Union Health Secretary visits pharmaceutical Bilthoven Biologicals, Netherlands; has engaging meeting with CEO

Union Health Secretary Shri Apurva Chandra today visited the manufacturing unit of global pharmaceutical company Bilthoven Biologicals at Utrecht, Netherlands. He had an engaging meeting with CEO Mr. Juergen Kwik & CEO of Poonawalla Science Park (PSP) at Bilthoven Mr. Jef De Clercq on EU pandemic preparedness partnership and collaboration on production of vaccines. He met the senior management and was briefed on the various manufacturing units of the facility. A detailed presentation was made on their future manufacturing plans. Bilthoven Biologicals B.V. Co., manufactures pharmaceutical products such as vaccines for polio, diphtheria-tetanus-polio, and tetanus along with bacillus calmette-guerin (BCG).

The bioengineering and vaccine production firm Bilthoven Biologicals was purchased by Serum India Ltd., in 2012. This has strengthened its capacity of producing vaccines and also provided it with a valuable manufacturing base in Europe. Recently Serum and Bharat Biotech have announced collaboration for enhanced production of OPV. Bharat Biotech will collaborate with Netherlands-based Bilthoven Biologicals B.V, a wholly-owned arm of Serum Institute of India. An agreement has been signed under which Bharat Biotech will procure drug substances for manufacturing oral polio vaccines to be supplied within India and globally. This will contribute to supply security of oral polio vaccines. With this partnership, the capacity of BBIL to manufacture Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) has increased to 500 million doses every year.

Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) of the Union Health Ministry is one of the key interventions for protection of children from life threatening conditions by providing vaccination, including vaccine against polio. India has been certified free of Polio in March 2014. However, to maintain the polio-free status, polio vaccine is given to children as part of the high quality national and sub-national polio rounds across the country. A sustained supply of OPV is essential for keeping India polio free. The partnership between BBIL and Serum will contribute to providing a sustained supply of OPV in the country.

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Telecommunication Infrastructure Sharing, Spectrum Sharing, and Spectrum Leasing

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has today released recommendations on ‘Telecommunication Infrastructure Sharing, Spectrum Sharing, and Spectrum Leasing’.

Department of Telecommunications (DoT), through its letter dated 07.12.2021 had requested TRAI to provide recommendations under Section 11(1)(a) of TRAI Act, 1997 (as amended) on allowing sharing of core network elements also such as MSC, HLR, IN etc., among telecom operators. Subsequently, the DoT through its letter dated 10.02.2022, mentioning its earlier reference dated 07.12.2021, informed that to promote optimum resource utilization among the licensees, it is proposed to allow sharing of all kinds of telecom infrastructure and network elements among all categories of service providers licensed under the Section 4 of Indian Telegraph, Act, 1885 for provision of authorized telecom services, and requested TRAI to submit its recommendations on the subject.

Considering the request of stakeholders to permit inter-band spectrum sharing and leasing of spectrum in the country, the Authority decided to take up the issues related to spectrum sharing and leasing of spectrum along with the issues related to the infrastructure sharing in the stakeholders’ consultation.

National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP) 2018 recognizes spectrum as a key natural resource for public benefit to achieve India’s socio-economic goals. NDCP 2018 aims to further liberalize the spectrum sharing, leasing, and trading regime in the country. The newly enacted Telecommunications Act, 2023 provides that the Central Government may permit the sharing, trading, leasing and surrender of assigned spectrum, subject to the terms and conditions, including applicable fees or charges, as may be prescribed.

On 13.01.2023, TRAI issued a Consultation Paper on Telecommunication Infrastructure Sharing, Spectrum Sharing, and Spectrum Leasing for soliciting comments/counter comments from stakeholders. In response, 21 comments, and five counter comments were received from stakeholders. An open house discussion on the consultation paper was held on 24.05.2023 through virtual mode.

