Hitesh Goswami

India’s 1st-ever cancer genomics repository launched. To improve the understanding of the genetic variations of cancer in India, the Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA) Foundation launched a data portal, which aims to be a repository for India-specific cancer genomics. This portal aims to benefit researchers worldwide in providing tailored cancer treatments for patients Historically, cancer treatments in India have been based on Western data sets. However, cancers in Indian patients can differ significantly at the molecular level.Many of the drugs developed for cancer treatments are not effective for Indian patients because cancer development differs significantly molecular level .

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Precision public health in the era of genomics and big data https://lnkd.in/gdqap28p Will this find Its utility in India How far are we from this concept Interesting read and thanks to author #MeganCRoberts for this wonderful article #drshrinidhi and Vinod Scaria to respond and enlighten us in Indian context

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Unlocking Microgravity: India's Next Frontier in Space and Medicine ISRO Chief S Somanath announced India's potential investments in microgravity research, emphasizing collaborations with stakeholders such as vaccine developers. With a MoU signed between the Department of Biotechnology and Department of Space, this initiative aims to enhance understanding of human biology in space, boosting medical advancements ISRO Chief S Somanath has highlighted India's burgeoning opportunity in microgravity research, spotlighting ongoing discussions with stakeholders including vaccine developers at the Raksha Summit 2024. Microgravity's role in medical advancements presents immense potential, particularly in how biological systems respond to space environments. In a landmark move, the Department of Biotechnology and the Department of Space have entered into an agreement to explore biotechnology research in space, a venture set to support ISRO's human space flight project Gaganyaan. Somanath emphasized the initiative's significance in unraveling the effects of microgravity on human physiology, such as body fluid dynamics. Somanath also urged the domestic healthcare sector to emulate the space sector's success in localizing manufacturing. He pointed out that while ISRO successfully domesticated technology production in aerospace, similar strategies could bolster India's healthcare infrastructure, especially in producing cost-effective hospital equipment.

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Why is India spending just 1% of the global Pharma-Medtech R&D budget ($240B) while China invests 8.5% & the US 45%? Is ₹5000Cr for R&D push by GoI🇮🇳 in Private Sector really enough? 🇺🇸Why does the USA spend billions💰 in Pharma R&D? For a layman, -To make new medicines, -You need new MOLECULAR ENTITIES which -Help in forming new chemicals. 🔘As stated by our previous Health Minister- "In the US, there is an existing pipeline of 500-600 new molecular entities at any given point of time." (https://bit.ly/3R37BPz) 🔘Another fact- -In the US, >1,300 ONCOLOGY drugs, -Waiting to potentially embark on -Their commercial debut. -https://bit.ly/3ZaGCni Other than the direct $ on the R&D, billions of $s are spent to- 📕Educate, 🏃‍♂️Train & 😎Attract Talent. Why? ✅This is where the REAL money is!! Is it NECESSARY for 🇮🇳 Just like the US to Spend $100B on Pharma-Medtech R&D?🤷🏻‍♂️ Can't we also be at least 5X cheaper in Pharma R&D similar to Chandrayaan-3 ($74m)? We can rather aim to spend $20B instead of $100B, in 10-15 years by the time our GDP hits $10T.🔥 But I must say that our govt. is also playing it very SMARTLY. ▪85% of💵is being INVESTED ▪In 164 projects in ▪The range of ₹1-125Cr. ▫Yes, it's an INVESTMENT not a grant. ▫The govt. aims to pick 5-10% equity once ▫ The project becomes commercially viable. This seems like an awesome strategy: ✨If 50% of the projects become commercially viable - then the successful projects would be worth ₹42,500Cr ($5.1B) - if the govt. picks 5% equity in these projects. ✨This'd work like Y Combinator - once the govt. chooses these startups, - there'd be so much FOMO in the bigger players. ➡️Priority:1 (P1) Find New Molecular Entities ➡️P2: Develop Complex Generics & Biosimilars ➡️P3: Innovate Personal but Precise Therapeutics ➡️P4: R&D medical Devices🩻 ➡️P5: Find Orphan Drugs for rare diseases ✅Next 5yrs would be crucial to set the building blocks. I hope our pharmaceuticals 'd also increase their R&D spend from 5-6% of Net Sales to 20% as that in the US. PS: SUN PHARMA recently announced to increase their R&D spend to 8% of sales in FY24. (https://bit.ly/44yDdQc). Follow AGENDA+HEALTH ✅ For an F2F discussion (Doctors | R&D | Start-ups | Hospitals), Click- https://lnkd.in/gyaernsZ #healthcare #healthtech #usa #china #india #medtech #government #ministryofhealth #fund #commercial #PharmaResearch #Medtech #chandrayaan3 #startups #valuation #HealthcareInnovation #pharmaresearch #oncology #medtech #researchanddevelopment #pharmaceuticals #medicines #generics #biosimilars #medicaldevices #therapeutics #sales

