“Though there is universal immunization Programme in the country it is still said that 30% of children still do not get proper vaccination. There is malnutrition and the problem of stunted growth among children in the country,” mentioned Dr Vardhan while inaugurating a two day Global Biotechnology Summit on “Destination India” in New Delhi. The Minister pointed out that the young population of India should take forward ideas to achieve target of 100 billion US dollars for the biotechnology sector by 2020 instead of 2025 for which the target has been set now.
Also present on the occasion, Mrs Nirmala Sitaraman, Union Minister for Commerce & Industry said that India has the second largest USFDA approved institutions in the biotechnology sector after USA and it is definitely possible for India to achieve target of 100 billion US dollars by 2020. She said the government expect start ups in areas of biotechnology and other basic sciences and the department of Pharma is expected to start a 1000 cr rupee venture capital for research in related fields.
The Summit was held as a run up to the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) celebrating its 30th Foundation Day on 26th February, 2016. The last 30th years, after the Department can into existence in 1986, have been crucial for the growth of Life Sciences and Biotechnology in the Country and DBT’s impact has been both national and global. To mark this event, a series of scientific activities including town-hall lectures, debates and other interactions with eminent scientists as well as overseas experts are being organized in association with various autonomous institutes and star colleges.
About 1200-1500 participants attended the two day event including eminent scientists from national and international public and private sector organizations and universities. Delegations from state governments, representatives and delegations from other countries with which DBT partners, students, research fellows, Biotech Start-up Entrepreneurs, policy-makers, Civil society and other stakeholders are among the participants.
