Dr KM Cherian, CEO & Chairman, Frontier Lifeline Hospital talks about challenges that humanity will face and the challenges that we are facing currently with the solution being a Bio-economy and how it can sustain mankind in the long run
With the Coronavirus pandemic globally dominating out earth, the need for developing a Bio-economy cannot go unnoticed anymore. This has become the need for the hour and it was also predicted by 2030 that the era of Bio-economy will be the most predictive factor for survival of mankind. It is now a primal concern to improve the quality of life and rebuild our environment for a greener tomorrow.
While there are several challenges which that humanity faces such as ageing, serious disease, food shortage, depletion of energy, destruction of environment, solutions to these problems will arise once the Bio-industry becomes the major engine for economic growth.
It was recognised in early 2012 in the National Bio Economy Blueprint, which promotes large scale initiatives that include activation of R&D, investment by government and private companies is essential for attaining a high share of global markets around 40 per cent by the year 2016. Unfortunately many of the advanced countries did not take any cognisance of this warning in spite of insistence by Organisations for Economic Corporation Development (ORCD).
In addition to this, the Bio-industry can be classified into three zones namely Red, Green and White. The Red Zone denoted in the same colour represents hospitals, clinics, care giving organisations and pharmaceuticals. The Green Zone represents agriculture, and agricultural products those of which
requires urgent attention especially avoidance of artificial growth factors including chemical. The White Zone represents the industries where white smoke emanates into the sky as you can see that these white clouds eventually turn black polluting our atmosphere, completely. The quality of air we breathe etc. makes our respiratory system more prone for easy infection, less tolerance and immunity.
Perhaps the combination of all this have come earlier such as the present pandemic, and we need not blame any particular country specifically but blame ourselves for this malady. While it is pertinent to point out that we have written about the need for a Bio-economy and a Bio-industry earlier, there is a dire need for implementing this plan into action.
Having had the opportunity for dealing with many regulatory bodies as well as Government Agencies (Coastal Regulation Authority, Pollution Control etc), the delay in implementing the rules and regulations even if it is good for the country is so slow and lethargic. In my own experience I can prove that it has caused lot of opportunities resources etc. for the country, even to the extent of losing our credibility. This pandemic outbreak has given all of us a stimulus to think about it, but I am not sure whether it has really caught the attention of the bureaucrats and the regulatory bodies. Even in the case of the financial institutions such as nationalised banks, funding agencies etc. are concerned only about the economy but most of them have never applied their mind for a Bio-economy even though it had been predicted as Era in 2030, it has come early. I am not sure how the Economic Forum, Finance Ministry, RBI etc., are going to respond to this dilemma. The importance of Bio-economy (KRIBB FOCUS, Issue 1, 2017, No.1) and I had written to all the concerned authorities in the Govt about the need for research where more allotment should be given for basic infrastructure in medicine and allied subjects. Of course there are many authorities who are much more qualified than me in advising the Govt such as Niti Aayog the policy maker in place of Planning Commission.
Additionally, no response from any of the ministries has been presently received. With a population of 1.3 billion, our country suffering to the maximum, given the light of the situation. India is the frontrunner for several economies amongst other countries, but in a crucial situation like ours, it is necessary that India bridges its solutions and efforts to solve problems that have answers to them primarily.
In conclusion, the availability of good infrastructure is imperative to create a conducive environment for research and development. I am not sure when do we see a change at this age I am very keen to see it before I die and having left residence status in two of the most richest countries, I do not think our Government can in any way compensate me. What was once predicted to be fully functional in the year 2030, it is now the need of the hour and the only way to protect and safeguard the world around us.
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