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Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi
1
CSIR-CFTRI Director clarifies on Spirulina Chikkies
CSIR -CFTRI 10 May, 2020
Mysore/Mysuru: Dr. KSMS Raghavarao, Director, CSIR-Central Food Technological
Research Institute, Mysuru, has clarified as follows with regard to a statement in the recent
television coverage on the Spirulina Chikkies developed by the Institute:
―We have come to know that reports televised on May 9, 2020 by the some Kannada TV
Channels have claimed that Spirulina Chikkies developed by CFTRI as a cure for COVID-19
which is far from the truth. CFTRI has never claimed that the Spirulina Chikkies or any of
the other products recently supplied as relief are cures for any disease or illness. The
Spirulina Chikkies are supplements for nutrients that help in building immunity.‖
―It is also clarified that the Chikkies were not developed as a cure for COVID but for
combating malnutrition in children. They are helpful in all situations where immunity
requires to be maintained.‖
―The TV reports also made a claim that the COVID cases in Mysuru were reduced because
of Spirulina Chikkies, which is to say the least gross misrepresentation. I wish to put the
record straight here that it is the untiring effort of the District Administration, the Doctors
and other staff of the District Hospital, and other Departments of the Government which is
respsonsible for the disease status in Mysuru. The misrepresentation by the TV Channels is
an injustice meted out to these dedicated Corona Warriors,‖ the press release issued on
behalf of Dr. KSMS Raghavarao, Director, CSIR-CFTRI, Mysuru, stated.
Published in:
Starofmysore
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi
2
Emission of vapours has been contained, says DGP
CSIR -NEERI 10 May, 2020
Director General of Police D. Goutam Sawang has said that everything is under control and
there is no scope for further danger at the LG Polymers factory located at RR Venkatapuram
in the city.
Interacting with the media after visiting the plant here on Saturday, Mr. Sawang said that the
emission of vapours had been contained and safety measures were in place.
―We have also checked the status of other storage tanks and reactors in the plant and
everything is normal, and there is no reason for panic,‖ he said.
Styrene monomer vapour leaked out of the safety valves from one of the storage tanks and
spread over a radius of 3 km in the early hours of Thursday. The incident led to the death of
12 persons and hospitalisation of over 300.
―The containment is being done under the watchful eyes of scientists from the NEERI and
NDRF. As per their reports, danger has been averted and containment is on in full swing. It
will take another 48 hours to get back to normal, and then it will be under observation for
another 24 hours. It is only after that we can ask people to return,‖ said Mr. Sawang, and
hinted that everything should be in place by Monday.
‘More experts coming’
A couple of more expert teams would be arriving soon from New Delhi to assess the
situation, he said.
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi
3
Referring to a question on whether action would be taken against the company, the DGP said
that cases had been booked against it under the relevant sections and a high-power committee
had been formed to investigate the matter. ―We will act based on the investigation report,‖ he
said.
On the cause of the accident, he said it was too early to give any concrete reason. ―It is being
probed by different agencies. We will be able to comment only after the probe is completed,‖
said Mr. Sawang.
Published in:
Thehindu
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi4
40 per cent coronavirus cases coming from one virus cluster:
Report
CSIR –IGIB 10 May, 2020
NEW DELHI: Five distinct strains of coronavirus have been isolated by scientists from 165
genome sequenced so far across 19 states and 40 per cent cases, majority from the state with
high COVID-19 burden, are found to have one virus cluster.
The analysis ‗The Diversity of SARS-nCoV-2 genomes from India‘ by a team of scientists
from the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) shows that the SARS-CoV-2
genomes isolated from Indian fall into five distinct clusters — A1a, A2a, A3, B and one
unclassified.
But experts clarify that there is not enough data to prove anything about
pathogenicity/virulence of virus in India. The genetic makeup of virus holds key
information in understanding the spread of the COVID-19 across the world and by studying
virus mutations, scientists can better understand how efficiently the virus bind and replicated
inside human body.
A dataset of 165 viral genomes from India submitted at the Global Initiative on Sharing All
Influenza Data (GISAID) database (May 7, 2020) from Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka,
Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal, Ladakh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh,
Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Kerala, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha, Punjab
and Rajasthan.
According to analysis, the B clade was obtained from early SARS-CoV-2 genomes from
Wuhan and one of the first genomes sequenced in Kerala fall in this cluster while the A3
clade mutation has previously been found to be linked to Iran. Seven samples collected from
Ladakh fall in this cluster. Genomes belonging A2a cluster saw two mutations.
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"40 per cent genomes from India fall under this cluster, including samples from Delhi,
Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal, Punjab, Telangana," Vinod Scaria,
Genomics Scientist, IGIB, quoted Phlyogenetic analysis.
The assessment says that the A1a clad, as of now, samples from Delhi make up the cluster.
Besides, Genome sequences from people who had travelled from Wuhan, China to Kerala on
January 23, 2020, Though both genomes show 99.98 per cent similarity with original Wuhan
seafood Market pneumonia virus but they are positioned in different clusters.
Published in:
Newindianexpress
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi6
‘Nothing Very Unusual About SARS-CoV-2 In India That Makes It
More Or Less Virulent’
CSIR -CCMB 10 May, 2020
New Delhi: As COVID-19 has ravaged through the world infecting more than 4 million
people and killing nearly 280,000 in just five months, there is still no vaccine or drug for the
disease. Scientists all over the world, and in India, are rushing to develop these and also to
develop technologies for ventilators, protective gear and other medical devices.
