Public Conference on Genetically Modified Crops - 10th June

Public Conference on Genetically Modified Crops (organised by Poovulgain Nanbargal)

C V Raman hall, Anna university, ACT Campus, 10th June,2017

For a moment, look through the plant organisms, look through the Cell that is beautifully packed by nature, within which the nucleus is tightly placed and the Genes are configured/coded/placed in it all by itself by the nature through the process of evolution for counted centuries and uncounted Infinity years.

Is it even fair to break the code for some hundred years of science ? .  You can see the detailed argument happened below.

(Note - If you are looking for a detailed essay or a brief science note on GM crops this is not the place for it.
I am just summing up the discussions that I remember in an QA format.)

1) What is GM ?

GM is when you modify the Gene , the basic nature of the plant or the crop by breaking the molecular structure/Gene structure of it and altering the structure with some other molecular component.

2) Where did GM start in India?

It all started with BT Cotton when the government wanted to bring in some High yielding crop variety in cotton against Organic cotton. Now , For your Information BT is not Bio technology, it refers to a bacteria named Bacillus Thuringiensis which is itself toxic in nature and the toxicity was supposed to keep the other External bacteria’s away through the modified BT induced Genes. However , it was carried away to the cows through the cotton seeds as their major food Ingredient. Now this toxicity is being carried into humans through Cow’s milk. With the Latest Stats, 95% of the cotton variety is already BT and few Good souls are trying to keep the remaining 5% alive. Now, it is evidently proved that Organic Cotton has more cost yield than BT cotton since we can have 11 varieties of Intercrop with Organic Cotton.
Now the science is moved and being applied to a direct Consumption item Brinjal.

3) From BT to GM: The all new Rebranding

The Idea to sell a Product is to rebrand it and market it saying that is entirely a Different one. Like they have rebranded Methane to Hydrocarbon , BT was renamed to GM. The First product to stand in Queue is GM Mustard , the one direct consumption item that can be commonly found in everyone’s kitchen.

4) Why Mustard ?

Even we wouldn’t really know why mustard was chosen as the first item for GM. All we knew is there are hundred other direct food crops standing in Queue for approval if GM mustard is let in. The science is all same from BT cotton to GM Mustard . The reason being stated for GM Mustard is to bring down the dependency in edible oil import and that GM Crops will compensate the increasing food demand of increasing Population.

5) Is our food demand really Increasing ?

No. Believe it or not, With the latest stats, population growth rate is not increasing and it is declining. The Infertility rate is increasing due to toxicity we face day to day. The Cancer and tumor Rates are increasing and the death due to obesity, diabetics are higher than the death towards starvation . So The food demand is not really increasing and it is all just a hoax.

GM – Monsanto – Bayer

Monsanto is the biggest American Multi national company which is all behind the scene when it comes to GM around the globe. Monsanto is recently acquired by Bayer a German Enterprise which is responsible for 60% of World’s toxic pesticides. Bayer also holds 33% share in Indian Cancer spreading Giant ITC. (Its all a chain) Every Patent to GM is with these companies(Note-A separate discussion is happening in world forum that Genes are also falling under life form which could not be patterned) which means whatever you do in Delhi labs does not really belong to you or it cannot be done without the notice to these companies. Imagine it is 100 % GM’d and every farmer is depended on the GM seeds supplied to him every season and suddenly one day these MNC’s withdraw their support towards GM technology. It is one horrible thing to Imagine.

GM and GDP

Everyone of us here knows GDP in terms of Gross Domestic Product. But do we really know how it is constituted and Contributed from various sectors. Our Major Contribution towards GDP is through service sector however Agricultural sector still hold 50% above jobs in India. So, Implementation of GM in agricultural sector is not going to constitute to GDP since the Yield is not really proved to be higher than the ordinary Crops. But GM will constitute to GDP through Pharmas, Insurances and Hospitals.

GM Vs Hybrids:

A common question and confusion arises between GM and Hybrids. Even I was confused till today. The Basic idea is that GM is the structural modification of the Crops Gene by manual Science and hybrid is by cross cultivating and it is a naturally evolving process. So , hybrids are safe and we no need to worry about the rare big tomatoes or the thick/thin skin of it unless until it is a hybrid variety. However GM is not safe and no Direct GM Crops are into markets yet.

What Lies Ahead ?

