Union Minister Jitendra Singh participated in the 150-year celebrations of Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata. During the event:
- An indigenously developed Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) system was inaugurated
- A new incubation centre RETINA (Research Entrepreneurship for Translation, Innovation and NAvigation) was launched
The institution was described as a symbol of India’s scientific awakening before Independence and its scientific rise thereafter
PECVD System
- Developed indigenously
- Used for fabrication of India’s first amorphous silicon solar cell
Significance
- Reflects technological self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat
- Strengthens India’s capability in advanced solar-cell fabrication technology
- Promotes clean energy innovation and domestic manufacturing
RETINA Incubation Centre
Key Features
- Focuses on integrating: Entrepreneurship, Research, Startups and Societal applications
- Supports development of scalable technologies in: Sustainable development, Healthcare, Clean energy
- Reflects a growing trend of linking scientific research with innovation ecosystems
About IACS, Kolkata
- Founded in 1876 by Mahendralal Sircar
- India’s first modern scientific research institution established by Indians
- Represents over 150 years of scientific contributions spanning the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries
Key Legacy
- Birthplace of the Raman Effect discovery
- Associated with C. V. Raman, who won India’s first Nobel Prize in Science