Vinod Kumar

[CSIR-IIIM @csiriiim]

Strengthening Science for Sustainable Innovation

CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to upscale and optimize anthraquinone-based pigment production from endophytic fungi through fermentation technology.

The MoU was signed by Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM Jammu, and Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, marking a significant step towards advancing sustainable bioproduction and translating research into scalable industrial solutions.

Under this collaboration, CSIR-IIIM Jammu will contribute its expertise in fermentation technology, bioprocess optimization, and advanced infrastructure to scale up the process up to 500 litres.

The partnership brings together scientific expertise from both institutions to promote green technologies, innovation, and sustainable industrial applications.

#CSIRIIIM #Jammu #TERI #Biotechnology #FermentationTechnology #SustainableInnovation #GreenTechnology #ResearchAndInnovation #CSIR #ScienceForSociety

[TERI @teriin]

Expanding the impact of inter-institutional collaboration on sustainable bioproduction, TERI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (@csiriiim), Jammu, on June 11, 2026, for the upscaling and optimization of anthraquinone-based pigment production from endophytic fungi through fermentation technology.

The MoU was signed by @DrVibhaDhawan, Director General, TERI, and @zabeerahmedb, Director, CSIR-IIIM, in the presence of Mr Deepak Kumar (TERI), Dr Mayurika Goel (TERI), and Dr Saurabh Saran (CSIR-IIIM).

Dr Vibha Dhawan highlighted the importance of sharing knowledge and infrastructure to address skill gaps and create tangible impact, while Dr Zabeer Ahmed emphasized the role of scientific partnerships in translating research into scalable industrial solutions.

The collaboration brings together TERI's expertise in sustainable agriculture and biotechnology with CSIR-IIIM's strengths in natural product chemistry and fermentation sciences to advance green, science-led industrial processes.

#MoU #Biotechnology #FermentationTechnology #SustainableAgriculture #Research #Innovation #Collaboration

[CSIR, India @CSIR_IND]

CSIR extends its heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Alka Rao on her appointment as Director, @CSIR_IMTECH.

[CSIR-IIIM @csiriiim]

CSIR-IIIM, Ambrosia Botanicals Join Hands To Work On Aromatic Crops, Essential Oils Based Botanical Wellness Products - Daily Excelsior https://t.co/Chv4F3qANz

[CSIR-IIIM @csiriiim]

CSIR-IIIM, Jammu has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ambrosia Botanicals to promote research, quality standardization, value addition, and market development in aromatic crops, essential oils, and botanical wellness products.

The collaboration aims to strengthen India’s Aroma Mission by fostering innovation, scientific validation of botanical formulations, and creating stronger market linkages for farmers, entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders.

The MoU was formally signed by Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM, and Ms Pratiba S. Kedia, Founder and Chief Formulator, M/s Ambrosia Botanicals, marking a key step towards translating scientific research into sustainable, market-driven solutions in the aromatic and wellness sector.

#CSIR #CSIRIIIM #AromaMission #AmbrosiaBotanicals #AromaticCrops #EssentialOils #BotanicalWellness #Innovation #AgriBusiness #SustainableDevelopment #Jammu #IndiaScience #ResearchAndDevelopment

[CSIR-IIIM @csiriiim]

"What began as a pilot project has evolved into a nationwide movement driven by the success of farmers." - Dr. Zabeer Ahmed
#LavenderFestival2026 #Bhaderwah

[CSIR-IIIM @csiriiim]

CSIR-IIIM JAMMU IN MEDIA!
08-06-2026

Lavender Festival 2026 concludes with vision to make Bhaderwah a global Lavender hub

Links:

Jammu Links : https://t.co/18rZq675fM

UNI NEWS : https://t.co/Ahwu72Pzyw

#LavenderFestival2026 #Bhaderwah #PurpleRevolution #CSIRIIIM #DrJitendraSingh
#PressConference #JammuAndKashmir #Lavender #AromaMission #Doda
#RuralEntrepreneurship #StartupIndia #HimalayanEconomy

[CSIR-IIIM @csiriiim]

Lavender Festival 2026 | Celebrating India’s Purple Revolution
Hon’ble Union Minister and Vice President CSIR, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the Lavender Mission as one of India's most successful examples of science-led rural transformation, turning farmers into entrepreneurs and creating new avenues for employment, startups, agri-tourism, and women empowerment.

From the fields of Bhaderwah to global markets, the Purple Revolution continues to showcase how scientific innovation, industry partnerships, and community participation can unlock the immense potential of the Himalayan region.

