Shillong, October 30 : The XLVIII All India Botanical Conference of the Indian Botanical Society, along with the International Symposium on “Biology and Biotechnology of Plant Diversity for Bioeconomy,” was inaugurated with great enthusiasm today at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong. This milestone event, held from October 29-31, 2025, marks the first time the prestigious conference is being hosted in the North-Eastern region, shining a spotlight on the area’s immense botanical wealth and scientific community.
The ceremony commenced with the arrival of the Governor of Meghalaya Chandrashekhar H. Vijayashankar, who was welcomed with the National Anthem, followed by the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and the felicitation of distinguished guests. Prof. S.K. Barik, President of the Indian Botanical Society, opened the session with a warm welcome, emphasizing the historic significance of the occasion and NEHU’s commitment to botanical advancement.
Both Prof. Umdor, Pro-Vice Chancellor of NEHU, and Prof. Seshu Lavania, Secretary of the Indian Botanical Society, praised NEHU’s vibrant academic atmosphere and applauded the Society’s long-standing contributions to botanical research and education, including the presentation of several awards to leading scholars in the field.
In a powerful inaugural address, the Governor of Meghalaya Chandrashekhar H. Vijayashankar cautioned that “monoculture leads to ecological imbalances,” reiterating the critical role of biodiversity in sustaining environmental harmony. He highlighted Meghalaya’s unique position in the bioresource sector, noting the state’s turmeric leads the nation in curcumin content (8.9%), and encouraged NEHU to remain a hub for scientific collaboration and innovation. The Governor also welcomed participants to experience the cultural and natural richness of Meghalaya.
Prof. Anil Tripathi, Director of IISER Mohali and Guest of Honour, announced Meghalaya’s adoption of the CSIR Aroma Mission, a transformative initiative to boost aromatic crop-based livelihoods in the state. He also lauded NEHU’s leadership in organizing the event and advocated for a nationally unified syllabus in plant sciences.Padma Shri Prof.
Sudhir Sopory, and Guest of Honour, addressed the ongoing reform of science curricula by the University Grants Commission (UGC), stressing the need for robust faculty recruitment to realize these ambitions. He further underscored the role of biodiversity as the cornerstone of India’s bioeconomy and discussed emerging research in herbarium genomics and space biology.
The ceremony concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks from Prof. S.R. Joshi, Joint Organizing Secretary, who acknowledged all dignitaries, guests, and collaborators for their invaluable support. Over the next three days, the conference will feature scientific sessions, keynote addresses, and collaborative discussions on plant diversity, cutting-edge biotechnology, and strategies to strengthen India’s bioeconomy.
This event serves as a testament to NEHU’s growing reputation as a center for botanical excellence and as a catalyst for innovation and sustainable development in the region.
