Serum's vaccines help millions: Pawar

PUNE: Two out of three children in the world receive vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. The vaccines are being used in around 143 countries and saving millions of lives throughout the world, said Sharad Pawar, former Union agriculture minister, while highlighting Cyrus Poonawalla's contribution to the field of medicine.
Poonawalla, founder of the Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII), was conferred with the 26{+t}{+h} Punyabushan award in the presence of Pawar and Infosys executive chairman N R Narayana Murthy at Balgandharva Rangamandir on Sunday.The award is instituted by the Punyabhushan Foundation (Tridal Pune).
"The philanthropic work being carried out by Poonawalla has touched millions of lives. It is a moment of pride for all of us that he is presented with the Punyabhushan award," Pawar said.
In his acceptance speech, Poonawalla spoke about his business model that made quality vaccines available to millions of children in the world at affordable prices.
"I started the vaccine manufacturing business on the advice of a veterinary surgeon in 1960. I inherit the same Parsi gene of philanthropy. The vaccines I manufacture, is available at the most affordable prices to millions of children, across the globe," Poonawalla said. He lamented that he wanted to donate vaccine doses to his country, however, the government did not pay heed of it. "The government did not even bother replying when I wanted to donate the vaccines doses for the underprivileged children," he said.
The Infosys co-founder stressed on encouraging entrepreneurs and innovators for the progress of the country. "Any government in the world and particularly that in India need to ensure only three things - promote entrepreneurs, as they help in creating wealth and generate jobs for the youth, implement a easily compliable tax system and ensure that the tax money is put to good use especially for the welfare of the underprivileged," Murthy said.
Five freedom fighters were also felicitated on the occasion.