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5️⃣ recommended TB news today! ******************************************** 👉 *Goa’s 100% Molecular Testing Helps Early TB Detection*👈 Menaka Rao, IndiaSpend "After introducing 100% NAAT testing, Goa’s peripheral health centres now detect 62% cases, up from less than half earlier" https://lnkd.in/gGtzCuWv ******************************************** 👉*New The Union head says eliminating TB ‘doable’ but ‘expensive’* 👈 Jenny Lei Ravelo, Devex https://lnkd.in/gVBphuwc ******************************************** 👉 *Mumbai: BMC To Launch India's First Palliative Care Ward For TB Patients At Sewri Hospital* 👈 Samita Pal, The Times of India https://lnkd.in/gaV3SydY ******************************************** 👉 *Shortest treatment for drug-resistant TB to rollout from January 2025* 👈 https://lnkd.in/gFH6PTkr ******************************************** 👉 *Community Connect session at 2024 Union World Conference on Lung Health: Community leadership is building power and driving #FindAllTB → #TreatAllTB → #PreventAllTB → #EndTB initiative in high TB burden countries* 👈 15th November 2024 9am to 10am Bali time *Hosted together* by: TB People (Zimbabwe), Global Call to Find all TB, Asia Pacific Cities Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT), Asia Pacific Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media), Vital Strategies and CNS https://lnkd.in/gipXViCh

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5️⃣ recommended TB news today! ******************************************** 👉 *ICMR-RMRCNE in Dibrugarh Develops World's Cheapest TB Testing Technology Using CRISPR, Costs Just US$ 0.4 (INR 35)* 👈 "The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-Regional Medical Research Centre, North East (ICMR-RMRCNE) in Dibrugarh has developed the world’s cheapest TB testing technology, “A CRISPR case-based TB detection system,” which can detect the TB bacteria using DNA from a patient’s saliva for just Rs 35 (US$ 0.4)" https://lnkd.in/gvExefUE ******************************************** 👉 *Kenyan activists call for action on tuberculosis* 👈 "The World Bank shockingly devotes less then 1% of its healthcare funding to TB in Africa," TB Action Kenya said in a statement, accusing the Bank of neglecting the world's poorest continent while paying for TB programs in India and China. "I urge the government to find better TB drugs that can take a shorter time," said Mutinda Kithuku. https://lnkd.in/gtR8tBNA ******************************************** 👉 *Most TB Elimination Programs in USA Have Made Progress in Reducing Disease Incidence* 👈 Aleta Terrill-Gharbi "Programs aimed at eliminating tuberculosis (TB) in the United States have made improvements in identifying individuals infected with TB and latent TB and ensuring they complete treatment. These findings were published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report." https://lnkd.in/g4Xh4cnc ******************************************** 👉 *Sengipatti residents want govt. to upgrade TB hospital before setting up an industrial estate* 👈 "Residents of Sengipatti have exhorted the State government to take steps for better utilisation of infrastructure available at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Tuberculosis Sanatorium hospital before setting up a second industrial park in the region" https://lnkd.in/gYET3RgR ******************************************** 👉 *Please Take 30 Seconds to Support Access to TB Diagnostics* 👈 Treatment Action Group/ EU Reporter https://lnkd.in/g3EGC-t4

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#PMRIndustryGrowth #Biotechnology Footprint of #Pune • Market Size: $2 billion • Growth Rate: 12-15% annually • Key Areas: Pharmaceuticals, agriculture biotech, and industrial enzymes • Exports: A 8% to India's biotech export • Contribution: 10% of India's biotechnology sector • Biotech Companies: 300+ biotech firms • R&D Centers: 10+ research institutions

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Unlocking the power of AI in Oncology: Dr. Niti Raizada delves into the innovative applications of CGP in modern cancer clinics. Discover how AI is revolutionizing patient care! Click here to read the full article- https://lnkd.in/dv-hc_hn #aiinoncology #InnovationInMedicine #FortisHealthcare #AtFortisWeCare

