JAMMU: Shri Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India visited CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative, Canal Road, Jammu today and addressed the Scientific and Technical Staff of the institute. The Hon’ble Vice President was received by Mr. Sajad Gani Lone, Minister of Social Welfare & S&T, J&K, Mr. Imran Raza Insari, Minister for Information Technology and Higher Education, J&K, Dr. Ram Vishwakarma, Director IIIM, Jammu, Deputy Commissioner Jammu and SSP, Jammu. Later the Vice President was taken to different laboratories of the institute where the scientists have put on exhibitions the types of research going on in the institute and also demonstrated their important findings.
The main programme on the occasion was held in the auditorium of the institute which started with the National Anthem followed by the lighting of ceremonial lamps by Vice President, Hon’ble Governor, J&K, Shri N.N. Vohra and other dignitaries on dais. Dr. Ram Vishwakarma welcomed the Vice President and said that it is a special day for the institute when Vice President chose this institute to visit and interacted with the scientific fraternity. Dr. Ram also made a detailed PowerPoint presentation and described the major research domains of the institute.
Dr. Ram said that the IIIM, Jammu erstwhile Regional Research Laboratory Jammu was founded way back in 1941 and through the years achieved the distinction of no. 1 in the biological cluster institutions. He also added that world class research is being carried out here despite the disadvantageous location of the institute. He informed that the institution has branch lab in Srinagar with various field research stations in both Jammu and Srinagar. The institute is setting up two industrial biotech park one in Kathua and other in Kupwara on behalf of J&K State govt.
Vice President in his speech while appreciating the efforts of CSIR-IIIM, Jammu in the scientific development of the country said, “Science has played a major role in the growth of our great nation and the achievements in the areas of affordable medicine, food security, milk production, space, atomic energy and Information Technology, among others, are a testimony to this fact”
The exhaustive draft of Speech of Hon’ble Vice President is circulated to media:
My dear Scientists, students, staff of Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine and invited eminent citizens of Jammu, I am indeed delighted to be in the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu a national Institute under Council of Scientific and Industrial research. I am pleased to learn that this is one of the oldest scientific Institutes of our country set up in 1941 which has played a leading role in frontline scientific and economic growth of our country in general and the state of Jammu and Kashmir in particular. In fact, it is the first translational Institute of drug development from natural resources established in the country as Drug Research Laboratory (DRL) under the aegis of Jammu & Kashmir Government and Col Sir Ram Nath Chopra who was instrumental in conceptualizing DRL having both research and manufacturing unit was its Founder Head. The research in DRL was liberally supported by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Council of scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) through research schemes sanctioned from time to time.Based on the research output of DRL, manufacturing section was further developed and made as an independent commercial unit. Col Chopra headed both research and manufacturing units with perfect cohesion in their activities.
As a research Laboratory, DRL was the first to give concept of captive cultivation, first to isolate active principals from indigenous medicinal plants and worked on pharmacological activity in lab animals and carry out detailed clinical studies on important Indian medicinal plants as Rauwolfiaserpentina (hypertension), Psoraleacorylifolia (skin disorders), Aeglemarmelos, Holarrhenaantidysentrica, Psylliumovata(GI disorders)etc.
As we know that science in India has played a silent but major role in the growth of our great nation as reflected in our remarkable achievements in self reliance in the areas of affordable medicine, food security, milk production, space, atomic energy, Information Technology etc. which has placed India amongst the top five leading modern nations in the world.It is pertinent to mention here that the Founder of this Institute Sir Ram Nath Chopra played a major role in formulation of Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules of independent India. It was he who created an integrated medicine discipline to bring wisdom and knowledge of Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicines to the modern medicine thereby given this ancient Indian knowledgebase global recognition.
After India attained independence, Pt JawaharLal Nehru, our first Prime Minister, devoted his whole hearted attention to nation building activities including setting up of research institutes as science temples. Thus negotiations were initiated between J&K Government and CSIR for taking over this Laboratory by CSIR and linking it with the chain of laboratories which were being established at that time. As a result of efforts at various levels, the DRL was formally taken over by CSIR in December, 1957 and renamed as Regional Research Laboratory. This change in name was necessary as the objectives of the Laboratory were widened to include research programmes regarding utilization of all natural resources, may these be of plant, animal or mineral origin. The broad areas of research pursued in the laboratory included, Biological Sciences (Agronomy, Botany, Microbiology, Mycology and Plant Pathology, Insecticides & Insect Physiology, Pharmacology and Radiation Biology), Chemical Sciences ( Natural Product Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and mineral chemistry), and Technological sciences (Food, Fur & Wool, Surface Coating and Paper cellulose pulp).
