
10/09/2025
ICMR-FoodNet annual review meeting 2025 at SMIMS, Gangtok
SMIMS, Gangtok | 9 September 2025 | Day 2
The Annual Review Meeting of the ongoing ICMR-FoodNet task force project entitled “Surveillance of Food Borne Pathogens (FBP) from North-East India” concluded today at the Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences (SMIMS), Gangtok. The two-day meet (September 9–10, 2025) brought together leading scientists, medical experts, and policymakers from across the nation, along with participating FoodNet centres from the North-Eastern states, to review Phase I & II progress under this critical national initiative.
The ICMR-FoodNet project is the first multi-centric initiative in the North-Eastern region aimed at generating systematic data on foodborne pathogens, with the goal of strengthening national food safety surveillance and providing evidence-based guidance for policy formulation.
The Day 2 programme commenced with the felicitation of Dr. Chandrapati Appala Satyanarayana Murty, Director and Centre Head of C-DAC, Kolkata, and Scientist-G. Dr. Murty also addressed the gathering, highlighting the significant role of C-DAC in advancing research and providing technical support. This was followed by Phase II centre presentations.
Presentations were delivered by Dr. Rajkumari Mandakini Devi, CoVSc & AH, Nagaland, Dr. Megongusie Meru, CIHSR, Nagaland, Dr. Swagnik Roy, Zoram Medical College, Mizoram
In the post-lunch session, the FoodNet Dashboard and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were launched, followed by poster and data presentations from participating centres. Two panel discussions were also held to chart future directions. The discussions were followed by a prize distribution ceremony.
Awardees of the Day: Guiding Light Award: Dr. Iddya Karunasagar, Best Mentor Award: Dr. Sunita Grover, Unwavering Support Award: Dr. T. Ramamurthy, Best Outbreak Investigation Award: Dr. Swagnik Roy, Exemplary Principal Investigator Award (Phase I): Dr. Karma G. Dolma, Exemplary Principal Investigator Award (Phase II): Dr. Indira Devi, Outstanding Project Personnel Award: Ms. Rachana Khati, Rising Star Centre Award: Dr. Hosterson Kylla and Proactive Performer Award: Mr. Widawong
The day also featured a felicitation ceremony for Dr. Muralidhar V. Pai, Pro-VC & Dean of SMIMS, along with key stakeholders from the Health Department, Government of Sikkim, the Food and Drug Administration, Government of Sikkim, and the Principal of the Higher Secondary School, in recognition of their valuable contributions.