Dr. Girish Sahni, the former director-general of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), passed away on August 19, 2024, at the age of 68. Sources reported to The Hindu that the cause of death was a heart attack. CSIR expressed its mourning through a post on X (formerly Twitter) at 5:40 pm on the same day.
Dr. Sahni’s journey with CSIR began in 1991 when he joined the Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH) in Chandigarh. His dedication and expertise led to his appointment as the director of IMTECH in 2005, a position he held until 2015 when he was elevated to the role of CSIR director-general.
Dr. Sahni was renowned for his research on blood clots and the development of ‘clot buster‘ drugs. His notable achievements include:
In 2016, a product called BGR-34, developed by two CSIR labs in Lucknow, came under scrutiny. Despite being praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for its alleged anti-diabetic effects, eminent scientists questioned CSIR’s ethical responsibility due to the product’s lack of scientific testing.
Dr. Sahni’s tenure was marked by significant financial issues:
Despite these challenges, the financial situation improved by 2018, with average annual revenue between 2014 and 2018 reaching ₹475 crore.
Dr. Sahni’s contributions to science were widely recognized:
His term as CSIR director-general concluded in August 2018, leaving behind a legacy of scientific innovation and organizational reform in the face of financial constraints.
Dr. Girish Sahni’s passing marks the end of an era for Indian scientific research, particularly in the field of biotechnology and drug development. His leadership during challenging times at CSIR and his contributions to blood clot treatment will be remembered as significant milestones in India’s scientific journey.
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