Over a period of time, keeping in view the core strength of Institute in natural products based drug discovery, the mandate of Institute was redefined and its name changed to Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) in the year 2007.
During the last more than seven decades, the major achievements of RRL with national impact include
1. Introduction of Mint in India in 1958. Currently this crop is under cultivation in 2 lakh hectares with annual turnover of 4000 crores.
2. Captive cultivation of Pyrethrum with current potential for cultivation in 1000 Ha, andemployment generation for 6000 people
3. Introduction of Hops in India and meeting the demand of domestic brewery industry.
4. Introduction of Lavender and Rose as high value commercial crops in the state of Jammu & Kashmir in an area of 300 hectares thereby creating employment for more than 9000 people.
5. Developed and released high yielding varieties of Cymbopogon, Mentha, Ocimum, Withania etc and extended to the farmer’s fields foe wealth generation.
6. Through scientific validation of traditional ayurvedic medicines, the laboratory has developed drugs namely, Risorine (Anti TB), Sallaki (Rheumatoid Arthritis), LIVZON &Liv-1 (hepatoprotective), Imminex (Immunomodulator) etc.
7. Fermentation technologies developed by Institute transferred to number of industries for the production of gluconate salts, biofertilizers and bio control agents.
I am very pleased to share that recently the Institute along with other CSIR labs have taken up three major national initiatives, which include:
1. Aroma Mission:The mission aims to develop and disseminate the aroma related S&T developments to reach the farmers, the industry and the society, leading to business opportunities, rural development, life-quality enhancement. The objectives to be covered under this mission are:
a. Bring more than 5000 ha of additional area under captive cultivation aromatic cash crops particularly targeting rain-fed /degraded land across the country.
b. Provide technical and infrastructural support for distillation and values-addition to farmers/growers all over the country.
c. Enabling effective buy-back mechanisms to assure remunerative prices to the farmers/growers.
d. Value-addition to essential oils and aroma ingredients for their integration in global trade and economy
2. Phytopharma Mission:This mission aims at developing plant based medicines using Ayurveda concepts and positioning of Ayurveda medicines through multi-target approach and network pharmacology. The objectives to be covered under this mission are:
a. Captive cultivation of selected medicinal plants for production of Quality Planting Material and Post harvest management package for 21 and Agrotechnology package for 16 medicinal plants.
b. Captive cultivation of selected high value rare, engendered and threatened (RET) medicinal plant species
c. Technology packages for production of GMP grade medicinal plant extracts for export markets.
d. Phytopharmaceutical development from important medicinal plants for unmet medical needs.
3. Sickle cell Anemia Mission: Drug discovery and development of new pre-clinical candidates for Sickle cell Anemia using indigenous plants.
I am pleased to note that Institute is also playing a major role in supporting drug regulatory system of India. The availability of WHO compliant cGMP plant for extraction and formulation of herbal medicines, NABL accredited Quality control & Quality assurance facility, Drug Testing Laboratory, GLP standard animal house, recognition of IIIM as Central Drug Lab for Botanicals &Phytopharmaceutical drugs by DCG(I) and referral lab by FASSI provides the right kind of ecosystem for this.
During the last one year, Institute has started Technology Business Incubator with clear objective to create jobs and entrepreneurship development for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir state and startup companies utilizing the rich bio resources of J&K. This initiative supported by Department of Science & Technology (Govt. of India) is currently incubating a number of startups within the IIIM campus.
It is heartening to know that Institute has very robust drug pipeline in the areas of Oncology, Arthritis, Liver protection, Tuberculosis, Alzheimer’s and Peptic ulcers. Number of discoveries is in pre clinical and clinical pipeline. In addition the Institute is also providing the support to major pharma companies in the area of pre clinical development and bio resources.
I am very pleased to learn that this Institute ranks very high among the best research institutes of India and in fact is a unique institute in whole world dedicated to new drug discovery and development from natural products.
The Institute is closely integrated with other major S & T departments and Ministries like AYUSH, DST, DBT, NMPB and J & K science and Technology department thereby helping the J&K state in establishing Industrial Bio tech parks.
Er. Rajneesh Anand, Chief Scientist, CSIR-IIIM, Jammu presented the formal vote of thanks. Later before leaving the campus, Vice President has a walk through the stakeholder exhibition.
