One Year Of UPA Government : Major Decisions and Initiatives - Science & Technology

It was a significant year for the Ministry of Science & Technology and the Department of Ocean Development as the Indian scientific community scaled new heights in research and development. Major policy decisions were also initiated to help the Indian scientists to address the challenges of the 21st century.

National Biotechnology Development Strategy

The draft National Biotechnology Development Strategy prepared and launched on the Department of Biotechnology website: www.dbtindia.nic.in or www.dbtindia.org . The draft strategy addresses cross cutting issues related to Biotechnology in the areas of human resource development, infrastructure development, promotion of innovation and industry, biotechnology parks, regulatory mechanisms, and public communication and participation. In addition, sectoral roadmaps have also been included in the areas of agriculture and food biotechnology, medical biotechnology, bioresources, environment industry, bio-engineering and nano-biotechnology and bioinformatics.

Agricultural Biotechnology

The roadmap for research in agricultural biotechnology for next ten years have also been prepared. The focus is on nutritional enhancement, crop resistant to pest/diseases, improved productivity and drought salinity tolerance. Transgenic mustard has been developed for heterosis breeding and is under contained open field trials. Hybrids developed through this technology have shown a yield advantage of 55 per cent. Transgenic lines of cotton, rice potato and tomato have been developed for biotic and abiotic stress, nutritional enhancement and delayed fruit ripening. Fifteen transgenic lines in Mung bean are currently under evaluation for fly resistance while ninety-six full length genes have been successfully identified, characterised and cloned from mangrove species. Four genes for salinity tolerance have been transferred to rice and are undergoing contained field trial. Rice Genome Sequencing Project is currently under phase II sequencing of the region of chromosome 11 assigned to India and would be completed within the stipulated period. 15.68 mb sequenced data has already been generated ahead of schedule. Functional genomic studies have been launched. A novel salt tolerant nitrogen fixing, phosphate solublising bacteria has been isolated from the rice field and its efficacy as a biofertiliser is being tested. 13 microbial strains isolated from the mangrove ecosystem have been tested as biofertilisers and transferred to the industry for developing formulations. Mycorrhizal biofertiliser developed through DBT support and transfer to the industry has been launched for marketing and use at the national level and in the States of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Roadmap for Bio-Informatics

Based on wide spread consultations the road map for development of bio-informatics in the country has been prepared. The key elements addressed are: human resource development, private-public partnership, inter-agency coordination and industrial development.

Recombinant Pharma Drugs

A Committee constituted by the Ministry of Environment & Forests has prepared a draft to streamline the regulatory approvals of all recombinant products in consultation with the concerned stakeholders. Various protocols of regulatory approvals are under the process of finalisation, which would be implemented soon under the Rules 1989 of Environment Protection Act.

A New Anti-TB Drug after 40 Years

A leading Mumbai-based Indian pharmaceutical company partnering with four R&D institutions has developed a new therapeutic anti-Tuberculosis molecule 'sudoterb'. The molecule makes it possible to clear the total infection in two months, time from the current level of six to eight months. An Investigational New Drug (IND) application has been filed for clinical trials on human beings. A leading IT company in collaboration with 18 of the best of academic and R&D institutions launched globally a portable, versatile, cost effective bioinformatics package for genomics and rational drug design. The software will enable Indian R&D laboratories and small entrepreneurs to undertake bioinformatics activity.New models of public-private partnership in biotechnology have been formulated for accelerating research & development, technology perfection, absorption, and commercialisation. Over 20 projects in the areas of development of drugs, vaccines and diagnostics are under consideration.

National Mission on Tuberculosis

Every year, 2 million persons in India develop TB. A massive national tuberculosis prevention programme is operational. The current therapy requires uninterrupted treatment of nine months leading to significant drop out rate. An Inter-Ministerial Mission is planned to develop new anti TB therapeutics including vaccines and diagnostics to overcome the present drawbacks. Other National Missions on the anvil are National Mission on Alternative Energy Resources and National Mission on S&T for Rural Economic Advancement.

Developing Affordable Medicines

CSIR has made major investments to develop alternative routes for the development of affordable medicines. An oral herbal-based anti-psoriatic formulation has been developed with modern science inputs for treatment of psoriasis. A reverse pharmacology route has enabled development of new drug formulations like this in a very short time at affordable prices. Using the ‘Golden Triangle’ approach, combining traditional medicine with modern medicine and modern science, several first level positives in the areas of type II diabetes, anti-hepatocellular carcinoma, leishmaniasis, hepato-curative and so on have been obtained based on which six new INDs are expected to be filed shortly.

