiple Picking Chilli Harvester able to pick at Ripened Stage, Variable rate Fertilizer Application, Efficient Straw Management System (SMS) and Spading Machine.

The next major leap of CSIR-CMERI in the Farm Mechanization paradigm is towards the development of Electronic Farming Vehicles such as the e-Tractors and e-Power Tillers. The Solar Trees would create a complete Power Cycle Ecologically, as it would feed the Water pumps, e-Tractors and e-Power Tillers for a comprehensive and independent Agricultural System. The CSIR-CMERI Waste Water Reuse technologies can come into play here for reusing Waste Water and after differential treatment the same can be deployed for a vast range of applications.

Solar Tree: A step towards Carbon Negative Power Generation and the Journey Ahead

The Journey of Solar Tree at CSIR-CMERI started in the year 2009, as an experiment to explore the potential of harnessing solar energy through pole-mounted PV panels. During that period a 1 kWp Solar Tree was developed which had PV modules mounted on a pole. The cost of this initial experimental set-up was around Rs 4.2 lakhs.

The First CSIR-CMERI developed Solar Tree

It was followed by another experiment to upgrade the existing simple set-up and increase the power generation capacity of the Solar Tree. Thus, 3 kWp Solar Tree was developed by CSIR-CMERI and it was inaugurated by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Hon’ble Union Science & Technology Minister, in the year 2016. This gave a tremendous fillip to the technology of Solar Tree. The appreciation received from Dr. Harsh Vardhan on the Solar Tree technology set and consolidated the R&D future course for the next four years.

Inauguration of the 3 kWp Solar Tree by Dr. Harsh Vardhan in the presence of Prof. (Dr.) Harish Hirani

The need was felt to restructure and redesign the initial model into advanced versions of the Solar Tree to expand the horizon of the technology applications it could cater to, multiply its power generation capacities, to eliminate the shadow-zone so as to introduce agricultural applications of the technology, incorporate specially designed arms to increase exposure to the sun as well as improve reception of optimum angle of incidence of the Sun Rays and to revamp the aesthetic/beautification aspects of the structure to provide continuity with the beautiful natural landscape. The primary motivation behind restructuring and rethinking the existing Solar Tree technology was the multiplication of the power generation capacity coupled with a substantial reduction in the costs. In the year 2017, a Solar Park was installed at CSIR-CMERI to demonstrate various kinds of solar trees. The Park had an installed capacity of 34 kWp and was inaugurated in 2017 by Dr. Girish Sahni, the then DG, CSIR.

The Solar Park being inaugurated in the year 2017 by Dr. Girish Sahni, DG, CSIR in the presence of Prof. (Dr.) Harish Hirani

The Solar Tree technologies developed in the last four years may be categorized as follows to develop a better understanding of its primary beneficiary domain and the motivation behind its development:

Solar Tree Capacity	Application	Actual View	Motivation behind development
1 kWp	Small capacity may be utilized primary schools, individual houses, small office premises.		Experimental Model
3 kWp	Govt. official premises, Commercial malls, and national highways.		Expand Power Generation Capacity and multiply applications
4 kWp	Parks, Corporate office premises, minister’s bungalows etc.		To symbolize the National Flower, incorporate SMART surveillance features and enhance aesthetics
5.5 kWp	Inside pond for irrigation application		Application on Small Water Bodies and portrayal of Tri-Color
6.5 kWp	Agricultural application, charging station		Lower the cost and Expand the Capacity
8 kWp	Agricultural application, Minigrid application		To expand its usage for agricultural pumps with 7.5 Hp capacity
11.5 kWp	Agricultural application, Minigrid application		Lowest Cost to Power Generation Ratio and the largest land-usage to power generation ratio
0.6 kWp – 1.3 kWp (pole-mounted)	Existing street light for localized electrification		Utilize the existing Street Light Poles for Solar Power Generation through the innovative placement of panels.

