An Introduction

Dr Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (1894-1955), one of the brightest luminaries of Science in India, was the first Director (now called Director General) of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research. His untiring efforts, devotion to duty, and pioneering work in the field of Chemical Sciences brought him many laurels at the national and international levels. As an eminent scientist who was elected Fellow of the Royal Society, Dr. Bhatnagar emphasized the utilization of Science for national development and contributed greatly to the building of CSIR. Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar was born on 21st February 1894, at Bhera in the district of Shahpur, Punjab. After completing his education, he first served as a Professor of Physical Chemistry at Punjab and Lahore University. A strong believer in the application of science for practical purposes, Dr. Bhatnagar planned and established a chain of national laboratories all over the country for the harnessing of science for the promotion of national welfare. In this great national task, he received the active encouragement and support of the first Prime Minister of the Indian Union, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.

About Sports Promotion Board (SPB)

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Memorial Tournament is a platform created by CSIR Sports Promotion Board to bring together the participation of different CSIR institutes to build a committed CSIR family and create team spirit, leadership and zeal to excel against all odds. SSBMT, organized in the fond memory of our illustrious and founder Director General Dr. S S Bhatnagar has become a regular and important activities in the calendar of CSIR. The year 1955 is the sad day of CSIR history when we lost the great architect of CSIR Sir Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar. Some sports enthusiasts, led by late Sri S.P.Kaushika, an officer in the CSIR Headquater, thought it fit to organize an annual tournament in memory of Sir SS Bhatnagar, who among other things was a sports lover too. The event was initially held among two laboratories and CSIR headquarter. With the joining in CSIR of the Late P.M. Sundaram as the Joint Secretary, he with the approval of the then DGSIR Prof. M.S. Thacker, converted the sport meet an all India event by inviting other laboratories to participate. It was decided to hold the tournament (SSBMT) every two years in other laboratories. The CSIR Headquarters Staff Club used to organize the tournament in CSIR laboratories over a period of 7 to 8 days, every alternate year. The Bhatnagar Tournament held at NPL, Delhi could be termed as the first All India CSIR tournament. CLRI Chennai was the first venue away from Delhi in the year 1958. In first few years it was organized biannually with competitions in games of Cricket, Volleyball, Table Tennis, Badminton, Chess, Carrom and Bridge. The activity was stopped for some time due to Chinese war in 1965. The activity was revived in the year 1976 by Dr.Y Nayudamma and the tournament was organized at CFTRI. The SSBMT tournament in the year 1978 was organized at North East Institute of Science & Technology, Jorhat (erstwhile RRL-Jorhat).