Over 450 Students Join BIS Celebration of World Standards Day in Srinagar

SRINAGAR: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Jammu and Kashmir Branch Office (JKBO), under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, celebrated World Standards Day 2025 with a large-scale event titled ‘Manak Mahotsav’ at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) Srinagar on Monday. More than 450 students from various educational institutions across the region participated in the event.

Commissioner and Secretary, Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Jammu and Kashmir, Saurabh Bhagat, IAS, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. In his address, Bhagat emphasised the critical role of standardisation, certification, and quality assurance in ensuring industrial growth, safety, and consumer trust.

“Standards are the foundation of innovation, safety, and sustainability. For Jammu and Kashmir, adopting and implementing national and international standards is crucial for improving competitiveness and driving sustainable economic development,” he said.

Bhagat further highlighted the importance of verifying the quality of locally manufactured products, especially household items, and called for the standardisation of region-specific products such as wooden crafts and traditional heating devices to improve safety and marketability both nationally and internationally.

The event’s theme, “A Shared Vision for a Better World: Spotlight on SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals,” reflected the importance of collaboration and standardisation in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Tilak Raj, Director and Head of BIS-JKBO, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to promoting a culture of quality across Jammu and Kashmir. “BIS is committed to ensuring that quality becomes an integral part of every product and service. Through initiatives like Manak Mahotsav, we aim to spread awareness about standardisation, certification, and consumer safety among youth and entrepreneurs,” he said.

Joint Director BIS-JKBO, Pankaj Atri, commended the active participation from academic institutions, including NIT Srinagar, SKUAST Jammu, IUST Awantipora, Government College for Women Anantnag, and Sri Pratap College Srinagar, which showcased innovative projects aligned with the SDGs.

Officials from BIS also presented various initiatives related to product certification, hallmarking, and quality compliance.

World Standards Day is observed annually to acknowledge the contributions of experts and organisations involved in developing technical standards that underpin innovation, safety, and global trade.