We Indians realised our capabilities

The pandemic year was a time when Indian institutions and laboratories came to the fore, coming up with indigenous solutions, whether it was for developing testing kits or personal protective equipment, understanding the novel virus or creating surveillance mechanisms.

- REKHA DIXIT

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research is the country's research and development knowledge base and the umbrella body for 38 national laboratories. Its director general, Shekhar Mande, tells us how India's scientists helped manage the pandemic. Excerpts:

Q/ India's scientific community seemed well-prepared to tackle the pandemic.

A/ Yes, our strategy was ready in February, when we held a national meeting in Goa, anticipating that the situation was turning grim. We knew our weak areas, where we were poorly equipped. We formulated our strategy for the pandemic on five pillars— surveillance, diagnostics, new interventions (drugs and vaccines), equipment for hospitals and supply chains. We were clear on two aspects—that any new technology will require industrial support and that raw materials should be available in India. In fact, one of the first things we developed was Arogyapath, a supplier-buyer interface.

Q/ Could you elaborate on surveillance?