Our population survey in Maharashtra and Gujarat from western India revealed a high prevalence of the βs gene in different population groups.[5] During this study, 21 sickle cell- β thalassemia cases (7 tribals and 14 non tribals) in the age group of 3-25 years were identified using solubility test, hemoglobin electrophoresis and measurement of HbA2 levels by elution after electrophoresis. The gene discussed is PPIB; the disease is thalassemia.