Guwahati: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Guwahati Branch Office, signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with three educational institutions to promote awareness of Indian standards, quality assurance and technological innovation during the observance of World Standards Day 2026 in Guwahati on October 14.
The agreements were signed with the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Manipur, NIT Meghalaya and the Assam Textile Institute. The partnerships aim to introduce standardisation and quality requirements into engineering, technology and textile education and encourage joint research and innovation.
The event was held at Aniyaa Edition, Guwahati, under the theme, “Shared Vision for a Better World: Spotlight on SDG 7, Affordable and Clean Energy.” Officials from the Assam government, Guwahati Police, academic institutions, and industry representatives attended the programme.
Shouvik Chanda, Scientist-E, Director and Head of the BIS Guwahati Branch Office, welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of standards in ensuring access to affordable and clean energy. He also stressed the need to increase awareness of standardisation among consumers and manufacturers.
Anasua Dutta Barua, Secretary of the Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Department, and Manisha Chelleng, Secretary of the Industry, Commerce and Public Enterprise Department, Assam, spoke about the need for coordination between government departments and BIS to strengthen quality standards.
They also highlighted the importance of consumer awareness when purchasing products.
Indira Kalita, Secretary of the Industry, Commerce and Public Enterprise Department, Assam, attended as the chief guest. She emphasised the role of standards in ensuring product safety and reliability and called for greater public awareness to protect consumer rights and support industrial growth.
Guwahati Police Commissioner Partha Sarathi Mahanta also attended the programme as the guest of honour.
The event featured addresses by D. V. L. N. Somayajulu, Director of NIT Manipur, and Mohan V. Aware, Director of NIT Arunachal Pradesh. They discussed the role of standardisation and quality assurance in research, technological development and sustainable growth.
During the technical sessions, Pankaj Kalita of the School of Energy Science and Engineering at IIT Guwahati spoke about the institute’s initiatives related to sustainability and energy.
Bhaskarjyoti Das, Deputy Manager for New and Renewable Energy at Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL), outlined government initiatives to promote the adoption of green energy in Assam.
Atul Agarwal, Head of Quality Control at Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), highlighted the importance of quality and safety standards in the petroleum sector.