Department of Biotechnology of BBK DAV College for Women, Amritsar organised a DBT sponsored Lecture on “Herbal Biotechnology”. The resource person for this Guest Lecture was Prof. (Dr.) P.K. Pati, Head, Dept. of Biotechnology, GNDU. Students of B.Sc (Biotechnology) & B.Sc (Medical) attended the lecture. Dr. Pati in his lecture gave an insight on ancient Vedas and Scriptures like Kalpavrishka, Chaityavrishka, where the economic importance of herbs as medicine has been mentioned. He made a comparison between herbal medicine and modern medicine and discussed how it is beneficial to incorporate herbal medicine as main therapy.
Since ancient times medicinal plants such as aloe vera, marigold, peppermint, lavender, basil and rosemary are used to treat various ailments. Moreover, the rising cost of medical care has pushed scientists to think of making herbal medicines as alternative medicine. In addition, herbal medicine removes the root cause of disease, while allopathic medicine just subsides symptoms. Despite benefits of herbal medicine, it has its own challenges, there is lack of R & D in product and process development along with poor agricultural and propagation methods. Here comes the intervention of Biotechnology which improved crop genetically and also includes scientific way of propagation.
Dr. Pati also discussed the importance of Biotechnological interventions in making functional foods where natural food only can be made functional by increasing phytochemicals, adding beneficial effects and replacing excessive or harmful components. He also apprised students of his DRDO project in which they are growing Rhodiola in their Plant Tissue Culture Lab, which is used to treat Hypoxia and High Altitude sickness in Army Personnels. Principal Dr. Pushpinder Walia presented a memento to the resource person. She congratulated Dr. Rashmi Kalia, Head, Department of Botany along with faculty members, Dr. Kamiya, Ms. Shelja, Mrs. Pawanjit Kaur, Mrs. Harpreet Kaur and Mr. Amardeep Singh of the department on their outstanding contribution to DBT sponsored Star College Scheme activities.