Since ‘Change is the only constant’, CSIR-CMERI is ready with a diverse portfolio of deploying of the Solar Trees ranges from small water bodies, national/state highways, agricultural areas, corporate offices to technology parks for the integration of a wide array of applications such as IoT based features, i.e. round-the-clock CCTV surveillance. The Solar Tree technologies since 2016 have been specially curated and designed to deliver maximum impact, especially in times of tremendous Global Climate Stress, Inflated Import Bills owing to Fossil Fuels, and an unprecedented Policy-Push towards the development of Clean and Green Technologies. The recently developed Solar Trees have the goal of achieving the key technology factor which provides the impetus towards a Clean and Green Ecosphere.

Universal Brotherhood Day: Techno-Economics to empower the Youth

Prof. Harish Hirani, 

Director CSIR-CMERI

“This is the gist of all Worship: To be pure and to do good to others.”

-Swami Vivekananda

The ultimate service to humanity is to channelize our efforts, knowledge, and skills towards the emancipation of the most vulnerable and economically marginalized sections of the society. Science & Technology focussed upon making the World a Sustainable and Bio-Diverse Ecosphere is the ultimate homage one can pay to the world we live in. ‘Unity is the highest point in Science’. The confluence of Science, Humanism, Economics, Social Sciences and Spiritualism can help elevate the mindscape of an individual to heights that would help achieve synergic existence with Nature. The Quest for Pure Knowledge in the most trying times for the World can lead us to unexplored avenues of unprecedented human collaboration. Mutual Collaboration instead of Individual Competitiveness is the ‘New Mantra of the New Normal’. This pandemic and all future pandemics can only be fought with the ideals of ‘human cooperation, resource sharing, reorientation of perspectives, and self-development’.

CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur is dedicated towards the ideal of ‘Maximum Science for Minimum Socio-Economic and Ecological Distress’. The initial COVID response had been to fortify Pandemic Resilience of Civic Infrastructure to ensure that even the frontline workers are adequately shielded from ‘impending danger’. The technologies developed by CSIR-CMERI during the pandemic were designed in a manner to multiply collaborative ventures and thereby inculcate the values of resource-sharing and collective achievement of goals. The Facemasks developed by the Institute were created to provide affordable and appropriate solutions for the people, through a manufacturing model which engaged over 200+ skilled locals and provided an economic benefit of over Rs 5,00,000/- to them, during a period of unforeseen economic inertness and vacuum. The COVID Protection System and HCARD Robots tried to harness Digital Leverage and Renewable Energy to the maximum extent especially for the protection of the Security Guards, Healthcare Workers, and Enforcement personnel. 

The Systems Architecture of the technologies was specimens of socio-economic Technology Innovations. These innovations were not only manufacturing-driven but rather focussed upon ease-of-manufacturing to boost the deployment of such manufacturing hubs to increase the productive potential of the people. The pre-independence hang-over of reliance on Jobs rather than developing Entrepreneurism has led to a significant backlash for our economy in recent years. The technology profile of the Institute has also been leaned towards promoting Agri-Entrepreneurialism, Affordable & Collaborative Manufacturing across the Nation. The massive Reverse Migration trends have showcased the ever-growing importance of Agriculture and thus the technology initiatives and the profile of the Institute is ready to help facilitate India becoming a Global Agro-Powerhouse. 

Following the footsteps of Swamiji, India is slated to lead the World through the ideals of Social Entrepreneurialism, Specially Crafted Techno-Economics, and a Democratically Curated Policy Framework. Steadily, India will be the Exemplar in leading the World towards a Climate Resilient, Ecologically Green, and Socially Robust ‘Unified World’. The World Parliament of Religions in September 1893 witnessed the iconic speech delivered by Swamiji. Commemorating this watershed moment for Global Spirituality, I was privileged to deliver the inaugural address as the Chief Guest on this occasion in a Webinar organized by the Vivekananda Kendra, Durgapur.