Annual Report 2006-2007

Technology Development Programmes

Joint Technology Projects Under Science and Technology Advisory Committee Mechanism (STAC/IS-STAC)

The mechanism called Science and Technology Advisory Committee (STAC) and the nodal role of DST came into being from the recommendations of Planning Commission Seminar on New Technologies held in 1986. The Department of Science and Technology has played a catalytic role in initiating the STAC mechanism in 24 socio-economic ministries. The Inter-Sectoral Science & Technology Advisory Committee (IS-STAC) was set up under the Secretary, DST to provide a forum for the Member Secretaries of STACs, other scientists and technologists to share the expertise and experience and provide additional tools in the decision making process vis-à-vis socio-economic development.

During the course of IX plan the concept of Joint Technology Projects with other socio-economic ministries was introduced under which emphasis was laid upon the identification and initiation of a few specific projects of joint interest with the participation of user ministries, academic institutions and industry as well. The efforts were mounted to make STAC mechanism more meaningful in the sense the joint technology projects which were initiated can be demonstrated on the industrial scale and the relevance of technology development and its adoption/adaptation can be understood. During the course of the X plan period (2002-2007) further more efforts/stress was laid on to explore, identify more and more areas/new initiatives of common interest as well as efforts were made to bring other ministries/department under the umbrella of STAC and make those STAC once again active which were become non functional. Specific mention needs to be made about new initiatives like National Helium Conservation Program (under which mobile laboratories for monitoring helium in geo-thermal springs as well as establishment of infrastructure for gas collection at Tantloi(Jharkhand), Bakreshwar, Tatapani (J&K) have been set up through joint technology projects with Department of Atomic Energy); Establishment of Semi-commercial plant for extraction of Helium from Natural Gas Fields in Tamilnadu, National Facility for Semi Solid Forming at IISc., Bangalore under joint technology project with Ministry of Mines; Development & Demonstration of COREX Technology for Steel making (a green process for steel industry) (under joint technology project with Ministry of Steel); Development of Process for Advanced Hot Dip Coated Products using HDP Simulator as a National Facility (under a joint technology project with Ministry of Steel).

S&T Policy Formulation/Strategies, Implementation and Updating

New Approach

In view of the recommendations of SAC-PM made in the month of September, 2006 specific mention has been made in the report for the linkages of DST with socio-economic ministries. In this context, it is pertinent to mention here that a separate Working Group for XI Plan on S&T in Socio-economic Ministries was constituted under the Chairmanship Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, Ex. DG, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR with Member Secretary(IS-STAC) as its Member Secretary. The Report of this Working Group has already been submitted to the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to GOI as well as Planning Commission. Some of the specific recommendations and policy indicators/strategies to be adopted which were mentioned in the report were as follows:

Mechanism

The PAN-INDIA programs will be introduced for integration of S&T with socio-economic growth agenda. Specific programs will be taken up through participation of STACs in Techno-economic and socio-economic Ministries as the case may be.

Investment

The investment for the implementation of PAN-INDIA program will be made as follows:

• The S&T allocation for different Ministries will be increased to 2-5% of the total budget of the Ministry
• The PAN-INDIA program will be taken up to be supported jointly in key sectors along with DST and adequate provisions will be made for this purpose
• The Ministries should strengthen their Institutes to reduce disparity with other S&T institutions. The Ministries that do not have their own adequate number of institutions should consider innovations such as creation of Virtual R&D Centers
• Keeping in view the need to support large scale project allocation in DST for STAC programs should be enhanced for the XI Plan as 5% of its total budget allocation with appropriate manpower strength An amount of Rs. 400 crore to be earmarked.

For State S&T Councils

The "State Councils of Science & Technology" seem to restricted by the lack of expertise and funds as presently R&D funds are distributed only among Central R&D institutes. It is therefore, imperative that some corpus or core funds are earmarked for the State Councils so that they would be free to take up R&D projects based on the needs of their State.

Mechanism

It is recommended that:

• Central R&D institute must interact individually with each State Council to present the concepts and technologies developed by them in order to identify which concepts and technologies suit a particular State. They could also assist the State Councils to identify and develop mega projects towards development of States. The interaction is virtually missing at present.
• The State Councils must meet twice a year to exchange the idea and share their expertise. The Regional Meetings of the Councils should also be promoted to develop cross-country projects.