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📊 Fascinating insights on diabetes prediction factors in the Indian population! A new analysis by NuGenomics team challenges our traditional understanding of diabetes risk factors with a comprehensive view of both genetic and metabolic markers. 🔍 Key findings: - BMI remains the strongest predictor at 27.4%, highlighting the lifestyle component - Genetic markers RS7903146 (4.9%) & RS7578326 (2.6%) collectively contribute 7.5%, specifically linked to Type 2 diabetes risk in South Asian populations - Clinical markers such as Fat Mass (4.2%), Serum HDL Cholesterol (3.3%), and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT/SGPT) (2.8%) provide additional insights 💡 This research highlights the complex interplay of lifestyle, genetic, and clinical factors in diabetes risk, emphasizing the need for personalized approaches to prevention and management in the Indian population. 🧬 The presence of specific genetic markers sheds light on why some Indian individuals may develop diabetes at lower BMI levels and have an earlier onset, emphasizing the importance of family history in diabetes risk. Junaid A. Sarah Fathima Katherine Saikia Nithya Kruthi rao #DiabetesResearch #GeneticScience #Healthcare #IndianHealthcare #PersonalizedMedicine #PreventiveCare #DataAnalytics

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The Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) is once again at the forefront of innovation and collaboration in the life sciences sector, with a groundbreaking event on the horizon. Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) always forefront in bridging the funding gap that hinders the growth and development of groundbreaking biotech innovations in Asisan Countries and effort in a series of initiatives aimed at fostering a robust ecosystem for biotechnology research, development, and commercialization in Asia, with a special focus on India. Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) creates an innovative platform where startups have the unique opportunity to pitch their cutting-edge ideas and projects to a select group of venture capitalists and seasoned investors who are the 'whales' in the biotech investment ocean. Why it matters ? The biotech industry in India is on the brink of a major breakthrough, with the potential to lead global advancements in healthcare, agriculture, and sustainability. However, the journey from lab to market is fraught with challenges, notably the lack of funding and strategic support. FABA's ready to addresses this critical need, ushering in a new era of innovation and growth for Indian life sciences startups. By bringing together the brightest minds in biotech and the financial powerhouses of venture capital, FABA is setting the stage for a future where the promise of biotech can be fully realized in India and beyond. For Further details visit www.biofaba.org.in Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) IKP Knowledge Park Atal Incubation Centre - CCMB ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition Department of Science, Technology and Technical Education NIPER Hyderabad NIPER Ahmedabad NIPER Guwahati Gujarat Biotechnology University Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission ASPIRE BioNEST World Economic Forum BIOTECH WORLD INDIA Government of Telangana Lifesciences and Pharma Telangana Bharat Biotech Dr. Reddy's Laboratories MSN Laboratories Biological E. Limited GV Connect Reddanna Pallu Md Asadulghani Uday Saxena Dr.P Ratnakar suresh pothani Rx Propellant Dr. Jagadeesh Gandla Asad Naveed Dr. TNG Sharma Divya Telidevara Suresh Poosala

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🌟 Empowering the Future: Bioemployment & Skilling at Bangalore Tech Summit 2024 🌟 The biotechnology sector's growth depends on skilled workforce. At the Bangalore Tech Summit 2024, I attended a panel on Bioemployment & Skilling that highlighted the importance of bridging academic learning with industry needs. The discussion featured distinguished speakers from both academia and industry: 🔹 Vineet Dwivedi, Global Head, Alcon Global Services 🔹 Prof. Kaushik Chatterjee, Professor & Chair, Dept. of Bioengineering, IISc 🔹 Atheejoe Nargunam, Head of Commercial Marketing, Science & Lab Solutions, Merck Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd 🔹 Salavadi Easwaran, Academic Dean, Biocon Academy Key Highlights: 💡 Skilling for Bioemployment: Practical learning, faculty industry exposure, and initiatives like Nipun Karnataka to “skill locally, go globally.” 🧬 Industry-Academia Synergy: Cross-industry collaborations, internships, and training educators in industrial settings. 📊 Data Skills: Quantitative, practical, and graphical approaches to data handling and teaching. 🌍 Career Readiness: Job search strategies integrated into curriculum and use of platforms like LinkedIn trainings. Bioemployment and skilling are crucial to India's leadership in the global bioeconomy. 💬 What are your thoughts on bio-skilling and bioemployment? How can we better equip students for industry success? Let’s discuss! #BangaloreTechSummit2024 #Bioemployment #Skilling #Biotechnology #IndustryAcademia #Innovation

