Biotechnology policy A pragmatic approach - Invest Uttarakhand

KERALA CALLING December 2003 3

Biotechnology policyA pragmatic approach

The policy begins with an introductory paragraph in which it is said thatbiotechnology is the flavour of the twenty first century and the Indianinitiative in biotechnology has already attained a critical mass, although

not comparable to the huge resources in scientific manpower, technology andfunds available in the advanced countries especially in the West.The potential ofbiotechnology in Kerala and the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threatshave been analysed then (SWOT analysis).

StrengthsHigh literacy, educated and technically skilled people, basic infrastructure and

among the highest quality of life index, marine/sea food resources, spices andother plantation crops, medicinal plants; one of the best biodiversity treasures ofthe world, strong tradition of Ayurveda and its widespread use including medicaltourism, sound information technology base.

WeaknessesLack of top class Biotechnology teaching and R&D institutions, militant labour

and a general climate perceived to be not industry-friendly.Opportunities

New awakening/realization of the potential of Kerala e.g. success of theGlobal Investors Meet, proactive new initiative and awareness of the politicalleadership in fostering Biotechnology, positive attitude/keenness of the worldwideKerala diaspora to provide technological know-how and investment to establishBiotech industries, emerging technology leads obtained by some of Kerala’s R&Dand healthcare institutions, entrepreneurial spirit and success of many Keralabased ayurvedic healthcare/personal care/medical tourism companies.

ThreatsStrong tendency for political and bureaucratic control/strangle hold over any

Government initiative; comparative early bird biotech initiatives of other States,especially in South India, inadequate financial and administrative support as wellas political leadership in the State (compare Karnataka, AP.), laid-back, privilegeoriented, accountability lacking work culture.

Objectives and GoalsThe specific objectives and goals are detailed then. They are:Create a biotech knowledge base and human resources by establishing world-

COVER STORY±

The Government of Kerala hasformulated a comprehensiveBiotechnology Policy, encompassing allthe major sectors of economy, with aview to provide adequate support andpromotional avenues for Biotechnologysector. It is the first BiotechnologyPolicy brought out by anyGovernment in the State of Kerala.Releasing the Policy document, theChief Minister Mr. A.K. Antonyexpressed his hope that the Policy willaccelerate research and development inthe Biotechnology sector and initiatewide-ranging development in all sectorsof the economy. A gist of the Policyfollows.

December 2003 KERALA CALLING4

class centres of education and R&D inbiotechnology by upgrading existinginstitutions and/or organizing new entitiesin the public and private sectors.

Aapply biotechnology tools to:n enhance the value with adequate

assurance of quality in the State’sexport-oriented resources such asspices and related plantation crops,seafoods and marine resources.

n upgrade productivity and evolve newapplication in rubber, coconut, tubercrops and develop novelinternationally competitive products.

n ensure the sustainable and eco-friendly exploitation of the State’sforest, animal and marine wealth.

n boost the State’s renowned health carepractices of Ayurveda by synergisingtraditional knowledge with thescientific validation and technicalproduct profiling and clinical data baseand by evolving means to conserveand substantially use one of world’smost-valued biodiversity treasureslocated in the State.

n promote traditional tribal and ethnicknowledge in medicine and other areasof human welfare by scientificvalidation and facilitating intellectualproperty rights.

n develop recombinant DNA and othermodern technologies to combat themajor health hazards of the State suchas cancer, diabetes and cardio-vascularand other physiological disorders todevelop diagnostics and vaccines for

Members with an eminent scientist whois also the executive Vice-President of theKerala State Council for Science,Technology and Environment asConvener.

The Board will organize a corpus ofRs.100 Crores to create infrastructure inBT including BT Parks by collecting aBiotech Development Fund from thestake holding Departments of Industry,Health, Agriculture, and Forest etc. Thecontribution of each Department will bein conformity with the anticipatedbenefits. In addition a BT DevelopmentFund will earmark one per cent of theAnnual Plan Allocation of theDepartments benefiting by BT. AnotherAvenue is to seek grants frominternational Agencies and involve privateand public Enterprises.