Diagnostic Kit for Japanese Encephalitis

An ELISA system for Japanese Encephalitis has been developed through collaborative work between two public funded R&D institutions and a medical college. A Bangalore-based biotech company has commercialised the product as a diagnostic kit named 'JEV CheX'.

Clinical Proteomics

Clinical proteomics is a field with a great potential for drug discovery and development of vaccines, diagnostics and biomarkers. Three facilities are being established in Delhi focusing on screening and identification of individuals/groups for most of the chronic diseases.

Stem Cell Research and Tissue Engineering

Establishment of two interdisciplinary centres, one each at Delhi and Pune has been taken up. Additionally stem cell research is being promoted by forming city clusters involving basic researchers, clinicians and industry at Delhi, Vellore, Hyderabad, Pune and Bangalore.

Magnetic Resonance Image Facility for Brain Research

The foundation stone was laid for the facility of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in September 2004. Functional MRI enables brain morphometric (volume) measurements and to examine the neural correlates of complex human perception and behaviour. This facility will be used by researchers from all over the country for better understanding of brain function.

National Mission for Bamboo Applications

Bamboo, a hardy grass is a renewable resource and has wide range of applications. It grows on several million hectares of forestland and private plantations. National Mission for Bamboo Applications was launched on November 26, 2004. The emphasis is on innovative applications and markets. Bamboo applications for low cost earthquake resistant housing, wood substitutes, composites and energy generation have been developed through S&T interventions. Large-scale demonstration and proliferation of the products has been taken up for generating income, employment and empowerment at the grass root level.

Nano-Science and Technology Mission

Nano materials are finding all-pervasive applications in medicine, electronics and industry. Based on the tenable R&D capacity, a Technology Mission to realise the benefits of this emerging field for the people is ready for launching.

Eco-friendly Biopesticides

Two biopesticide formulations named 'Nirmal Bio Prahar' for management of agriculture crop pests and 'Nirmal Bio-Wooly Kill' for sugarcane weevil developed at International centre on biotechnology, Delhi have been commercially launched by a small Indian private entrepreneur.

Saras- The Indian Aircraft for the Future

The test flight of India's first indigenous civilian aircraft SARAS on August 22, 2004, heralds the linking of small towns and remote areas of the country. The 14-seater pressurised aircraft has been designed for short take-off and landing runways for tropical countries, with a range of 900 km and cruise speed of 450 km/hour. The multi-role aircraft is aptly suited for ambulance services, troop transport, surveillance, air taxi and feeder airline.

Tsunami Detection and Warning System

Earthquakes of magnitude 7 or larger intensity on the Richter Scale, occurring under sea which result in displacement of seabed and the entire water column about it, have the potential to cause huge waves known as Tsunamis. These waves travel at speeds of more than 750 km per hour in open sea and crash into coastal areas. An earthquake of magnitude 9 on the Richter scale occurred on the west coast of Northern Sumatra, Indonesia on December 26, 2004. This earthquake has caused vertical displacements of upto 20 metres along 1200 km long segment of the Indian plate.

A need based Pacific Tsunami Warning System (PTWS) exists for the Pacific Rim nations, which has 26 member countries. Considering several aspects, the Department of Ocean Development is now poised to install Tsunami Warning System for Indian coasts. The plan envisages collaboration with DST, DOS, CSIR for its implementation. The envisaged system will comprise installation of the Tsunami warning sensors close to the ocean bottom at appropriate underwater earthquake prone locales in the Indian ocean, with real time connectivity; strengthening of the existing seismological network to indicate near real time seismic activity(earthquakes); tide guage and data buoys networking; modelling of the inundation scenarios for the entire coast, based on rupture intensity/orientation and location (wave propagation), coastal and seabed bathymetry, etc.

Potable Water during Natural Disasters

In its efforts to provide potable water to meet emergency requirements during natural disasters, CSIR has made arrangements for installation of hand-operated micro-filtration units (with three litres per minute discharge rate) capable of providing bacteria and virus-free water. As many as 150 units have since been installed while a total of 2000 units based on CSIR’s thin film membrane technology are targeted to be installed countryside in a mission mode. The programme will be further extended.

Mitigations Water Problem

To provide safe drinking water in coastal rural areas and islands, where power supply is limited, National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, an autonomous body under Department of Ocean Development, developed an experimental demonstration desalination plant of 5000 litre per day capacity, based on Low Temperature Thermal Desalination Process. This technology will use cold deep sea water and warm sea surface water for desalination at much lower temperatures. This technology is relatively clean, as it does not require any chemical treatment and expected to be cost effective in remote coastal areas. During the next few months, NIOT will establish a one lakh litre per day capacity desalination plant in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep.

