♦ India was bestowed with the prestigious Measles and Rubella Champion Award in recognition of the country's tireless efforts to combat Measles and Rubella diseases. The award was received by the ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at American Red Cross Headquarters in Washington.

♦ The measles and rubella partnership comprises a multi-agency planning committee, including the American Red Cross, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), UNICEF and World Health Organisation. All of these organisations are dedicated to reducing global measles deaths and preventing rubella illness.