Investment

Four specific themes of technologies viz. a) for safe drinking water, b) for decentralized power generation, c) for decentralized solid waste management, d) for remunerative utilization of regional and local natural resources have been identified. A strong plea has been made by various State Governments and S&T Councils that the budgetary allocations be raised and a provision of Rs.5000.00 crore be made for various States to make a competitive bidding for planned S&T interventions.

Technology Development Program: Laboratory to Pilot Scale & Pilot Scale to Commercialization

Joint Technology Projects under STAC/IS-STAC:

Under the above mentioned plan scheme the following new joint technology projects were initiated:

i) Name of the Project: Helium Isotopic Ratio as Precursory Signal to earthquake

Sponsoring agency: Department of Science and Technology

Implementing agency: Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata

Total cost of the project: Rs.558.80 lakhs

Duration: 60 months (5 Yrs.)

Expected Outcome:

The objective of this project is the application of geo-chemical tracer and 3He/4He ratio techniques to problem of earthquake in India as a means of understanding the process by way of precursory signals. The study will reveal the implications of specific 3He/4He ratio signatures of the noble gases in tectonically active areas. It will also lead to the better understanding of magmatic fluid transport mechanism in geo-thermal areas related to helium release. In addition his ratio also lead to the classification of probable genesis of helium sources.

ii) Project Title: Establishment of National Facility for Semi Solid Forming (NSSF) at Indian Institute of Science (IISc.), Bangalore

Implementing agency (ies): Department of Mechanical Engineering Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore

Sponsoring agencies: Ministry of Mines, DST and DRDO/Min. of Defense

Total revised cost as on completion date i.e. 31.01.2007 and its duration: Rs.627 lakhs Five years (with effect from January, 2002) Min. of Mines (Rs.476.00 lakhs) DST (Rs.126.00 lakhs) DRDO (Rs.25.00 lakhs)

Major achievements:

a) The National Facility for Semi Solid Forming has been successfully established at Indian Institute of Science (IISc.), Bangalore. This National Facility has received wide recognition by Indian as well as overseas Industries besides being recognized by Indian Institute of Science as one of the important research laboratories in the Institute. As a mark of recognition of this laboratory the Institute has proudly projected the activities of this laboratory through write ups and photographs in the Institute's important publications such as Handbook, annual calendar and posters announcing new Centenary Post-Doctoral Fellowships.

b) This National Facility for the first time in India has successfully produced Rheo-casting Billets with indigenously developed Electromagnetic Stirrers. These Billets are found to have non-dendritic globular micro-structure as designed for. Furthermore, these Billets have passed all necessary laboratory tests and are found to be suitable for Semi Solid Forming. Thus, the most crucial step of producing Semi - Solid Formed (SSF) Billets has been achieved successfully. The remaining tasks related to integrating the Electromagnetic Stirrer System with DC Casting Facility are underway with sophisticated instrumentation and automotive control. Chairman of the Project Monitoring Committee (PMC), Prof. P. Rama Rao, Ex. Secretary, DST and ISRI Dr. Braham Prakash Distinguished Professor visited this National Facility and were impressed to note that the sophisticated instrumentation and the automotive control system have also been designed by the members of the project team who have also had these devices locally constructed.

c) Prof. P. Rama Rao, Chairman of the PMC has further commented that as the hardware is quite complex, extensive trials in the production of SSF Billets are necessary to ensure consistent results, which is an essential requirement for transfer of technology to the Industry. He further remarked that it is needless to add that, missing out on this crucial aspect by not investing efforts and funds into it has often hindered technology transfer to the industry. Accordingly, a formal proposal has been submitted by IISc., Bangalore to further extend the duration of ONE more year (i.e. till 31.01.2008) with an additional fund requirement of Rs.151.00 lakhs so as to ensure that the project is completed fulfilling its objectives in totality.

iii) Project Title: In-depth Study on Clean Coal Technology Initiative

Implementing agency: M/S MARG Associates, Bangalore

Sponsoring agency: DST

Total cost: Rs.9.73 lakhs

Major achievements:

