Guwahati, Oct 16: Top scientists, defence experts, and academicians deliberated on innovations critical to troop health and operational readiness in extreme terrains.
The Defence Research Laboratory (DRL) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Tezpur, hosted a two-day national conference on “Technologies for Mitigation of Disease Vectors and Other Jungle Hazards” from October 15, bringing together experts from various countries.
The event, inaugurated by Dr U.K. Singh, Director, and Director General (SSS), DRDO, Delhi, as the Chief Guest, and Prof. A.K. Buragohain, Vice Chancellor of RGU, Guwahati, underscored India’s growing focus on developing frontier technologies for biodefense and jungle warfare.
Welcoming the participants, Dr Pramod Kumar Satyawali, Director DGRE and Centre Head, DRL, highlighted the significance of the conference in addressing the twin challenges of disease vectors and environmental hazards faced by defence forces deployed in North East India and high-altitude zones. He showcased DRL’s cutting-edge innovations such as Capsispray, Capsigranade, High Altitude Biodigesters, and Water Quality Remediation Systems, all aimed at enhancing soldier health, safety, and sustainability in remote operations.
Dr Satyawali urged young researchers to focus on “soldier-support technologies” and reaffirmed DRL’s mission of advancing science for national security and community well-being.
Prof. Buragohain lauded DRL for choosing a theme of deep national relevance, noting that the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the need for constant innovation in public health and defence technologies.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr U.K. Singh emphasised the importance of synergy between defence R&D, academia, and industry, asserting that such collaboration is vital to developing effective solutions for vector-borne diseases that compromise troop health. He called for “organisational orientation and futuristic thinking” in scientific research with a sustainable approach to defence preparedness.
Senior officials, including Dr M.M. Parida (Director, DRDE Gwalior), Dr Selvam (Director, PM, DG SSS), Dr P.K. Bora (Director, NERIWALM), Umesh Thapliyal (DIG, SSB Tezpur), and Brig. Kuldeep Astha (Brig Med, 4 Corps) also attended the inaugural session.
Over 95 delegates — comprising scientists, defence personnel, academicians, and students — participated in the conference. The two-day deliberations featured expert presentations, technical sessions, and a poster exhibition highlighting research in areas such as epidemiology, vector management, bioresource utilisation for defence applications, novel repellents, diagnostics, and survival technologies for extreme environments.
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