India‘s premier scientific institute, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR),
has tasked its many institutes to focus on five main areas: surveillance, diagnostics, drugs,
hospital assistive devices and the supply chain. There are 39 labs under CSIR and one of
these is the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB).
IndiaSpend spoke with Rakesh K Mishra, the centre‘s director, about his institute‘s work on
COVID-19. CCMB has been designated as a validating lab for companies to get their RT-
PCR or antibody tests validated and sold in India.
In the interview, Mishra spoke about CCMB‘s work on next-generation sequencing, pool
testing, antibody testing, the need for private companies to come pick up the research being
done by CCMB and whether there is anything starkly different about the SARS-CoV-2 strain
in India.
Edited excerpts from the interview:
Could you explain what all kinds of research information CCMB is willing to share
with private companies now on SARS-CoV-2?
For example, we grow the virus in the labs in large quantities--we are offering it to several
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi7
companies to make vaccines or do serological testing. Similarly for the proteins we have in
our labs. Companies can come forward and take it up. We can license it at really negligible
fees. As a government lab, we are not supposed to make money out of this but whatever
technologies can go to the public, we are happy for that.
We are happy to share information on the virus and proteins but the genetic information we
are gathering, we are not making public yet. This is not specific to our labs in India but is an
established system everywhere. We will deposit the sequence in the public domain when
enough sequences have been done, and everyone can use that information. This is a very good
and open way of working. There are now more than 12,000 sequences in the public domain
already.
On the virus and proteins, we are already in negotiations and have finalised agreements with
several companies who can take it forward for making vaccines and drugs. Not all this will
bear fruit, but at CCMB alone, we are interacting with some 675 companies at the moment.
There is enthusiasm from companies for a few reasons. Firstly, this is a challenge for anyone
who wants to have a long-term standing on the health system. Second, it is a lockdown, so if
you are working on COVID-19, at least you are allowed to work and run your lab. Third,
COVID-19 is going to be a long-term issue we have to deal with, so it is good for people to
start getting involved.
Is CCMB also working on creating diagnostics for COVID-19?
We are interacting with Biocon and Syngene to develop something really dramatic called
‗Next Generation Sequencing‘. With this project, we will be able to test 10,000 or 20,000
samples in one go. That technology basically involves collecting samples from many places
and doing them in a specialised bar-coded fashion, pooling them and bringing them to one
place--like CCMB or wherever there are adequate facilities--and then doing the sequencing
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi8
for diagnosis. To clarify, this is not going to be genome sequencing, it will be sequencing for
diagnosis.
This technology has some demands though, on logistics. Governments have to accept and
agree to use this because it operates all the way from sample collection point, not just at the
testing point in labs. A large number of cases need to be tested. So when a number of
people are concerned, India is at both an advantage and disadvantage for this.
The idea for this came from work at the Broad Institute in the US, a top genomics institute.
We began working on this, discussing, refining and moderating the idea in a way that
becomes economically viable. We are working on a system that will make things cheaper
and faster. We are excited about this.
Although we are still developing this technology, we do hope it will be useful for diseases
like COVID-19 or other things, now or in the future. There‘s nothing special about COVID-
19 in the sense, the type of testing one has to do is the same as for many other diseases. But
the difference here is we need to test such large numbers and very fast. So if we succeed,
this technology can solve this problem for future pandemics.
One question has been coming up often in government press conferences and has been
a matter of speculation: Are Indian scientists seeing anything special in the
mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus? Anything stark in the strains that you are
studying? Anything different in terms of its virulence?
A very basic feature of the ‗corona‘ family of viruses is they mutate very fast. It is normal,
to be expected. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is mutating. That is precisely the reason the whole
world is sequencing it. Otherwise why should you sequence the same virus 12,000 times?
Variations are very useful so we can track the virus. It is like lots of dots, connected by
arrows. The direction of the arrows shows how the dots are related to each other. This is
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi9
why we are also keen on sequencing very large numbers.
On the Indian strain and isolates, we have analysed them. To answer your question in a very
straight way, so far there is nothing very unusual about the Indian isolates to suggest that
they are more or less virulent. There is nothing to be worried or happy about. It is really like
other strains.
It has its own signature that helps us track the spread of the virus. But regarding whether
[there is] anything very different about the Indian strain, we will be able to make a very firm
statement on this once we have, let us say, 500 or 1,000 genome sequences done, which will
probably happen in May.
One more thing we are working on is whether there‘s a genetic difference among Indians that
is determining how we handle the virus. So we are taking samples of patients with severe or
mild symptoms, or asymptomatic cases and looking at their genomes. For example, in mild
cases, what could be the reason that these people only experienced mild symptoms? We will
know this in a few months. It is a long-term research. A few months is not a long time, but of
course in a desperate time like COVID-19, it is a long time.
What are some other areas of work around COVID-19 which your institute is involved
in?
We are one of the few centres in India that is doing pooled testing of samples. We are doing
this in the state of Telangana. Given that there is a shortage of testing kits, pooled testing
saves on the reagents used. It also saves time and allows us to test a larger number of people.
Pooled testing works by doing a small number of tests, among pools of people, which gives
the results for a larger number of people. So for example, by doing 100 tests, we can get the
results for 500 people. If positive cases turn up in some of those pools, then we can go back
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi10
and re-test within those areas. We have made a protocol on how to do this and shared it with
other testing labs.
