Big news from the science world! The Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) has been picked as one of just four national hubs for next-generation sequencing (NGS) under a cool new project called the Metagenomic Syndromic Surveillance Programme. This programme is part of the National 'One Health Mission,' a huge national initiative bringing together human, animal, and environmental health. What’s the big goal? To fight some sneaky and troublesome illnesses like undiagnosed acute fever, brain infections (encephalitis), diarrhea, and respiratory problems. Often, traditional tests miss the rare or new germs causing these troubles. But with advanced metagenomic sequencing, RGCB and partners can spot them all at once! This exciting project joins forces between RGCB and top labs like the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS), Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), and ICMR units from Chennai and headquarters. RGCB is perfect for this job. They have a cutting-edge Bio Safety Level-3 lab and great skills in viral genomics and high-speed sequencing. T.R. Santhosh Kumar, RGCB Director (Additional Charge), shared, "As the designated NGS hub for acute febrile illness (AFI), the RGCB will leverage its expertise in viral genomics, host-pathogen interactions, and high-throughput sequencing and analyse thousands of samples... to identify elusive etiological agents behind some of India’s most common yet unresolved clinical conditions." The project is led by Rajesh Chandramohanadas, senior scientist and BSL-3 Lab in-charge at RGCB. Together, this team will build a real-time genetic snapshot of the dangerous germs and how drug resistance is evolving across India. This means quicker detection of any new threats and better responses to outbreaks. The nationwide collaboration aims to revolutionize how India looks at infectious diseases. It will bolster epidemic intelligence and help create new diagnostic tools tailored just for India's unique pathogen world. The programme is a giant leap toward a unified 'One Health' system linking humans, animals, and the environment to keep everyone safer from future pandemics. This thrilling step not only strengthens India's health defense but also showcases India’s scientific prowess in tackling diseases with the most modern tools.