SASTRA entered into an MoU with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, on 14th June, 2004. The MoU was on standardizing the efficacy of Siddha drugs in the management of leucoderma (white patches on skin due to the absence of melanin pigmentation).

The MoU was signed by Shri S. Vaidyasubramaniam, Dean, Planning and Development at SASTRA, Dr. G.J. Samadhanam, Director, DST, Government of India.

Dr. Laxman Prasad, Advisor, Head of the Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Division, Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, said under the MoU, SASTRA would carry out the chemical fingerprinting for analysis of various secondary metabolites, vitamins and mineral elements and execute the preclinical studies.

Dr. A. Hannah Rachel Vasanthi, is the Principal Investigator of the project and Dr. G. Victor Rajamanickam is the Co-investigator.

 Shri Laxman Prasad, giving a copy of the MoU to 
Shri S. Vaidhyasubramaniyam, Dean Planning and Development, SASTRA. Looking on are Shri G. Sitharaman (second from left) and Shri G. J. Samadhanam and Dr. G. Victor Rajamanickam

Shri G.C. Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director, Indian Overseas Bank visited SASTRA campus on 27th June, 2004. He was received by our Vice-Chancellor, Prof. R. Sethuraman. Shri Gupta visited various blocks in the campus and appreciated SASTRA for its tremendous growth in infrastructure. He also visited the IOB Extension Counter and presented the award for 'Special Recognition for Best Performing Extension Counter' to the branch.

Later Shri Gupta attended a special lunch along with our Vice-Chancellor, hosted by SASTRA in his honour.

 Shri Gupta visiting the IOB Extension Counter at

SASTRA. with Our Vice-Chancellor 

The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India sanctioned a project to SASTRA to conduct a water quality surveillance project at Mahamaham Tank, Kumbakonam. Portable micro-processor-based water analyzers were procured under this project to study the several important water quality parameters on the spot, namely, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, redox potential, total dissolved solids, salinity and so forth for every half an hour on the auspicious Mahamaham Day, the 6th March 2004 when lakhs of people had a holy dip in the Mahamaham Tank. The samples taken are under evaluation and a report will be submitted to the DST.