This should only be done with RT-PCR tests though, not antibody tests. Telangana has not
allowed any antibody testing, even before the recent issue around faulty antibody test kits.
On the issue of antibody kits, there has been a lot of controversy around its pricing but
also on its quality. The government has now blacklisted two Chinese companies. What
are some issues around using antibody testing that we need to be careful about?
With antibody testing, you will not be able to detect the antibodies in the first 8-10 days of
infection. But this is also the time when the infection is spreading. So if a person is tested for
antibodies in the first week or 10 days of infection, their results will come negative. They will
have a false impression that they do not have infection. So antibody testing does not help to
check the spread of the infection. It only helps to sense where all the spread has been and
whether one had exposure to the virus. It helps to decide overall management of the
pandemic, who has the antibodies, who does not have the virus, who can be deployed in some
areas and who can go back to work.
[Editor‘s note: The WHO has warned that there is no conclusive evidence that antibody tests
prove that an individual is immune or is protected from reinfection, and warned against
depending on ―immunity certificates‖ to allow individuals to get back to work.]
What issues will we face as a country because of not having enough antibody kits?
Antibody testing has a lot of uses also. ICMR [Indian Council of Medical Research] has
banned some kits from China but there are South Korean kits [too].
This time also gives scope and space for indigenous kits to come. We at CCMB are growing
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi11
the virus, we can make the kits with the help of some companies. We are now able to express
almost all the proteins of this virus, they are also potential material for making such
serological or antibody-based kits.
At CCMB, we cannot do business, we cannot do mass-scale production. But we do the initial
risky work of exploration. Once things stabilise, private companies can come forward. They
should see scope for business. Now because of this crisis, scope has increased. We might have
indigenous kits soon.
Published in:
Indiaspend
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi12
CFTRI’s Webinar to mark National Technology Day on May 11
CSIR -CFTRI 09 May, 2020
Mysore/Mysuru: The Mysuru-based CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute
(CFTRI) is celebrating the National Technology Day differently by organising a Webinar.
The Webinar is being organised in association with Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement
(SVYM), Mysuru, and will be online on May 11 at 11 am.
Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, Founder, SVYM, will be delivering a lecture on ‗What do Villages
Expect from Food Scientists?,‘ following which there will be an interaction with the listeners.
Dr. K.S.M.S. Raghavarao, Director, CFTRI and Dr. R. Subramanian, Chief Scientist, CFTRI,
will also be present.
Those who are interested may download Zoom app on their phone and join the Webinar by
typing the Zoom Webinar ID: 996 6990 3688 and Password: 162163.
For details, contact Sharma on Mob: 98866-40328, according to a press release from
A.S.K.V.S. Sharma, Coordinator, Information & Publicity, CFTRI.
Published in:
Starofmysore
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi13
Plasma trial in 10 states; city delves deeper
CSIR -IICB 09 May, 2020
Over 450 patients with the coronavirus disease scattered across 10 states will be offered
convalescent plasma therapy under a clinical trial coordinated by India‘s apex health research
agency, but a study in Calcutta on 40 patients might yield deeper scientific insights
The Indian Council of Medical Research announced on Friday that it has started a clinical
trial to offer plasma — a blood product — from patients who have recovered from Covid-19
to 452 patients in 32 hospitals that could shortly be expanded to include 83 more hospitals.
Apollo Gleneagles, Tata Memorial Centre, AMRI Hospitals and CliniMed LifeSciences in
Calcutta are among the hospitals that are expected to join shortly.
Multiple Covid-19 patients in Delhi and other cities have already received plasma therapy on
an emergency or compassionate grounds and several such patients have recovered. But the
ICMR has cautioned that it should not be considered routine unless proven through clinical
trials.
Convalescent plasma contains antibodies to the virus that causes Covid-19 and is under
assessment worldwide for its efficacy against the infection. The use of such plasma had been
studied earlier elsewhere in the world in outbreaks of other severe coronavirus infections.
The ICMR plans to use the trial to assess the safety and efficacy of the convalescent plasma
to curb the development of serious Covid-19 and its complications in patients with moderate
disease.
Doctors in hospitals across the country will offer patients with moderate Covid-19 disease
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the option to participate in the trial which has only one arm — patients — and no placebo
arm.
All trial patients will receive only the plasma and no one will receive placebo, or sham
medication considered necessary to establish with rigour that the effect is due to the
experimental medication.
But many doctors argue that it would be inappropriate to offer placebo to Covid-19 patients in
plasma trials. ―It would be unacceptable and unethical to offer placebo when plasma is the
alternative,‖ said T. Jacob John, a clinical virologist and former professor at the Christian
Medical College, Vellore.
―This is the time to create evidence from experience — not from experiments. This is not the
time to do experiments on patients,‖ John said.
―Plasma therapy is a very well-known treatment widely used and is similar to a blood
transfusion.‖
In the absence of a placebo arm, an independent convalescent plasma therapy trial planned by
the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Calcutta, assumes significance because it will look at
clinical outcomes of patients, the immunological changes they show and their virus profiles.
Under the trial supported by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, scientists at
IICB will collaborate with doctors at the Infectious Diseases and Beliaghata General Hospital
in Calcutta to offer plasma therapy to 40 patients.