Based on the comments/counter comments received from stakeholders, and on its own analysis, TRAI has finalized the Recommendations on ‘Telecommunication Infrastructure Sharing, Spectrum Sharing, and Spectrum Leasing’. The salient features of the recommendations are as follows:

Telecommunication service licensees should be allowed to share the passive infrastructure such as building, tower, electrical equipment including battery and power plant, dark fiber, duct space, Right of Way, etc. owned, established, and operated by them under the respective licenses with all types of telecommunication service licensees.
Telecommunication service licensees should be allowed to share all types of active infrastructure elements owned, established, and operated by them under respective licenses with all types of telecommunication service licensees as per the scope of their services.
In the future projects of Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 (or Digital Bharat Nidhi under the Telecommunications Act, 2023), DoT should include a provision in the agreement with the Universal Service Provider (USP) that the USP shall not refuse to share the passive infrastructure laid under the project to at least two other telecom service providers on a transparent and non-discriminatory basis.
In the already assigned projects of USOF, DoT should explore the feasibility of issuing instructions to such USPs that the USP shall not refuse to share the passive infrastructure laid under the project with at least two other telecom service providers on a transparent and non-discriminatory basis.
In the interest of consumers, a telecom service provider, which has built mobile network infrastructure in the remote and far-flung areas of the country with full or partial funding from the Government under USOF (or Digital Bharat Nidhi), should be mandated to allow roaming to other TSPs on its network in such remote and far-flung areas initially for a period of three years.

Inter-band access spectrum sharing between access service providers [which may be implemented either by way of pooling of access spectrum held by the participating access providers in different frequency bands through common radio access networks, or by way of allowing the partnering access service providers to use the radio access networks of each other operating in the shared frequency band(s)] in an LSA should be permitted.

The DoT should explore the possibility of implementing authorized shared access (ASA) technique-based spectrum sharing in India, under which, the spectrum assigned to Government agencies or other entities (non-TSPs) in the globally harmonized spectrum bands for IMT services, can be assigned to access service providers as secondary users.

A field trial of ASA technique-based spectrum sharing between the willing access service providers should be conducted under the supervision of DoT.
The leasing of access spectrum should be permitted among access service providers.

Through these recommendations, the TRAI has also provided the essential terms and conditions for the implementation of the above recommendations.

The implementation of the recommendations on telecommunication infrastructure sharing will help telecom service providers in greater cost efficiencies and improved time to market. The recommendations on mandatory sharing of passive infrastructure laid under the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) projects are aimed at extending the benefits of telecommunication coverage in underserved areas to more than one telecom service providers through effective utilization of Government funded infrastructure. Further, the recommendations on mandatory roaming on the mobile network infrastructure built with Government funding in remote and far-flung areas are aimed at reducing the hardship being faced by the subscribers due to connectivity issues of the home network provider.

At present only spectrum trading and intra-band spectrum sharing are permitted in the country. For a more efficient utilization of the scarce spectrum, the TRAI has recommended that spectrum leasing and inter-band spectrum sharing should also be permitted. Implementation of these recommendations will enable telecom service providers to provide better quality of service and wider coverage of telecommunication services. Further, the recommendations for exploring the possibility of implementing authorized shared access (ASA) technique-based spectrum sharing are aimed at further strengthening the efficient and effective utilization of the scarce resource.

The Recommendations have been placed on TRAI’s website www.trai.gov.in. For clarification/ information, if any, Shri Akhilesh Kumar Trivedi, Advisor (Network Spectrum & Licensing), TRAI, may be contacted at Telephone Number +91-11-23210481 or email at advmn@trai.gov.in.

INDIAN ARMY CONDUCTS A SEMINAR CUM EXHIBITION ON THEME “YEAR OF TECH ABSORPTION, EMPOWERING THE SOLDIER”

A seminar cum exhibition was conducted today by the Indian Army on the theme “Year of Technology Absorption – Empowering the Soldier”. The event was conducted by the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), on behalf of the Indian Army in Manekshaw Centre.

The seminar brought together technology experts and industry professionals to deliberate on the adoption of modern technologies like Artificial Intelligence and advanced hardware in the military domain. It aimed at fostering a collaborative environment for academia and the defence industry to fast-pace the ongoing initiatives for technological absorption in the military.

The event commenced with an inaugural address by General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). Keynote Address was delivered by Dr Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM, NITI AAYOG). This was followed by an exhibition, demonstrating the progress and capabilities of India’s Defence Sector.

