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IndianExpress: The world’s largest manufacturer of vaccines, Pune based Serum Institute, has embarked on another mission: To test and manufacture a new antibody that will help in cheaper treatment of rabies. For this, Serum Institute has tied-up with Massachusetts Biologic Laboratories of the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

“Till now, only equine antibodies were available. We have entered into this collaboration for the production of an antiserum that will not involve human or equine plasma. It will be less reactogenic and technically of a very high quality,” Serum Institute chairman Cyrus Poonawalla said.

Besides the quality, it will also be economical. “Since the antibody will not involve human or animal plasma, it will be less costly in the market,” he said.

Massachusetts Biologic Lab scientists will create the new monoclonal antibody in conjunction with the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

IndianExpress: The standing committee of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) on Tuesday will take up for discussion the proposal for setting up the pet cemetery in Nehrunagar. The plan, moved by PCMC’s veterinary department, envisages establishment of the pet cemetery on a one-acre land in close proximity to civic dog house.

The pet cemetery, said to be the first of its kind in the country, is located in Pimpri-Chinchwad-Bhosari MIDC area, close to PCMC’s Rose Garden and away from hustle bustle of the residential area. PCMC health chief Dr Nagkumar Kunachgi said since the pet cemetery has received support, the administration is going ahead with the plan. ‘‘We have taken up the plan in all earnest and would like to set it up in the near future,’’ he told Newsline on Saturday. Civic veterinary chief Dr Satish Gore said his department has sought a budgetary provision of Rs three lakh for the plan.

‘‘Besides pet dogs, cats, parrots and other varieties of birds, we will also bury at the proposed burial ground the stray dogs found dead at various places,’’ says Dr Satish Gore. As of now, the pets and strays are buried in the garbage depot at Moshi which, Gore feels, is not a proper place.
 

IndianExpress: The State Home Department has issued instructions to police officials to speed up the verification process of passport applications of Haj pilgrims to avoid causing inconvenience to them.

Every year, thousands of Muslim devotees apply for passports to undertake the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia in January. Once the applications are received by the Passport Office, they are transferred to the police commissioner’s office within three days, and then to the respective local police stations for verification, after which they are then sent back to the commissioner’s office and then the passport office.

“This process takes very long and often the delay in verification and issuing of passports leads to many pilgrims cancelling their trip,” said advocate and activist Saleem Shaikh, who had sent a letter to this effect to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) AP Sinha.

IndianExpress: Reduce petrol prices too, is the common refrain of commuters in the city. On Friday, the State government had slashed the price of diesel by 5 per cent, while the price of petrol was kept intact. The move has provided some relief to the petrol dealers’ association and users of vehicles run on diesel. However, more petrol than diesel is sold in the district.

Pune Petrol Dealers’ Association president Baba Dhumal said that though the price of diesel had been decreased by Rs 2.44, a large chunk of commuters travelling with private vehicles will remain affected as they ply on petrol.

Kothrud-based Rahul Kulkarni who travels around 40 km everyday, said, “The government should think of bringing down the rates of petrol in accordance with the diesel rates considering the fact that the majority of vehicles ply on petrol,” he said.

IndianExpress: Cadets at the National Defence Academy (NDA) once again proved that their three-year training course goes beyond academics and learning military skills by putting up Expo NDA, a three-day exhibition showcasing works of various hobby clubs at the NDA. The expo, inaugurated by the first lady of the academy Rashmi Chopra, was opened to visiting dignitaries and parents of the cadets who have come to witness the passing out parade which will be held on Wednesday.

With exhibits ranging from 3D paintings and murals from the art and crafts club to flying aircraft models from the aeromodelling club and rock climbing equipment from the trekking and rock-climbing club, parents had a view of the entire range of activities at the academy. In all, the exhibition had displays from the 23 outdoor and eight indoor clubs at the academy including fencing, indoor shooting, nature study, watermanship, camera and ship modeling.