Gandhinagar, 13 January (H.S.): Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah laid the foundation stone on Tuesday for the BSL-4 Bio-Containment Facility at the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), marking India's second high-security laboratory after Pune's National Institute of Virology. This ₹362 crore, 11,000 sqm state-of-the-art complex—Gujarat's pioneering initiative—will fortify national biosecurity by enabling safe research on highly infectious viruses, eliminating dependence on foreign testing.

Addressing the gathering alongside Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi, Shah credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of positioning science and technology as development pillars. The facility, designed after studying global BSL labs, features world-class infrastructure for zoonotic diseases—60-70% of human illnesses per studies—aligning with India's One Health Mission.

Scientists will now conduct secure research on deadly pathogens domestically, accelerating diagnostics under Bio E-3 Policy (Economy, Environment, Employment).

Biotech Boom Under Modi Government

Shah highlighted biotechnology's explosive growth: India's bio-economy surged from $10 billion in 2014 to $166 billion by FY24—a 17-fold leap. Biotech startups escalated from under 500 to over 10,000; bio-incubators from 6 to 95; incubation space from 60,000 to 9 lakh sq ft; patents from 125 to 1,300 annually; and private funding from ₹10 crore to ₹7,000 crore.

Achievements include indigenous Cervavac (cervical cancer vaccine), world's first DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, and supplying 60% of global vaccines from India.

Gujarat's biotechnology mission, envisioned by PM Modi two decades ago, birthed Asia's first dedicated biotech university and positions the state among India's top five—poised for No. 1 post-BSL-4 operationalization. The GBRC supports Deep Ocean Mission and targets ₹20,000 crore investments with 1 lakh jobs via policy incentives for mega projects.

COVID Triumph and AMR Alert

Recalling India's superior COVID management—vaccinating 1.4 billion twice with instant digital certificates despite underdeveloped testing—Shah noted Modi's early vaccine team formation enabled two indigenous shots and aid to 70 nations. The BSL-4 addresses past constraints, serving 1.4 billion with localized high-containment capacity.

Shah termed Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) a silent disaster threatening humanity, urging clear roadmaps, timely treatment, awareness, infection prevention, and antibiotic preservation for future generations.

Science-Heritage Synergy

Contrasting skeptics who pitted science against heritage, Shah affirmed Modi's 11-year record proves harmony: Yesterday's Somnath Swabhiman Parv inauguration celebrated the temple—destroyed 16 times yet enduring as Sanatan Dharma's pride—while Tuesday's BSL-4 milestone advances progress. Heritage and science complement each other in India, he declared.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar