Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

A promise of help for RGCB

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi visited the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) here on Friday. This was Ms. Gandhi’s first visit to the institution named after her late husband and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

RGCB authorities briefed her about the progress of the institute from a modest beginning to a national centre of excellence. They also informed her about RGCB’s development of a combined detection system for dengue and chikungunya, research in molecular mechanisms of human infertility, drug resistant TB, development of anti-cancer and anti microbial drugs and genetic engineering of Kerala’s main cash crops, ginger and pepper.

The problems faced by the institute were also explained to Ms. Gandhi. Officials said the centre would need about 50 acres of land for expansion. In addition, they said, at least 15 top scientists would have to be recruited.

RGCB Director, M. Radhakrishna Pillai who showed Ms. Gandhi and the Union Ministers around the institute, sought the support of the Union government to improve the campus infrastructure. He outlined a proposal to create a Rajiv Gandhi Biovalley.

Mr.Pillai pointed out that such an investment would make Kerala a global hub of biotechnology.

Ms. Gandhi also visited the Spices Biotechnology laboratories where RGCB’s efforts to make disease-resistant ginger and pepper are centred.

She later addressed the students and staff of RGCB. She promised all support from the Union government in fulfilling RGCB’s aspirations including procurement of additional land.

The visit assumes significance in the wake of the Union Cabinet’s approval for taking over the centre as an autonomous institution under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, from April 1, 2007.

Following this, RGCB has seen a large increase in its annual budget from the previous State grant of Rs.5 to 7 crores to about Rs. 25 crores.

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