Friday, March 10, 2017

Exhibition of ‘Innovations in Medical Science and Biotechnology” at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 9th March’ 2017

Decade of Innovation (2011-20)



10.03.2017 14:19:36 - Exhibition ofExhibition of ‘Innovations in Medical Science and Biotechnology” at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 9th March’ 2017at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 9th March’ 2017 

(live-PR.com) - An Exhibition on ‘Innovations in Medical Science and Biotechnology’ has been organized for one day during the Festival of Innovations (FOIN) since 2015. The first two editions were organized jointly by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Innovation foundation (NIF) on 11th March 2015 and 16th March 2016. The third edition of this Exhibition and a round table
on: ‘A Sustainable, Multi-Stakeholder Approach from Research to Technology [SMART] – Increasing Healthcare Reach’ was organized jointly by ICMR, NIF and DBT-BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) on 9th March 2017. Secretary, Health, Secretary, Department of Health Research and DG, ICMR, Secretary, DBT, Scientific Secretary, Office of Principle Scientific Adviser to Govt. of India, higher officials from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, DBT, BIRAC, DST, Med Tech Zone, investors like Tata Innovation Fund, Venture Capitalists and Angel networks. industrial bodies like FICCI, CII and innovators participated in this round table.


Bringing affordable healthcare to the doorstep of our population especially in rural areas is a big challenge. We may need to reboot our health system adding/deleting channels to give us the capacity to meet the pressures of changing needs of our population. In this scenario, technology is going to play a vital role in increasing healthcare’s reach. The country needs to improve its innovation performance and create its own innovation metrics to understand the gaps and provide accelerators for innovations through reforms in policy wherever needed. However, innovation requires continuous investment. This investment in improving quality of innovation is critical for providing health to our citizens and long term economic growth. Innovative linkages between academia and industry are a win-win proposition for finding solutions to our local problems and having an impact at global level. The round-table discussion with multiple stakeholders will aim at finding solutions for the last mile coverage.


This year ICMR received Four Hundred and Seventy Three technologies from various sectors (engineering colleges like IITs, universities, medical colleges/institutes and Government Departments (ICMR, DBT, DST, DRDO, CSIR, Deity, ISRO, Ministry of Textiles, and Agriculture), startups, incubators and individuals). The exhibited technologies are selected through an extremely rigorous process under the chairmanship of Prof KS Reddy, President, PHFI. Forty four technologies displayed at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The display of technologies at Rashtrapati Bhavan is now a coveted event and has created bonds between technology developers, medical research institutes, startups, individuals, regulators, National Programs and investors. The vision of this event is to showcase disruptive technologies of public health importance developed indigenously under “Make in India’ effort and help them to reach the end user.



The technologies received by ICMR are at various stages of development and include import substitutes, those that have already been commercialized by startups, those ready for commercialization, those undergoing clinical validation or animal studies and prototypes. Domains include maternal and health, infectious diseases including tuberculosis and mosquito borne diseases, non communicable diseases, disability and safe water and sanitation. The uptake of these technologies clinical validation will have long lasting impact on the health of our population.

Further, the focus of FOIN is on recognizing grass innovators and promoting and encouraging their uptake. Small innovation made by health workers could improve the quality of care resulting in better health outcomes. Through this exhibition and panel discussion ICMR hopes to ignite young minds as well as encourage those who are thinking out of box. We are also trying to link formal and informal sector so as to use the best of our brains to solve problems and have a mark on global scenario.

Festival of Innovation (FOIN) is a unique initiative of the Office of the President of India to recognise, respect and reward grassroots innovations and foster a supportive ecosystem. Hosted in the month of March at The President’s House, the FOIN has become a national celebration of creativity and innovation at and for grassroots. Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India has exhorted all segments of the Indian society to converge their efforts to make India inclusive, innovative and responsive to the aspirations of common people. While addressing the Global Roundtable on Inclusive Innovation attended by top innovation leaders of the world and several noble laurates during last two years, he has stressed the need for learning and sharing the global experience in designing, developing and delivering empathetic and inclusive innovations for the common good. He believes that while India has to learn a lot of lessons from the countries that rank on the top in the global innovation index, India has also a lot to share in terms of frugal and grassroots innovations. That is the only way Indian innovation quotient will go up.

It is imperative that India becomes a growth engine for the world and provides a new model of inclusive development by providing a large number of open technological and other solutions for the developing and developed world. In sync with the policies of the government of India, FOIN will provide a window to the creative and innovative solutions for social development through grassroots innovations, student ideas and other technologies for agriculture, rural development, sanitation, health, women and child development, biotechnology and medical innovation for grassroots.