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𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐓𝐁 𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐀 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 In 2022, India achieved a 16% reduction in TB incidence since 2015, nearly double the global decline of 8.7%. TB mortality in India also decreased by 18%, with the WHO revising mortality rates from 4.94 lakhs in 2021 to 3.31 lakhs in 2022—a 34% reduction. However, the WHO South-East Asia Region, home to one-fourth of the world’s population, saw an estimated 600,000 TB deaths in 2022—accounting for more than half of global TB deaths. These numbers highlight the urgent need for continued efforts at both the global and national levels to combat TB and save lives. At PDxRL, we are addressing this challenge through our state-of-the-art genome sequencing facilities. By identifying multidrug-resistant strains of TB, our work supports the development of more effective treatment strategies and contributes to global TB control efforts. PDxNucleus #PDxRL #PublicHealth #TB #Healthcare #GenomeSequencing #Innovation

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Cancer Burden Projected to Increase in India:  The article reports that cancer cases in India are projected to rise from 14.6 lakh in 2022 to 15.7 lakh by 2025, according to government estimates. This represents a concerning 7.5% increase over 3 years. Key Insights: 1. Aging Population: India's ageing population is a major contributing factor, as cancer risk rises significantly with age. As life expectancy increases, the number of elderly individuals susceptible to cancer is also growing. 2. Lifestyle Changes: Shifts towards more sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, and increased tobacco/alcohol use have heightened the prevalence of lifestyle-related cancers like lung, breast, and colorectal cancer. 3. Environmental Factors: Exposure to carcinogens, pollutants, and radiation in the environment is another driver of the rising cancer burden. Industrialization and urbanization have amplified these risk factors. 4. Inequitable Access to Care: Disparities in cancer screening, early diagnosis, and affordable treatment remain significant challenges, especially in rural and low-income areas. This leads to higher mortality rates compared to developed nations. Implications and Recommendations: The projected rise underscores the urgent need to strengthen India's cancer control strategies. Experts suggest bolstering preventive measures, improving early detection capabilities, and ensuring equitable access to high-quality, affordable cancer care nationwide. Innovative financing models and public-private collaborations could help bridge existing gaps. Given the multifaceted nature of this challenge, a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder approach is crucial to bend the curve of India's cancer epidemic in the coming years. Targeted interventions tailored to the unique epidemiological profile of different regions will be critical to effective cancer management. https://lnkd.in/gtcGAj3t https://lnkd.in/gtcGAj3t

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https://lnkd.in/gPBUTGzc The technology behind CHROME allows for highly accurate results with detection rates of over 99.5% for the three most common trisomy conditions present at birth (Down Syndrome, Edwards Syndrome and Patau Syndrome). Sensitivity and Specificity of every Trisomy detection along with its PPV and NPV would better inform the public about the significance Neuberg Diagnostics

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Healthark Insights' Co-founder and President, Mr. Sudeep Krishna, moderated a dynamic panel discussion on 'Life Sciences GCCs Driving Healthcare Innovation in India for the World' at the 'AI in Healthcare Summit: Road to BioAsia 2025'. Panelists Mr. Mahesh Natarajan, Senior Director at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Mr. Mahesh Iyer, Head of Global Biometrics & Data Sciences at Bristol Myers Squibb (#BMS), Mr. Sairam Nair, Head of Global Competency Center at Sandoz, and Ms. Swapna Vadlamani (she/her/hers), Head of People Partnering India at Novartis, shared their experiences on establishing #GCCs and leveraging AI to drive innovation in healthcare. C4IR Telangana | Dr. Purav Gandhi | Ritu Baliyaa #AIinHealthcare #LifeSciences #GCC #HealthcareInnovation #BioAsia2025 #GlobalHealth #AI #HealthTech #Pharma

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𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐈 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 India is on the cusp of an AI revolution! From healthcare to agriculture, the potential for AI to transform industries is undeniable. This exciting prospect raises the crucial question of much-needed regulation to foster responsible innovation. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡: 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 The key lies in creating a balanced regulatory framework. We need clear guidelines that address critical areas like data privacy (the PDP Act is a fantastic step!), algorithmic bias, and transparency in AI decision-making. Overly rigid regulations that stifle startup growth are counterproductive. 𝐀 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬, 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐅𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Instead, let's prioritize compliance frameworks and best practices. This empowers innovators with the flexibility to innovate responsibly within clear ethical boundaries. 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝, 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭: India's burgeoning cloud infrastructure is a major advantage. Making high-performance compute resources readily accessible will empower developers to build and test responsible AI solutions. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓? 𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒄𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍!  I'm particularly proud of initiatives we're executing at scanO like reskilling dentists in AI applications for dentistry. This exemplifies the proactive approach we need—equipping professionals across sectors with the skills to navigate the changing technological landscape. 𝐀 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞: 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 On a personal note, I've had the distinct privilege of being part of the ongoing discussion with The Dialogue, Google for Startups & Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to design the fundamentals of AI regulation and policy. It's an exciting opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of AI in India. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐀𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 Finding the balance between innovation and regulation is a continuous journey. But by fostering collaboration between government, industry, and academia, India can harness the power of AI for inclusive growth and a brighter future for all. What are your thoughts on regulating AI in India? Let's continue the conversation! #AI #India #Regulation #Innovation #Talent #AIforProfessionals #AIinDentistry Kazim Rizvi Jameela Sahiba Kamesh Shekar Farish CV Paul Ravindranath G

