Former Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Dr MR Srinivasan passes away at 95
Dr. Srinivasan joined the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in September 1955 and began his distinguished career working alongside Dr. Homi Bhabha on the construction of India's first nuclear research reactor, Apsara, which achieved criticality in August 1956.
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Hans India
28-05-2025
- Hans India
TN to open genetic disorder centres in Coimbatore, Madurai
Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Health Department, in collaboration with the National Health Mission (NHM), is in the process of establishing two state-of-the-art Centres of Excellence for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of genetic disorders in Coimbatore and Madurai. These upcoming centres are modelled after the existing and operational facility at the Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children (ICH) in Chennai. Officials confirmed that construction is underway and nearly 50 per cent of the infrastructure work has been completed. The government has earmarked Rs 8.19 crore to fund the creation of these specialised centres, which are expected to significantly enhance Tamil Nadu's capacity to manage genetic disorders that contribute to the state's Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR). 'These centres are being established with the vision of improving early diagnosis and care for children suffering from rare and complex genetic conditions,' said Dr S. Srinivasan, expert advisor for Child health at NHM-Tamil Nadu. 'The model at ICH in Chennai has proven successful, and we are now replicating it in government medical college hospitals in Coimbatore and Madurai,' said Srinivasan. The Centres of Excellence will cater to a wide spectrum of genetic and metabolic disorders. These include hemoglobinopathies like thalassemia and sickle cell anemia, chromosomal disorders, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), other neuromuscular conditions, lysosomal storage diseases (LSD), mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS), congenital adrenal hyperplasia, congenital hypothyroidism, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6PD) deficiency, and cystic fibrosis. 'These are often life-limiting conditions that need timely and advanced diagnostic tools for proper management,' Dr Srinivasan added. At the Chennai facility, high-end diagnostic equipment such as Tandem Mass Spectrometry (TMS) and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) machines have already been installed and are operational. These tools allow for the comprehensive screening and diagnosis of rare genetic disorders. TMS, for instance, is used to detect inborn errors of metabolism (IEM), a group of rare disorders caused by enzyme deficiencies that prevent the body from properly converting food into energy. 'With these advanced technologies, we are able to not only diagnose but also offer targeted treatment solutions and genetic counselling to families,' said Dr Srinivasan. 'It marks a crucial step toward bringing precision medicine into the public health system,' he said. The centres in Coimbatore and Madurai are expected to be fully functional in the coming months. Once operational, they will play a pivotal role in addressing the burden of genetic disorders in the state, providing life-saving diagnostics and care to vulnerable children and their families.
New Indian Express
28-05-2025
- New Indian Express
TN to set up centres of excellence for genetic disorder prevention in Coimbatore, Madurai
COIMBATORE: The state health department with the support of National Health Mission (NHM) is preparing to launch Centers of Excellence for the prevention and management of genetic disorders in Coimbatore and Madurai, following the footsteps of Chennai. These centers aim to facilitate genetic research and laboratory tests for conditions such as inborn errors of metabolism and immune deficiencies. Construction of the buildings and procurement of high-value machinery are currently underway, said officials and added that 50% of the work has been completed. Recognising that genetic disorders are a major cause of Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR), the state government has allocated Rs 8.19 crore to establish two new Centres of Excellence in Coimbatore and Madurai, said officials. "The center is already operational at the Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children (ICH) in Chennai. Efforts to launch similar centers at government medical college hospitals in Coimbatore and Madurai are in progress," said Expert Advisor for Child Health, National Health Mission, Tamil Nadu S Srinivasan. The centers will specialise in a variety of genetic disorders, including hemoglobinopathies like thalassemia and sickle cell anemia, chromosomal disorders, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), other neuromuscular disorders, lysosomal storage diseases (LSD), mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS), congenital adrenal hyperplasia, congenital hypothyroidism, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6PD) deficiency, and cystic fibrosis, as outlined in the government order. "We have acquired expensive machinery such as Tandem Mass Spectrometry (TMS) and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) for genetic testing, among other equipments, at the ICH in Chennai. With this laboratory, we can screen patients with genetic disorders, diagnose their conditions, and explore potential solutions. For example, inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) are rare genetic conditions that impair the body's ability to convert food into energy due to enzyme defects. Using TMS, we can screen and diagnose IEMs," Dr Srinivasan added.
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- The Hindu
M.R. Srinivasan, a key architect of India's nuclear programme, no more
M.R. Srinivasan, the former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy, passed away in Udhagamandalam on Tuesday (May 20, 2025). He was 95-years-old. Srinivasan joined the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in September 1955 and began his distinguished career working alongside Dr. Homi Bhabha on the construction of India's first nuclear research reactor, Apsara, which achieved criticality in August 1956. In August 1959, he was appointed Principal Project Engineer for the construction of India's first atomic power station. His leadership continued to shape the nation's nuclear program when, in 1967, he took charge as Chief Project Engineer of the Madras Atomic Power Station. Srinivasan held several key positions of national importance. In 1974, he became Director of the Power Projects Engineering Division, DAE, and in 1984, Chairman of the Nuclear Power Board. In these roles, he oversaw the planning, execution, and operation of all nuclear power projects across the country. In 1987, he was appointed Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy. That same year, he became the Founder-Chairman of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). Under his leadership, 18 nuclear power units were developed — seven of which were operational, seven under construction, and four in the planning stage. His contributions to India's nuclear energy landscape will be remembered for generations to come, his daughter, Sharada Srinivasan said in a statement released by the family. In recognition of his contributions to India's nuclear energy program, Srinivasan was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, one of the nation's highest civilian honours. 'India will always be grateful to him for advancing scientific progress and mentoring many young scientists,' Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on social media platform X. Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. MR Srinivasan, a stalwart of India's nuclear energy program. His instrumental role in developing critical nuclear infrastructure has been foundational to our being self-reliant in the energy sector. He is remembered for his inspiring… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 20, 2025 Congress by Congress leader and MP Jairam Ramesh wrote on X: 'it has been my good fortune to have known him for a long time and he is someone who has left a deep and lasting impression on me by the strength of his commitments, his deep appreciation of the larger social functions of science, and his profound understanding of India's rich cultural traditions.' India's legendary nuclear technologist Dr. M. R. Srinivasan has just passed away. Picked by Homi Bhabha himself, he played a pivotal role in the setting up of India's very first nuclear power plant at Tarapur in the late 60s. Later he led the team that established India's… — Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 20, 2025 Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, and other leaders condoled Srinivasan's demise. 'Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. M.R. Srinivasan, a legendary architect of India's nuclear energy programme and a Padma Vibhushan recipient. His visionary leadership and scientific acumen were central to building the nation's self-reliance in atomic energy,' the Raj Bhavan quoted Governor Ravi as saying, in a social media post. In a social media post, Mr. Stalin said: 'We mourn the passing of Dr. M.R. Srinivasan, a pillar of India's atomic energy programme. He began his journey with Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, the father of India's nuclear programme, building our first reactor. Over decades, he led the creation of 18 nuclear power units, driving energy self-reliance. A true nation builder. My deepest condolences.'