The Decade of Innovation (2011-20) is characterised by various initiatives taken by the Government of India and the President’s House to promote innovation, particularly grassroots innovation, in the country and forge its linkages with higher education system. The National Innovation Foundation (NIF), India has been organising an exhibition of grassroots innovation every year since 2010, in collaboration with the Honey Bee Network institutions, volunteers and the Department of Science and Technology [DST] at the President’s House. The purpose is to expose the visitors to the pervasive culture of creativity and innovation in India. Since 2015, these exhibitions have become a part of the Festival of Innovation. Many central universities and NITs have organised exhibitions of grassroots innovators during the visits of the Hon’ble President there and have already set up National Innovation Clubs in their campuses. Perhaps India is the only country where grassroots innovators are hosted at the President’s House to convey a message that the country cares for the creativity of the common people. With support from NIF, the President’s Secretariat has successfully organised three editions of the Innovation Scholars In-Residence Programme, during 2014 – 2016. The fourth edition of the programme will begin on March 4, 2017 involving more than a week-long stay of 10 innovators at the President’s House. These innovators, including school children, grassroots innovators and college students, are mentored during their stay. The policy and institutional linkages are forged to scale up their ideas.

Last year, in 2016, the second edition of FOIN saw a wider participation, both nationally and globally. More than 70 grassroots innovations, including newly-developed crop varieties developed by farmers, were exhibited. Ninety innovation clubs participated from various universities across the country. The in-residence programme was expanded to include innovation scholars, writers and artists from across the country. Seven innovation scholars, two artists and two writers were hosted for two weeks, as part of the Festival.

To leverage on the uniquely frugal and empathetic model of grassroots innovations developed in India, the President’s Office has decided to organise the third Festival of Innovation (FOIN) at the President’s House, New Delhi during March 4-10, 2017 with the help of NIF. Following activities will be taken up during the FOIN.

Festival of Innovations 2017
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German delegation v to Kyrgyzstan

14 German companies will come to Kyrgyzstan with German delegation to participate in the 2nd Day of German Economy in Kyrgyzstan, reported the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kyrgyzstan on March 6.
The objective of the event is to support a dialogue between German and Kyrgyz enterprises and public bodies and institutions, Tazabek reported.
German Economy Day will discuss agriculture, food, energy, economy and innovations issues. The forum gives an opportunity for the interested German companies to present their products and solutions to participants of the event.
German companies that will visit Kyrgyzstan: Caisley, AFC, HANSA, Knauf, Plattenhardt + Wirth GmbH, Solana, SCHMID, Schnepf, CLAAS, Etventure, Sewerin, Krones, Geotech Rohstoffe, and Festo.

Thai Gov starts reconciliation talks

Thailand’s military-led interim government has for the first time held reconciliation talks with the party that supports ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Representatives from the government and the party attended a meeting at the defense ministry on Wednesday.
A defense ministry spokesperson later told reporters that everyone considers finding a breakthrough to be necessary for the country’s future. The spokesperson said the participants agreed that they will cooperate to bring about political reconciliation.
Thailand has been politically divided for more than 10 years. The split is mainly between urban elites and rural workers who support the former prime minister.
The military staged a coup 3 years ago aiming to close the divide.
The interim government has said it will hold general elections to restore a civilian-led administration. The reconciliation talks are aimed at heading off political confusion in the country after the elections.
The interim government plans to hold similar talks with other political parties and hopes to exchange a memorandum to guarantee political stability.
But it remains to be seen whether the government can secure an agreement from each party.

Hero Indian Open 2017:Slow start for Indians in round I

Slow start for Indians in round one,Shubhankar, Rahil best among Indians 
Gurgaon, March 9, 2017: The opening day of the Hero Indian Open 2017 didn’t go as per script for the 41 Indians in the field.
While Italian Matteo Manassero emerged clubhouse leader at four-under-68 on the weather-interrupted opening day, Shubhankar Sharma, Rahil Gangjee and amateur Rigel Fernandes, shot scores of even-par-72 to be the highest-placed among the Indians.
The threat of lightning led to suspension of play for 90 minutes on Thursday between 1515 hrs and 1645 hrs IST. As a result, only 78 players out of a total of 144 could complete their rounds on Thursday.
Englishman David Horsey who could complete only 15 holes on Thursday would challenge for the first round lead come Friday as he was sitting at five-under.
The Indian duo of defending champion SSP Chawrasia and Chiragh Kumar were both at one-under through 15 and 11 holes respectively when play was stopped due to fading light
Chawrasia, who struggled with his short putts in round one, made two birdies and a bogey through his 15 holes.
SSP, looking to become the first player to defend the title since Jyoti Randhawa in 2007, said, “It’s a good start as one expects it to be a high-scoring week. I didn’t drop any shots on the front-nine but missed at least four birdie opportunities from close range. The birdie miss from three feet on the eighth was a disappointing one. I feel that is the toughest par-5 hole and a birdie there would’ve really lifted my confidence.
“The weather interruption didn’t really bother me. In fact my round took off after the break. I made two eight feet birdie conversions on the 12th and 15th after play resumed.
“An under-par opening round would give me a good platform to build on so that will be the focus when I resume the first round tomorrow.”
Chiragh Kumar, a former Asian Tour winner mixed three birdies with two bogeys on the 11 holes that he played on Thursday.
Shubhankar Sharma, who was down with high fever till as late as Monday, carded a solid 72 on day one at his home course by capitalizing on his local knowledge. Shubhankar, a 10th tee starter, was two-over through his first 16 holes, but managed to end the round with a flourish as he birdied the last two holes.