- Candidates qualifying regionals will qualify for national level competition leading to World Skills Competition-Russia, 2019
- Ansari lauds role of JKSDM for spotting young talent
SRINAGAR: At least 20 young skilled youth from Jammu and Kashmir have been selected for regional level India Skill Competition 2018, Minister for Higher Education, Technical Education and Information Technology, Molvi Imran Raza Ansari said today. Ansari earlier flagged off the candidates for their participation at the regional level skill competition. The participating candidates will further compete at the national level skill competition which will be held in July, 2018, leading to their participation in the World Skills Competition-Russia, 2019.
He said that in order to aim at engaging different stakeholders in skill building, entrepreneurship and grassroots innovations, the government recently held a two-day skill and entrepreneurship conclave, first-of-its-kind event in the state. The maiden conclave TALAASH was themed as “Building Human Capital: Skill-Innovation-Entrepreneurship". He lauded the role of Jammu and Kashmir Skill Development Mission for launching hunt to spot young talent and identify the skilled youth and work for their further improvement.
The Minister said that government is mulling to strengthen ITI’s and other skill initiatives, which offer skills at a lower level. However the Higher Education has been a challenge and the government is mulling that degrees being offered at graduation, masters and doctoral levels be given some vocational orientation.
According to Mission Director, Jammu and Kashmir Skill Mission, Dr Peer Ghulam Nabi Suhail, a team of skilled candidates from Jammu and Kashmir will be participating in the regional level skills competition to be held at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh from 31st Mayto 2nd June, 2018 under World Skills India, which is an initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India. He said candidates qualifying the regionals will qualify for the national level competition leading to World Skills Competition-Russia, 2019. He said that apart from J&K, the following states will be participating in the regional level skill competition: Uttar Pradesh (II) Uttarakhand (III) Chandigarh (IV) Punjab.
The winners of the regional level skill competition will further participate in the national level skill competitions leading to the World Skills Competition to be held at Kazan, Russia in 2019. Jammu and Kashmir Skill Development Mission (JKSDM) organized the awareness, workshops and conducted the state level competition apart from active mobilisation and publicity campaigns. The Director said that there were 9 winners, 9 runner ups and two wild card candidates in mobile robotics. He said all the 20 young skilled youth would be representing the State at the national level.
Here is the brief introduction of the winners selected youth who won the state-level competition and will be representing Jammu and Kashmir in the regional level and all-India competition.
Majid Ahmad (Skill: Carpentry)
Majid is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in the arts stream at Government College, Ganderbal. Earlier, Majid, 21, of Wahid Pora, Ganderbal has completed an ITI course in carpentry. Apart from the studies, Majid is supporting his father Ghulam Ahmad Najar in his carpentry workshop. “I have imbibed the skill of carpentry from my father and I would not let this skill go waste,” said Majid.
Mohammad Ameen (Skill: Patisserie and Confectionery)
State level winner in the patisserie and confectionery skill, Mohammad Ameen, 19, of Brain, Nishat left his studies after 10th class and started supporting his father who is a gardener by profession. Ameen had previously attended hospitality and housekeeping programs and is currently employed with Le-Delice, the French Bakery, Srinagar. Owner of Le-Delice Saqib Mir encouraged Ameen for the competition.
Ikhjot Singh (Skill: Automobile Technology)
A final year student of three-year diploma in mechanical engineering at NITS-Polytechnic, Jammu, Ikhjot, 18, of Narwal, Jammu won the state level competition in automobile technology. Though his subject specialisation is Mechanical CAD, Ikhjot has interest in Mechanical Thermodynamics and Automobile Technology and some portions of it were overlapping with his subject specialisation. Rahim Motors Private Limited provided guidance to Ikhjot and other students preparing for the competition in the skill set automobile technology.
Syed Vikas Shabir (Skill: Web Design and Development)
State level winner in the skill set Web Design and Development. Pursuing his three-year diploma in computer engineering at Government Polytechnic, Srinagar, Vikas, 17, of Beerwa, Budgam came to know about the competition through social media and he also attended one of the mobilization programs of JKSDM at his college. He won the state level competition.
The skill competition curriculum had certain areas like online HTML and PHQ, which Vikas hadn’t studied earlier and he was provided training by JKSDM in collaboration with Arena Animation, Jammu.
