** Biocon-Serum alliance to build biotech powerhouse

Two leading biotech players — Bengaluru-based Biocon Biologics Limited and Pune-based Serum Institute Life Sciences Private Ltd  — have come together in a strategic alliance in a bid to increase vaccines and antibody therapeutics access for developing countries, for infectious diseases, including Covid-19, dengue and HIV.

** Drive-in Covid vaccine facility in Yelahanka a hit

At least 6,202 people have been successfully vaccinated at the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) mega vaccination centre at Dr Ambedkar Bhavan in Yelahanka, which was started a week ago. 

Spurred by the good response, the civic body is set to open its second mega vaccination site in a day at Malleswaram.

** Taking the video route to reach out to students

Vivekanandagouda Patil, a teacher at Government High School, SM Krishna Nagar, Gadag town, has been producing short videos on myriad subjects — from short stories to letter writing to poems to current affairs—for Class 10 students. His YouTube channel — Vivekanandagouda Patil — has 2,91,000 subscribers, and provides videos in both Kannada and English.

** Going the extra mile for his students

Looking to give the kids something more so that their enthusiasm is not diminished, he went the extra mile, coming up with a YouTube channel – Surendra Guddehotel – where he uploads videos of lessons during his “free time”.

The channel now has close to 2,000 subscribers and students are impressed by his friendly and engaging style of teaching. Surendra’s seven-year-old son Samarth pitches in, helping with recording the lectures.

** Bengaluru teacher gets award for microscale experiments, taking up recycling

He used the same model during Vidyagama classes during the pandemic to ensure continuity of lab experiments for his students.

Government high school teacher Nagaraja CM, from Doddabanahalli, Bengaluru, has been  selected for the National Awards for Teachers (NAT) for bringing the ‘reuse and recycle’ trend to his school, and ensuring the continuity of lab experiments for students through the pandemic.