―A placebo-controlled arm is ideal for scientific rigour because it helps generate stronger
evidence for the effect of an experimental treatment than without it,‖ said Dipyaman
Ganguly, a physician-turned-immunologist at the IICB.
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―However, because placebo is not possible in these circumstances, we will instead look at
whether the plasma triggers specific immunological responses in the patients,‖ Ganguly said
―We‘ll also examine mutations in the viruses infecting individual patients to determine how, if
at all, the immunological responses and the type of the virus might influence the outcome of
the therapy.‖
While the ICMR trial will provide quick information about outcomes on patients, the Calcutta
study will allow medical researchers to probe the mechanisms through which the plasma
therapy might work, if at all, and build a stronger evidence base for the treatment.
The ICMR‘s trial will be conducted in 32 hospitals in Chandigarh, Gujarat, Karnataka,
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telengana and Uttar
Pradesh. An additional 83 hospitals in several other states are also expected to join shortly.
Published in:
Telegraphindia
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi16
Got drug controller nod for Favipiravir's clinical trial on COVID-
19 patients: CSIR DG
CSIR -IICT 09 May, 2020
NEW DELHI: The Drug Controller of India has allowed a clinical trial of Favipiravir
medicine, developed indigenously a CSIR laboratory, on coronavirus patients, Director-
General Shekhar Mande said on Friday.
He said the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad has developed the
technology to make the drug Favipiravir.
The technology has been transferred to a private company, IICT Director S Chandrashekar
said.
The company will now tie-up with hospitals for clinical trials so that the drug could be tested
on patients suffering from COVID-19.
Approval from patients will be necessary as per the protocols, he said.
Mande said Favipiravir is used in countries such as China and Japan to treat influenza.
Whenever a virus enters a cell, it tries to create multiple replicas.
Favipiravir stops the replication process, he explained.
The CSIR has already tied up with Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd to evaluate Mycobacterium
W (Mw) for faster recovery of hospitalised COVID-19 patients and minimise the spread of
disease.
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Mycobacterium W can reduce mortality of patients suffering from Gram-negative sepsis by
50 per cent.
Permission has been granted by the Drug Controller of India to conduct tests on critically ill
COVD-19 patients at three major hospitals in the country, he said.
Mande said Mycobacterium W helps in boosting TH1 and TH2 cells, which in turn, builds
immunity in fighting viruses and in this specific case the novel coronavirus.
Published in:
Newindianexpress
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NCL handed over mask and sanitizer to sonbhadra administration
CSIR–NCL 08 May, 2020
Singrauli: Mask area of ncl handed over mask and sanitizer to sonbhadra
administration Northern Coal Fields Limited (NCL) D?dh?cu'? area COVID-19 is
constantly trying to help the families of the world who are suffering from 19-generated
global epidemic |
In this order, on Wednesday, the dudh?cu'? area of NCL PROVIDED 1500 pcs masks and
350 Pcs Sanitizer to sonbhadra administration.It is worth the fact that the families who have
been raised in front of the families in the circumstances arising due to the k?vi?a 19 have
been distributed to the d?dh?cu'? area in the middle of such nearby villagers as well as
logistics materials, masks etc.
Published in:
Psuconnect
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi19
''Counting'' soap-water dispenser to help wash hands in COVID
times!
CSIR -CMERI 08 May, 2020
Kolkata, May 8 (PTI) Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds and the sneaky
coronavirus will be hosed down the drain.
Television these days is full of cheeky advertisements which carry dire warnings about the
invisible enemy of mankind which can destroy you if you don''t.
But how do you count those 20 seconds? The answer is you don''t, the dispenser kept by your
sink will do it for you.
The Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) in West Bengal''s
Durgapur has developed a contactless soap-cum-water dispensing unit that will help people
wash their hands properly without having to count those seconds in mind or turning their
hand to look at a timepiece.
The dispenser has sensors that get activated when in close proximity to objects.
It dispenses both liquid soap and water from the same outlet with a time lag of 20 seconds,
Harish Hirani, the Director of CMERI, which functions under the Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR), said.
"The 20 second timer is a game-changer, as it ensures that the user is compelled to rub his or
her hands for the requisite time span as per standard hygiene guidelines. Our technology is
based on intensive research and ergonomic demands," he said.
The device can be deployed at various locations like hospitals, shopping malls, banks, stadiums
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and sports complexes, he said.
CSIR-CMERI has also developed products such as soaps and hand sanitisers that strictly
adhere to the WHO guidelines.
Hirani handed over one such dispense and 50 bottles of hand sanitisers to the chief terminal
manager of Indian Oil Corporation Limited''s Rajbandh facility in West Burdwan district on
Wednesday.
The liquid hand sanitiser contains 75 per cent alcohol and is effective against most bacteria
and viruses without water, a spokesman for the institute said. PTI SUS SK SK SK SK
Published in:
Outlookindia
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CSIR-CMERI 08 May, 2020
Published in:
Rajesthan Patrika
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With cases spiking, TN to do aggressive testing in coming days
CSIR–CLRI 08 May, 2020
―We are expecting to get approval from Indian
Council for Medical Research (ICMR) in
another 10 days. Few research scholars from
CLRI are already lending a helping hand at
the King‘s Institute,‖ said KJ Sreeram,
director of CLRI.
