To Commemorate Azadi Ke Amrut Mahotsav, JU host NASI’s Jagrukta Abhiyan for COVID-19
Jammu, March 19- Department of Botany, University of Jammu, Jammu provided the offline platform to the National Academy of Sciences India Headquarter (NASI-HQ) and NASI Jammu Chapter for organizing a national level event “Jagrukta Abhiyan for COVID-19/ Amrut Mahotsav” under Azadi ke Amrut Mahotsav recently launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi. Azadi Ke Amrut Mahotsav is a Jan-Utsav in the spirit of Jan-Bhagidari to commemorate the 75thAnniversary of India’s Independence and will include a series of events distributed in next 75 weeks. These events will be organized in different Government and Non-Government organizations and will include celebrations about the achievements of Independent India in the field of science, economy, education, etc. The events will revolve around five pillars namely Freedom Struggle, Ideas at 75, Achievements at 75, Actions and Resolves at 75 which will inspire the country to move forward. While speaking on occasion, Prof. Manoj Dhar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu deliberated on the introduction of the viruses and history of the Covid Virus. Prof Dhar enlightened the audience about the working culture of scientists who have produced more than 1 lakh of research papers on the Corona Virus in the last one year. Appreciating the scientific temperament of Indian scientists, he elaborated on the mechanism of vaccine action developed by them. Highlighting the indigenous Covid-Gyan and Aarogya Setu applications, now the latest information on Covid is reaching the common masses of India through the latest computer technology, said Prof Dhar. In the presidential remarks, Prof. G. Padmanaban appreciated the participants for following the appropriate behaviour towards COVID-19. According to him, molecular surveillance is very important to combat the Covid -19 like pandemics. Dr. Shashi Sudan, Principal Govt. Medical College, Jammu elaborated that about 70 different vaccines for the Covid-19 are in pipeline and under human trial. As the reoccurrence of the virus can occur even after 10 years, therefore scientists want to ensure the complete eradication of such viruses. According to Dr. Sudan, bats are the main source of many dangerous viruses and humans should keep themselves away from bat dwelling places.
Eminent speakers who addressed the audience were Dr. P K Seth, Former Director IITR, Lucknow; Prof. U C Srivastava, University of Allahabad and Prof. H N Verma, Vice-Chancellor JNU, Jaipur.
It is noteworthy to mention here that the event was in hybrid mode, and was attended by more than attended by 150 participants. While many speakers and participants attended through virtual mode on an online platform provided by NASI HQ, about 70 participants attended the event from the seminar hall of the Department of Botany, University of Jammu. The welcome address was given by Dr.Archna Pant from NASI HQ while Prof. R N Gohil, NASI, Secretary, NASI elaborated about the activities of the Jammu Chapter of NASI in past and present.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Theme of the event was “COVID-19 awareness and recent developments in COVID-19 vaccination therapy.” The other speakers also focused upon different aspects of the Covid -19 like different types of Corona vaccines developed by scientists throughout the world and their comparison with the “Made in India” Vaccines.
Others who had attended the event in the offline mode were Prof. A K Wakhloo, Prof. Anima Langer, Prof. Geeta Sumbali, Prof. Roopma Gandotra, Dr. Sikander Pal, Dr. Geeta, Dr. Harish Chander, Dr. Skarma Nonzom, Dr. Harpreet Bhatia, and many others. The proceedings of the event were conducted by Ms. Archana Pant and a vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Niraj Kumar from NASI, Headquarters.