Indian Delegation to Antarctica

An eight member Indian delegation led by Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of State) for Science & Technology and Ocean Development, visited Antarctica during February 2-4, 2005. This is the first ever visit by an Indian Minister to the icy continent. The visit was aimed to appraise the scientific activities, logistic and other operations being undertaken by the winter and summer teams of the 23rd and 24th Indian Antarctic Expeditions (IAEs) respectively. The delegation also visit the nearby Russian Base of NOVO to apprise themselves of the scientific activities and other operations being undertaken by the Russian Antarctic Expedition Team.

Potential Fishing Zone Advisory Programme

Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad, an autonomous body under Department of Ocean Development, is generating the Potential Fishing Zone(PFZ) Advisories using satellite data for chlorophyll and sea surface temperature and providing information on PFZs through 225 (thrice a week) fax/telephone nodes, 10 electronic display boards in major fishing harbours of the seven coastal states of West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat; one Information Kiosk in Karnataka, multilingual website and radio broadcasts along the coastal areas, to the fishermen. These advisories helped in reducing search time and the cost per unit effort of fishing, thereby resulting in significant improvement in earnings of coastal fishermen. About 100,000 boats are put into service by the coastal fishermen for about 200 days in a year. Estimates made in this regard indicated that subsequent to the introduction of this programme, only on the diesel consumption component, because of these advisories, a savings of Rs.250 crore are made. This is besides the saving in time and increase in the fish catch which has accrued due to these advisories.

Lobster And Mud Crab Fattening Programme

National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai, successfully developed and disseminated the viable technology for fattening lobsters and mud crabs in cages to select beneficiaries in Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu and Andaman Islands, on an experimental basis. Substantial improvement in earnings of coastal fishermen would be made, by implementing this scheme. The technology for seaweed culture will be extended to 100 women beneficiaries in Gulf of Mannar region, 25 women beneficiaries each for lobster fattening in Gulf of Mannar and crab fattening in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

New Technology Demonstration Vessel ‘Sagar Nidhi’
The Ocean Policy Statement enunciated by the Government of India emphasizes that acquisition of technology should be an important component of the development programmes. To be self-reliant, such technologies would have to be largely developed, tested and operated indigenously. Technologies relating to exploitation of resources especially the seabed minerals, oceanic data collecting devices, anti-erosion capabilities, submersibles, energy and energy-saving devices are priority items.

National Data Buoy Programme

Data buoys facilitate collection of information on oceans to help improve oceanographic services and predictive capability of short and long term weather forecasting. The indigenously developed data buoys give considerable reduction in the costs and better operational life. The product was launched on the Ocean Day celebrated in July, 2004. The industrial production is being explored.

Monsoon And Weather Predictions

Indian economy is monsoon driven. Monsoon predictions play a crucial role in the life of people. Indigenously developed statistical models for long range forecast of monsoon are currently applied. Reliable prediction of monsoon still remains a formidable and challenging task. To overcome the current limitations, large-scale upgradation of the observational systems has been taken up for enhancing the number and distribution of observatories, increasing the number of automatic weather stations and acquiring advanced computational facilities. This will enable better weather forecasting at district level. The government has also set up coordination mechanisms for synergising dispersed institutional efforts for devising improved weather prediction models for medium range (14-21 days) at district level.

Creating An Enabling Geospatial Infrastructure

In today's world geospatial data is an essential requirement for all developmental activities. The present regulations for mapping prohibit the digital publishing of Indian maps with heights and contours in view of "Strategic Implications". A new Mapping Policy formulated is under the active consideration of the Government. This would facilitate the availability of diverse type of geospatial data on authentic maps. In order to realize this objective a National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) is being set up to ensure the availability of standardised geospatial data collected by various agencies through a single source. Steps have been taken to provide Global Positioning System (GPS) compatible spatial data/map for motor vehicles in six major metros viz. Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bangalore to enable vehicle navigation and tracking. The Government also plans to establish a comprehensive village information system that would map local utilities and facilities and integrate this with other information data sources for micro-level planning and development.

Mapping The Neighbourhood

Mapping the Neighbourhood is a unique programme recognised by the President of India as one of the nine technological innovations of the year 2004. It involves participation of students in the preparation of maps of the neighbourhood using a hand-held computer coupled with GPS and indigenously developed GIS software. The programme at present implemented in 20 schools of Almora and Nainital districts will be expanded to cover 30,000 schools.

Rural Bioresource Complexes

A Rural Bioresource Complex (RBC) is a cluster of several contiguous villages in which economically viable and ecologically compatible technologies are provided to the people for their economic empowerment. These are being initiated at five locations in partnership with State Governments, Agricultural Universities, Banking institutions and NGOs.

Source : Ministry of Science & Technology
Date : May 15, 2005