I think I have summed up all the discussions that I could remember.(I didn’t take a notepad to conf ☹)  To summarize this, everything that is against nature has not turned out so good and also there is no necessity for it. Science is needed however the science and society should be bounded together by looking through the eyes of society for the betterment of Humanity.  You can read more the GM Crops on indiagminfo.org . Thanks.

-Shankar

விளித்திரைகள் விழித்தலென்ன !!!

விளித்திரைகள் விழித்தலென்ன,
அவ்விழி வழியே  நினைவலைகளும் நீந்தலென்ன !
அறை நிரம்பிய அரற்றலுமென்ன,
அங்கே இரவின் இருள் இறக்கும் ஓர் ஓசையுமென்ன !

கண் உறங்கா விடிவெள்ளிகளுமென்ன ,
கடல் அலைகளைத் தேடிடும் அக்காலைகளுமென்ன  !
கவியின் துணைக் கொண்டு மீழ்தலென்ன,
மீள் நிற்பின் ஓர் ஆற்றாமையின் பொருள் வந்து என்னை தூற்றலுமென்ன !

அழுதறிய என் விழிகளும் சில நேரம் சிவத்தலென்ன,
மனமும் வெறி கொண்டு கனவுவழி ஓட்டமெடுத்தலுமென்ன!
கனவும் நினைவாய் நிகழ்வாய் மாறுமன்றோ ,
அப்பயணத்தில் எதிர்படும் அத்தனையும் சில அர்த்தமுள்ளதன்றோ !

- ஷங்கர் 

From Rohit Vemula to Kanhaiya Kumar - The Forgotten Nehruvian Socialism

Nationalism:

Nationalism is one trending word among the social media and news hours in the last few months. Considering that the heat haven’t settle down yet,I thought it was essential to explain certain aspects and views which is really important in judging this issue and how this is to be understood from a common man’s view.

Craziest thing to be noted is , some seems to be so patriotic and some projected to be so Anti – National by peoples who doesn’t even have an Idea of a True meaning of Nationalism.

Lets Look into some historical backgrounds of certain things that are to be discussed Here.

Jawaharlal Nehru University:

Popularly termed as JNU, located in New Delhi Established in 1969. This is one pioneer institute of our Nation providing top class Education on fields such as History, Law, governance, Arts, Biotechnology, computer and system sciences, Environmental science, Language, Literature, Culture studies, Life sciences, physical sciences and social sciences.

With too many sciences involved mixed up with History and Literature JNU attracts too many knowledge seekers across the nation for quality Education. I have heard of stories of peoples who enters JNU specially for their Civil Services Preparation too use its vast resourceful library and succeeded too there by serving in the top bureaucratic positions in our country and also across the world representing our Country.

The Contribution from JNU in the fields of Science is tremendous. The university is known to have a long tradition of alumni thereby producing greater minds for decades.

Student union in JNU:

JNU always had a strong prevalence of left – Centric student politics. Not only JNU, Most of the traditional Universities in India are Inclined towards communistic left centric views when it comes to the matter of Student Union.

Rather than being bookholic, Students of JNU were always involved in Positive approach towards society by conducting various political debates, meetings, open discussions,. They also have a tradition of inviting various journalists, politicians, educationist, writers, and intellectuals in various fields for open discussions.

Jammu and Kashmir:

Jammu and Kashmir – One restless state in India since Independence. Year’s long violence, protest by separatists torn up this beautiful place into a violent arena.
Peoples who live in J&K are tired with confusion created by separatists, political instability and peace less life, terrorist issues for Decades.  

The Country without a post office:

The Country without a post office is not only the name of a popular poem but also the name of the cultural program organised by the student union of JNU. Feb 9, was expected to be one fine evening with yet another stage event on various cause. It wasn’t as expected. The theme of the program was to raise voice of concern for restless Kashmir. Like other Stage shows of various concerns this too was involved of expressions through plays, songs etc for the peoples of Kashmir. Also several students of the campus belonging to Kashmir took the stage to share their stories of shattered homeland. There raised slogans on freedom, freedom from Terror, Restlessness, Hunger , Political instability, Ineffective administration, failed progression.

The Case of Kanhiya Kumar:

Being the student union leader of JNU, Kanhiya was a part of the stage show during Feb 9. The listed voices for freedom and for concerns of Kashmir branded Anti-National Icon on the students of JNU and Sedition charges were filled over them.

