ICAR Research Complex for Goa celebrated the World Zoonoses Day on 6^th July, 2012. The theme of the celebrations was ‘Towards a healthier life’, in order to educate and create public awareness about the importance of zoonoses. The World Zoonoses day is celebrated on July 6 every year to bring the problem into people's consciousness, and remind them to take action. This day is the anniversary of the invention of rabies vaccine by the great scientist Louis Pasteur.  Shri. Laxmikant Parsekar, Honourable Minister of Health, Panchayat, and Rural Development, Government of Goa graced the celebrations as Chief Guest for the Valedictory function. Dr. N.P. Singh, Director of the Institute welcomed the delegates and briefed about the World Zoonoses Day. Hon. Minister spoke about the importance of zoonotic infections in our day to day life and called for collaboration from Departments of Health, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Department of Agriculture, Science Colleges for creating awareness about the dreaded zoonotic infections. He assured his support of any of such programmes for the betterment of the people of Goa. During the day four resource persons, Dr Ashwani Kumar, Officer In-Charge, National Institute of Malaria Research, Goa Campus, Dr. U.V.T. Pednekar, Assistant Director, Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Govt. of Goa, Dr S.B. Barbuddhe, Senior Scientist and Dr Z.B. Dubal, Scientist form ICAR Research Complex for Goa deliberated on different aspects of zoonotic infections.

Dr. Ashwani Kumar spoke about the vector borne zoonotic  infections. Dr. Pednekar highlighted the importance of rabies and different infections prevalent in Goa region. Dr. Barbuddhe, Coordinator of the programme gave a detailed account of the zoonotic infections. Dr. Dubal narrated the different foodborne infections. Over 100 delegates from all over Goa participated in the programme. Mr. Suhas Godse, Associate Professor, Dhempe College of Science and Arts supported for successful organization of the programme. The programme was organized as a part of awareness campaign about zoonotic and foodborne infections funded by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.

The infectious diseases or their agents naturally transmissible between animals and human beings are collectively referred to as “zoonoses”. To enhance and upgrade the scientific know-how about zoonotic threat amongst Veterinarians and Physicians, ICAR, Goa has organized a  seminar to celebrate the occasion of “World Zoonosis Day”.