He added, ―Additionally, Hewlett Packard is
providing a ready to use container with Bio
CHENNAI: As the State sees an exponential Safety Level-3 facility too. We are also
rise in COVID-19 cases day by day, the expecting few automated RNA extraction
government is gearing up for more units to arrive that can process 40-90 samples
aggressive testing. Joining the State‘s fight per hour, compared to 1-2 samples done
at this juncture are Central Leather Research manually in four hours.‖
Institute (CLRI), IIT-Madras and the Cancer
Institute. CLRI, combined with IIT-M and the Cancer
Institute, have enough RT-PCR machines to
The CLRI in Adyar has already made ready meet the State‘s demand, he added.
a full-fledged testing lab in its campus. Meanwhile, in an official response IIT-M said,
Additionally, a Bio Safety Level-2 facility to the institute has tied up with CLRI. ―IIT-M
handle samples from patients, and for RNA does not have the facility to do RNA
extraction, has been established on war extraction, and will only do RT-PCR tests,‖
footing, and more critical equipment are said the institute.
expected to arrive in the next few days. Published in:
Newindianexpress
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi23
Vizag gas tragedy: Govt sends CBRN, NEERI experts to ensure
safety of people, secure site
CSIR -NEERI 08 May, 2020
Vizag gas leak: The central government has deployed a team from the Chemical, Biological,
Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) unit of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Pune,
along with an expert team of National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI),
Nagpur, to manage the crisis on the ground and take measures to solve the short term and long
term medical impact of the gas leak at Visakhapatnam.
The government confirmed that the incident occured because of styrene gas leakage from the
LG Polymers factory on Thursday at 3 am in RR Venkatapuram village, Gopalapatnam Mandal
in Visakhapatnam District. The leak affected the surrounding villages namely Narava, B.C
Colony, Bapuji Nagar, Kampalapalem and Krishna Nagar. The tragedy has so far killed 11 people
and led to the hospitlisation of hundreds of people.
The state police is also probing reasons for the gas leak and is investigating whether LG
Polymers flouted the CBRN safety guidelines issued by the NDMA. The plant was restarting
after being closed for a while due to the nationwide coronavirus lockdown. The Indian Chemical
Council, a grouping of Indian chemical companies, had warned a couple of weeks ago that
certain issues could crop up from a sudden shutdown and restarting of chemical plants.
The decision to send the expert teams was taken during a high-level meeting in Delhi on
Thursday. The teams will ensure measures for the safety of the affected people and secure the
site affected by the disaster. Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the meeting was
attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Ministers of State
for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai and G Kishan Reddy, besides other senior officials, said a
government statement. Various experts were also consulted to ascertain short term and long
term damage control measures.
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The statement said styrene is a colourless, flammable liquid which is used to prepare
polystyrene plastics, rubber and fibre-glass and is used in pipes, insulation, automobile parts
etc. Its exposure is through ingestion, inhalation or contact (skin). Styrene gas, which is toxic
in nature also causes respiratory problems and other medical conditions.
Common symptoms of styrene exposure include irritation to eyes, nose and skin,
gastrointestinal and respiratory effects and neurological disorders depending on the exposure.
Its long term exposure may cause central nervous system and kidney related problems,
depression, headache etc. The department of health and human services USA lists styrene as
reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogen.
To ascertain the level of styrene in contaminated air, samples of air have to be analysed in
detail using a special styrene detection device. It is unlikely to remain longer in the
environment as when released into the soil or water styrene is expected to readily biodegrade
and evaporate quickly. While released into the air, styrene will readily degrade by reaction
with photo-chemically produced hydroxyl radicals and is expected to have a life of less than
one day, said the government.
Published in:
Businesstoday
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi25
Coronavirus | CSIR contributes to genome database
CSIR –IGIB,CCMB 07 May, 2020
Amid concerns that the novel coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) may have undergone a mutation and
the new strain maybe even more contagious, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
(CSIR) has submitted as many as 53 genome sequences of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to
a global genome database, a move that may help in better understanding the virus and
developing a vaccine.
The country‘s premier research and development organisation is also planning to submit the data
of another 450 genome sequences of the virus by May 15, its Director-General Shekhar Mande
said.
The CSIR‘s Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Delhi, the Centre for Cellular
and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, and the Institute of Microbial Technology,
Chandigarh, are currently sequencing the genomes of the novel coronavirus, he said. Other
CSIR institutes are also expected to join the process.
―We have so far submitted 53 genome sequences to the GISAID [Global Initiative on Sharing
All Influenza Data]. By May 15, we intend to submit an additional 450 genome sequences,‖ Mr.
Mande said, adding that all 53 have been sequenced by the scientists at the IGIB.
Genome sequencing is the method of figuring out the order of DNA nucleotides. It helps in
understanding how genes work together to direct the growth, development and maintenance of
an organism.
IGIB Director Anurag Agarwal said in case of the coronavirus, sequencing will help understand
the origins of the virus.
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi26
For instance, if a virus emerges from a particular cluster, sequencing will make it easier to
identify its origin later when it is found in some other part of the country or world. It will
also be helpful in making vaccines and drugs for it, he added.
Earlier this week, a study by a U.S.-based science laboratory has indicated that there is a new,
highly-potent strain of the coronavirus that has spread globally. According to the study, this
strain is more contagious than the virus in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the Indian context, Mr. Mande said the sequences submitted to GISAID by CSIR deals
with the coronavirus detected in Indians.
Launched in 2008, GISAID, a public-private partnership between the German government
and a nonprofit organisation, promotes the rapid sharing of data from all influenza viruses
and the coronavirus-causing COVID-19.
