14/05/2026
Day 1 | Bio Innovation Workshop & Conclave 2026
An inspiring start to the Bio Innovation Workshop & Conclave 2026 at the IIT Mandi Campus, organized by IIT Mandi Catalyst. The event commenced with a ceremonial lamp lighting and prayer, setting a positive tone for the days ahead.
The inaugural session featured visionary leaders from academia, healthcare, agriculture, and the innovation ecosystem, sharing valuable insights on biotechnology, AI, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.
The conclave began with a welcome address by Prof. (Dr.) Dipankar Deb, Faculty Incharge & Director-Incubation, IIT Mandi Catalyst, who warmly welcomed all participants and highlighted the importance of innovation-driven collaboration.
Dr. Chhaya Chauhan, Chief Manager & Incharge-Incubation, BIRAC, delivered a special address, presenting the remarkable 13-year journey of BIRAC in advancing biotech innovation across India.
Prof. (Dr.) Laxmidhar Behera, Director, IIT Mandi, inspired attendees by sharing examples of startups solving breast cancer challenges and encouraged students to create solutions that contribute to national growth.
Prof. (Dr.) Arvind Sinha, Executive Director, AIIMS Kalyani, spoke about how AIIMS Kalyani is driving impactful mini-projects, including AI-based solutions for healthcare testing and diagnostics.
Prof. (Dr.) Madhabananda Kar, Executive Director, AIIMS Bhopal, motivated participants to change their mindset, stay consistent, remain enthusiastic, and embrace AI as a game-changer in health sciences.
Prof. (Dr.) Yogendra Kumar Gupta, President, AIIMS Kalyani, encouraged startups and students to identify local challenges and build innovative solutions for real-world impact.
The keynote address by Chief Guest Padma Shri Nek Ram, Agriculture, Himachal Pradesh, emphasized that health is wealth and highlighted the nutritional benefits of millets and diverse crops, promoting sustainable agriculture and healthy living.
Day 1 has set the stage for meaningful discussions, groundbreaking ideas, and transformative collaborations in bio-innovation and entrepreneurship. ๐