Great Achievement

A Kashmiri doctor has achieved a rare feat of being a team member of a team which created a breakthrough scientific milestone – developing the world’s first flu-resistant chicken by altering their genes. Kashmir-based doctor Dr. Salik Nazki is part of the ground-breaking research published in the prestigious Nature Communications journal that has the potential to greatly benefit the poultry sector across the world by reducing the risk of avian influenza outbreaks in farms, which can save poultry farmers from significant losses. Working as an Immunologist at Professor Sarah Gilbert’s laboratory in the University of Oxford Dr. Salik Nazki has played a vital role in this research. It is a tremendous achievement and every Kashmiri must be proud of it. We have seen Kashmiri doctors being part of such breakthrough research in the past as well. Kashmiri surgeons have done some of the most complex surgeries and many are heading important departments in hugely important health institutions of first-world countries. Right from the days of Dr. Ali Jan, Kashmir has produced doctors of repute who shone in all disciplines of medicine. At the current age and time, many Kashmir-based doctors are first choice personal doctors for the ruling elite in many Gulf countries. We humbly appeal to Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha led administration to honour the contribution of Dr. Salim Nazki by naming an educational institution in his home town in his name – or that can be a primary health centre, a district hospital or any other institution in Kashmir. Naming institutions after the names of contemporary achievers inspire others to excel in their lives. There are many writers, journalists, soldiers, doctors, engineers, teachers and bureaucrats who have done tremendous service to humanity beyond their call of duty. By naming institutions after them we are inspiring others to go beyond the call of duty and excel in their respective fields. We once again congratulate Dr. Salim Nazki on his feat and hope and pray that the present government dispensation would honour his effort accordingly.