Latest news with #Kalaiselvi
The Print
13 hours ago
- Health
- The Print
Over 20 lakh from tribal areas screened for sickle cell anaemia in past 8 years: CSIR DG
The genetic disorder affects red blood cells, making them sickle-shaped, instead of the usual round one. Common symptoms include acute painful episodes, blocking of blood vessels and possible organ damage. Introduced in the Union Budget 2023 and launched in July the same year, the 'National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission' is aimed at eliminating the blood disease from the country by the end of 2047. New Delhi, Jun 27 (PTI) More than 20 lakh people from tribal areas have been screened since we started the sickle cell anaemia project eight years back, said CSIR's Director General Nallathamby Kalaiselvi, terming it among the institute's more successful missions. Speaking to PTI Videos, Kalaiselvi, who is also the Secretary of Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, said, 'While the country started talking about sickle cell anaemia only three years back, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) started addressing sickle cell anaemia eight years back, thanks to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, who gave the funding for the first five to six years.' 'It is actually one of our very visionary, successful missions, I would say,' she said. Kalaiselvi made history when she was appointed the first woman chief of CSIR — the country's largest research and development organisation, with 37 national laboratories and over 3,400 scientists. She explained that the sickle cell anaemia mission was divided into three parts, first being the screening and surveillance done by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad. 'If you just see the screening and surveillance, it is a great success story for our team, headed by Dr Giriraj Chandak (at CCMB), which went to Raipur, Bilaspur and other places,' Kalaiselvi said, adding that 20 lakh people have been screened so far. 'They interacted with the tribal communities and provided counselling pre and post-marriage, before and during pregnancy, and also after child birth,' she explained. 'The second part looked at drugs and medicines that could be utilised for sickle cell anaemia. This was headed by the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology,' Kalaiselvi added. The third part, involving genome sequencing and editing, was headed by the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, the 58-year-old said. Kalaiselvi said, 'Now, after five to six years, we realised the great potential of coming up with a sickle cell anaemia detection kit, developed by (Chandak's) group.' Explaining the working of the kit, she said, 'Using one drop of dried blood, you can easily understand if you have a threat of developing sickle cell anaemia… if you are a carrier or patient… or what is the severity of the condition.' 'It is going to cost even less than Rs 100, and you need not depend upon sophisticated instruments from now onwards,' she added. Born in February, 1967, in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli district, Kalaiselvi graduated with a Bachelors in Chemistry from Government Arts College in Tirunelveli. She obtained a Post Graduate Degree in Chemistry from Coimbatore's Government Arts College and completed her PhD at Annamalai University, Chidambaram. Kalaiselvi also talked about introducing lithium and sodium ion batteries in the consumer market. 'Thanks to the Government of India, with the 'Production Linked Incentive' (PLI) scheme, we have established a full-fledged facility in Chennai wherein one can produce 1,000 cylindrical lithium ion cells,' the director general said. The PLI scheme is among the Central government's efforts directed at positioning the country as a global manufacturing hub through innovation, efficiency and competitiveness. Kalaiselvi also said that lithium resources have been identified in India, at least in four places, even as she desisted from naming them. PTI DR KRS KRS This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Hindu
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Deputy BDO, panchayat secretary suspended for malpractice under MGNREGA
A deputy Block Development Officer and panchayat secretary of Vadipatti block were suspended recently for failing to monitor the irregularities committed in allotting works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The order, which was issued by the district administration, was based on a complaint demanding action against officials for irregularities committed by them in allotting works under MGNREGA. Sources in District Rural Development Agency said that Kalaiselvi, deputy BDO, and S. Selvam, Andipatti panchayat secretary, were suspended. Along with them, Karthigaiselvi, workplace supervisor, was sacked from duty. In addition, under 17(b) of Tamil Nadu Civil Service (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, actions have been initiated against Vadipatti village BDO Krishnaveni for failing to monitor and prevent the alleged malpractices committed by the subordinate officers. The petition which was initially submitted by Vadipatti villagers, including activist Gnanasekaran, with district Collector M. S. Sangeetha, read that the overseer who registers attendance of the workers on National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS), recorded attendance of people who were absent on the day. Through such malpractices, the complainants alleged that the eligible workers were not given work. The amounts that were credited for the absentees were enjoyed by the officers and their associates, they alleged. While the disciplinary action came after inspection by DRDA officials, sources said that the probe would continue to see if any other malpractices were being committed by the officers.
