‘Dare2eraD TB’ initiative
▪ The Department of Biotechnology, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, has completed the genomic sequencing of a third, or 10,000 samples, of the target of 32,500 samples of Mycobacterium tuberculosis — the bacterium behind tuberculosis (TB)
▪ The genome sequencing initiative, part of Data-Driven Research to Eradicate TB (Dare2eraD TB), an umbrella programme of the DBT.
▪ It was launched in 2022 with a goal to sequence about 32,500 samples from across the country.
▪ It is tied to the Centre’s broader mission to eliminate TB.
▪ Nine labs of the DBT, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) are involved in the programme as part of a consortium called Indian Tuberculosis Genomic Surveillance.
▪ Full sequencing of all 32,500 samples is expected by October 2025.
India’s TB Elimination Goal
▪ PM announced in 2018 that India aims to eliminate TB by 2025, five years ahead of the WHO’s 2030 target.
▪ India accounts for 28% of new global TB cases.
▪ Gujarat has achieved a remarkable 95 per cent of the target set by NITI Aayog for TB registration and treatment success.
Findings from Genome Sequencing
▪ 7% of sequenced samples show resistance to a single drug.
▪ Most TB cases were in the 18-45 age group.
▪ Many affected individuals were diabetic and underweight.
Anti-TB campaign will be expanded to all districts
▪ 100-Day TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (Launched: December 7, 2024)
▪ 12.97 crore people screened for tuberculosis (TB).
▪ 7.19 lakh TB cases detected, including 2.85 lakh asymptomatic cases.
▪ TB treatment coverage in India has now increased from 59% to 85%.
▪ Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda announced that the campaign will now cover all districts in India.
▪ Centre’s TB elimination strategy is based on a “whole of the society” and “whole of the government” approach.
▪ under the campaign, over 13.46 lakh Nikshay Shivirs (community screening and awareness camps) were organised, bringing essential TB services directly to the doorsteps of crores of people.
Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden
▪ Asia’s largest tulip garden, in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
▪ Ensconced between the Dal Lake and the Zabarwan Hills.
▪ The garden was established in 2007 with the intention of enhancing Kashmir Valley tourism and floriculture.
▪ It was formally known as Siraj Bagh.
▪ The Government of Jammu and Kashmir hosts the Tulip Festival every spring to promote tourism.
Anthurium Flowers
▪ The first-ever export consignment of Anthurium flowers from Mizoram to Singapore.
▪ In India: Widely cultivated in Mizoram and other North Eastern states.
▪ Significant contribution to India’s floriculture exports (USD 86.62 million in FY 2023–24).
▪ ‘Anthurium Festival’ is an annual cultural and tourism event celebrated in Mizoram. It showcases the beauty and commercial potential of Anthurium flowers grown in the region.
▪ Floriculture is commercially cultivated in several states with Tamil Nadu (21%), Karnataka (16%), Madhya Pradesh (14%) and West Bengal (12%).
▪ The major importing countries from India were U.S.A, Netherland, United Arab Emirates, U.K and Canada.
