INDIA – The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) which came into existence as Indian Standards Institution (ISI) in 1947, has proudly marked 75 glorious years of its existence.

Through its core activities of Standardization and Certification, BIS has been contributing to national economy from past 75 years.

The bureaus Director General, Pramod Kumar Tiwari, on the special occasion extended his gratitude and best wishes to all the stakeholders of BIS.

“It is due to the constant efforts and strive for excellence of employees and other stakeholders of BIS that we have been able to achieve this respectable place today. We commit to contribute further in future with more zeal and dedication in India’s progress,” he said.

He BIS also released a Special Cover to commemorate the special occasion of 75th Foundation Day. The Special Cover also depicts the glorious past of BIS.

Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Commerce & Industry and Textiles congratulated the institution and all associated with it via video conferencing.

Honourable Prime Minister before even becoming the Chief Minister of Gujarat gave the concept of 3S- Speed, Skill and Scale. It’s time now to change it to 4S – Speed, Skill, Scale and Standards,” he said while addressing the officers of Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and BIS.

He said that as we celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (75 years of progressive India), it’s a nice coincidence as well as an opportunity to reflect that in the words of the Prime Minister, “it’s the beginning of ‘Amrit Kal of Azadi’ (next 25 years)”.

“Both the Nation and BIS will be completing 100 years in 2047 so it’s going to be a great opportunity for BIS to plan and chart out our 25-year agenda from now until 2047. How we will contribute to make India a world power and a super power and a great nation,” he said.

Shri Goyal said that the defining feature that distinguishes some of the countries from India is their focus on quality.

“And if we can take it up as a mission that if 135 crore Indians start demanding quality and every participant in economic activity in India provides quality, then quality will speak for itself,” he voiced.

He informed that the bureau is working towards ‘One Nation One Standard’ hence it’s important to set the benchmark by working skillfully to be internationally aligned.

He added that the standardization and conformity assessment will also provide consumers, safe, reliable and high-quality products and therefore providing importance and relevance of the job in the years to come.

“Many manufacturing units today look at Total Quality Control or Six Sigma level of quality where they are counting defects or errors and very strict measures are taken. That is the hallmark of a progressive, modern and developed Nation,” he added.

Further, he stressed that BIS will make consumers more aware regarding quality.

How BIS came to be

In the twilight years of British rule in India, when the country was faced with the gigantic task of building up the industrial infrastructure, it was the Institution of Engineers (India), which prepared the first draft of the Constitution of an Institution which could take up the task of formulation of National Standards.

This led to the Department of Industries and Supplies issuing a memorandum on 3rd September 1946, formally announcing the setting up of an organization called the ‘Indian Standards Institution (ISI). ISI came into being on the 6th January 1947 and in June 1947 Dr. Lal C. Verman took over as its first Director.

Bureau of Indian standards (BIS) came into existence, through an Act of Parliament dated 26th November 1986, on 1st April 1987, with a broadened scope and more powers; taking over the staff, assets, liabilities and functions of erstwhile ISI.

Through this change over, the government envisaged building a climate for quality culture and consciousness and greater participation of consumers in formulation and implementation of standards.

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