Dr Jitendra Singh Urges States to Strengthen Regional Bioinnovation

25 Oct 2025 CW Team

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, reviewed key initiatives of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and urged greater collaboration with states to strengthen regional bioinnovation ecosystems.

The Minister emphasised the need to leverage regional strengths and local partnerships to expand India’s bioeconomy through innovation and entrepreneurship. He noted that biotechnology has become a key pillar of national development, contributing to the economy through advances in healthcare, agriculture, environment, and industry.

Dr Singh highlighted DBT’s ongoing efforts to map states based on their biotechnology potential and establish Bio E3 Cells under the framework of entrepreneurship, education, and empowerment. These cells aim to align regional capacities with national priorities to accelerate bioinnovation across India.

During the review, DBT officials presented new initiatives such as biofoundries and regional innovation hubs to facilitate collaboration between research institutions and industry.

The Minister also felicitated DBT Joint Secretary Ekta Vishnoi, IRS, for securing a silver medal at the World Powerlifting Championship, commending her achievement as an example of discipline, resilience, and teamwork—qualities driving India’s scientific advancement.

Dr Singh reiterated that biotechnology can help address challenges in sustainable agriculture, affordable healthcare, and environmental resilience, calling for faster project execution and stronger state-level participation to make India a global biotechnology hub.

Infrastructure Urban

25 Oct 2025

Tata Communications Revives Nagan Thangal Lake in Tamil Nadu

Tata Communications, in partnership with Pitchandikulam Forest, has rejuvenated Nagan Thangal Lake in Upparapalayam village, Tamil Nadu, transforming the 15.01-acre site into a thriving ecological and community hub. Launched in 2022 under *Project Nanneer* (“good water” in Tamil), the initiative has improved water security, biodiversity, and community engagement, as per a recent study by the Watershed Organisation Trust Centre for Resilience Studies (W-CReS). Once a vital but neglected water source for 2,800 residents, the lake’s capacity had dropped by 75 per cent. Through land shaping..

PTC Industries Wins GTRE Order for Single Crystal Turbine Blades

PTC Industries Limited, a leading manufacturer of high-performance materials and precision-engineered components for aerospace and defence, has received a Purchase Order from the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), for Post-Cast Operations to produce Single Crystal ‘Ready-to-Fit’ Turbine Blades. The announcement was made in the presence of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the inauguration of PTC’s Titanium & Superalloys Materials Plant in Lucknow. This marks the first time an Indi..

NCBA unveils East Africa’s first cloud-based corporate platform

Nairobi, 23 October 2025: NCBA Bank has launched Connect Plus, an advanced transaction banking platform powered by Intellect’s eMACH.ai Digital Transaction Banking solution, becoming the first bank in East Africa to adopt a cloud-based corporate banking system. The upgraded platform enhances transaction speed, payment flexibility, cash liquidity management, and integration with other financial platforms, offering a secure and intuitive experience for corporate clients. James Gossip, Managing Director, NCBA Kenya, said the launch aligns with Kenya’s Vision 2030 Digital Economy initiative,..