ICAR NRC Banana organises the VIROCON 2023 with a theme of “Advancements in Global Virus Research towards One Health”

1st - 3rd December 2023, Trichy

ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Trichy, and Indian Virological Society (IVCS), New Delhi jointly organised VIROCON 2023 with the theme of “Advancements in Global Virus Research towards One Health”, from 1st - 3rd December 2023, in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. 

The major objective of the Conference was to provide an opportunity for plant, animal, medical and aquatic virologists to engage in productive scientific discussions, seeking solutions to combat viral epidemics affecting human, animal, plant, fish, and environmental health under the One Health concept advocated by the World Health Organisation.

The Chief Guest, Dr. T.R. Sharma, Deputy Director General (Crop Science and Horticultural Science), released two books and said that viruses pose a big threat to agriculture, aquaculture and animal husbandry, affecting global food security and disrupting essential industries. He said it is a crucial time for developing comprehensive and sustainable solutions to safeguard public health and protect our food supply by concentrating on the study of virology. 

Dr. Anupam Varma, Emeritus Scientist, IARI, New Delhi; Dr Yash Pal Malik, Secretary General, IVS, New Delhi; Dr. Indranil Dasgupta, Vice President, IVS, New Delhi; Dr. D.V.R. Sai Gopal, Vice Chancellor, Cluster University, Kurnool and Dr. K. Narayanasamy, Vice Chancellor, Tamil Nadu MGR Medical University, Chennai were the Guests of Honour of the event.

Dr. Narayanasamy, said that people studying arts and economics scholars also have started realizing the significance of the virus and its impact on the economy because viruses are more powerful than nuclear bombs. 

Dr. Gopal, said that after COVID-19, demand on virology, microbiology and biotechnology has increased.

Dr. Malik briefed about the activities of the Indian Virology Society.

Prof. Dasgupta, stressed the importance of diagnostics.

Totally 444 delegates from India including scientists, students and research scholars representing 70 institutes such as ICAR, ICMR, AIMS, SAUs, NIV, PGIMER, DRDO and Universities besides a few foreign delegates participated in the conference.

(Source: ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Trichy)