India develops first indigenous antibiotic: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh
New Delhi: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh on Saturday announced that India has successfully developed “Nafithromycin,” the country’s first indigenously discovered antibiotic effective against drug-resistant respiratory infections and particularly beneficial for cancer patients and diabetics with poor infection control.
According to the minister, this marks the first time an antibiotic molecule has been entirely conceptualised, developed, and clinically validated within India, representing a major step toward self-reliance in the pharmaceutical sector.
Dr. Singh highlighted that India has sequenced over 10,000 human genomes and plans to expand this to one million. He also revealed that India’s gene therapy trial recorded a 60–70% correction rate with zero bleeding episodes, a major milestone in the nation’s medical research. The results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine, underscoring India’s growing leadership in advanced biomedical innovation.
The minister further stated that the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), with an outlay of ₹50,000 crore over five years, of which ₹36,000 crore will come from non-government sources, aims to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem.
Inaugurating a three-day medical workshop on “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Multi-Omics Data Integration and Analysis,” Dr. Singh emphasized the need for a self-sustainable scientific ecosystem to drive long-term research growth.
He also announced India’s first successful indigenous gene therapy trial for haemophilia treatment, conducted at Christian Medical College, Vellore, with support from the Department of Biotechnology.
Dr. Singh underlined that artificial intelligence (AI) has become a transformative force in healthcare, governance, and decision-making. He commended institutions such as Sir Ganga Ram Hospital for pioneering interdisciplinary approaches that integrate AI, biotechnology, and genomics to improve healthcare outcomes.
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Attacks on Christians contradict PM's message of harmony, visit to church: Gehlot
Jaipur (PTI): Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday expressed concern over the reported attacks and disruptions in prayer gatherings of the Christian community in different parts of the country, saying such incidents were "worrying and condemnable".
In a post on X, Gehlot said that while the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was visiting a church and giving a message of peace and harmony, news of attacks on members of the Christian community from various regions reflected a serious contradiction.
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"Symbolic gestures would not be enough, and strict legal action was required against those spreading hatred," the senior Congress leader said.
He added that Indian culture has always upheld the spirit of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam", where every citizen has full freedom to practise their faith.
Gehlot urged the Centre and state governments to uphold the rule of law and ensure that no citizen is forced to celebrate their festival under fear.
