
Eye screening camp for BMTC staff
The initiative is part of the Saarige Asha Kirana Yojane, launched by the Department of Transport in collaboration with the Centre's Department of Biotechnology and Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP).
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New Delhi: With bolder decisions, futuristic reforms, and transformative governance, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has in the last 11 years redefined India's development narrative and restored public faith in the system, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, said on Thursday. Singh stated that initiatives like the rollout of GST to the push for Digital India, or the opening up of strategic sectors like space and atomic energy to private players, the past decade has seen the government under PM Modi prioritising long-term national interest and setting new benchmarks in decision-making. 'Each initiative has been driven by the vision of a self-reliant and globally competitive India,' he said, in a media interview. Further, by enabling the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to foster innovation, particularly in vaccine development, genetic research, and bio-entrepreneurship, the Modi government positioned India as a rising global tech hub. The seamless integration of traditional governance goals with modern technology has been another key feature of the Modi era, the Minister noted. 'Under PM Modi's leadership, sectors like space, atomic energy, and biotechnology received unprecedented push. The global recognition India enjoys today in these fields is a direct result of consistent support and visionary policies,' he said. Citing the example of space tech -- once confined to building rockets – which powers telemedicine, farming, and classrooms, Singh highlighted that 'science is no longer confined to labs'. Space tech is also improving daily life through applications like agricultural weather updates, and online education. The MoS also highlighted transformative initiatives such as the JAM (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile) trinity, the Swachh Bharat Mission, and Special Campaign 4.0. Improving social security, PM Modi-led government also launched progressive pension reforms benefiting women. Family pensions will now continue for childless widows even after remarriage, and divorced daughters are entitled to family pensions if divorce proceedings were initiated while their parents were alive, said Singh, adding the upcoming tenure 'will be about accelerating the gains of the last decade'. Meanwhile, the Science and Technology Minister also reaffirmed India's leading role in global climate action, urging citizens and institutions alike to adopt sustainable practices as a national duty. He underlined that India's approach to climate resilience is rooted in both scientific innovation and public participation. 'Earth gives us everything -- clean air, fresh water, fertile land. But we take these gifts for granted,' Singh said, addressing a virtual event organised by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) on the occasion of World Environment Day. Warning the increasing threats from pollution, deforestation, and climate change, he said that combating these challenges must become a collective responsibility, enabled by behavioural change and lifestyle-driven movements like Mission LiFE—Lifestyle for Environment.


Hans India
7 days ago
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New Delhi: Indian astronaut and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to conduct exclusive food and nutrition-related experiments onboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the upcoming Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said on Saturday. The experiments — developed under a collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA — aim to pioneer space nutrition and self-sustaining life support systems vital for future long-duration space travel. Dr Singh said the first ISS experiment will examine the impact of microgravity and space radiation on edible microalgae — a high-potential, nutrient-rich food source. The study will focus on key growth parameters and the changes in transcriptomes, proteomes, and metabolomes of various algal species in space compared to Earth conditions. Presenting an example of Atmanirbhar Bharat, the Space biology experiments aboard the ISS will be conducted using indigenously developed biotechnology kits under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). These specialised kits, tailored for microgravity conditions, have been designed and validated by Indian scientists to ensure precision and reliability in space-based research. Their deployment marks a major milestone in India's ability to deliver world-class scientific tools for frontier research and underscores the country's growing self-reliance in critical technologies for space exploration and biotechnology.'Microalgae grow rapidly, produce high-protein biomass, absorb carbon dioxide, and release oxygen — making them perfect candidates for sustainable space nutrition and closed-loop life support systems,' said Dr Singh. The second experiment will investigate the growth and proteomic response of cyanobacteria — specifically Spirulina and Synechococcus —under microgravity, using urea- and nitrate-based media. The research will evaluate the potential of Spirulina as a space 'superfood' due to its high protein and vitamin content, assess the feasibility of using nitrogen sources derived from human waste, such as urea, for cyanobacterial growth, and study the effects of microgravity on cellular metabolism and biological efficiency. These insights are critical for developing closed-loop, self-sustaining life support systems essential for long-duration space missions. 'These organisms could be the key to carbon and nitrogen recycling in spacecraft and future space habitats,' the minister said. Shukla is part of the first team of Indian astronauts trained for human spaceflight, with Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair serving as his designated backup. The Ax-4 mission, managed by Axiom Space and launched via SpaceX Falcon 9, is a landmark for India's first astronaut-scientist-led space biology experiments onboard the ISS.