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I founded Vionix Biosciences to create a revolutionary method for detecting diseases instantly and affordably, ensuring that the poorest of the poor in the developing world would receive better medical tests than even the wealthiest in the West, ultimately preventing immense suffering. I set out to build this innovation in the U.S., assuming Silicon Valley—where I live—would be brimming with scientific talent and investors eager to back truly disruptive technologies. I was completely wrong. VCs here are unwilling to take risks on anything beyond the same mindless me-too companies that their peers fund. And then, when I decided to fund the company myself, I was shocked to discover that hard-core engineering and scientific talent simply wasn’t available. Developing Vionix Spectra and Analytica requires a specialized mix of expertise in plasma physics, thermodynamic modeling, analytical chemistry, mass spectrometry (ICP-MS, GC-MS, LC-MS), biomedical engineering, materials science, electrical and mechanical engineering, machine learning, and software development. Outside of AI and software, these skills are largely confined to academic and corporate labs elsewhere in the U.S., making it impossible for a fledgling startup to attract or afford such talent. The last company to attempt something this ambitious was Theranos, which raised $1.4 billion before resorting to fraud when their technology failed to deliver. As I learned, India, unlike the U.S., still has an abundance of hard-core engineering and scientific talent. I was fortunate that one of India’s greatest technology leaders, Kris Gopalakrishnan, urged me to visit IIT Madras to witness the groundbreaking work at their Brain Center, where Kris had personally invested over $10 million. I was blown away by what I saw, especially when the head of Indian Institute of Technology, Madras’ Health Tech Innovation Center, Dr. Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam, offered to collaborate with me on the development of my technology, bringing in his team of over 100 engineers and scientists. Can you imagine MIT, Stanford, or any U.S. university being as open to collaboration and showing the respect and humility that India’s top engineering school, and possibly the best in the world, does? This is why I wrote the article below for India’s The Economic Times. While the country seeks to catch up in academic research, as I advise, India needs to leap forward rather than emulate the wasteful and dysfunctional university research systems of the West. India has many advantages, including its spiritual values, which focus on helping others rather than just chasing profit—and deep scientific, mathematical, and engineering talent. https://lnkd.in/g6MVY-ja

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"Beyond the Classroom: Education Challenges and Triumphs" (Part-10) "Addressing the Growing Need for Support for Children with Learning Disabilities" At Mumbai's Nair and Sion Hospitals, the outpatient departments of the child psychiatry and psychology departments are always bustling. School-going children, accompanied by their anxious parents, wait patiently for their turn to meet the assigned doctor. Inside the consultation rooms, counselors and psychiatrists interact with the children, conducting thorough evaluations through a series of psychological tests. These assessments aim to diagnose potential disorders and certify the children for educational concessions, thereby easing their educational journey despite their learning disabilities. The top five most common learning disabilities are dyslexia, ADHD, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and dyspraxia. Each of these conditions manifests with a range of symptoms and requires a combination of medical and educational assessments for diagnosis. It’s important to note that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are distinct from learning disabilities (Source: Disabled World). Over 6 million children are diagnosed with learning disabilities each year. In India, studies have shown that the prevalence of learning disabilities in school children ranges from 3% to 10%, and can be as high as 15% among the student population. Unfortunately, many schools in India are not inclusive and lack the necessary resources to support children with such disorders. This presents a significant challenge for the parents of these children. Very few schools employ counselors who can identify and guide children with learning disorders. Mental health issues among school-going children remain a major concern that is often neglected. It is crucial for educators, teachers, parents, NGO's and government bodies to take this matter seriously. By making provisions to address these issues with cost-effective solutions, we can offer hope for social inclusivity and better support for children with learning disabilities. Image Courtesy: Google

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