This includes genetic sequence and related clinical and epidemiological data associated with
human viruses, and geographical as well as species-specific data linked to avian and other
animal viruses. This enables researchers to understand how viruses evolve and spread during
epidemics and pandemics.
According to GISAD, more than 16,000 genome sequences of the coronavirus have been
shared with it by different institutes in the world that will enable rapid progress in
understanding the new COVID-19 disease and in the research and development of medical
countermeasures.
―Genomic resources obtained from this sequencing will also allow the identification of new
targets for diagnosis and drugs for COVID-19,‖ the Director of IMTech, Sanjeev Khosla, had
said when the process had begun.
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi27
Besides CSIR, the National Institute of Virology, Pune (under the Indian Council of Medical
Research) and the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre, a State sponsored institute, have
also submitted genome sequences of the coronavirus to the GISAID database. But the
number of sequences submitted by CSIR is high.
CSIR, a body under the Ministry of Science and Technology, has 38 laboratories dealing with
a range of subjects.
Globally, more than 38 lakh people have been infected and over 2.6 lakh people have died due
to COVID-19, according to the World Health Organisation database.
Published in:
Thehindu
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi28
North East Institute of Science and Technology develops website
on COVID-19
CSIR –NEIST 07 May, 2020
In a bid to disseminate all updates on COVID-19 regarding ongoing scientific research across
the globe including what the CSIR labs are doing, the CSIR North East Institute of Science
and Technology has indigenously developed and launched a website
www.neist.res.in/covid19 in eastern Assam‘s Jorhat on Wednesday.
The special website on COVID-19 was launched by Director of CSIR NEIST Dr G Narahari
Sastry.
Sastry said the portal had been designed and developed by CSIR-NEIST with a goal to
disseminate wide array of information on the current COVID-19 pandemic.
―The main objective of the portal is to create awareness among the society about COVID-
19,‖ he said.
The website will serve as knowledge source for the COVID-19 pandemic and it will also
showcase the ongoing activities in various CSIR labs under different verticals such as
Molecular Digital Surveillance, Development rapid and cheap diagnostic kit, new therapies
development and drug repurposing, development of personal protective equipment kit (PPE)
and supply chain, he added.
―In this portal, users can also get information about various myths and facts spread around
the world about COVID-19,‖ Sastry also said.
The new website was is devised with an objective to provide visitors an insight into the
scientific developments taking place across the globe whether it is about the development of
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi29
vaccines, therapeutics, epidemiological studies, busting myths and revealing the truths, etc.
A special feature which the institute hope will be highly useful is access to the key current
activities undertaken by CSIR fraternity for combating COVID-19 such as molecular digital
surveillance, rapid and cheap diagnostic kit, new therapies or drug repurposing, hospital
assisted devices and supply chain which are being pursued on war footing basis.
CSIR-NEIST under Sastry has adopted various preventive measures right from the
beginning by preparing and distributing hand sanitizer to various establishments and
locations in the district besides developing various other self defense products like hand-
wash, disinfectant, face masks, etc. to further aid in preventing the spread and maintaining
hygiene.
Information on such CSIR-NEIST activities is also available in the portal.
A group of dedicated scientists and research scholars are working round the clock for
maintaining the website and make this portal more robust and feed it‘s knowledge resource as
fast as possible.
―We also have a blog where users can post their questions and clarifications regarding this
COVID-19. Our senior Scientists and Medical officers will access this blog and they will give
their suggestions on the same,‖ the Director further said.
Published in:
Nenow
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi30
CSIR Innovation Award for School Children: Apply by May 31
CSIR 07 May, 2020
Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), has invited entries for the CSIR
Innovation Award.
The awards have has been instituted for school children, to create awareness, interest and
motivation for Intellectual Property, to support scientific temperament and to generate
innovative spirit among school children.
Proposal: The proposals submitted should be one that is novel and utilitarian. It could be a
new concept or idea or design or a solution to an existing problem or completely a new
method/ process/device/ utility. The concept of the innovation should have been proved
through a model, a prototype or experimental data. It is encouraged that the focus of
students on innovation is through ‗design ideas‘. However, innovations related to other topics
would equally be eligible. Applicant must submit the details of the innovation proposals by
hard copy in English/Hindi (not more than 5000 words), along with a authentication
certificate (having seal and date) issued by the Principal / Head of the School where the
student is enrolled. Proposals must have title of the Innovation, name and date of birth of
the candidate, school and residential address, class, telephone no. (residence /school) and e-
mail address.
The proposal for CIASC award 2020 should relate to innovations developed published
exhibited during the period from January 1, 2019 to 31st December, 2019 for consideration
for the award. The applications for the award not exceeding 5000 words in English/Hindi
with requisite drawings/photographs will be considered. The write-up must describe the
subject matter in a problem- solution mode, highlighting the novel features of the innovation
and its advantages.
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi31
Eligibility: Any Indian school going student up to Class XII and below 18 years of age as on
31 January 2020 would be eligible to apply in English or Hindi through the Principal/Head
of the School (for authentication purposes). Proposals can be submitted by a student or a
group of students. However, a single award will be given to group of students. The
proposal(s) would be categorized in groups such as Biotechnology, Biology, Chemistry,
Electronics & Engineering/device and design. However design based applications is
encouraged.