Rajpal Singh (Skill: Mechanical CAD)
Resident of Kanil Bagh, Baramulla, Rajpal, 20, is pursuing his BTech in mechanical engineering at National Institute of Technology, Srinagar. He won the state level competition and will be representing J&K in the national competition. Rajpal was also guided by Professor Saad Parvez , Head-IIED Centre, NIT Srinagar to appear for the skill competition.
Aqeel Ahmad Thoker (Skill: Fashion Technology)
Aqeel, 20, left his studies at 8th class and started supporting his father by stitching uniforms at a local firm. Aqeel got information about the skill competition through social media and radio advertisement. Aqeel of Dub, Ganderbal was trained in the fashion technology by SSMD –School of Fashion and Design, which is the academic partner of JKSDM for the skill competitions.
Rohit Gautam (Skill: Cooking)
Rohit, 20, is pursuing his hotel management degree in Institute of Hotel Management, Srinagar. Rohit attended one of the awareness campaigns conducted by JKSDM at IHM, Srinagar and applied for the competition. Despite losing his father a month back, Rohit appeared for the skill competition and attained top most position in the state level skill competition in the cooking.
Saharsh Arora (Skill: Graphic Designing)
Pursuing his bachelor’s degree in English at MAM College, Jammu, Saharsh, 20 of Reshamghar Colony, Jammu won the state level competition in graphic design. He started learning graphic design as a hobby at Arena Animation Jammu, which is one of the academic partners of JKSDM in conducting the skill competitions. “Earlier, Graphic Designing was a hobby for me, but the platform and exposure, the skill competition provided me, I am planning to choose Graphic Designing as a career,” said Saharsh
Mohammad Adeeb Butt (Skill: Beauty Therapy)
Resident of Shaheedi Chow, Jammu, Adeeb, 19, was encouraged by his mother to take up beauty therapy as a hobby. After seeing the JKSDM newspaper advertisement about skill competition, Adeeb got motivated to appear in the skill competition. Adeeb is pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Humanities at Degree College, Mishriwala, Jammu.
World Skills India initiative has been leading the country's participation at World Skills International competitions since 2011 and is responsible for the selection, development, management and participation of Team India in World Skills International Competitions.
Pertinently Jammu and Kashmir Skill Development Mission (JKSDM) received more than 700 registrations for the initial cluster/base level competition and successful candidates from the base level competitions were further groomed at various reputed institutes across the state for participation in the state level competition.
In total, 20 contestants will be participating in the already 12 shortlisted skills at the regional level competition which also includes two wild card entries (contestant) in Mobile Robotics and 1 entry in skill set Bakery.
Mission Director, JKSDM, Dr. Peer GN Suhail said, “JKSDM has provided rigorous training to the candidates in and outside the State in order to prepare them for regional competition. “I am sure our candidates have immense potential to shine at the regional level competition to participate at National and International levels of this skill competition,” he said.
J&K Skill Development Mission, over the period of last 4 months carried out rigorous mobilization and publicity campaigns pertaining to the skill competition and also collaborated with prestigious institutions such as NIT- Srinagar, IHM -Srinagar, Central University, Jammu, NIELIT, SSMD-Baramulla , Arena Animation & Rahim Motors to provide training and guidance to selected candidates for the different levels of skill competition. At the most recent event, World Skills Competition, 2017 held at Abu Dhabi, there were competitions in 51 skills areas with close to 1,300 young people taking part and India bagged one silver and bronze medal along with 11 medallions of excellence. The State level winner were felicitated by the Minister for Higher Education, IT and Technical Education, Moulvi Imran Raza Ansari, Minister for Finance, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukari during recently held first ever Skill Conclave -Talash, in Srinagar.
- Written by: Kashmir News Bureau
ISLAMABAD: In a controversial development, Pakistan army has summoned former ISI chief Asad Durrani to seek his explanation over a book he co-authored with India's ex-spy chief AS Dulat, accusing him of 'violating' the military code of conduct. Lieutenant General (retd) Durrani, who headed the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency from August 1990 till March 1992, along with Dulat has written "The Spy Chronicles: RAW, ISI and the Illusion of Peace". The book was released on Wednesday.
Pertinently, the Pakistan Army in a statement said that Durrani was being called to General Headquarters (GHQ) on May 28 and "will be asked to explain his position on views attributed to him in book 'Spy Chronicles'." "Attribution taken as violation of Military Code of Conduct applicable on all serving and retired military personnel," according to the statement issued last night. Pertinent to mention here Durrani was summoned after ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday demanded an urgent meeting of the high-powered National Security Committee (NSC) to discuss the content of the book. Former chairman Pakistan Senate Raza Rabbani criticised the book by rival spy chiefs."Had a politician done the same thing he would have been labelled a traitor," he said.