The Biotechnology Board will take alltop level administrative and financialdecisions to create the best milieu in thecountry for growth of BT. The Board willliase with National and Internationalagencies and will ensure appropriate andtimely implementation of the Policy. Itwill endeavour to provide theBiotechnology Enterprises of the State aconsistent, competitive edge.

Kerala Biotechnology Commissionwill be responsible for the implementationof the BT policy and related guidelineslaid down by the Biotechnology Board,The Chairman of the Commission will bean eminent scientist who is also theExecutive Vice-President of the KeralaState Council for Science, Technology and

overall healthcare as well as to protectthe State’s agriculture, spice, plantationand forest crops, from biotic and bioticstresses.

n enhance the quality of theenvironment and promote sustainabledevelopment.

n to create, coordinate and disseminatea database encompassing the above-cited areas.

n provide an ambience with a packageof guidelines for financial support andincentives, legal and labour reforms aswell as institutional autonomiesneeded for the healthy, efficient andcompetitive growth of biotechnologyknowledge base and industry.

Strategic administrative initiativesStrategic administrative initiatives and

institutional mechanisms are detailed then.It is stated that to achieve the Kerala

vision in Biotechnology, ensure hassle-freeimplementation and provide sustainedleadership and resources, the following twomajor initiatives will be undertaken tocreate:l Kerala Biotechnology Boardl Kerala Biotechnology Commission

The Chief Minister of Kerala wouldbe Chairman of the Kerala BiotechnologyBoard with the ministers for Industry,Information technology, Agriculture andHealth, Chief Secretary and Vice-Chairman of State’s Planning Board, twoeminent industrialists and twoBiotechnology Scientists/Technocrats as

Chief Minister Mr.A.K. Antony releases the Biotechnology Policy in Thiruvananthapuram. Minister for Industries Mr.P.K. Kunhalikutty, Ministerfor Agriculture Mrs.K.R. Gowri Amma, Planning Board Vice-Chairman Mr.V. Ramachandran and Dr.M.S. Vahithan are also seen.

V.P.

Sas

idha

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Nair


Environment. The Commission will havefive members including two leadingbiotechnologists and entrepreneurs/industrialists. Three of the Members willpreferably be from outside of Kerala State.The Commission will co-opt concernedGovernment officials as Members asrequired. The Commission will be theeffective think-tank of the Board and willidentify focus areas of investment andprioritise projects for implementation andwill be responsible for utilization of BTDevelopment Fund. It will prepare a roadmap of BT initiatives, encourage private-public sector interaction and assess andapprove project proposals.

The Commission will address allethical, moral, environmental, economicand social issues and imperatives infostering BT and will be responsible forthe balanced awareness and education ofthe public on the potential hazards andsafety of Biotechnology.

The State BT BoardThe State BT Board will facilitate and

enable growth of BT by spearheading anumber of initiatives.

Encourage the establishment ofworld-class institutions of higher learningand R&D in biotechnology both in thepublic and private sectors.

Approve BT interventions/applications and regulatory requirementsexpeditiously through an exclusive andeffective single window system.

Ensure all laws of the land are obeyedto promote “Responsible” BT.

BT companies will be permitted toacquire agricultural land in excess ofcurrent ceiling limits.

Important new BT units andexpansion of existing units will beexempted from stamp duty andregistration fees.

FSI will be double that of prevailingnorms in the localities.

Offer Government land for BTenterprises at concessional rates.

Industrial power tariff is to be madeapplicable to Biotech industries.

Important agribiotech companies willbe given power at agricultural rates.

BT industries will be exempted fromstatutory power cuts.

BT companies to be exempted from

paying electricity duty.Captive power plants will be

permitted.Independent power producers will be

permitted to cater to BT industries.BT units will enjoy all benefits

throughout the State, now reserved for ITindustry.

Provisions of the Industrial DisputesAct will be modified/amended to facilitateshift working hours and employment ofwomen.

The State will share public health datawith BT companies and collaborate withsuch companies in clinical research.

State Government agencies involvedin healthcare, animal husbandry andfisheries will align with private industry todevelop appropriate products.

Permit the establishment of BT Parkswith Government equity in kind (land)

BT Parks will be set up inThiruvananthapuram, Cochin and othersuitable places. To achieve the aboveobjectives for industrial promotion inbiotechnology, a Biotechnology IndustryPromotion Mission may be set up.

