SILB conducted a four-day Teachers Training Workshop in Waste Management through Vermicomposting from June 1-4, 2008 for the benefit of school teachers of Solan, Sirmour and Bilaspur districts of Himachal Pradesh. Dr. J.C. Rana, Director of Agriculture, Himachal Pradesh was the Chief Guest and Dr. D.K. Pandey, Head, Rashtriya Vigyan Evam Prodyogiki Sanchar Parishad (RVPSP), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India(GOI) was the Guest of Honour at the inaugural function, which was chaired by Prof. P.K. Khosla, President SILB. The workshop was funded by RVPSP, DST and GOI. As many as 30 teachers participated in the workshop. The main objective of the workshop was to train teachers as resource persons so that they are able to motivate their students to take up the eco-friendly activity of preparing bio-fertilizers by using earthworms in their schools. Dr. Sultan Ismail, Professor of Biotechnology at National College, Chennai and Dr. J.M. Julka, SILB were the Key Resource Person and Project Director of the workshop, respectively. The trainees were given practical training for preparing a domestic level vermicomposting unit, and they also made presentations to the students from local schools on waste management through vermicomposting and the life of earthworms with the aid of posters and charts. While giving away the certificates to the trainees on the concluding day, Mrs. Saroj Khosla, President, Foundation for Life Sciences and Business Management exhorted them to extend vermicomposting as one of the activities of the eco and nature clubs in their schools.

SILB joined hands with Chandigarh, Solan and Shimla Yogoda Satsanga Ashram Units of Yogoda Satsanga Mission and University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Solan in organising a ‘Kisan Mela’ on 22nd January, 2008 at Anand Shikhir Retreat, Village Panthi, Ganahatti near Shimla. Mr. R.R. Verma, former Director General of Police, Himachal Pradesh was the Chief Guest. Several farmers from the nearby village Janot spent an exciting day learning modern techniques of agriculture and horticulture from the scientists of UHF in order to improve their economic status. On this occasion, saplings of over 5,000 fruit trees were also distributed to the villagers by the UHF. The village Janot has been adopted by Yogoda Satsanga Ashram for economic and social upliftment of its residents. In his address to the villagers, Prof P.K. Khosla, President of SILB and of Yogoda Satasanga Ashram, Solan, highlighted the contribution of Yogoda Mission and enlightened the gathering about the life and works of His Holiness Sri Paramahansa Yogananda Ji, the founder of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India at Ranchi.

The Micro Small Medium Enterprise ( MSME ), Government of India organized a 22 days programme on ‘Business Skills Development’ at SILB for 25 BBA students of final year. The programme was held from November26-December22, 2008 in collaboration with SILB under the guidance of Prof. S.C. Tewari, the Vice President of the institute. Prof. P.K. Khosla, President, SILB was the Chief Guest and Mr. S. Das, Director, MSME was the Guest of Honour at the inaugural function.A total of 88 lectures on various aspects of business skills with special emphasis on self employment were delivered. While giving away the certificates to the participants, Mr. R.C. Chopra, Director, MSME lauded the efforts of SILB in the successful conduct of the programme.

Micro Small & Medium Enterprises in collaboration with SILB conducted an Entrepreneurship Skill Development Programme (ESDP) for the students of M. Sc. 1st year, Biotechnology. The basic aim of the Programme was to encourage educated youth (students) to take up business skills. The entire course curriculum was divided over a span of 30 days. Various lectures, both from SILB Faculty as well as Guest Lecturers, were organized, where the students got a chance to link their study programme with entrepreneurship. Thirty nine students registered for this programme. Besides the students, the Faculty members also attended the Guest Lectures. In all 120 Lectures were given to the students along with some practical demonstrations. Few of the students have shown interest in setting up of small scale industries after their Post- Graduation