In the Bhagvadgita, there is a Chapter on "The Tree of Life". It speaks about imperishable aśvatth (peepal tree) as having its root above and branches below. It is also said that its real form is not perceived here nor its end, nor beginning nor its foundation. Further progress is possible when this firmly rooted aśvatth is cut with the strong sword of non-attachment. It can be said that this description reflects the challenge before the scientists, who are looking for a new way to immunize people against a known or a new disease, for the branches in the form of data are spread all over the globe and the formulae for elusive material are as difficult as searching for the roots of the tree of life above. It is, therefore, commendable that the Serum Institute of India, recipient of this year's State Level Yashwantrao Chavan Award, has nominated its Chief Scientist to receive the Award.

The Serum Institute of India was founded in 1966 by Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla, Chairman and Managing Director. Its aim was to manufacture lifesaving and immuno-biologicals, which were in short supply in the country and had to be imported at high prices. The endeavor of the Serum Institute resulted in several lifesaving biologicals being manufactured in India at affordable prices and in abundance. As a result, the country became self-sufficient for Tetanus Anti-toxin and Anti-Snake Venom Serum, DTP group of vaccines and the MMR group of vaccines. The Institute has also succeeded in bringing down the prices of newer vaccines such as Hepatitis-B, Combination vaccines, etc., so that the benefit of affordable prices reaches the underprivileged children from all over the world.

The Institute is now the world's largest vaccine manufacturer. It is estimated that 65 per cent of the children in the world received at least one vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. The vaccines are accredited by the World Health Organization, Geneva and are being used in around 170 countries under their National Immunization Programmes. The Institute is not only known for the quantity of its manufacturing of vaccines, it is also known for its cutting age genetic cell based technologies. The Institute has established modern laboratories with high-tech machinery and computerized equipment. The production facilities are continuously upgraded. It has crossed many milestones by installing robotic arm for virus handling, cell factory and cell cube for growing cells, facilities for manufacturing of polysaccharide and recombinant vaccines and for monoclonal antibodies. Sophisticated systems have been installed to ensure accuracy and consistency. The inspection is done fully automatically, thus reducing the margin of human error. Serum Institute's quality control laboratories are equipped with wide array of sophisticated analytical equipment. The technical team of the Institute has developed systems to ensure that quality is built into the process, leading to consistency of output.

The Serum Institute has flexibility to produce vaccines at more than one plant, thus facilitating production of large number of doses in a short time. The capacity and capability of the Institute were put to test in the raging Covid-19 pandemic and it came out with flying colours. Besides, the Institute has acquired a Bioengineering and Pharmaceutical Company from Netherland Government, which enhances the Institute's product line in the pediatric line segment. The acquisition also provides important manufacturing base in Europe with access to strategic European markets.

The Poonawalla Bio-Tech Park at Manjari in Pune is spread over a sprawling area of 42 acres. This State-of- the-Art facility is designed to meet the highest standards set by a plethora of regulatory agencies including MHRA, US-FDA and those of Europe, Japan, Australia, etc. To begin with products like HPV, TdaP, Monoclonal Antibodies/Biosimilars, Rotavirus vaccine and recombinant BCG vaccine will be manufactured here using the modern technology.

In view of its outstanding record in manufacture of vaccines and lifesaving biologicals and its commitment to quality control, the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan, Mumbai is pleased to honour the Serum Institute of India by conferring on it the Yashwantrao Chavan State Level Award 2021.