CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -DRDO scientist Hemant Kumar Pandey on Saturday was conferred with the agency’s ‘Scientist of the Year Award’ for his contribution in developing a herbal drug for leucoderma, an autoimmune disorder characterised by the loss of skin colour in parts of a body.

Detailed explanation-2: -Recognising the benefits of the drug, the Modi government last month conferred Hemant Pandey, a senior DRDO scientist, with the prestigious ‘Science Award’ for developing ‘Lukoskin’ to treat the skin condition.

Detailed explanation-3: -A traditional drug developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for treating vitiligo or leucoderma is now available for commercial sale in India. The herbal drug, called Lukoskin, was developed by scientists of the Defence Bio-Energy Research (DIBER) centre at Haldwani in Uttarakhand.

Detailed explanation-4: -Hemant PANDEY | Scientist-’E’ | M.Sc, Ph D | Defence Research and Development Organisation, Delhi | DRDO | Chemistry Department, DIBER fd. Stn. Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand) | Research profile.

Detailed explanation-5: -Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula): Haritaki is another commonly used ayurvedic medicine for Vitiligo or Leucoderma. It removes the free radicals that cause damage to the melanocytes and acts as an antioxidant. Patients suffering from Vitiligo can also face depression and anxiety that can also be preventing by Haritaki.