The present study has a larger canvas covering all aspects of the coal energy chain from wining coal to different uses to which it is utilized. This is a holistic study of CCT from point of:

• A review of policy relating to clean coal technologies and what further needs to be done.
• Giving a further push to coal washing and reducing the thresh-hold ash level below 34%.
• Giving proper direction to the R&D efforts on CCT in India towards making Indian Coal as an important pillar of the country's energy security, contributing to sustainable development.
• Control of CO2 emissions with the ultimate goal of "zero emissions" or "carbon free" electricity generation.
• Find ways to make CCT projects CDM compatible so that coal based projects also become eligible for emissions reduction credits under Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

The focus of the present study inter-alia includes:

• Pre-combustion Technologies
• Coal Combustion Technologies
• Environment stability from coal use
• New Technologies
• Policy issues and changes required in environment related clean coal policy

The study report covers various topics under the following major captions:

I. Background

II. Coal & present energy scenario

III. Clean coal technology development (CCT) in retrospect

IV. Coal Washing, the first step in CCT - Indian initiatives

V. Clean Coal Technologies- Indian context

VI. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

VII. R&D challenges, CCT Roadmap for India and recommendations

VIII. Design of a website for up-loading the Report

iv) Name of the Project: International Brain Storming Session on geo-chemical Precursors for Earthquake from 11-13th September, 06 by Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics & Variable Energy Cyclotron Center (VECC), Kolkata at at Kolkata

Objectives:

The major objectives of this international event were as follows:

i) To interact and exchange ideas with the experts from the countries like USA, Japan, Taipie, China and Pakistan

ii) To focus and converge on the subject of the earthquake prediction well in time thereby saving large amount of human lives

iii) To arrive at concrete recommendation that could be implemented in a reasonable short time.

The major recommendations made by the experts who participated at the Brainstorming Session were as follows:

• Large number of observatories for precursory research to be set up across the tectonically sensitive sites.
• Multi-institutional and multi-parametric measurements of pre-monitoring events to be carried out.
• Correlation studies of various observed parameters to be done
• Advanced technology available has to be adopted for reliable and precise measurements
• To avoid any loss of information, continuous acquisition of field data with appropriate sampling interval has been recommended
• Probable physical model underlying the precursor generation process to be worked out
• Efforts should be made to correlate the observational data with the possible model
• It is opined that Inter-disciplinary approaches need to be pursued
• A broad collaboration amongst the researchers/scientists, to be established to carry forward the relevant activities through exchange of ideas, new findings, data as also for analytical interpretation
• Since the precursory observation are related with pre-quake preparatory stages, the studies of earthquake formation process are of paramount importance
• Some parameters like geo-chemical, electro-magnetic emissions, temperature and pressure have been identified as the promising and useful indicators
• The experts are of the opinion that the entire job may be sub divided amongst the different units the under the direct supervision of nodal committee
• Driving force vis-à-vis Mechanical Process (Creep Model), Stress-Strain evaluation) accountable for earthquake generation has to be investigated with due importance
• Statistical analysis of the observed data till data along with the historical data are essential in view of the long distance propagation of pre-monitoring signals
• Important role of Active Fault Monitoring is required with respect to the earthquake prone areas and the possible sites of the observatory has been highlighted in the discussions
• The need for people's awareness education about the seismological risks and vulnerability was also envisaged and discussed
• It is recommended that the scientific community should convince the respective Governments to uphold and support the activities related to earthquake research with all seriousness
• The recommendations included launching a Website to update latest information and status of earthquake precursory activities

iv) Project title: International Workshop on Carbon Capture and Storage - R&D Challenges

The workshop is being organized on 12-13th January, 2007 at NGRI, Hyderabad. Technology Development Programmes

Technology Systems Programme

Technology Systems Programme of the Department aims at Development of Technology Systems in certain identified areas of importance. Under the programme, proposals having "Proof of Concepts" are supported and the programme has carved out a clearly identified niche role in technology development chain. One of the pre-requisites of the programme is that there should exists sufficient R&D knowledge base from which technology development efforts could be initiated. The programme also supports proposals to establish feasibility of various novel concepts. The activities supported include feasibility studies, lab scale development with academic/R&D institutions and pilot scale development. The focus is on development of products/techniques/technologies aimed at specific end use with the involvement and association of user.

