IHBT organizes program on Innovations in Health and Artificial Intelligence
Under the ongoing ‘One Week One Laboratory’ program at CSIR-IHBT, on 24 February 2023, the scientists of the institute organized a program for school children on important topics like ‘Better Health as well as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning’.
Dr. Vidyashankar Srivatsan, Senior Scientist, CSIR-IHBT apprised the school children and other participants about the various technologies developed by the institute to combat malnutrition. He informed that for this CSIR-IHBT has developed several protein, iron, zinc and calcium rich food products to meet the needs of the target communities. These products are very useful and soon they will be used in the entire state. An intensive workshop and demonstration program was also organized for Child Development Officers, Block Supervisors and District/Block Nutrition Campaign Coordinators on the importance of micronutrients and various products developed by the Institute.
On this occasion, Mr. Ashok Sharma, District Program Officer, Kangra addressed the school children on the importance of balanced diet. He pointed out that malnutrition is a major health problem in India, especially in Himachal Pradesh, affecting more than 60% of children under the age of 5 and nearly 50% of women of reproductive age. He called upon the visiting school children not to eat junk food and eat food rich in proteins, vitamins and micronutrients.
Dr. Aparna Maitra Pati, Chief Scientist, CSIR-IHBT presided over the event and highlighted the work done by CSIR-IHBT in combating malnutrition. He informed that CSIR-IHBT is associated with Directorate of Women and Child Development, ICDS, Himachal Pradesh Government’s Mukhya Mantri Bal Suposhan Yojana.
On this occasion, Dr. Amit Kumar, Senior Principal Scientist & Head, Environment Technology told the school children that the institute is striving to improve agriculture practices through drone technological innovations for livelihood development of farmers. The institute has developed drone based artificial intelligence techniques for agriculture for medicinal, aromatic and commercially important crops. A live demonstration of the drone was also done on the occasion. Which the kids enjoyed a lot.
About 600 students and teachers from different schools participated in ‘One week one laboratory’ under the Jigyasa programme. These students and teachers also got information about research work and developed technologies in various laboratories of the institute