#LavenderFestival2026 #PurpleRevolution #CSIRIIIM #AromaMission #ScienceForSociety #LavenderMission #StartupIndia #RuralTransformation #AtmanirbharBharat

[CSIR-IIIM @csiriiim]

Students attending the Lavender Festival in Bhaderwah expressed enthusiasm about learning how lavender is cultivated and transformed into valuable products. The visit offered them a firsthand glimpse into the Purple Revolution, showcasing the potential of science, innovation, and entrepreneurship in rural development.

The students appreciated the opportunity provided by the administration and CSIR-IIIM and said such events inspire young minds to explore new ideas and opportunities in agriculture and allied sectors.

#LavenderFestival2026 #PurpleRevolution #CSIRAromaMission #CSIRIIIM #LavenderFarming #Bhaderwah #FarmerSuccess #RuralTransformation #AromaMission #ViksitBharat #AatmanirbharBharat

[CSIR-IIIM @csiriiim]

The fragrance of Bhaderwah’s lavender fields is now echoing far beyond the valleys, drawing leaders from the aroma industry, startups from hill states, and media teams from across the country to witness India’s emerging Agri-entrepreneurship success story.

From conventional farming to high-value lavender cultivation, farmers are showcasing a dramatic transformation—backed by strong technical support from CSIR-IIIM and early industry linkages that have turned Bhaderwah into a model of rural innovation.

With product diversification ranging from perfumes, soaps, oils, balms and cosmetics to new value-added innovations, the Purple Revolution continues to expand its footprint, while also boosting agri-tourism and promoting PM Narendra Modi’s vision of “Vocal for Local.”

From fields to fragrance, Bhaderwah stands as a living example of science-led rural transformation.
#LavenderFestival2026 #Bhaderwah

[CSIR-IIIM @csiriiim]

Lavender Festival 2026 | Lavender Goes Global

Padma Shri awardee Prof. Vinod K. Singh, Institute Chair Professor, IIT Kanpur and Mentor, CSIR-IIIM, hailed Bhaderwah's emergence as India's Lavender Capital as a remarkable success story of science-driven rural transformation.
Describing the Lavender Festival as "history in the making," he highlighted how the region has evolved from traditional low-return farming to a thriving hub of lavender cultivation, entrepreneurship and innovation through the support of CSIR-IIIM's Aroma Mission.

Prof. Singh praised the farmers of Jammu & Kashmir as the true architects of the Purple Revolution and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between scientists, industry and growers to take Bhaderwah's world-class lavender products to global markets.
From the hills of Jammu & Kashmir to the world — the fragrance of India's Purple Revolution continues to spread.

#LavenderFestival2026 #LavenderGoesGlobal #PurpleRevolution #CSIRIIIM #AromaMission #Bhaderwah #ScienceForSociety #RuralTransformation #InnovationForImpact

[CSIR-IIIM @csiriiim]

https://t.co/yF0QukvHF2

[CSIR-IIIM @csiriiim]

The 4th Lavender Festival 2026 commenced at Bhaderwah with the inauguration by Hon’ble Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, celebrating the remarkable success of the Purple Revolution and the transformative impact of the CSIR Aroma Mission.

The festival, themed “Lavender Goes Global”, showcases how science, innovation and entrepreneurship are empowering farmers, startups and rural communities across the Himalayan region. From lavender cultivation and value-added products to startup innovations and industry collaborations, the event reflects the journey of Bhaderwah from a remote hill town to India’s leading lavender hub.

The occasion was graced by CSIR Director General Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, CSIR-IIIM Director Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, BCCI President Mithun Manhas, Prof. V.K. Singh, Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy, Dr. Ajit Kumar Shasany, Dr. Suphla Gupta, Dr. Saurabh Saran, public representatives, scientists, entrepreneurs and progressive farmers.

Together, we celebrate science-driven rural development, sustainable livelihoods and India’s growing global leadership in the aroma sector.

#LavenderFestival2026 #LavenderGoesGlobal #PurpleRevolution #CSIRAromaMission #CSIRIIIM #DrJitendraSingh #DrNKalaiselvi #DrZabeerAhmed #MithunManhas #DrSuphlaGupta #DrSaurabhSaran #Lavender #Bhaderwah #StartupIndia #ViksitBharat #AromaMission #ScienceForSociety #RuralTransformation #AtmanirbharBharat #JammuAndKashmir

[CSIR-IIIM @csiriiim]

Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy, Director, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), speaks about the remarkable success of lavender cultivation and the growing impact of the Purple Revolution at Lavender Festival 2026. The initiative continues to create new opportunities for farmers, promote rural entrepreneurship, and demonstrate the power of science-led transformation.

