National
CDSCO approves world’s first intra-nasal vaccine for COVID developed by India
⇒ World’s first intra-nasal vaccine for COVID developed by India has got approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) for restricted use in emergency situations in the age group of 18 and above.
Union Minister of State (I/C) Science & Technology; Minister of State (I/C) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh stated this on 01 December 2022, while chairing the Annual General Body Meeting of the Societies of Autonomous Institutions of Department of Biotechnology at National Institute of Immunology in Delhi.
- The Minister lauded the role of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and its PSU, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance (BIRAC) for supporting the development of world’s first Intranasal vaccine for COVID by Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL).
- Dr Jitendra Singh informed that the Product development and Clinical trials were funded by the Department of biotechnology, Government of India and BIRAC under the Mission COVID Suraksha Program.
- This vaccine received approval under restricted Use in emergency situations for ages 18 and above for primary 2 dose schedule, homologous booster doses.
Other Points related to Vaccine:
- This vaccine has the double benefit of enabling faster development of variant-specific vaccines and easy nasal delivery that enables mass immunization to protect from emerging variants of concern.
- Vaccine is a recombinant replication deficient adenovirus vectored vaccine with a pre-fusion stabilized spike protein.
- It has been specifically formulated to allow intranasal delivery through nasal drops. The nasal delivery system has been designed and developed to be cost-effective in low- and middle-income countries.
- This vaccine is stable at 2-8°C for easy storage and distribution. Large manufacturing capabilities have been established by Bharat Biotech at multiple sites across India, including Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana, with operations pan India.
Other Approval:
» Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh also informed about the historic and path-breaking decision to merge the 14 societies of Biotechnology Institutes into a single society in the interest of convenient functioning, cost-effectiveness and integrated working.
- Dr Jitendra Singh approved subsuming of 14 Autonomous Institutions of DBT to create one Apex Autonomous Body – Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) for achieving centralized and unified governance to maximize impact of biotech research.
- Dr Jitendra Singh explained that the restructuring of DBT institutes is being carried out with a larger goal to enhance the scientific character and science outcomes at the institutes by building research synergies, new education programs in line with National Education Policy, improving human resource structures across cadres and effective management and monetization of assets emanating from the research being carried out.
Jharokha - Compendium of Indian handicraft, handloom, art and culture
⇒ Ministry of culture in collaboration with Ministry of Textile inaugurated “Jharokha – Compendium of Indian handicraft, handloom, art and culture” at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi on 03 December 2022.
- On its inaugural day a fashion show titled “Crafts of India”; was organised to celebrate traditional crafts from different states of India.
- A cultural performance of “Korku”- Tribal folk dance of Korku community was also performed.
» JHAROKHA was organized at New Delhi (Dilli Haat- INA) in the form of an exhibition from 2nd December 2022 to 15th December 2022 along with “Master Creations”.
- The exhibition included stalls from award winning artisans as part of DC Handicrafts Master Creation and artisanal clusters from different parts of the country.
- More than 15 crafts from 9 different states were showcased in Jharokha.
Key Points:
- Artisans, weavers, and artists who have given their significant contribution in promoting and reviving Indian handloom, handicrafts, art and culture also felicitated in the event.
- A literary corner focusing on local art, culture and festivals was setup along with food stalls celebrating local Indian cuisines.
- Another highlight of Jharokha was the cultural events. These events, which lasted for 10 days, included folk dance, nukkad natak, fashion shows, singing performances by various artists.
Previous Edition:
- Jharokha is acelebration of the traditional Indian handicrafts, handlooms, and art & culture.
- The first event under this celebration was organized in March 2022 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
- It was organized at Rani Kamlapati Railway Station which is named after the brave and fearless Queen Kamlapati of the Gond kingdom of Madhya Pradesh.
International
International Conference on Emerging Trends in Biosciences and Chemical Technology- 2022
⇒ Union Minister of State (I/C) Science & Technology; Minister of State (I/C) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, DrJitendra Singh addressed an “International Conference on Emerging Trends in Biosciences and Chemical Technology- 2022” in Jammu, on 03 December 2022.
