On the occasion of the CSIR Foundation Day, President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday released a handheld, sophisticated and affordable device that allows domestic users to easily identify adulterants in milk.

The device is developed by the public sector research body, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). It is called 'Ksheer Tester' and can measure contaminants such as urea, salt, detergent, soap, soda, boric acid and hydrogen peroxide in milk through a single button operation.

As numerous cases of milk adulteration surface, especially in cities, this device will be a boon to customers as they are assured that they are having good quality milk. The device is user-friendly and is affordable at a price less than Rs 5000. The device takes only 60 seconds to render the results.

Kovind also released another game-changing technology - waterless chrome tanning technology for processing raw hides and skins. It is a first of its kind technology that reduces chromium pollution load in wastewater released by tanneries. This technology will be implemented by 2000 tanneries across the country.

On the occasion of CSIR Foundation Day which also marked the conclusion of its platinum jubilee year, President Kovind appreciated the work of scientists. He noted that the country's ambitious national programmes - such as Start-up India, Make in India, Digital India, Swachh Bharat, Namami Gange and the Smart Cities Mission - cannot be successful without scientists and technology incubators.