#LavenderFestival2026 #PurpleRevolution #LavenderGoesGlobal #CSIR #IICT #AromaMission #Bhaderwah #RuralTransformation #InnovationForTomorrow

[CSIR-IIIM @csiriiim]

Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM Jammu, speaks about the transformative impact of the CSIR Aroma Mission and the success of the Purple Revolution at Lavender Festival 2026. Highlighting the completion of three phases of the mission, he emphasizes how lavender cultivation has encouraged farmers to diversify from traditional crops, fostered entrepreneurship, and created new livelihood opportunities. He also underlines the festival’s role in bringing together farmers, scientists, technologists, and industry stakeholders to strengthen India's aroma sector and expand lavender cultivation across suitable regions of the country.

#LavenderFestival2026 #PurpleRevolution #LavenderGoesGlobal #CSIRIIIM #AromaMission #DrZabeerAhmed #Bhaderwah #Innovation #RuralTransformation

[CSIR-IIIM @csiriiim]

Watch the live stream of the Lavender Festival 2026, June 6–7, at Bhaderwah, J&K, organized by CSIR-IIIM.

https://t.co/FyKuubPuA2

@DrJitendraSingh @DrNKalaiselvi @VinodSingh_IITK @zabeerahmedb @CSIR_IND @CsirAroma

[CSIR-IIIM @csiriiim]

“Lavender changed our lives.”

From a single kanal to large-scale cultivation, Roshan Din from Bhaderwah shares how CSIR-IIIM’s Aroma Mission transformed farming into a sustainable livelihood. What began as a search for employment has grown into a thriving enterprise, connecting hundreds of farmers, empowering women, improving soil health, and significantly increasing farm incomes.

His journey reflects the success of India’s Purple Revolution—where science, innovation, and farmer empowerment come together to create lasting change.

#LavenderFestival2026 #PurpleRevolution #CSIRAromaMission #CSIRIIIM #LavenderFarming #Bhaderwah #FarmersFirst #RuralTransformation #AromaMission #ViksitBharat

[CSIR-IIIM @csiriiim]

“The Lavender Mission launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and spearheaded by Dr. Jitendra Singh is a remarkable success story of rural transformation.”

Speaking at Lavender Festival 2026 in Bhaderwah, BCCI President Mithun Manhas praised the Purple Revolution for creating new livelihood opportunities for thousands of farmers and youth. He highlighted that the initiative has generated employment, boosted lavender oil production, connected farmers directly with scientists, and placed Bhaderwah on the global map as India’s Lavender Capital.

Expressing confidence in the future of the mission, Manhas said the growing national and international recognition of Bhaderwah’s lavender ecosystem will continue to create new opportunities and drive prosperity across the region.

#LavenderFestival2026 #PurpleRevolution #LavenderGoesGlobal #Bhaderwah #CSIRIIIM #AromaMission #LavenderCapital #MithunManhas #RuralTransformation #FarmersFirst

[CSIR-IIIM @csiriiim]

“Bhaderwah has all the ingredients to become a global lavender destination.”

Sharing his experience at Lavender Festival 2026, Amol from Fine Fragrances Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, praised the vibrant atmosphere, the quality of lavender cultivation, and the strong sense of community among farmers, scientists and industry stakeholders.

He expressed confidence that Bhaderwah’s lavender ecosystem will continue to grow and gain international recognition, taking the fragrance of India’s Purple Revolution to global markets.

#LavenderFestival2026 #LavenderGoesGlobal #PurpleRevolution #CSIRIIIM #Bhaderwah #FineFragrances #AromaMission #LavenderCapital #IndustryConnect #GlobalLavender

[CSIR-IIIM @csiriiim]

Padma Shri Prof. Vinod K. Singh, Institute Chair Professor, Department of Chemistry, IIT Kanpur, Chairman, CSIR-RAB, and Mentor, CSIR-IIIM, speaks about the remarkable journey of the Purple Revolution and the transformative impact of lavender cultivation at Lavender Festival 2026.

#LavenderFestival2026 #PurpleRevolution #LavenderGoesGlobal #CSIRIIIM #IITKanpur #Innovation #AromaMission #Bhaderwah #RuralTransformation