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 The
Centre will carry out research on the mechanism
of short term and long term high altitude adaptation.
It will also mobilize and synchronise the expertise
of the two countries in the area of high altitude
research. The scientists will focus on molecular
biology approaches to identify markers for screening
of people for high altitude resistance and susceptibility
to high altitude sickness and development of mountain
maladies. The benefits of these studies will apply
to a large population across the globe, as more
and more people travel to the mountains every
year. India’s contribution to the project is Rs
6 Crores.
A large number of dignitaries including the Kyrgyz
Minister of Health Dr Sabyrbek Jumabekov, the
First Deputy Defence Minister Mr Zamir Suerkulov,
the first Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs
Mr Nurlan Aitmuarzaev, Indian ambassador to Kyrgyzstan
Mr P Stobdan Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister
Dr V K Saraswat, Special Secretary R K Mathur,
Secretary of Defence Finance Ms Vijay Lakshmi
Gupta and Chief Controller of Research and Development
Dr William Selvamurthy were present on the occasion
to witness the historic moment.
The proposal to have a joint collaboration in
the area of mountain medicine and establish a
Centre was mooted during the visit and discussions
held between the Kyrgyz President Mr A Akaev and
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam in November 2003. ‘The realization
of that shared vision has finally culminated in
the establishment of this Centre. The joint endeavour
of our scientists will provide a platform to utilize
the expertise of both the institutes in a holistic
manner to evaluate, as well as improve the performance
and enhance the process of acclimatization at
high altitudes using psychological, biochemical
and molecular research tools’, Antony said.
The Kyrgyz President Dr Roza Otunbaeva thanked
the Government of India for taking the initiative
for setting up this world class institute in Bishkek.
She said 10% of the GDP in Kyrgyzstan is generated
by the populace living in high altitudes. The
fruits of the research of the scientists of this
institute will help in improving the life and
health of people living in high altitude areas,
she said.
The Centre has a field station at Tuya Ashu,
located at a height of 3200 metres. Prof Akpay
Sarybaev, a leading cardiologist and expert in
mountain medicine is nominated as the Director
of KIMBMRC.
A team of scientists including physiologists,
biochemists and molecular biologists, headed by
the Director of Defence Institute of Physiology
and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), Dr Shashi Bala Singh
along with 20 Indian Army soldiers are deputed
to KIMBMRC, Bishkek and Tuya Ashu to carry out
studies on high altitude acclimatization with
special reference to molecular mechanism of human
performance promotion and amelioration of maladies
in mountain operations. The team will stay for
about six weeks.
Photos and text by Sitanshu
Kar
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