The COAS underscored the vital need of being self-reliant in warfighting platforms and systems besides achieving self-sufficiency in critical technologies through indigenous Research & Development. He emphasised that the Technology has emerged as the new strategic arena of competition which drives geo-political powerplay. He also said that technology is being leveraged for weaponisation of varied domains, ranging from Information to Supply Chains. Citing examples from recent conflicts, he mentioned that disruptive and dual use technologies are proliferating at unprecedented scale and transforming the Character of Modern Wars. He mentioned that a suite of digital technologies encompassing Electronic Warfare, Micro-electronics, Drones, Precision Attack Systems, Loiter Munitions and Star-link Terminals are challenging traditional force multipliers.

The COAS reiterated the commitment of Indian Army to continue its pursuit towards transitioning into a modern, agile, adaptive and technology enabled future ready force. He urged all stakeholders, the Services, Industry Partners, Start-Ups, Research & Development institutions, Academia and Policy Makers to synergise their efforts and develop a vibrant national defence eco-system.

The seminar was conducted in three sessions, with first session focussed on “Contemporary Technology and Industry Capabilities”. The session was moderated by Lieutenant General Vineet Gaur, Director General Capability Development and the speakers were eminent personalities from academia and industry such as Prof Mayank Vatsa (IIT Jodhpur), Dr Mandira Majumder, Shri Rajiv Mehrotra, Shri Vaibhav Gupta, and Colonel Karandeep Singh (Retired). This session analysed the emerging role of the Indian Defence Industry in strengthening of overall defence architecture. The speakers also deliberated upon the technology developed so far and future roadmap to build cutting-edge technologies for military usages.

The second session was moderated by Lieutenant General Subrata Saha (Retired) and focussed on “Empowering Soldiers: Amplifying Impact Through Modern Technologies”. Major General Sunil Mehrotra from Signals Directorate and Shri SB Taneja from DRDO examined options to leverage present and next-generation technologies to enhance the capabilities of Indian Army. Looking beyond the domain of land, this session analysed the role of space and cyber domains in the present context and future scenarios.

The final session on “Maximising Technology Effectiveness & Soldier Preparedness” was moderated by Lieutenant General PR Shankar (Retired). The speakers were Lieutenant General Rajesh Pant (Retired), Mr Geo George Philip, Dr K Mohanavelu, and Major General Ajay Sharma. The participants brainstormed wide-ranging options ranging from military applications of cyberspace, impact of drones and satellites on the modern battlefield, besides delving upon hardware and software options to empower soldiers.

The seminar culminated with closing remarks by Lieutenant General Tarun Kumar Aich, Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Strategy). Reflecting positive thoughts on impressive trajectory of Indian Army’s transformation, he reiterated that adoption of niche technology in tandem with agile doctrinal reforms is extremely crucial. He also stated that Indian Army will continue to foster a spirit of collaboration with the industry and academia to empower the soldiers.

The proceedings underscored the importance of technology absorption in empowering soldiers besides providing a snapshot of available solutions and highlighted the contributions of the Indian Defence Industry, delineating their strengths, future trajectories, and their pivotal role in ensuring future ready armed forces.

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6th edition of International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the 6th edition of the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure via video message today.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister extended a warm welcome to all the dignitaries and said that their participation would strengthen the global discourse and decisions on the important issue of Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. Reflecting on the impressive growth of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure since its inception in 2019, the Prime Minister underlined that it is now a global coalition of 39 countries and 7 organizations. “This is a good sign for the future”, he added.

Noting the growing frequency and severity of natural disasters where the damage caused is usually evaluated in dollars, the Prime Minister highlighted that its true impact on people, families and communities is beyond numbers. Shri Modi drew attention to the impact of natural disasters on humans and mentioned earthquakes destroying houses making thousands of people homeless and natural disasters disrupting water and sewage systems putting people’s health at risk. He also touched upon natural disasters that can impact energy plants leading to potentially dangerous situations.