The notable achievements during the year in identified thrust areas are enumerated below:

1. Technology systems for water purification:

The focus of this programme is on developing technologies to remove hazardous and harmful contaminants such as arsenic, fluoride, salinity and iron.

• During the year, development of technology for removal of arsenic using microbial cum-adsorbent route has been completed and five plants are currently undergoing field trials in the State of Chhattisgarh.
• Two stage sea water desalination units based on indigenous reverse osmosis (RO) technologies has been successfully commissioned and field trials are on to perfect the system.
• In order to derive synergy of technologies developed in various institutions, a hybrid river water treatment plant involving integration of ceramic membrane based pre-treatment followed by reverse osmosis membrane based desalination is currently under development. The system would find application at various similar locations.
• The efforts made by National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) to develop a membrane to remove arsenic are culminating during the year and the membrane is being characterized by lIT Delhi.
• A community model for deflouridation of ground water by membrane technology has been successfully developed and plant would be installed at an appropriate location during the year.
• The studies to develop low cost adsorbent based house hold model for removal of arsenic from ground water have shown promising results.

2. Technology for promoting bio-fuel

This programme focuses on technology related applications and system integration to facilitate use of bio-fuel as an alternative to fossil fuels. The approach followed by the Department is to conduct required R&D to make bio-diesel usage technically feasible and production process economically viable.

• Considering the simplicity of production of Straight Vegetable Oils and cost attractiveness, scientific studies were supported to identify the potential applications for utilisation of Straight Vegetable Oils in certain niche areas. It has emerged that SVOs can be used in blends in certain types of engines with some modifications in injection systems and maintenance schedule.
• In order to make bio-diesel activity economically attractive, a project on value addition to various by products on bio-diesel production process to derive high value chemicals was initiated with Karanja as feed stock.
• In order to firm up the R&D activities based on clearly felt needs of the industry and in line with national priorities, a Brain Storming Session has been planned with the industries and concerned institutions.' The idea is to identify the requirements of the industry and match it with the expertise existing in the institutions to formulate relevant R&D programmes.

3. Technologies for upgradation of Glass and Ceramics industry

This programme aims to strengthen the technologies relevant to these traditional sectors. It is intended to initiate programme on improvement of glass beads which have huge exports potential. A new programme based on identified needs of traditional ceramics sectors and advance ceramics has been initiated and first set of project activities have been prioritized in consultation with the industry.

4. Application of surface engineering techniques for adding value to traditional products

The objective of this programme is to explore the possibility of application of advanced surface engineering technology to improve traditional crafts and modernized traditional techniques tools and skills. A prototype plasma system has been fabricated which modifies the Angora Rabbit Fibre in such a way that it improves its longevity and improves surface finish.

5. Development and application of micro-wave technologies for indigenous applications

A project on micro-wave based tea dryer has been initiated which would be capable of removing the residual moisture after traditional drying process. Development of indigenous gyrotron for research application has also taken of during the current year.

6. Development of ceramics, bio-molecular and optical sensors

A new initiative has been launched to develop platform technologies for various applications including optical sensors to utilize existing infrastructure created for different intended application for the purpose of developing sensing devices. Technology Development Programmes

Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Research Programme

The Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Research Programme (DPRP) was initiated by DST in 1994-95 for promoting Industry-Institutional collaboration in drug and pharmaceuticals sector. This programme aims at enhancing capabilities of institutions and the Indian Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Industry towards development of New Drugs in all systems of medicine. The objectives of this scheme are:

a) To synergize the strengths of the publicly funded R&D institutions and Indian Pharmaceutical Industry.

b) To create an enabling infrastructure, mechanisms and linkages so as to facilitate new drug development.

c) To stimulate skill development of human resources in R&D for drugs and pharmaceuticals.

d) To enhance the nation's self reliance in drugs and pharmaceuticals sector especially in areas critical to national health requirement.

