The Institute of Genetic Engineering (IGE) marked a significant milestone with a two-day celebration on September 1st and 2nd, 2023, commemorating its 20th Foundation Year. Founded by three visionaries, Shri Narayan Basu, a renowned journalist and the founder of numerous schools; Prof. Amit Chakravarty, a distinguished geneticist with extensive practical experience in diagnostics and research; and Prof. Sudipa Chakravarty, a pioneering geneticist known for her work in Thalassaemia prevention and management, who now serves as the institute's Principal.
The institute boasts a thriving alumni community, with over two thousand graduates who have gone on to become eminent scientists, educators, entrepreneurs, public servants, and employees at renowned companies worldwide. Notably, Dr. Debojyoti Chakraborty, an alumnus of the Genetics Department, is now the Principal Scientist at the CSIR Lab in IGIB, Delhi, credited with the discovery of the cost-effective "FELUDA" kit for COVID detection.
IGE's uniqueness extends to its commitment to noble community services. It actively participates in Thalassaemia patient management and care alongside the Thalassaemia Foundation. Through its "Akhshar" initiative, a part of the Hope IGE project, it promotes adult education. Additionally, the institute's "Manjari" unit, another Hope-IGE project, provides educational assistance to underprivileged slum children. In recognition of its youth-driven initiatives for free education for underprivileged children, IGE received United Nations recognition in 2022, with Shri Soumya Ghosh serving as the Member to Secretary General for International Youth Council, United Nations.
In the spirit of its 20th-year celebration, IGE organised a series of inter-school competitions, including Quiz (Gen-Q), Dance (Genorhythm), Painting (Geohue), and Model Making (Genovation), with generous cash prizes for the winners. Furthermore, an Inter-college Football Tournament (Geno-Soccer-2023) drew participation from several prestigious universities and colleges, including JIS, Neotia, Techno, Haldia Institute, and Birla Institute.
A highlight of the event was the release of a Special Cover with a My stamp by the Superintendent of Post, Postal Services, West Bengal Circle. The celebration was elevated with diverse cultural programs, featuring recitations by Bratati Bandopadhyay, performances by Dohar band and TRAP band, and impressive displays by the institute's talented students.
Noted Media Educator, Author and BoS member, MAKAUT Prof. Debanjan Banerjee has praised IGE for introducing a Media Science course under the purview of the new NEP Media Science syllabus. According to him "this will generate many media jobs, and local students who want to be future media professionals would be immensely beneficial"
The inauguration of this momentous event saw the esteemed presence of Justice Shyamal Kumar Sen, Former Governor of West Bengal, alongside Swami Ekachittananda Maharaj, Prof. Bimal Kumar Roy-PadmaShri, Dr. Mamtaz Sanghamita, Former Member of Parliament, Prof. Pradip Bhattacharya, Former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Minister Rathin Ghosh, MIC-Food Supplies, Film Star Chiranjit Chakraborty, MLA Barasat, and various other dignitaries, doctors, and scientists.
As IGE celebrates two decades of pioneering education and community service, it reaffirms its commitment to excellence and looks forward to shaping the future of genetic research and education in India.