The case of Rohit Vemula:

 Rohit Vemula, An Young and Dynamic Indian PhD Student from University of Hydrebad commited Suicide on January 2016. Earlier from July 2015, the university stopped paying him a fellowship of 25000 rupees Per month. It is Right after he was found    raising issue under the banner of Ambedkar Students Association (ASA).

From the suicide Notes of Rohit Vemula,

I have become a monster. I always wanted to be a writer. A writer of science, like Carl Sagan. At last, this is the only letter I am getting to write.

I loved Science, Stars, Nature, but then I loved people without knowing that people have long since divorced from nature. Our feelings are second handed. Our love is constructed. Our beliefs colored. Our originality valid through artificial art. It has become truly difficult to love without getting hurt. The value of a man was reduced to his immediate identity and nearest possibility. To a vote. To a number. To a thing. Never was a man treated as a mind. As a glorious thing made up of star dust. In every field, in studies, in streets, in politics, and in dying and living.

May be I was wrong, all the while, in understanding world. In understanding love, pain, life, death. There was no urgency. But I always was rushing. Desperate to start a life. All the while, some people, for them, life itself is curse.

I don’t believe in after-death stories, ghosts, or spirits. If there is anything at all I believe, I believe that I can travel to the stars. And know about the other worlds.

“From shadows to the stars.”

What Connects the Dots ?

In both Cases and also in few other recent issues , the autonomy of these educational institutes are affected by the NDA Government by its frequent intervention. The Crack downs are mainly as part of ABVP, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad , an organisation affiliated to RSS. On ABVP Request, a letter from Labour and employment ministry went to Human Resource Development ministry to act against students who involve in the termed Anti – National Activity in Hyderabad University Campus.  ABVP charges of Sedition and anti National Projection played its role in few other universities earlier like Allahabad, Guwhati Universites.

The Dynamic and True Meaning of Nationalism:

I am an Indian and I love my country for it gave me everything. This is how Indian Nationalism and Its Idea can be termed for a common man of India. This doesn’t mean that he or she is not entitled to speak up for the suppression or difficulties faced. When it comes to the act of Sedition, Slogans directly against Indian nation and Its Constitutional frame work is Anti National. But Slogans against the Suppressions face by a person and a protest to end it should not be tagged as Anti National. The same happened it JNU when they gave their voice for Kashmir.

Also , too much of Nationalism or the Idea of nationalism is not good for a country. A Country should be mixed up of Every feeling for a sustainable progression there by removing the anti – progression element time to time. History has shown us a good example from the early 40’s. The Story of Germany where the Extreme form of nationalism turned out to be fascism for which the country has fallen.

The Nehruvian Socialism:

Nehru is one Dynamic Leader who was always a future thinker of Progression. He always wanted India to be a country of Mixed Socialism (Not too Communistic/ Govt Centric also not Capitalistic).

He had an habit of writing frequent letter to the chief ministers of all states. I think it will be appropriate to end this article with one of his quotes from it.

The Idea of Indian Nationalism should be brought up without force feeding it to anyone of the state and without expecting Patriotism among them – Jawaharlal Nehru, Letters to the Chief Ministers.

இந்திய தேசியம் என்பது யார் மீதும் திணிக்கப்படாமலும், தேசப்பற்றினை  எதிர்ப்பார்க்காமலும் வளர்த்தெடுக்கப்படுதல் வேண்டும் - ஜவஹர்லால் நேரு, முதல்வர்களுக்காண கடிதங்களிலிருந்து.

-         Shankar

# There is No fate, but what we make.

The World and Soul around a change !

It is Highly Amazing to Visualize and to read how the World and Society around us changes drastically over a period of Time.

While few countries Strived for their Independence from Britain and were longing for a peaceful progression, There stood a Cool Country setting out an outstanding example by bringing in Socialism through October Revolution led by Lenin. When that country made drastic progression using Communism as its root, the earlier mentioned peace seekers tried progression through democracy. But soon time played its game by breaking this communist super power into multiple parts due to it mishandled liberalization policy.  

However, the thirst for communism didn’t dry up due to a single man Mao in the southern Asia who build an Empire of communism in China. Again, time played its game like a slow poison turning this Communist Empire it an Mixed Capitalistic State.

On the Other Hand growth was still a Distant Dream for these Democratic progression seekers. Even With their confused policies and inefficient Administration and handling techniques the Democrats did not fail to attract the Middle East as these peoples were far better that the Decades long Rulers of these Wealthy Nations.