Organized by:
The conference was organized by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, School of Biotechnology, Jammu in collaboration with CSIR-IIIM Jammu and The Biotech Research Society of India, from 3rd – 5th December 2022.
Theme:
The Scientific sessions of the conference were divided under different themes on Health Sciences, Enzymology and Molecular biology, Synthetic Biology, Material Science and Nanomaterial, Natural Products and Green Chemistry, Environmental Sustainability and Development and Plant & Animal Science.
Participants:
14 international participants like USA, Greece, South Korea, Scotland, Singapore, Thailand, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia and Vietnam and 24 National keynote and invited speakers and around 300 participants from almost every state of India participated in the conference.
» Addressing the Conference, Union Minister DrJitendra Singh said, India’s bio-economy has grown 8 times in the last 8 years under Prime Minister Modi from $10 billion in 2014 to over $80 billion in 2022.
- Biotech Startups have grown 100 times in the last 8 years from 52 odd startups in 2014 to 5300 plus in 2022.
- 3 Biotech Startups were incorporated every day in 2021 and a total of 1,128 biotech startups were set up in 2021 alone, signaling the rapid growth of the sector in India.
- From a paltry investment of Rs 10 Crore in Bio-economy in 2014, the fund growth saw 400 times hike to Rs 4200 crore in 2022, creating over 25,000 high skilled jobs.
- Number of Bio tech incubators have increased from 6 in 2014 to 75 now, while Biotech products have increased from 10 products to more than 700 today.
- Biotech industry crossed one-billion-dollar R&D spend, and it almost trebled within a year from 320 million dollars in 2020 to 1,02 billion dollars in 2021.
- Dwelling on the growth of India Bioeconomy, DrJitendra Singh pointed out that India administered nearly 4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines per day and a total of 1.45 billion doses in 2021. Similarly, we conducted 1.3 million COVID-19 tests each day in 2021 and overall 507 million tests in 2021.
Important Day
World AIDS Day 2022
⇒ World AIDS Day is observed globally on 1 December since 1988.
- World AIDS Day is an opportunity to show solidarity with people living with HIV (PLHIV) and create awareness for the same.
- The day is an opportunity for public and private partners to spread awareness about the status of the pandemic and encourage progress in HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Viruses)/AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) prevention, treatment and care around the world.
Theme:
The theme of World AIDS Day 2022 was “Equalize”.
- The “Equalize” slogan is a call to action. It is a prompt for all of us to work for the proven practical actions needed to address inequalities and help end AIDS.
History:
World AIDS Day was first designated in August 1988 by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, to get some semblance of control over the pandemic that had claimed the lives of so many people.
World AIDS Day Celebrations in India:
» Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar virtually inaugurated the World AIDS Day celebrations at Talkatora stadium in New Delhi.
Several reports were released at the event:
» 4th edition of Sankalak (2022): Flagship report of NACP which shows the status of National AIDS response in the country. It contains programmatic and epidemic data and factsheets at both National and State/UT level.
» Three Surveillance & Epidemiology Reports: These are technical reports made in line with globally accepted model-based estimation methodology and processes.
- HIV Sentinel Surveillance Plus 2021- Antenatal Clinic Attendees
- HIV Sentinel Surveillance Plus 2021- Central Prison Sites
- India HIV Estimates – 2021
» Release of Prevention Progress Report 2021-22: an update report on progress and important activities for provision of services to High-Risk Groups (HRGs), Bridge populations and other vulnerable populations under NACP.
» National Digital Repository: It is a digital hub where all IEC resource materials related to HIV and AIDS will be available for common public.
» National Data Hub of NACO: A central digital repository for key reports, documents and all approved data of NACO for internal use.
» Campaign on Stigma and Discrimination: A countrywide campaign (#AbNahiChalega) was launched for elimination of HIV-related Stigma and discrimination among people.