The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

Kulkarni: Indian pharmaceutical industry set for giant leap
Tribune News Service

Mohali, March 8
The Indian pharmaceutical industry is all set for a giant leap into the big league with countries such as the USA and the UK, said Dr S.K. Kulkarni, dean university instructions, Panjab University, during a seminar at the Rayat Institute of Engineering and Information Technology here.

The session “India poised: Meeting global challenges and opportunities” witnessed experts from pharmaceutical sector sharing their views upon the changing face and expanding horizons of the Indian pharmaceutical world.

Dr Kulkarni, professor with the University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, enlightened the participants during his lecture, which dwelled upon the eminent boost that Indian pharmacology was set to gain in the coming three decades.

Highlighting the need to grow, experiment and develop, he exhorted pharmacologists of the nation to put in an intense R&D component to match the competency levels equitable to the prevalent norms in advanced economies of the world.

“India is sure to be an economic superpower and the world’s largest economy, and the pharmaceutical industry will be a key component towards that end”, he asserted.

Accentuating the promise in the recent developments in the pharmaceutical boom, he said Indian drug manufacturers were expanding business in rich western countries as never before.

With nearly 75 manufacturing units having already got approval by the USFDA to manufacture drugs for US markets, Indian pharmaceutical companies were certainly set for a flying start, that would see us grow in leaps and bounds in the coming years, he added.

Gurvinder Singh Bahra, vice-chairman of the Rayat and Bahra group, said the growth of population and the increasingly changing lifestyles and related diseases further highlighted the need for the Indian pharmaceutical sector to play a pivotal and ground-breaking role, which could only be achieved through rigorous research and development component being added to the commercial and industrial aspect.

Prof K.N. Pathak, former vice-chancellor of the Panjab University and director-general of academics at the Rayat and Bahra group, stressed upon the need to review the curriculum as per needs and changes in view of global perceptions.

INSO calls for better student facilities
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 8
Members of the Panjab University Students Union (PUSU) submitted a memorandum to the vice chancellor regarding installation of TATA sky dish antennas in all the hostels of PU keeping in view the state of cable connections in the hostels. Students were concerned about the live coverage of the forthcoming ICC World Cup. President Abhishek Puri said installing dish antennas will ensure uninterrupted TV signals and would serve well in future also. He demanded these to be installed as early as possible.

Also, requests were submitted to VC for the refund of fees to the students. University has to refund Rs 69,650 to each of five students of UILS department and Rs 12,320 to one student of mathematics department. Abhishek Puri said this is harassment of students on part of the university authorities.

Meanwhile members of the Indian National Students Organisation (INSO) have demanded better hostel facilities, more colleges, subsidised student bus passes and student special buses in Chandigarh. On these issues, INSO would soon apprise the U.T. Administrator about these problems.

INSO state president Vikas Rathee in a press statement issued here today said that students of union territory should be provided basic amenities like adequate hostel accommodation. When Chandigarh administration can provide shelter home to the rickshaw pullers or other illegal occupants of government land, the students deserve respectful treatment and hostels.

INSO has also demanded more colleges and job oriented technical courses for the students.

INSO has also demanded student special buses for the students, which should cater to all the colleges through the common routes and all the localities including Panchkula and Mohali, so that the students can avail the bus service in morning and in evening to go to the colleges and university and back home.