India Gazette
7 days ago
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Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to serve as Mission Pilot on Axiom-4 mission: Union Minister Jitendra Singh
New Delhi [India], May 31 (ANI): Union Minister for Department of Space, Jitendra Singh announced on Saturday that Shubhanshu Shukla, one of India's astronauts, will conduct exclusive food and nutrition-related experiments onboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the upcoming Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a release from the Ministry of Science and Technology said. The experiments--developed under a collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA--aim to pioneer space nutrition and self-sustaining life support systems vital for future long-duration space travel. Union Minister Singh detailed that the first ISS experiment will examine the impact of microgravity and space radiation on edible microalgae--a high-potential, nutrient-rich food source. The study will focus on key growth parameters and the changes in transcriptomes, proteomes, and metabolomes of various algal species in space compared to Earth conditions. Presenting an example of Atmanirbhar Bharat, the Space biology experiments aboard the ISS will be conducted using indigenously developed biotechnology kits under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). These specialized kits, tailored for microgravity conditions, have been designed and validated by Indian scientists to ensure precision and reliability in space-based research. Their deployment marks a major milestone in India's ability to deliver world-class scientific tools for frontier research and underscores the country's growing self-reliance in critical technologies for space exploration and biotechnology. 'Microalgae grow rapidly, produce high-protein biomass, absorb carbon dioxide, and release oxygen--making them perfect candidates for sustainable space nutrition and closed-loop life support systems,' said the Minister. Some species can grow in as little as 26 hours, and when cultivated in photobioreactors, they produce more biomass per unit volume than traditional crops--crucial for space missions with tight space and resource constraints. The second experiment will investigate the growth and proteomic response of cyanobacteria--specifically Spirulina and Synechococcus--under microgravity, using urea- and nitrate-based media. The research will evaluate the potential of Spirulina as a space 'superfood' due to its high protein and vitamin content, assess the feasibility of using nitrogen sources derived from human waste, such as urea, for cyanobacterial growth, and study the effects of microgravity on cellular metabolism and biological efficiency. These insights are critical for developing closed-loop, self-sustaining life support systems essential for long-duration space missions. 'These organisms could be the key to carbon and nitrogen recycling in spacecraft and future space habitats,' Singh emphasized. Jitendra Singh noted that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as Mission Pilot on the Axiom-4 mission, alongside Commander Peggy Whitson (USA, former NASA astronaut); Mission Specialist Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland/ESA); and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu (Hungary/ESA). Captain Shukla is part of the first team of Indian astronauts trained for human spaceflight, with Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair serving as his designated backup. The Ax-4 mission, managed by Axiom Space and launched via SpaceX Falcon 9, is a landmark for India's first astronaut-scientist-led space biology experiments onboard the ISS. To drive future innovation, an ISRO-DBT Joint Working Group (JWG) has been constituted to accelerate collaborations in Space Biotechnology and Space Biomanufacturing. Institutions including the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, and BRIC-inStem, Bengaluru, are currently exploring new experiment opportunities. 'The JWG recently discussed a joint 'Announcement of Opportunity' in Space Biotech, highlighting challenges and pathways for in-space manufacturing, bio-regenerative systems, and extra-terrestrial biomanufacturing for long-term missions,' said Jitendra Singh. With these initiatives, India is not just reaching space--but shaping how humans will live, eat, and survive in it. The success of these experiments has the potential to revolutionize human nutrition in space and enable bio-recycling systems for closed habitats. Dr. Jitendra Singh affirmed that this mission underscores India's growing influence in the global space sector and its transition from launch services to space exploration, sustainability, and science leadership. (ANI)