'Bangalore one of the largest bioscience clusters'

February 10, 2014

Bangalore, Feb 10: The country's technology hub, Bangalore, is today one of the largest bioscience clusters on the planet with about 10,000 bioscience researchers and professionals located here, a top Karnataka government official today said.

"The highest number of biotech startups anywhere in the country happen out of Bangalore and these are growing at the rate of 30 per cent year on year, something which is very exciting for the biotechnology industry and the biotechnology research world," Secretary IT, BT, S&T Government of Karnataka Srivatsa Krishna said.

Speaking at 'Bangalore India Bio 2014', inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the presence of Nobel laureate John Gurdon and World Food Prize laureate Prof Marc Van Montagu, he said, ".....partnering with the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE)-we are proposing to the government of India to set up the first Biosynthetic technology institute in the country."

"This, when it comes up will build the next generation tolls and to build the structurised pathway for making sustainable products in this field," he added.

Calling Bangalore as biotech capital of India, Krishna said, "... we have about 400 biotechnology companies in India, ... of the 400, 70 per cent are located here in Bangalore."

"This makes us the unequivocal the unquestioned biotechnology capital of India," he added.

Stating that 10,000 bioscience researchers and professionals are located in this city, he said "this makes us one of the largest bioscience clusters not in India but in this planet...."

Announcing that Karnataka will be the first state in India to launch a bioscience and medical technology incubator, he said it would come up at Electronic city.

Siddaramaih said about 26 per cent of the biotech revenues of the country, particularly in terms of exports, are generated by the industry in Karnataka.

Stating that first biotech policy in the country was announced by Karnataka in 2001, he said, "The policy, to a large extent, has achieved the objectives. Keeping in view the changing needs of the sector, state government revised and announced 'Millennium Biotech Policy version 2' in December 2009."

"Since this policy would be completing five years, our government proposes to revisit the policy this year. Inputs of the Vision Group on Biotechnology would be taken for Version-3 of Biotech Policy," he added.

Pointing out that the project of developing a biotech park in Bangalore is taking shape, the Chief Minister said M/S Alexandria Real Estates, is developing the Alexandria Knowledge Park in Bangalore, Helix - the Biotech Park of Bangalore, which will be operational in about two years.

Sharing Biotech industry perspective, Biocon CMD and Chairperson-Karnataka vision group on Biotechnology, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw said "....in the next fifty years innovation is going come from the east, and this is where I think India needs to be focused on- investing in science and technology, and technology by biotechnology..."

"What makes it very special in Bangalore is the convergence of IT and Biotechnology ...," she added.

Stating that we have an enormous opportunity to shape the way for the future, Mazumdar Shaw said: "This is where Karnataka has got a greater and pivotal role to play- for India."

CM

CM3

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News Network
November 10,2024

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Mangaluru: A tragic accident took place on Saturday at Chembugudde near Thokkottu, claiming the life of a 47-year-old woman after a tanker lorry ran over her. The victim, identified as Rahmat H Rashid, was riding pillion with her husband, Abdul Rashid G, on their scooter. 

The couple was traveling from Yenepoya Hospital to Bajpe when the scooter skidded on the poorly maintained road. Rahmat fell onto the road and was fatally struck by a tanker lorry that was coming from behind. Despite being rushed to the hospital, doctors declared her dead upon arrival.

The incident prompted a swift response from the DYFI Ullal Taluk Committee, which staged a protest on Saturday night, condemning the unsafe condition of the road. Nithin Kuthar, president of the committee, criticized MLA and Legislative Assembly Speaker UT Khader for failing to ensure safe infrastructure, despite touting the road as toll-free. 

Kuthar demanded immediate repairs, warning that the committee would march to the MLA’s office with black flags if the road is not fixed within a week.

Former DYFI State President Sunil Kumar Bajal also voiced frustration over the deteriorating condition of Thokkottu market, highlighting the struggles people face while crossing roads riddled with dangerous potholes. In response to public outcry, temporary repairs were made to the road at Chembugudde on Sunday, though locals remain wary and demand a more permanent solution. 

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News Network
November 18,2024

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Mangaluru: A 14-year-old boy, Subodh, tragically lost his life after being struck by lightning while sitting outside his home in Kedila village, Bantwal taluk, on Sunday evening.

The incident occurred around 5:30 PM while Subodh, an 8th-grade student at Kalladka Shriram High School, was seated outside his house. Lightning struck him, leaving him unconscious. 

Family members rushed him to a nearby clinic and later to a private hospital in Puttur, where doctors confirmed his death upon arrival.

The boy's body was sent to Puttur Government Hospital for a post-mortem.

Tahsildar Archana Bhat has directed revenue officials to assist the grieving family. Vitla Revenue Inspector Prashanth Shetty, Village Administrative Officer Anil Kumar, Kedila Panchayat President Harish Valtaje, and panchayat members visited the family to offer their condolences and support.

This heartbreaking incident highlights the unpredictability of nature’s fury, leaving a community mourning the untimely loss of a young life.

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News Network
November 11,2024

Mangaluru: Six youths including teenagers have been arrested by the Bantwal Rural Police in connection with a brutal assault on 21-year-old Aboobakar (name changed to hide identity), an incident that was widely shared on social media after footage revealed the victim tied to a pole and violently beaten.

The arrested individuals, all from Kanchinadkapadavu, Sajipanadu village in Ullal Taluk, have been identified as Mohammad Sapwan (25), Mohammad Rizwan (25), Irfan (27), Anis Ahmad (19), Nasir (27), and Shakeer (18). According to police reports, the assault took place on November 7 in Kanchinadkapadavu.

The sequence of events began when Aboobakar was reportedly called to a residence in Kanchinadkapadavu by a female relative. Upon his arrival, he was confronted by the accused, who questioned his presence, tied him to a pole with ropes, and attacked him while he was shirtless. 

Aboobakar managed to file a police complaint the following day, detailing the assault. As his injuries worsened, he was admitted to a private hospital in Mangaluru.

While in the hospital, Aboobakar alleged that his attackers intended to kill him during the assault. This statement led to additional charges of attempted murder being filed. 

Police officials stated that the suspects were subsequently apprehended, charged with group assault and attempted murder, and placed in judicial custody. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are awaited.

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