The valedictory session of brainstorming session on climate change and Professor VP Sharma Memorial Lecture celebrating 150 years of Gandhi, was organised by National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) Uttarakhand chapter and Uttarakhand State Council of Science and Technology (UCOST) here on Wednesday.
Speaking as the chief guest, Department of Health Research secretary and director general of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Professor (Dr) Balram Bhargava said that 26 national institutes, 57 field stations, 40 centres for advanced research, 100 viral labs, 74 medical research units and 14 rural research units are working under the supervision of ICMR.
He spoke of Gandhian virtues- cleanliness, developing villages, physical activity, mental strength, healthy mother and child.
He also talked about National Priorities for Disease Eradication. Bhargava said that ICMR has played a major role in combating various infectious diseases and emerging and re-emerging viruses, outbreak/epidemic investigations and management of natural disasters.
ICMR has also contributed to the national health policy, health systems and health programmes in knowledge generation over the last 100 years. He also mentioned that ICMR has developed 13 medical devices and trained 125 innovators which led to 11 start-ups.
Former secretary, Government of India, NASI, Prayagraj, Manju Sharma spoke about the brainstorming session held on June 11, adding that all the recommendations will be discussed with the ministry concerned.
Adviser in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, JR Bhat spoke on glaciers, wetlands and natural disasters in India.
He also talked about observed impacts of climate change in India. He also said that National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) aimed at achieving sustainable development, and India’s mitigation targets provides an overarching umbrella for mitigation actions at all levels. He stressed on the need to regenerate and protect the resources. The UCOST director general Rajendra Dobhal also expressed his views on the occasion.