Prizes: There will be a total of 15 prizes. The cash prizes besides a Certificate are as follows:
First Prize (1 No) Rs. 1,00,000/-; Second Prize (2) Rs. 50,000/- each; Third Prize (3) Rs.
30,000/ - each; Fourth Prize (4) Rs. 20,000/ - each; Fifth Prize (5) Rs. 10,000/- each. The
Notifications are available at https://www.csir.res.in/ (Career & Opportunities >
Application forms links)
Application: Proposals can be submitted through email ID, ciasc.ipu@niscair.res.in. Scanned
copy of authentication certificate (having seal and date) issued by the Principal / Head of the
School where the student is enrolled is necessary with proposal. In absence of the same, the
school principal may forward the entries to email ID ciasc.ipu@niscair.res.in.
Hard copy of the application should be submitted through Registered Post/Courier to: Head,
CSIR- Innovation Protection Unit , NISCAIR Building, 14 Satsang Vihar Marg, Special
Institutional Area, New Delhi - 110 067 with the envelope marked on top left hand corner
‗CIASC-2020‘. Last date for receipt of proposals is 31.5.2020.
For details, visit https://www.csir.res.in/
Published in:
Mathrubhumi
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi32
Limit public transport capacity, maximise social distance: CRRI
CSIR–CRRI 07 May, 2020
The Central Road Research Institute‘s (CSIR-CRRI) recommendations for the safe use of
public transport, once the nationwide lockdown is lifted, include limiting the number of
passengers in buses and separate gates for boarding and alighting Metro coaches.
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi33
The guidelines, to be shared with all state governments and ministries in the central
government, also propose creating a partition between the driver‘s seat and the back seat in
taxis using a plastic sheet, a dynamic display showing the number of available seats in Metro
trains and buses, and earmarking the waiting area in stations, among others. The guidelines
also propose painting additional zebra crossings at each intersection to ensure pedestrians
crossing on to opposite sides do not come in contact with each other.
Transport experts at CSIR-CRRI say these moves will help manage crowds, ensure the
presence adequate transport infrastructure to discourage people from using private vehicles,
encourage pedestrians and cyclists to ensure social distancing.
Experts recommend a social distance of at least six feet between people, as well as reducing
physical contact, to minimise the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Satish Chandra, director CSIR-CRRI, said, ―The biggest challenge is crowd management in
public transport so that social distancing is effectively implemented. As only 50% occupancy is
allowed in public transport currently, there is a need to immediately enhance the capacity and
also manage the demand by ensuring staggered office timings.‖
If this is not done, Chandra said, a lot of public transport users might switch to private
vehicles to protect themselves from contracting Covid-19.
Public transport services have been shut in the national capital since March 23, two days
before Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown to curb the spread
of Covid-19.
Officials said the Delhi government is working a plan to ensure social distancing in public
transport once the lockdown is lifted and public transport resumes.
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi34
―We are working on a plan to decide how we will reopen public transport. We will also have
to work out a plan to sanitise public transport,‖ a senior Delhi transport official said.
Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said public transport may resume
soon, and that the Central government was formulating guidelines for the same.
Officials of the Delhi Metro, the Capital‘s transport lifeline, said the organisation would
follow guidelines framed by the Union and state governments.
Anuj Dayal, executive director, corporate communication, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, ―We
will follow all guidelines set by the government while framing advisories for passengers.
Additionally, models adopted by metro systems across the world are also being studied to
ensure that the resumption of services is smooth, convenient and safe for Delhi Metro‘s
commuters.‖
With schools shut and inter-state movement banned, experts said a lot of private buses,
including chartered buses, are currently unused. ―These buses can be made part of the public
transport system to help meet the increase in demand, ensure quality by observing social
distancing measures, and discourage people from shifting to private vehicles. Staggered office
timings and better work-from-home norms will also be helpful,‖ said E Madhu, head,
transport planning division, CSIR-CRRI.
Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director transport at the Centre for Science and
Environment, said Delhi could easily induct the unused buses into its public transport fleet.
―The Delhi government has used private buses during the odd-even scheme. They just have to
build on it. Though these are testing times, it is an opportunity to address the issue of
overcrowding in public transport,‖ Roychowdhury said.
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi35
―Pre-booking travel time slots in buses and Metros will help manage crowds,‖ Madhu said.
The guidelines recommend that the existing seating arrangements be changed in e-rickshaws,
which are an essential part of the city‘s last-mile connectivity mechanism. The CRRI
recommends that e-rickshaw passengers not face each other and that the number of people
who travel together in one vehicle be limited.
To reduce the load on public transport systems, the guidelines suggest short trips be
encouraged and infrastructure provided for cycle-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, bicycles and
pedestrians.
Rowchowdhury asked that plans be prepared to improve local infrastructure for travel over
short distances. ―With bollards and paint, we can create more space for pedestrians on the
road and ensure their safety. People can make these trips either by walking or cycling. This
will bring down the load on public transport.‖
Experts also pointed to innovative public transport systems other countries had adopted.
Amit Bhatt, director transport, WRI India, said, ―Bogota, the capital of Colombia, has
converted 100km of streets into cycle lanes to reduce the load on its bus systems. Mexico
City is planning to quadruple its cycle network to reduce the pressure on its metro. Budapest,
the capital of Hungary, is creating cycle lanes as a safe alternative for the commute as the city
has seen a 90% drop in public transport use,‖ Bhatt said.
