The 13th edition of Bengaluru INDIA NANO, organised by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka, Karnataka Science & Technology Promotion Society (KSTePS), and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), was inaugurated on 2 August by Siddaramaiah,  Chief Minister of Karnataka,  in the presence of  D K  Shivakumar,  Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) of Karnataka.

This year's theme, ‘Nanotechnology for Sustainability: Climate, Energy, and Healthcare’, has set the stage for a diverse array of participants, including researchers, scientists, academicians, industry leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and students. 

A highlight of the inaugural ceremony was the felicitation of Bharat Ratna Prof C N R Rao, FRS, Honorary Chairman of VGNT and Linus Pauling Research Professor, and Honorary President of JNCASR, Bengaluru, in gratitude of his enduring contribution advancing science and celebrating his 90th birthday year. Prof Rao has been the driving force behind this event.

The distinguished gathering also included  N S Boseraju,  Minister of Science & Technology and Minor Irrigation, Government of Karnataka; Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon Ltd; Chairperson, VGBt, Government of Karnataka;  Rizwan Arshad,  Member of the Legislative Assembly - Shivajinagar Assembly Constituency, Karnataka;  Prof Navakanta Bhat, Chair, Vision Group on Nanotechnology, Government of Karnataka, Dean, Division of Interdisciplinary Sciences, Professor, CeNSE, IISc, Bengaluru; Prof Anil Kumar P S, Chair, Conference Executive Committee, Dean, Administration & Finance & Professor, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru; Dr Ekroop Caur, IAS, Secretary to the Government, Department of Electronics, IT, Bt, and S&T, Government of Karnataka,  Pavan Kumar Malapati, IAS, Director, Dept. of Science & Technology, Managing Director, Karnataka Science and Technology Promotion Society (KSTePS), Bengaluru and  Jagdish Patankar, Executive Chairman of MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications and the Event Curator of Bengaluru India Nano.

CM Siddaramaiah, in his inaugural address, said "I urge our scientists and engineers to innovate solutions in nanotechnology for critical areas such as food and energy security, water purification, healthcare, and waste management. Addressing the challenges posed by urbanisation and environmental hazards requires robust international collaboration and a strong link between academia, industry, and research to advance this promising technology for the benefit of humanity."

N S Boseraju,  Minister of Science & Technology said, “This prestigious nanotech event in the country serves as a platform for networking and exchanging knowledge on the new frontiers of science and technology. The nanotechnology sector has a crucial role in making the world more sustainable. Beyond climate, energy, and healthcare, two other significant global challenges are food and water security. We hope to focus on these challenges in the next edition of Bengaluru India Nano. Our government, Chief Minister  Siddaramaiah and DCM  D K  Shivakumar, is making all-out efforts to develop Karnataka as a major player in the Nanotechnology sector. We will provide all the necessary support for growth of this sunrise industry in the state.”

The 3-day mega event included a one-day pre-conference tutorial followed by two days of multitrack conference. The pre-conference tutorials held on Day 1 offered in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in various aspects of nanotechnology, catering to both beginners and seasoned professionals. Topics covered included Nano Fabrication, Nano Characterization, and Nano Biology. 

On Day 2, the opening plenary featured Prof Pulickel Ajayan, Chair of the Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering at Rice University, USA, who explored the transformative impact of nano-engineered materials on technology. Prof Arindam Ghosh from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, who is also the recipient of Prof C N R Rao Bengaluru INDIA NANO Science Award, delivered an insightful plenary talk.

The "Nano for the Young" lecture, an initiative by Bharat Ratna Prof C N R Rao aimed at inspiring nanotechnology students, was led by Prof Ashok K Ganguli, Director & Professor of Chemical Science at IISER Berhampur, and Dr B L V Prasad, Director of the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Research, India.

The conference focused on key topics like ‘Nano in Climate’, presented by Dr Rajeevan Madhavan Nair, Former Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Science and Vice Chancellor of Atria University; Prof Vinayak Sinha, IISER Mohali and Dr Christian George, Deputy Director at IRCELYON, France; ‘Nano in Healthcare’ presented by Prof Dhirendra Katti, Director of IIT Goa; Dr Jiban Jyoti Panda, Associate Professor, Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali and Prof Biman B Mandal, IIT Guwahati; ‘Nano in  Energy’ presented by Prof Nitash Balsara, The Charles W Tobias Professor in Electrochemistry, University of California, Berkeley, USA, Prof R Kothandaraman, Professor, IIT Madras, India; Dr K Ramesha, Director of CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute; and Prof Kanishka Biswas, JNCSAR, India. 

The Global Innovation Alliance Partner Countries of Karnataka, including USA, Netherlands and Germany also conducted sessions in the Conference. 

The Poster Showcase, a highlight of Bengaluru India Nano, was a vibrant walkway of discovery featuring innovative research from over 200 bright young researchers across academic and research institutions like various IITs, BITS Pilani, University of Mysore, SASTRA Deemed University, CSIR National Physical Laboratory, IISER, JNCASR, IISc- Bangalore, JAIN University, NIT Rourkela, REVA University, Bangalore University, Institute of Chemical Technology- Mumbai, TamilNadu Agriculture University- Coimbatore, Vellore Institute of Technology, Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology to name a few.

The Exhibition inaugurated today showcased the latest innovations, products, and technologies in nanotechnology. With over 50 leading companies, research institutions, and startups presenting their cutting-edge nanotech products and services, it was a brilliant display of scientific and industry advancements.

The glittering Awards Ceremony featured the presentation of prestigious honours, including the Bengaluru INDIA NANO Innovation Award, Karnataka DST Nanoscience Fellowships and Exhibitor Awards.