SRINAGAR: Chairman High Court Legal Services Committee and State Juvenile Justice Committee, Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey has been invited to World Congress on Justice for Children 2018 scheduled in UNESCO House Paris.
Justice Magrey, who is also Member of the Apex Body of National Legal Services Authority of India, is part of 10 top national level judges nominated from India and will be leaving to participate in the deliberations of the Conference on May 26, 2018.
The theme of the Conference is strengthening youth and family justice systems around the World including concrete and promising practices concerning child protection, youth crime prevention, diversion and alternative programmes to detention, aftercare and reintegration.
Justice Magrey is expected to address the World Congress on issues concerning juvenile justice and different dimensions of free and competent legal services in the Country including the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
It is the first-ever nomination of a senior judge of State High Court for such a prestigious international conference. The participation of Justice Magrey is also important in the backdrop of the fact that the State Government has constituted Juvenile Justice Boards and Child Welfare Committees in all the districts of the State and the entire process is expected to gather momentum in the coming days.
- Written by: Kashmir News Bureau
NEW DELHI: Speaking at the Border Security Force''s (BSF) 16th investiture ceremony function here, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said "We have a neighbour that does not want to correct itself. Amid shelling on the international border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the forces have a free hand to respond as they deem fit if the neighbouring country continued the offensive.
Speaking at the Border Security Force's (BSF) 16th investiture ceremony function here, Singh said "We have a neighbour that does not want to correct itself. "Yet, we must not fire the first bullet at our neighbour. But if it opens fire, you (forces) have to decide what action to take. Then no one will ask why you did so." Government on May 16, announced a ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir, asking security forces to halt their operations during Ramadan to help "peace loving Muslims" observe the holy month in a peaceful environment.
The Minister also said that perhaps the neighbouring nation "did not want peace for some unknown reasons". According to the police, the Pakistani Rangers have been carrying out shelling and firing in Arnia, R.S.Pura and Ramgarh sectors in the Jammu and Samba districts since Monday. At least 30 BSF outposts and some two dozen border villages have been targeted.
- Humanitarian efforts of 'Jaipur Foot' contributes in improving quality life of disabled in India & Abroad
SRINAGAR: Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, Abdul Ghani Kohli has said that Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), also known as Jaipur Foot is doing a tremendous job for his humanitarian works and has given a much-needed boost to the self-esteem of people by improving the quality of life for the disabled. The Minister was invited to New York (USA) to attend the event organized by BMVSS tracing 50 years of the 'Jaipur Foot' as guest of honor.
Kohli participated in the exhibition of the world-famous and most widely used artificial limb, Jaipur Foot at the United Nations headquarters in New York from May 15 to 18. As part of the programme, an exclusive seminar on Jaipur Foot was also organized at the U N Gallery at the initiative of India’s permanent representative Syed Akbaruddin. India’s permanent representative in U S, Syed Akbaruddin, Counsel General of India in New York Sandeep Chakravarty, Rajya Sabha Chief Whip Narayan Lal Panchariya, President, Indian Council for Cultural Relations Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, founder and chief patron of Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS)D R Mehta, Chairman, Jaipur Foot in USA Prem Bhandari, Ambassadors from 12 countries and many other dignitaries participated in the event.
Participating in the panel discussion organized at United Nations, the Minister said that he feels proud to be associated with Jaipur Foot. He praised for the organization for their dedicated efforts keeping humanity alive in the present world. "Jaipur Foot has provided much needed assistance to those who are among the most affected and those who have very limited resources to seek the kind of assistance that is needed by them", Kohli said.
By rehabilitating 1.7 million amputees and polio patients spread in 32 countries by providing free artificial limbs calipers and other aids and appliances, the Minister said that BMVSS is helping the needy people and making them able to live a respected life in the society. Kohli urged Prem Bhandari, chairman, Jaipur Foot in USA to reach out to the state of Jammu and Kashmir and to help the disabled especially living in the remote areas of the state with providing them artificial limbs.
On the occasion, it was informed that the organization is now focusing on the development of an affordable artificial hand. Jaipur Foot is helping the BMVSS in that mission in collaboration with the University of Santa Clara. The panel discussion was organized by India's Permanent Mission to the UN, along with the BMVSS and Jaipur Foot.
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