Achievements

The Technology Development & Transfer Division continued its efforts for promoting R&D in the pharma sector . Efforts were made to fund Industry-Institutional collaborative research projects besides funding industrial units for carrying out R&D in the pharmaceutical sector leading to new drug development in the area of diseases which are of importance to our country.

A total number of 28 proposals have been considered for financial support during the year. 15 proposals have been recommended by the Expert Committee for funding. This includes 4 Industry-Institutional collaborative research proposals, 8 proposals for provision of Loan from Industries and 3 Proposals for setting up of National Facilities.

i) Collaborative R&D projects which have been funded in the form of Grant-in-Aid during the year so far are

• Isolation, Molecular Characterization and Biological Evaluation of Anti-Diabetics Principle(s) from a few Indian Medicinal Plants among Visva Bharati, Santiniketan, IICB, Kolkatta and East India Pharmaceuticals Works Ltd., Kolkata.
• In-vivo standardization of a Siddha Herbal Formula for Obesity among SASTRA University, Thanjavur and Tulsi Ayurvedic Products & Research Pvt. Ltd., Bhadohi (U.P.).
• Development of Drugs for the Medical Therapy of Diabetics Retinopathy using Natural Products among DIPSAR, New Delhi and Promed Exports Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.
• New Generation low molecular weight Heparin analogues as antithrombotic agents and their preclinical evaluation among IICT, Hyderabad and BBIL, Hyderabad.

ii) Proposals funded by Provision of Loan

• A New Generation Ketolide Antibiotic for Community Acquired Respiratory Tract Infections by Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited, Gurgaon
• A Novel Muscarinic Receptor Antagonist for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease by Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd., Gurgaon
• Development of an indigenous "Immunorestorative" herbal formulation namely "Jyoti Amritum" for HIV/AIDS by Herbs & Cures, New Delhi.
• Development of Novel Recombinant Staphylokinase for Treating Cardiovascular Diseases by Strides Arcolab Limited, Bangalore.
• Development of a high yielding Recombinant Human Insulin Strain & Process leading to Successful Commercialisation by Bigtec Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore.
• Clinical development (Phase III) of LLL-2011 for prophylactic treatment of common migraine by Lupin Limited, Pune
• Clinical Development (Extended Phase I and Phase II) LL-4218 for Treatment of Chronic Stable Plaque Type of Psoriasis by Lupin Limited, Pune.
• Development of the Therapeutic Vaccine for Cancers by Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Ahmedabad.

iii) National Facilities Supported are :

• Upgradation of the Centre for Advanced Research for Pre-clinical Toxicology to International GLP standards and Establishment of a state of the art Genotoxicology and Immunotoxicology facility at National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad.
• A national facility for Pharmacovigilance on Drug Residue and other toxic Xenobiotics Including GMOs in Veterinary Products at Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai.
• Expansion of facilities in national centre for pharmacokinetic and metabolic studies at Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow.

Agreements Signed

Certain MOU's have been finalized between DST, Industry and collaborating research institutions during the year 2006- 2007 and some more are likely to be signed in the near future during the year.

Twenty two agreements have been actually signed so far during the period(2006-2007)

Industries like M/s Tulsi Ayurvedic and Research Pvt Ltd., Bhadohi(UP), M/s Natural Remedies Pvt Ltd, Dabur Research Foundation, Ghaziabad, FDC Ltd., Mumbai, Wockhardt Resarch Centre, Ahmedabad, IMPCL, Mohan, Uttranchal, M/s AVRA Synthesis Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad, M/s Biological E Ltd., Hyderabad, M/s Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Ahmedabad, M/s Bharat Biotech International Ltd., Hyderabad, M/s Rumi Herbals Pvt Ltd, Chennai, M/s ABL Biotechnologies Ltd., Chennai, M/s Arvind Remedies Ltd., Chennai, M/ s Bharat Serums & Vaccines Ltd., Mumbai, M/s Virchow Biotech Pvt Ltd., Hyderabad, M/s Sudershan Biotech Ltd, Hyderabad., M/s Indigene Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd., Hyderabad and Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd., Gugaon are involved as the collaborating partners with DST in the agreement signed so far during the current year.

