The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Department of Health Research (DHR) organised S.H.I.N.E. (Science, Health and Innovation for Nextgen Explorers) on August 7–8, 2025, aligning with PM Narendra Modi’s call for students to ‘spend one day as a scientist’.
Over 13,150 students from grades 9–12, representing 300+ schools across 39 districts in 16 states and UTs, visited ICMR institutes and Model Rural Health Research Units. They explored biomedical and health research through lab tours, exhibitions, poster walks, live demos, and scientist interactions, guided by mascot Dr. Curio.
Short films highlighted ICMR’s work, including Covaxin, the iDRONE project, TB elimination and Vishanu Yudh Abhyas, a pandemic preparedness drill. The event also marked the 104th birth anniversary of former DG Dr. V. Ramalingaswami.
ICMR DG Dr. Rajiv Bahl called the initiative “an invitation to step into the shoes of a scientist“, urging students to observe, question and innovate for India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
