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Friday, October 31, 2025
TopicDr Balram Bhargava

Topic: Dr Balram Bhargava

Covid a ‘very pretty virus’ — ICMR DG Balram Bhargava recollects early pandemic days in India

The status of approving vaccination in children is still under consideration but there are concerns over side effects, Bhargava says at ThePrint’s Off the Cuff. 

Why India finally scrapped plasma as Covid treatment, 7 months after ICMR said it doesn’t work

ICMR chief Dr Balram Bhargava had revealed plans to take plasma therapy off the possible treatments’ list in October, but Indians kept scrambling to arrange it.

‘Worried about Maharashtra’: Govt says state has 8 of top 10 districts with most Covid cases

Two states with highest active Covid cases, Kerala & Maharashtra, are showing divergent trends. In last one month, cases in Kerala almost halved but Maharashtra showed an explosive spurt.

Covaxin approved as it’s more likely to act against mutant Covid strain, says ICMR chief

In an interview, ICMR chief Balram Bhargava addressed questions that have been raised about the approval granted to Covaxin in the absence of efficacy data.

ICMR chief Balram Bhargava tests positive for Covid, admitted to AIIMS

Dr Balram Bhargava has been a regular at the weekly Covid-19 briefings, and has been one of the three key technocrats in this government’s Covid strategy.

ICMR’s chequered role in Covid pandemic — from 15 August vaccine deadline to plasma flip-flop

India’s apex medical research organisation has been accused of straying from path of science to take questionable stands, often with undertone of ‘nationalism’.

Wear masks while exercising, says ICMR chief — his own ministry advises otherwise

ICMR director general Balram Bhargava says emerging data shows that masks don’t alter blood oxygen levels and so should be worn while exercising & walking.

ICMR denies sero survey hushed up data showing up to 48% Covid reach in hotspots in May

The ICMR clarification came after a report that team behind sero survey was asked to either hold it back or remove data on containment zones.

Reverse migration of workers led to an increase in number of Covid cases, says ICMR chief

In an article written for the first edition of an ICMR newsletter, e-Samvaad, Balram Bhargava also noted that the novel coronavirus has affected poor people the most.

‘Taskmaster, skilled administrator, impulsive’ — ICMR’s Bhargava who wanted vaccine by 15 Aug

Dr Balram Bhargava’s letter expediting Covid vaccine trials was slammed, but current & ex-colleagues highlight both his ‘impetuosity’ & ‘impeccable integrity’.

On Camera

Starbucks was once progressive. It’s now approaching a dangerous spot in culture wars

Former CEO Howard Schultz once told shareholders those who opposed his support of same-sex marriage were free to invest elsewhere. But now, CEO Brian Niccol seems to be selling Starbucks as a place that just, well, sells coffee.

Consumer Price Index gets up to date. Airfare, OTT plans, e-commerce prices in new basket—MoSPI secy

New CPI series will take 2024 as base year, will provide more accurate measure of inflation, spending on digital services. Expected to enhance representation and reliability, says Saurabh Garg.

India pulled out of Tajikistan’s strategically important Ayni air base in 2022. Here’s why

Tajikistan did not want to extend the lease because of apparent pressure from Russia & China over non-regional military personnel at the air base, it is learnt.

Deepfake on duty: when I asked AI to read Op Sindoor citations

On 21 Oct, a buzz went up that the govt had released full list of gallantry award recipients along with Op Sindoor citations. I put an AI caddy on the job. It took me into a never-ending rabbit hole.