Rourkela: The 39th Annual Conference of the Orissa Chemical Society (OCS), jointly organised with the National Conference on “Chemistry for a Sustainable Future (CSF–2025)”, commenced on December 21, 2025, at the Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology Rourkela. The three-day conference, held from December 21–23, 2025, brings together academicians, researchers, industry experts, and students from across the country.
The conference highlights the pivotal role of chemistry in achieving sustainable development through eco-friendly materials, cleaner processes, and advanced technologies. The event is centered on themes including Sustainable Synthesis, Green Chemistry, Catalysis, Carbon Management, Sustainable Energy, Climate Solutions, and Green Nuclear Technologies. It provides a national platform for researchers to present innovative ideas and research outcomes aimed at minimising environmental impact and enhancing resource efficiency.
The inaugural ceremony was honored by the presence of Prof. H. Ila, Honorary Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, as the Guest of Honour. The session was also graced by Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, Director, NIT Rourkela, along with Prof. Smrutiprava Das, President, Orissa Chemical Society; Prof. A. Acharya, Secretary-cum-Treasurer, OCS; and Prof. Garudadhwaj Hota, Head, Department of Chemistry, NIT Rourkela. The conference is convened by Prof. Gokarneswar Sahoo, Department of Chemistry, NIT Rourkela, with Prof. Sabita Patel and Prof. Sarojalochan Samal serving as Co-Convenors. The Organising Secretaries are Prof. Harekrushna Sahoo, Prof. Priyabrat Dash, and Prof. Sasmita Mohapatra.
In his welcome address, Convenor Prof. Gokarneswar Sahoo highlighted the strong academic participation at the conference, with over 230 attendees. The program includes five memorial lectures in memory of eminent chemists from Odisha, one plenary lecture, four keynote lectures, eleven invited lectures, eleven award lectures, twenty-eight oral presentations, and ninety-eight poster presentations, covering a wide spectrum of sustainability-driven chemical research.
Presenting an overview of the Department of Chemistry at NIT Rourkela, Prof. Garudadhwaj Hota noted that it is one of the oldest departments of the Institute. He highlighted the growing academic preference for the department, mentioning that Chemistry at NIT Rourkela has emerged as a first choice among NITs for top-ranked candidates admitted through the Joint Admission Test for Masters (JAM) for the M.Sc. program. Prof. A. Acharya, Secretary-cum-Treasurer of OCS, presented an overview of the Society’s annual report and objectives. He outlined OCS’s role as the apex body of chemists in Odisha, dedicated to improving chemistry education, promoting research and innovation, organising scientific events, creating public awareness on chemical and environmental issues, publishing scholarly journals, and popularising chemistry as a discipline.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao emphasised the collective responsibility of academia, industry, and society in building an Atmanirbhar Bharat through sustainable practices. He stressed that economic progress must be complemented by environmental responsibility, civic sense, and judicious use of natural resources, particularly in waste management, plastic usage, and sustainable living for future generations.
Delivering her address as the Guest of Honour, Prof. H. Ila appreciated NIT Rourkela for maintaining a clean, green, and well-planned campus, providing a conducive environment for academic deliberations. She highlighted the vast scope of chemistry across multiple sectors, including manufacturing, research, and advanced technologies, and encouraged young researchers to pursue the discipline with vision and perseverance to unlock diverse career opportunities.
Prof. Smrutiprava Das, President of OCS, highlighted the strategic importance of the chemical industry, which contributes nearly 7% to India’s GDP. She emphasised that India’s aspiration to become the world’s third-largest economy depends significantly on the development of bio-based and specialty chemicals, enzymes, and biopolymers derived from agricultural residues. She also noted that sustainability-driven compliance has become integral to modern business strategies, encouraging the elimination of hazardous chemicals, waste minimisation, and cleaner processes through biotechnology, nanotechnology, materials science, and advanced chemical engineering.
During the event, the Lifetime Luminary Award of the Orissa Chemical Society was conferred on Prof. (Dr.) Bula Behera in recognition of his outstanding and sustained contributions to the field of chemistry. The occasion also witnessed the felicitation of former Presidents of OCS by the Director of NIT Rourkela. The dignitaries felicitated included Prof. Bijay K. Mishra, Prof. Satyaban Jena, Prof. S. C. Das, Prof. A. K. Pattnaik, Prof. Shashadhar Samal, Prof. S. N. Mohanty, Prof. Rupashree Ragini Das, and Prof. Ajay K. Behera.
Speakers from premier institutes across the country are sharing their expertise during this three-day conference. The organisers gratefully acknowledged the financial and academic support received from ANRF, DRDO, CSIR, BRNS, and industry partners including Waters, Bruker, Jasco, Horiba, ACS, SBI, and leading chemical manufacturers, whose contributions have been instrumental in the successful organisation of the conference.
