Make India cancer-free country: V-P to scientists

Visakhapatnam: Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu called upon the scientists and others to make India a cancer-free country. The Vice-President pointed out that there has been a tremendous growth in science, technology and atomic sector in the country.

Venkaiah hailed the contribution of Homi J Bhaba in atomic research. At present 22 atomic reactors are working with a capacity of 6,780 MW power in the country, he said.

The Vice-President participated in an interactive meet with the scientists here on Friday. The programme was jointly organised by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital.

While addressing the scientists, Venkaiah said that the research fruits should reach the farmers and common people. “I have visited 58 universities and participated in 29 convocations and suggested to all the experts of various fields to carry out more research activities to help the farmers and to address their issues,” he said.

Any government programme or scheme, the people should be involved. Unless there is partnership of the people no government programme would succeed, he said and alerted the scientists about the natural disasters. Due to the drastic changes in the environment, disasters like HudHud, tsunami, and floods in Kerala have taken place. It is the high time to think and conserve the environment collectively, he added.

“Every day 12 lakh cancer patients are being identified. According to the studies, the majority of the patients are tobacco consumers. The BARC and other institutions should develop new technologies and instruments to control cancer in India,” the Vice-President said.