The Prime Minister emphasized, “We must invest in resilient infrastructure today for a better tomorrow.” He stressed that resilience must be factored into new infrastructure creation while also being a part of post-disaster rebuilding. The Prime Minister pointed out that the focus should shift towards resilience in infrastructure once relief and rehabilitation are carried out after a disaster strikes.

Underlining that nature and disasters have no borders, the Prime Minister said that disasters and disruptions cause widespread impact in a highly interconnected world. “The world can be resilient collectively, only when each country is resilient individually”, PM Modi said. He stressed the importance of shared resilience due to shared risks and said that CDRI and this conference will help the world come together for this collective mission.

“To achieve shared resilience, we must support the most vulnerable”, the Prime Minister remarked. Referring to the Small Island Developing States at high risk of disasters, Prime Minister Modi mentioned a CDRI program for funding projects across 13 such places. He gave examples of resilient housing in Dominica, resilient transport networks in Papua New Guinea, and enhanced early warning systems in the Dominican Republic and Fiji. He expressed satisfaction that CDRI also has a focus on the Global South.

The Prime Minister recalled the formation of a new Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group with financing at the heart of its discussions during India’s G20 Presidency and said that such steps will take the world to a resilient future along with the growth of CDRI. He concluded his address by expressing confidence about the fruitful deliberations at ICDRI over the next two days.

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HUMAN SOCIETY IS MAKING THE MISTAKE OF FORGETTING THE IMPORTANCE OF FORESTS

Human society is making the mistake of forgetting the importance of forests. Forests are life givers. The reality is that forests have preserved life on earth, said the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu while addressing the officer trainees of Indian Forest Service (2022 batch) at their convocation ceremony at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun today (April 24, 2024).

The President said that today we talk about the Anthropocene Age, which is the period of human-centric development. During this period, disastrous results have emerged along with development. Unsustainable exploitation of resources has brought humanity to a point where the standards of development have to be re-evaluated. She stressed on the importance of understanding that we are not the owners of the earth’s resources, but we are trustees. Our priorities should be ecocentric along with anthropocentric. In fact, only by being ecocentric we will be able to be truly anthropocentric, she stated.

The President said that in many parts of the world the loss of forest resources has occurred very rapidly. Destruction of forests is in a way – destruction of humanity. It is a well known fact that conservation of earth’s biodiversity and natural beauty is a very important task which we have to do very quickly.

The President said that human life can be saved from the crisis through conservation and promotion of forests and wildlife. We can repair the damage at a faster pace with the help of Science and Technology. For example, the Miyawaki Method is being adopted in many places. Artificial Intelligence can help in identifying suitable areas for afforestation and area specific tree species. She stated that there is a need to assess various such options and develop solutions suitable to the geographical conditions of India.

The President said that the chariot of development has two wheels – tradition and modernity. Today human society is bearing the brunt of many environmental problems. One of the main reasons for this is a special type of modernity, the root of which is the exploitation of nature. Traditional knowledge is neglected in this process.

The President said that tribal society has made the eternal laws of nature the basis of their life. People of this society conserve nature. But, under the impulse of unbalanced modernity, some people consider the tribal community and their collective wisdom primitive. Tribal society has no role in climate change but the burden of its ill effects is disproportionately more on them.

The President said that it is very important to understand the importance of the knowledge accumulated by tribal society over centuries and use it to improve the environment. She stated that their collective wisdom can help us move forward on an ecologically sustainable, ethically desirable and socially justifiable path. She stressed that we will have to unlearn many misconceptions and relearn from the ideals of a balanced lifestyle of the tribal society. We have to move forward with the spirit of climate justice.

The President said that the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries increased the demand for timber and other forest products. New rules, regulations and methods of forest use were adopted to cope with the demand. To implement such rules and regulations, the Imperial Forest Service, the predecessor service of the Indian Forest Service, was formed. The mandate of that service was not to protect the tribal society and forest wealth. Their mandate was to promote the objectives of the British Raj by exploiting India’s forest resources to the maximum.

Referring to the mass hunting of wild animals during the British period, the President said that when she visits museums where animal skins or severed heads adorn the walls, she feels that those exhibits are telling the story of the decline of human civilization.