Sharma, who made three birdies and three bogeys in round one, said, “I’m quite happy with today’s effort considering I lost a few days of practice in the lead up to the tournament due to illness. I had high fever till Monday which hampered my preparations for the week.

“Importantly, my birdies on the eighth and ninth, came as a result of some brilliant recoveries. I was in trouble on both occasions having hit poor tee shots. But good second shots followed up by 15 feet birdie conversions on both holes helped me close the round on a high.

“It’ll not be easy to negotiate the greens here as it’s tough to hit it close to the pins. That’s the biggest challenge at this course.

“However, I feel I have a slight advantage over the others since this is my home course. I’ve played on this newly-designed course many times. These are not alien conditions for me.

“I’m also coming into this week with loads of confidence having already posted three top-10s in the Asian Tour season. A top finish this week will really set up the season for me.”

Rahil Gangjee, another former Asian Tour winner, came up with five birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey during his 72 on day one.

Among the other prominent Indian names, who completed their rounds on Thursday, were Shiv Kapur (73), Rashid Khan (73), Gaganjeet Bhullar (74), Arjun Atwal (74), Anirban Lahiri (76) and Jeev Milkha Singh (85).

India’s premier golfer Anirban Lahiri, the 2015 champion, had a forgettable start to the week as he returned a four-over-76 which featured five birdies, four bogeys, a double-bogey and a triple-bogey.

Lahiri said, “I’m quite disappointed actually. I was playing well at the start but a couple of times just waiting on hitting my shot threw me off my rhythm. One instance was on the 18th when I stood on the tee for a long time and couldn’t make up my mind whether to draw or cut the ball. I ended up making a bad swing there. That led to a double-bogey.

“After the 18th, I just couldn’t find my rhythm. But I feel I’ve got enough in me to fight back. I’ll have to play error-free as there were a lot of errors today around the greens and off the tee.”

Park Geun-hye impeached

South Korea’s president is being officially removed from office. The Constitutional Court is upholding Park Geun-hye’s impeachment by the National Assembly.
South Koreans will vote on a new president within 60 days.
The ruling makes Park the first democratically elected president in the country to be dismissed in this way.
Parliament’s impeachment motion was part of the fallout of an influence-peddling scandal involving Park and a longtime friend. It deeply divided the nation.
South Korean prosecutors have already indicted Choi Soon-sil on charges including abuse of power.
Choi’s accused of pressuring companies into donating 65 million dollars to non-profit foundations she’s linked to.
The special prosecutor says Park is suspected of colluding with Choi to give money.
South Korean prosecutors indicted the president’s longtime friend Choi Soon-sil and 2 of her former close aides on charges including abuse of power.
The prosecutors also concluded that the president had conspired with the 3 in many aspects of the crimes.
They said President Park had directly urged the heads of business conglomerates to donate to foundations linked to Choi.
The announcement fueled the opposition-led campaign to unseat Park.
In December, a motion to impeach President Park was approved by parliament.
The Constitutional Court then began hearings on the parliamentary decision.
Meanwhile, Park Young-soo, a special prosecutor authorized to act independently of the government, took over the investigation into Park’s alleged influence-peddling for 90 days.
He concluded that President Park had conspired with Choi to receive bribes of about 25 million dollars from the Samsung Group, in the form of investments in foundations linked to Choi.
He also said that Park colluded with a former minister of culture to blacklist cultural figures considered critical of her administration and cut off their state support.
The former minister has been indicted on charges of abuse of power.
The results of the special prosecutor’s investigations are not directly linked with the Constitutional Court’s proceedings. But opposition parties say the judges should take the results into consideration.
Both the prosecutors and the special prosecutor had wanted to question Park face-to-face.
But although she expressed a willingness to cooperate with the investigators, she never met with them.In South Korea, an incumbent president is exempt from criminal prosecution. But if the Constitutional Court upholds Park’s impeachment, she could face arrest and indictment.

Poland was against Tusk’s reappointment

Poland was the only country which opposed the reappointment of former Polish prime minister Donald Tusk as President of the European Council on Thursday, Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said on Twitter. Ahead of an EU leaders’ summit, current Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo said Warsaw did not want Tusk because he had criticized Polish government policies

Two S. Korean protesters die at rally against Park impeachment

Two people died after being injured at a protest against the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye, which took place on Friday, Yonhap News Agency reports. A 72-year-old man, identified only by his last name Kim, was taken to the hospital bleeding, the agency said, citing police. The second victim, a 60-year-old man, also named Kim, was found unconscious at a subway station near the Constitutional Court. Two more people were also injured during the protests on Friday, the agency added.

Eubiq (India) in service of Healthcare

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