Published in:
Hindustantimes
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi36
India's public transport may resume soon; social distancing to play
key role
CSIR–CRRI 07 May, 2020
In his recent live address, Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport and Highways of
India and Shipping Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India
stated that public transport is expected to resume soon.
He, however, emphasised on the need to maintain social distancing and adopt safety measures
like hand washing, use of sanitisers, face masks, etc. while operating buses and cars.
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi37
Keeping these aspects in mind, Centre for Road Research Institute (CRRI), a laboratory under
the government‘s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, has introduced a strategic
plan to enable safe public transportation.
CRRI suggests a combination of two approaches — redesigning facilities enabling social
distancing (approach A) and reducing demand and capacity enhancement (approach B).
Approach A suggests painted markings for social distancing around bus stop areas, on
footpaths; increased stopping time / alighting for bus and metro; separate gates for boarding
and descending while travelling by bus and metro; limit number of commuters inside bus and
metro coach and a separate lane for buses to improve the capacity of bus service.
Approach B recommends the need to reduce demand for public transport by encouraging
short trips by non-motorised modes and intermediate public transport modes (cycle rickshaws
and autos); shops, markets, offices having public dealings to be opened for a longer duration to
avoid larger gathering and crowds; encourage advanced booking for bus and metro by up to
80 per cent and staggered timings for office-goers.
The guidelines also include splitting zebra crossing into two parts for each direction or by
marking two separate crossings; displaying information about vacant seats in a particular
metro coach; commuters should avoid touching the scanning machine using tokens/cards;
only one person per seat should be allowed in buses and seating capacity should be limited.
Published in:
Businesstraveller
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi38
CSIR-CMERI 07 May, 2020
Published in:
The Statesman
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi39
Harsh Vardhan lauds the efforts of CSIR scientists against Covid-
19
CSIR –IGIB,CRRI,IIIM,IIP,NAL,IICT, 06 May, 2020
―All scientists and institutions should prioritise the requirements of the time and also contribute
in finding quick and deployable solutions‖, said Harsh Vardhan, Minister for Science and
Technology, Earth Sciences and Health and Family Welfare. He was addressing scientists at a
review meeting on the initiatives of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
towards mitigation of Covid-19 in the country.
Dr Shekhar C. Mande, DG, CSIR, apprised the Minister that CSIR has mounted a coordinated
strategy involving all 38 CSIR labs and is working in close coordination with industry and other
agencies for the implementation of interventions and technologies at the ground level. CSIR has
devised five verticals - Digital and Molecular Surveillance; Rapid and Economical Diagnostics;
New Drugs / Repurposing of Drugs/Vaccines; Hospital Assistive Devices and Personal
protection equipment (PPEs); Supply Chain and Logistics Support Systems – to work on and
develop requisite S&T-based solutions to combat Covid-19. The Directors coordinating the
activities of these verticals reported the significant developments in each of them.
Harsh Vardhan appreciated CSIR for submitting 53 sequences of Covid-19 genomes to the
Global Coronavirus Genome Database, Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data
(GISAID). ―This is the result of a strong partnership between National Centre for Disease
Control (NCDC), New Delhi, and CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-
IGIB), representing the largest submission of sequences, by far from India by any group. The
joint NCDC-CSIR program will accelerate molecular epidemiology and viral surveillance efforts
of India,‖ he said.
During the interaction, Dr Harsh Vardhan also acknowledged that all CSIR labs are rising to the
occasion and have supported people by supplying sanitizers, masks, ready-to-eat food apart from
Produced by Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi40
developing S&T-based solutions. He noted that Indian regulators are working to speed up
regulatory processes and CSIR-supported clinical trials of Mw-based Sepsivac by Industry has
received approval for three clinical trials on Covid-19-affected patients.
Another significant development involving CSIR is that for Remdesivir, a drug which has
recently been approved by US-FDA for emergency use in Covid-19 patients. Synthesis of Key
Starting Materials (KSMs) on kilo scale and gram-scale synthesis of Remdesivir have been
achieved by CSIR-IICT (Indian Institute of Chemical Technology), and technology
demonstration to Indian industry is going on. For Favipiravir, another promising drug for Covid-
19, CSIR is working with the private sector for clinical trials and launch in India.
The Minister appreciated CSIR for coming up with quick solutions to the shortages faced in
various hospital devices and PPEs. Especially noteworthy was a BiPAP ventilator that CSIR-
NAL has come up within a short span of 35 days, which is awaiting certification. CSIR-National
Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) and MAF Clothing Pvt. Ltd. have jointly developed a coverall and
have received an order for 50,000 pieces from HLL and are gearing up to produce 30,000
pieces/day.
The Minister also released the Guidelines for Public Transport and Feeder Modes considering
social distancing norms developed by CSIR-CRRI (Central Road Research Institute). Harsh
Vardhan appreciated the efforts and said, ―Post Covid-19, a new normal will develop in the society,
setting new standards to live in a better way, in a scientific way which will eventually become
Good Health Norms‖.
DG CSIR, Dr Shekhar C. Mande; Director, CSIR-IGIB Anurag Agarwal; Director, CRRI, Satish
Chandra; Director, CSIR-IIIM, Ram Vishwakarma; Director, CSIR-IIP (Indian Institute of
Petroleum), Anjan Ray; and Director, NAL, Shri Jitendra Yadhav besides Directors of other
CSIR labs across the country were present at the video-conference.
Published in:
Thehindubusinessline
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