The President said that she was confident that the officers of the Indian Forest Service had become completely free from the colonial mentality and outlook of the former Imperial Forest Service. She stated that IFS officers not only have to conserve and augment India’s natural resources but also use the traditional knowledge in the interest of humanity. They have to protect the forest wealth by synchronizing modernity and tradition and advancing the interests of the people whose life is based on forests. By doing this, they will be able to make a contribution that is truly inclusive and congenial to the environment.

The President said that the Indian Forest Service has given many officers to the country who have done unparalleled work for the environment. IFS officers such as Shri P. Srinivas, Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh, Shri S. Manikandan have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. She urged the officer trainees to make such officers their role models and mentors and move forward on the ideals shown by them.

The President urged IFS officers to spend time among the tribal people in the field and earn their affection and trust. She said that they should learn from the good practices of the tribal society. She also urged them to take ownership of their responsibilities and become a role model.

Click here to see the President’s speech in Hindi.

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The Importance of Book Publication Before Retirement from a Professorial Career

Daily writing prompt

When is the last time you took a risk? How did it work out?

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In the academic world, the adage “publish or perish” underscores the critical importance of publication to a professor’s career. However, as professors approach retirement, the publication of a book can serve as a capstone to their academic journey, offering a synthesis of their life’s work, contributing to their field’s body of knowledge, and securing their legacy. Here, we explore the value of publishing a book before retiring, particularly through academic publishers like Edupedia Publications Pvt Ltd, which offers tailored services to help educators consolidate their scholarly contributions.

Legacy and Contribution to Knowledge

For many academics, the culmination of a lifelong career in education and research is epitomized in the publication of a book. This work not only encapsulates their significant contributions but also ensures that their methodologies, insights, and innovations persist beyond their active years in the academia. According to a report by The Chronicle of Higher Education, many retiring professors view book publication as a means to leave behind a tangible legacy that will inspire and inform future generations of scholars and practitioners (Chronicle of Higher Education, 2022).

Reflecting on a Career’s Worth of Knowledge

The process of writing a book allows retiring professors to reflect on their careers, distill decades of research and teaching, and articulate their philosophical and practical viewpoints. This not only aids the academic community but also provides a reflective practice for professors themselves, offering them a sense of closure and accomplishment. As noted in a study published in the Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, the act of writing can provide senior academics with a means to revisit and reevaluate their work through a new lens, often leading to new insights even at the end of their careers (Smith, J., 2019).

Educational Impact and Continuing Influence

Publishing a book can extend a professor’s influence far beyond their immediate academic circle. Through textbooks, monographs, or compilations of research, retired academics can continue to shape their fields, contribute to curriculum development, and influence current and future students. Edupedia Publications Pvt Ltd, known for its focus on academic publications (www.edupub.org), provides platforms and services that facilitate this process, ensuring that the academic’s work is accessible and impactful.

Financial and Professional Benefits

Beyond the academic and philosophical benefits, publishing a book can also offer financial advantages. Royalties from book sales provide a passive income stream, which can be particularly beneficial in retirement. Moreover, a well-received book can lead to speaking engagements, consultancies, and other professional opportunities that enrich a professor’s retirement both intellectually and financially.

Facilitating the Transition with Edupedia Publications Pvt Ltd

Choosing the right publisher is crucial. Edupedia Publications Pvt Ltd specializes in academic and educational publishing, offering a range of services from editorial support to global distribution. Their expertise in handling the specific needs of retiring academics ensures that the publication process is smooth and that the final product aligns with the professor’s vision and academic standards.

In conclusion, the publication of a book before retirement is more than a milestone; it is a beacon that continues to illuminate the path for future explorations in the field. It offers a unique opportunity for professors to summarize and share their life’s work, influence future generations, and transition smoothly into retirement with a lasting contribution to their academic community. As such, engaging with experienced publishers like Edupedia Publications Pvt Ltd can greatly enhance the quality and reach of their final scholarly contributions.

Privacy

24.04.2024

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Legacy and Contribution to Knowledge

Reflecting on a Career’s Worth of Knowledge

Educational Impact and Continuing Influence

Financial and Professional Benefits

Facilitating the Transition with Edupedia Publications Pvt Ltd

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