LUCKNOW, Dec. 19 -- Reminiscing about old days at CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), alumni of the institute participated in a two-day symposium on "Drug Discovery and Development: Past, Present & Future", along with an alumni meet, as part of the institute's Platinum Jubilee celebrations on Thursday. CSIR-CDRI director Radha Rangarajan highlighted the institute's seven decades of contributions to indigenous drug discovery, translational research, and national health priorities. Rangarajan also presented an overview of the ongoing scientific activities at CSIR-CDRI. Guest of honour Ram A Vishwakarma, scientist at CSIR-CDRI, highlighted the transformative contributions of CDRI alumni to drug discovery, medicinal chemistry, public health, and global biomedical research. The alumni talk series on day one featured eminent alumni whose careers reflect the global impact of CSIR-CDRI. Altaf Lal, an internationally recognised leader in global health and infectious diseases, shared his inspiring journey from Kashmir to CDRI and on to leadership roles at NIH, CDC, FDA, and global health institutions, highlighting how training and mentorship at CDRI shaped his work in malaria elimination, vaccine development, and public health diplomacy. Another alumnus, Madhu Dikshit, also shared her journey from junior research fellow to director of CSIR-CDRI, underscoring her pioneering contributions to cardiovascular biology, inflammation, nitric oxide biology, and indigenous drug development, while emphasising resilience, humility, and service as core leadership values....