• To have discussions with scientists at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), Bethesda on invitation of Dr. Radha K. Maheshwari, Professor of Pathology; Director, CCCLSR and Coordinator, Indo-US activities on April 28, 2007.

• To attend the 25th Annual Meeting and Banquet organized by Association of Scientists of Indian Origin in America, Inc. (ASIOA) at Washington, D.C. on invitation of Prof. G.N. Pandey, Chair Banquet Committee on April 30, 2007.

• To attend 6 th Biotechnology Mission of CII from 3 rd May to 6 th May, 2007 and International Biotechnology Convention and Exhibition - Bio-2007 organized at Boston from 7 th to 9 th May under the umbrella of India Pavilion as a part of the delegation of U.P. Government.

• To have meetings and discussions with NRIs at Chicago, Illinois from 10 th to 12 th May, 2007 as a part of the delegation of U.P. Government.

Visited Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), Bethesda on April 28, 2007, had discussions with scientists of the University and delivered a talk on Biotech Park activities and explored the future collaborative opportunities with prospective entrepreneurs and NRI’s.

On April 30, 2007, attended the 25th Annual Meeting and the Banquet organized by Association of Scientists of Indian Origin in America, Inc. (ASIOA) at Westin Washington DC Hotel, Washington, D.C. Hon’ble Ranendra Sen, Ambassador of India to USA, the Chief Guest of the event, addressing the participants said that I am very happy that Indian scientists are doing a great job by contributing in all spheres in U.S.A. and are getting recognition and appreciation. Several of our scientists have setup their own businesses and run their offices back home as well as in other countries. He said that recently there is a new sense of trust and partnership is developing between India and U.S.A. in the area of nuclear energy, clean coal technology, fusion and improving energy efficiency between the two countries. He further said that Indian drug industry is making significant progress and more and more Indian companies are getting approval by the USFDA.

Dr. Murali Pagala, Chair, Silver Jubilee Function briefly traced the history of ASIOA. He said that ASIOA, incorporated in 1981, was an outcome of the aspirations of hundreds of scientists of Indian origin who attend annual or other periodic national meetings of various professional societies appropriate to their interest and yet have had no mechanisms to discuss or exchange matters of mutual interest or even extend fellowship while in attendance at these meetings. The purpose of this association is to promote fellowship among scientists of Asian Indian Origin living in America to act as a scientific and educational society, to establish open channels of communication among all scientists, and to act as a fraternal organization and a charitable association. Dr. Pagala also introduced the Past-Presidents of the Association. Dr. Ghanshyam Pandey, Chair, Banquet Committee, ASIOA introduced Dr. P.K. Seth as a special invitee and mentioned about the Biotech Park, Lucknow setup jointly by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India and Department of Science and Technology, Government of Uttar Pradesh. Dr. Pandey had visited the Biotech Park recently during his visit to India. Also present during the meet were Dr. Narasaiah Chetty, Secretary; Dr. Gabriel Fernandes, Executive Officer and many others. A copy of the programme is enclosed. (Annexure I)

Dr. P.K. Seth joined the U.P. Government Delegation to Bio-2007 as a Biotechnology Specialist along with Sri N.N. Upadhyaya, Principal Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, U.P.; Sri D.C. Lakha, Industrial Development Commissioner, U.P. and Sri Narendra Bhooshan, Executive Director, Udyog Bandhu, U.P. The delegation attended the 6 th Biotechnology Mission from 3 rd May to 6 th May, 2007, participated in International Biotechnology Convention and Exhibition- Bio-2007 organized at Boston from 7 th to 9 th May under the umbrella of India Pavilion and held meetings with NRIs at Chicago, Illinois from 10 th to 12 th May, 2007. A detailed report of the delegation is enclosed. (Annexure II)

The visit provided an opportunity to interact with the investors and entrepreneurs. A number of NRI scientists who have setup biotech companies expressed interest in locating their R&D / production units in Biotech Park, Lucknow (Annexure II). One of them is Dr. Raj singh, President and CEO, Vivo Biosciences, USA is visiting Biotech Park along with Ms. Linda Powers, Co-founder and Managing Director, Toucan Capital Corporation, Bethesda, MD, U.S.A to see the facilities and sign the agreement if the place is found suitable for their work.

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