INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ‘ADVANCES IN CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY OF CARBOHYDRATES’ (CARBO XXXV)

In commemoration of 75th year of India’s Independence  (Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav), an International Conference on ‘Advances in Chemistry and Biology of Carbohydrates’ (CARBO XXXV) is being  organized in virtual mode during 4^th to 5^th December 2021 jointly by Chemistry and Bioprospecting Division, Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun and Association of Carbohydrate Chemists and Technologists, India (ACCTI).  More than 250 participants including scientists from laboratories of FRI, CSIR, IIT, IISER and academic institutions of India, and USA, Germany, UK, The Netherlands, and Portugal are participating in the Conference. The conference was inaugurated today by the Chief Guest Shri, A.S. Rawat, Director General, Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education, Dehradun. Addressing the theme of the Conference, he emphasized the role of carbohydrates in various facets of life including food and medicine and their industrial importance. Shri Rawat also stressed upon developing new technologies for value added utilization of weeds, so as to protect the forest and generate sorce of livelihodd for the people. Narrating about the challenges being identified in the field, he further called upon the scientists and technologists not only to develop innovative tools and techniques for advancement of carbohydrates but also to foster cross-disciplinary scientific interactions and collaborations to create infinite opportunities for serendipitous ideas and gain inspiration for innovations for welfare of the society and economic development of the nation. He also appreciated the collective efforts of Chemistry and Bioprospecting Division, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun and ACCTI for organizing the Conference in the interest of scientists, technologists and industrialists. Prof. K.P.R. Kartha, Adviser of the ACCTI  mentioned about the activities of ACCTI. The inaugural session started with the welcome address of Dr.Vineet Kumar, Scientist-G, Chemistry and Bioprospecting Division, FRI and organizing secretary of the Conference and gave an account of technical sessions. Dr. P.L. Soni, Chief Editor, ‘Trends in Carbohydrate Research (TCR)’ and  Chief Advisor, ACCTI  briefed about the Journey of  the journal TCR. On this occasion, the ‘Abstract Book’ of the Conference was also released by the Chief Guest. The session was ended with the vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Y.C. Tripathi, Head, Chemistry and Bioprospecting Division, FRI. The anchor of the programme was Ms. Rishika Gularia, research scholar, Chemistry and Bioprospecting Division, FRI.