Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Director-General Shekhar C. Mande said in Mysuru on Monday that the Hyderabad-based Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), one of the CSIR labs, has started work on synthesising chemical formulations for the manufacture of drug for COVID-19.

Speaking to reporters after his lecture at the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) here, Dr. Mande, who is also secretary for the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, said the scientists at the CSIR lab have taken up the challenge of developing the molecules towards discovering the drug.

Globally, researchers have shifted their focus on developing the drug and the national laboratories in the country have a collective role towards realising the urgency for the drug. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently reviewed the scientists efforts in this direction, he added.

D.r Mande said IICTs efforts will be to blend the chemicals that are needed in developing the drug.

He said a CSIR lab has obtained licence for developing cannabis-based drugs, particularly painkillers. The Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, had been working on the drug after the Centre approved the research using cannabis (marijuana), growing the plant for medical research.

Earlier, Dr Mande gave a lecture on the topic In science we trust where he touched upon contributions of modern science and the ancient Indias contribution to science and technology. We need to base our hypothesis with strong scientific evidence as the methods of modern science are time tested and trusted.

Field trials of pest-proof cotton variety soon: CSIR

In continuation of CSIRs farmer-centric approaches, a new pest-resistant cotton variety developed by a Lucknow-based research laboratory is ready for field trials which are expected to be done soon at Nagpur in Maharashtra.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, CSIR Director-General Shekhar C. Mande, who was in Mysuru, said the cotton crop usually faces the problem of pest attacks and scientists carried out a research for developing the pest-proof cotton variety.

The same variety will undergo further tests and trials before it is certified for commercial cultivation. The research has been carried out in collaboration with the ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research.

Dr. Mande recalled the Samba rice variety (Samba Mashuri), which was developed jointly by the Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, a CSIR lab, and the ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research. Today, this pest-resistant rice variety was grown in about 18 lakh hectares in many States, helping farmers fetch higher yields and higher returns.

Dr. Mande also spoke about the aroma and honey missions. The Khadi Village Industries Corporation (KVIC) has joined hands with CSIR for the Honey Mission. Honey is a good alternative to sugar since it contains medicinal properties. A MoU had been signed with KVIC, he said. The idea is to help farmers take up modern methods of beekeeping to improve honey yield and also get additional income.

He said a new programme would be launched by the DST from April 1 to promote basic sciences by setting aside a grant of 50 crore. It would help students come up with scientific ideas in an attempt to encourage them to pursue basic science.

On the Aroma Mission and the CSIR Floriculture programme, he said the Aroma and Phyto-Pharmaceutical Mission was intended to boost the cultivation of aromatic plants that have medicinal properties. This mission, taken by the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants and medicinal plants such as lavender and others, will be promoted with the help of farmers in several States, including Karnataka.

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CSIR lab working on drug to combat COVID-19 - The Hindu