Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Role of Civil Society in Control of Mosquito Borne Diseases

Effective engagement of civil society is crucial if the world is to win the battle against mosquito borne diseases. Upsurges in vector borne diseases in the 1940s and 1960s were controlled mainly by chemical controls like fogging and spraying. However, this single focus approach may not succeed today. Rather, successful vector control strategy must focus on an integrated approach. Targeted environment management and the introduction of biological controls must be a part of the overall vector control strategy. Civil society can play a key role in both awareness creation and implementation.

Aedes aegypti, which causes dengue and chikungunya, flourish in urban settings. The larvae are found in large concentrations in artificial water containers near human habitats. The Government’s well publicised awareness campaigns have already spelt out the steps needed to control vector breeding. The solutions for targeting mosquito ecosystems are simple and inexpensive. Civil society must consider it their social responsibility to start implementing the dos-and-don’ts rigorously. Covering domestic water storage containers with tight lids or mesh and planting more trees to prevent water from collecting on the ground are doable goals for every family unit. Waste management is an important aspect of environment management. Correct disposal methods must be inculcated as damp organic matter, discarded containers, coconut shells are all potential larvae habitats. Better waste management is possible only with an enlightened civil society that cares for the common good.

In countries like Vietnam and Tanzania, civil society and the scientific community have come together to promote the use of biological controls to bring about long term reduction in disease transmission. Community participation helped scientists in Vietnam to successfully introduce a crustacean Mesocyclops (Copepoda) into domestic water tanks and storage containers. Copepoda feed on newly hatched Aedes aegypti larvae. The campaign involved local health workers, school children and community leaders. The combination of enthusiastic civil society participation and an effective biological control helped eliminate the dengue fever in a 380,000 strong community in northern and central Vietnam.

Community participation and civil society engagement is critical if incidence and transmission of vector borne diseases are to be reduced in an eco-friendly, environmentally sustainable manner. Prevention of breeding and targeting the larvae are important fronts in the fight against vector borne diseases and it is here that we, the people, can play an important role. 

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Onam: Changed yet Unchanged


The haunting melody of evergreen folk songs juxtaposed against blaring, flashy ‘Onam sale’ advertisements; the natural grace of the traditional pookalam contrasting with the bindingly colourful festival lights; the fierce dancers of the pulikali  vying for attention with new movie releases – God’s own country celebrates Onam with a panache that is both modern and traditional.

With the 10-day annual shopping and sadya frenzy well underway and the Onam festivities building up to a crescendo, it is time for us to take stock. What is the significance that Onam holds in today’s world? Are the new and the old in conflict? Do the raucous sales and flashing lights of modern day Onam festivities overshadow the gentle rhythm of the old style celebrations? Are our youngsters alienated from the cultural ethos of this harvest festival?

Philosophically Onam represents renewal of life and relationships. The bountiful harvest brings with it the hope for the future. The grand welcome accorded to Mahabali in every home represents the untiring effort to keep relationships eternally alive. Kerala’s Onam celebrations may have evolved over the years with a newer glitzier style in keeping with a more aspirational and ambitious world. But behind the glitz, the spirit of the festival remains unchanged.

As it has been down the ages, Onam remains a time for families to come together and weave a tapestry of unforgettable experiences that include singing, dancing, feasting, giving, taking and merry making. The beats of the music may have changed from folk to pop, but the lyrics still tell the story of love and relationships. The rhythm of the dances may be more modern, but the performers still express a tale of finding happiness and joy in togetherness. The colours of the pookalam compete with the blaze of the fairy lights, but both teach us the wisdom of looking ahead with optimism.  

Yes, Onam has changed; but most importantly, its message, spirit and significance remain unchanged. It will forever remain a time when families bond together to renew relationships and optimism pervades our soul.  

I take this opportunity to wish our Governing Council members, our Scientific Advisory Council members, all our colleagues at the Department of Biotechnology as well all my colleagues and students at RGCB a most wonderful and prosperous onam.

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Biotechnology and the Start-up Era

India’s fastest growing knowledge based industry, the biotechnology sector, has been in the spotlight over the past several years. With a vast talent pool of trained scientists and engineers, world class R&D institutes with access to cutting edge technologies and India’s inherent manufacturing cost advantage, the country’s biotechnology industry is expected to hit an average growth rate of around 30 percent a year and touch $100 billion by 2025.

The optimism and expectation surrounding the industry owes much to the strong focus by Central and State governments on creating biotech hubs to tap the entrepreneurial and innovative talent of industry professionals. The Startup India initiative launched on January 16, 2016 has given a further impetus to the momentum created by the Make in India campaign. The key challenges to biotech innovation were lack of funds, high capital intensity needed to launch startups and the resources required to sustain the long gestation period between ideation and end product manufacture. To meet these challenges, the Department of Biotechnology and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) have provided funding support and incentives for the development of biotech incubators. Other noteworthy steps taken to create a nurturing ecosystem include creation of University Innovation Clusters, innovative funding by Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI) and Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programs (BIPP) where the Government partners with the industry on a cost sharing basis to support the development of high risk but innovative technology. Results indicate that this concerted effort to ensure that the biotech industry achieves its enormous potential has started paying rich dividends. As per figures published by the Department of Biotechnology, there are more than 240 start-ups and innovators and 89 incubatees in the country.

The Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RCGB) is an active participant in India’s race towards developing an innovative, versatile and cutting edge biotechnology sector. RCGB-managed Bio-Nest technology and business development incubator at KINFRA Biotechnology Park in Kochi is a 50,000 square foot business incubator where a dynamic environment exists for biotech start-ups. The objective is to accelerate the commercialization of new technologies, nurture emerging ventures and to assist entrepreneurs to forge appropriate link with other biotech companies, academia and government.

Bio-Nest also provides the overheads that start-ups often lack. This includes management, administrative and back office support. Freedom from the nitty-gritty of running an establishment and access to funding, research and technology provided by Bio-Nest gives entrepreneurs and innovators the opportunity to concentrate on product development, marketing and sales. This comprehensive support will help India’s young tech generation to breach new frontiers of innovation in the biotechnology sector.