New Delhi [India], February 28 (ANI): To showcase the strength and opportunities of India’s biotechnology sector at the national level and to the global community, the second edition of Global Bio-India will be organised from March 1-3, 2021 on a digital platform.
Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare; Science and Technology and Earth Sciences will virtually inaugurate this biotechnology event.
“The Biotechnology sector has emerged as an integral part of the Indian economy over the past few decades, and the Government of India is playing a transformative and catalytic role in building a USD 150 billion bio-economy by 2025. The sector is recognized as one of the key drivers for India to achieve its USD 5 trillion target,” read the press release by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The theme for this year is ‘Transforming lives’ and tag line is ‘Biosciences to Bioeconomy’. Global Bio-India is one of the largest biotechnology stakeholders’ conglomerates that is being co-organised by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India along with its Public Sector Undertaking, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) in partnership with industry association Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) and Invest India.
The first edition of Global Bio-India 2019 at New Delhi was a huge success that saw participation from over 25 plus countries, 190 exhibitors, 2500 plus delegates, 300 plus start-ups, 50 plus incubators, 60 plus research institutes, 800 plus bio-partnering meetings, and representation from 9 states.
Global Bio-India 2021 is expected to have representatives from 50 plus countries with Switzerland being the partner country and Karnataka as its state partner to date. More partners are expected to join this biotechnology event.
With participation from 200 plus exhibitors, 5000 plus delegates, and 1000 plus start-ups, the event will witness representation from academia, researchers, entrepreneurs, start-ups, and medium and large scale industry, investors, regulators, policy leaders, enablers, national and organizations to facilitate the acceleration of the innovation ecosystem in India.
To emphasise the role of multiple allied sectors in the growth of biotechnology in India, there are around 24 knowledge sessions across different segments that will be held over these 3 days. Sessions including- India Fights COVID; The COVID-19 Vaccine Journey from Science to Delivery; Health Conclave; Start-up Conclave; Phytopharma and Traditional Knowledge; Clean Energy Conclave; Precision medicine and data-driven life sciences; Women Entrepreneurs Conclave; State sessions; International Investor’s meet and many more.
Global Bio-India is expected to facilitate recognition of India as an emerging Innovation Hub and Bio-manufacturing Hub for the world. It will facilitate scaling of India’s Biotech innovation ecosystem, investments, global networking, and collaborations, Make In India for the Atmanirbhar Bharat. (ANI)

Guwahati (Assam) [India], February 28 (ANI): One person was arrested in Guwahati for allegedly transporting five quintals of ganja in a truck, according to the police official on Saturday.
“We have arrested one person in Guwahati for transporting five quintals of ganja in a truck. We have seized 50 packets of ganja (10 kg each) from a truck,” said the Guwahati police official.
“The apprehended accused is the driver of the truck. Further investigation is underway,” said police. (ANI)

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], February 28 (ANI): Odisha government on Saturday made the COVID-19 test mandatory for passengers arriving from Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh.
“Passengers arriving from Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh will undergo screening tests at the airport in Odisha,” said Odisha Health Minister Naba Kishore Das.
“If found symptomatic, they will undergo an antigen test. Those testing COVID positive will be kept under isolation,” he informed.
On February 24, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) deputed high-level multi-disciplinary teams to Maharashtra, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Jammu and Kashmir for supporting them in public health measures for targeted COVID response and management.
According to the official release, the three-member multidisciplinary teams will work closely with the states and UT administration and ascertain the reasons for the recent surge in the number of COVID19 cases.
They will also coordinate with health authorities of the states and UT for requisite COVID19 control measures to break the chain of transmission.
The health ministry has advised states and UTs for regular critical review of the emerging situation with concerned district officials to ensure that gains made so far in COVID management are not lost. (ANI)

New Delhi [India], February 28 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address 2021’s second Mann Ki Baat on Sunday at 11 AM.
“Tune in tomorrow at 11 AM. #MannKiBaat,” tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday.
On February 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invited people of the country to share their inspiring stories in the field of art, culture, and tourism.
“Through inspiring examples, January’s #MannKiBaat highlighted diverse topics ranging from art, culture, tourism and agri innovation. Would love to hear more such motivating anecdotes for the programme in February, which will take place on the 28th,” PM Modi tweeted and shared a link for the people inviting ideas for the next ‘Mann Ki Baat’.
Prime Minister Modi had also shared a toll-free number for people to record their message in either Hindi or English.
In the last Mann Ki Baat in January, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appealed to the countrymen to write about freedom fighters and stories of their struggle to mark the country’s 75th Independence Day this year.
“Mann ki Baat” is the Prime Minister’s monthly radio programme to the nation, which is broadcasted on the last Sunday of every month. (ANI)

Jodhpur (Rajasthan) [India], February 28 (ANI): A student studying MBBS died allegedly by suicide in Jodhpur, according to the police official on Saturday.
“Final year student at MDM hospital was found hanging on a fan of his hostel room. Post mortem and room search will be done in presence of a family member,” said Shastrinagar Police Officer Pankajraj Mathur.
“The classmates called the student for dinner at night, but no response was received from the closed room. Despite calling and knocking on the door, there was no response. The student’s cousin, who was preparing for PMT, also came there. When everyone pushed and opened the door, everyone presumed that the student died by suicide,” said Mathur.
“Further investigation will be done accordingly,” said the police official. (ANI)

Hisar (Haryana) [India], February 28 (ANI): Khap panchayat in Hisar on Saturday decided to increase the rate of milk against farm laws and rising fuel prices.
“We have decided to give milk at the price of Rs 100/litre. We urge dairy farmers to sell milk at the same price to government cooperative societies,” said the Panchayat spokesperson.
Many people were sitting in agitation against the rising fuel prices coupled with their angst against the recently passed farm laws.
Amid surging fuel prices in the country, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on February 21 termed “less fuel production by manufacturing countries to gain more profit” as one of the reasons behind the price hike.
“There are two main reasons behind the fuel price rise. The international market has reduced fuel production and manufacturing countries are producing less fuel to gain more profit. This is making the consumer countries suffer,” Pradhan said.
Farmers have been protesting at the different borders of the national capital since November last year, against the three newly enacted farm laws – Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. (ANI)