With All the Wealth in hand what remained an unachievable target for these middle east were Freedom. By then, Like a Newly blossomed flower during Spring Season, there came the Tunisian Revolution Popularly Known as Arab Spring. The Newly Blossomed flower is nothing but Democracy for Tunisia from Decades long Emperor Rule. Also this spring sowed seeds over 19 more middle east countries to fight against the Modern fascism.

At this same time, Capitalism made it Strong root Among Americans and the Beautiful Europe after second world war. Industrial Revolution and the popular Globalization, Liberalization and privatization policies strengthen these roots of Capitalism in these western Countries making more millionaires.

But still some countries were lagging to make their mark as a combined super power and hence exited European Union in various Stages. Some were forced to the verge of Exit (Grexit – Exit of Greece). And Now We are hearing Brexit, a idea by which Britain will Exit European Union.

This might bring the End to European Union but not the End of Change. This is Just a part of the Change.

Time will always gift something new, a new change which will take some unimaginable form of progression as it has always been.

History was always a very brilliant teacher and has shown us various paths thereby letting us choose the wiser one.

There was always a change, around the world, around the soul, to bring out some new unimaginable power or form.

Believe in that change, Believe in that soul that bring out that unimaginable power.

There is no fate, But what we make.

-    Shankar

ஒளிரும் காலை பொழுதுகள்

தங்க பட்டுடுத்திய ஓர் தாரகை துயிலும் தருணம்,
அவள் மேல் படரும் காதலன் போல்,
பொன்னிற மேனியாய் பொங்கும் இக்கடலரசியை,
கதிரவனும் களவ முயல்வதும் ஏனோ?!

எதையோ தேடி தரை தீண்டும் இந்த கடல் அலைகளை போல்,
பல வினாக்களுக்கு விடை தேடும் இம்மனமும் விழித்து எழ,
அந்த அலைகளுக்கு ஒளி அழகை ஊட்டும் அந்த கதிரவன்,
இம்மனதிற்கும் ஓளி ஊட்டும் காலைப் பொழுதுகள்!

-ஷங்கர்

#

ஒளிரும் காலை பொழுதுகள்!

நீங்கா இரவுகள்

கடல் திரும்பிய கடற்காற்றும்,
ஓர் சுழற்காற்றாய் உருவெடுத்து கரை மோத,
அதன் வலிமை தங்கா முறியும் மரமாய்,
மனமும் சில நொடிகள் மயங்கி சாய்வதும் ஏனோ?!

எங்கோ ஒரு தூரத்தீவிலே,
கடல் கடந்த காதலும் கனவிலே தொடங்கி,
அது நினைவிலே நீண்ட நிஜங்களும் நொடிகளும்,
உறக்கமில்லா இந்த உன்னத இரவை நிறைத்தல் ஏனோ?!

பல நினைவுகளும் கலக்கங்களும் தோன்றி தீர்வதும் ஏனோ?!
அது பொன்னியின் செல்வனின் பூங்குழலியின் வரிகளை நினைவு செய்தல் ஏனோ?!
அன்றோ அவள் உரைத்தது போல்,
அலைக்கடலும் ஓய்ந்திருக்க,இந்த அகக்கடலும் குமுறுவது ஏனோ?!

-ஷங்கர்

# நீங்கா இரவுகள்

தீர்க்கமில்லா தருணங்கள்

தீர்க்கமற்ற தருணங்களை தீயினிட முயன்று,
அந்த தீயினில் துவண்டு விழித்த இரவுகள்!
மனமும் மாற்றங்களால் மயங்கா நொடிகளிலும்,
அந்த மாற்றங்களுக்கு அர்த்தமிடும் வேடிக்கை மனிதர்கள்!

கண் தோன்றி மறையும் மின்னலை போல்,
மனம் தோன்றி மறையும் சில பொழுதுகள்!
அலை கடலின் ஆழத்தில் தோன்றும் நீர் பிம்பமாய்,
நினைவுப் பிம்பங்கள் சில எதிரொலிக்கும் தருணங்கள்!

நிசப்தம் தேடும் இந்த நீங்கா இரவில்,
ஓர் அசப்தமும் மனதினை ஆட்கொள்வதும் ஏனோ ?!
நினைவுகள் திரும்பிடும் இந்த நீங்கா இரவில்,
சில கனவுகள் மட்டும் களைவதும் ஏனோ ?!

- ஷங்கர்

# தீர்க்கமில்லா தருணங்கள் !