Monitoring of Projects

All the projects which have either been completed or have been implemented for more than a year have been monitored by experts during the year. Some of the significant results obtained out of these projects are as follows:

1. In one of the projects an Antigen capture assay for detecting HIV-1 and HIV-II infection has been developed using the combination of the affinity - purified rabbit - p24 polyclonal antibody and a 16.4 monoclonal antibody.
2. In another Project A new herbal ectoparasiticidal formulation has been developed under the trade mark ALQUIT. This product will be launched in the market shortly . The objective of this project was to develop a cost effective herbal product for the control and prevention of ectoparasites infesting / infecting animal population. 31 different types of herbal products were screened for ectoparasiticidal properties for lice and ticks in the domestic animals for developing suitable veterinary drug for the management of these parasites. Based on various physico-chemical parameters 7 plant products were selected for further studies based on crude extracts.To establish the safety of the final formulation acute oral and dermal toxicity studies were conducted in albino rats, and the result revealed that the formulation is safe for use. ( Figure attached)
3. In another collaborative project between IICT, Hyderabad and M/s Zydus Research Center, Ahmedabad a programme was initiated for synthesis of new aggrecanace inhibitors leading towards antiathritic drug development. More than 50 compounds were synthesized at IICT and screened at Zydus Research Centre. Few compounds showed satisfactory results and further analoguing of these compounds is underway.
4. In one of the collaborative projects between CCMB, Hyderabad/ IICT, Hyderabad and Dabur Research Foundation (DRF) , Ghaziabad development of anti cancer drug by synthesis and bioactivity determination of antagonist analogues and mimics of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) was carried out .
   
   It was found that the peptides and compositions made using the peptides have pharmacological applications specially in the treatment and prevention of cancer tumours. A patent was filed entitled " Novel peptides comprising furanoid sugar amino acids for the treatment of cancer."
5. In another project between DRF, Ghaziabad, IICB, Kolkatta, IICT, Hyderabad, NCL, Pune and University of Hyderabad , Hyderabad, research carried out resulted in two patents. These patents are as follows
   
   5.1 " Hydroanthracene based compounds as anti cancer agents".
   
   5.2 " Flavopereirine Derivatives for Cancer Therapy"

iv) Interaction Meets, Conferences & Workshops Supported

Grants have also been sanctioned for organizing several events (Twelve) between Academia and Industries involved in R&D and products development in Natural Products and Modern System of medicine. These are as follows:

• Generation of R&D projects of poultry disease as well as other veterinary drugs on public private partnership on 23.06.2006 at Madras Veterinary College, Chennai.
• Drug Discovery to Clinical Research during 3-4th November, 2006 at ICRI, New Delhi.
• A Two -Day Workshop on "Ayurvedic Medicines and Practices" conducted at PERD Centre, Ahmedabad on the 13th & 14th of November, 2006.
• 6th National conference of Indian Society of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology (ISVPT) during 23-25th November, 2006 at Bihar Veterinary College, Patna, Bihar.
• Current Trends in the Development of Herbal Drugs by the Indian Association of Bio-medical Scientist and Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala during 25-27th November, 2006.
• 3rd International Symposium on Current Trends in Drug Discovery Research (CTDR-2007) during February 17-21, 2007 at CDRI, Lucknow.
• 4th Congress of Federation of Indian Physiological Societies (FIPS) on January, 11-13, 2007 by Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), New Delhi.
• International symposium on Recent Advances in Cardiovascular Sciences including Academia Industry Interaction Meeting by Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research (DIPSAR), New Delhi during February 14-15, 2007.
• Organising a 3 days conference entitled "Update Ayurveda" at TN Medical College & BYL Nair Charitable Hospital, Dr. A.L. Nair Road, Mumbai Central, Mumbai
• A National Interactive Meet on "Scope and opportunities in research & business of medicinal and aromatic plants for national and international markets" on 27-28th October, 2006 by Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow
• 3 days Seminar entitled "Interiors of Molecules from Ayurvedic Metal and Mineral Preparations" at Kolkata during 2-4th December, 2006.
• Industry-institution meet on "Research and Development in Pharmaceutical Industry - Development of New Drugs for Emerging Chronic Diseases" during 27-29th December, 2006 at Bangalore.