Biotechnology Human ResourceDevelopment

The measures to be done for thebiotechnology human resourcedevelopment are detailed in the policy.They include:

The existing leading State institutionsin Biotechnology will be networked withadvanced R&D laboratories of the CentralGovernment and Private Institutions inthe State. KSCSTE will evolve a schemeto establish such a network and implementthe same so that personnel and facilitiesof the participating institutions will bemobilized to train faculty and mid-careerscientists in research institutions toenhance the capability in teaching andresearch.

The following institutions, whichalready have significant biotechnologyprogrammes, are identified to achieve thisgoal:1. Rajiv Gandhi Centre for

Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram2. Sri Chitrathirunal Institute for Medical

Sciences & Technology,Thiruvananthapuram

3. Regional Cancer Centre,

Thiruvananthapuram4. Rubber Research Institute of lndia,

Kottayam5. Central Tuber Crops Research

Institute, Thiruvananthapuram6. Indian Institute of Spices Research,

Kozhikode7. Centres for Plant Biotechnology and

Molecular Biology, Kerala AgriculturalUniversity.

l Services of scientists from outsideKerala, the relevant programmes ofDBT, UGC and other central agenciesas well as the Science Academies, willalso be harnessed for human resourcedevelopment.

l An empowered panel of biotechnologyexperts, which will include some fromoutside Kerala, will be set up, underthe Biotechnology Commission, tocarry out the recruitment in this sector.

l KSCSTE will set up a special post-doctoral Biotech Career DevelopmentProgramme whereby at least 10 (ten)young faculty will be selected toundertake post-doctoral work atleading biotech R&D labs in thecountry. The eligibility will be limitedto the faculty (below 35 years) workingin the Universities and R&DInstitutions in Kerala.

l There is urgent need to inculcatepatent literacy and awareness ofintellectual property rights and theirimpact on R&D, Industry and theunderfinnings in relation to WTO;KSCSTE will organize specialprogrammes to foster IPR and Patentliteracy.

l While making special efforts tostrengthen biology education, the Statewill evolve means to prevent themushrooming of biotechnology andbio-informatics programmes,especially in the private sector withoutadequate professional expertise,facilities and basic infrastructure.Various activities to be done under

each sector are discussed then. Theyinclude the following:

AgricultureThe tools of biotechnology such as

molecular genetics and breeding, includingthe use of molecular markers anddescriptors as well as r-DNA technologiesand bio-informatics need to be harnessed


in conjunction with tissue culturetechniques and conventional breeding tonot only combat biotic (insects, fungal,bacterial and viral pathogens) and biotic(drought, salinity) stresses, but also toenhance value of these commercial cropsin the domestic and international market,while sustaining and improving the geneticpool.

The areas of focus will include Bioticstresses, Abiotic stresses, Crop and animalstock improvement, Gene discovery anddesigner plants, Bioinformatics, databaseand website, Value addition by post-harvest technology and processing andHRD in Agri-biotech.

Marine resourcesThe initiative in this sector will include

l Diagnosis and prevention of viral andmicrobial pathogens by PCR andELISA based techniques to counterwhite spot syndrome virus as well asthe yellow head virus.

l Upgrading of facilities and creation ofnew ones for testing and certificationfor microbial and viral loads andantibiotic, hormone and chemicalpesticide residues will have priority.Commercialisation of hatcheryproduction protocols for variety of seafoods as well as marine ornamentalfishes; establishment of onshore andsea farms for not only shrimps, crabsand related sea foods, but also for finfish, shell fish, sea weeds and microalgae for the production of agar, alignsas well as anti oxidants andneutraceuticals; seafood wasteutilization and development ofbyproducts.

l Upkeep and maintenance ofEnvironmental Friendly Fisheries(EFF) through appropriatebiotechnology interventionsdevelopment of byproducts.

l In respect of both culture and capturefisheries are to be encouraged.

l Preservation of endemic and ethniccharacters of the adequate biotathrough gene pool protection anddevelopment of disease -resistantgenomes

l The thrust areas for research ndapplication of biotechnology infisheries will include establishment ofgene banks and fish bio-reserves;genetic improvement of disease-

resistant fish;p r o d u c t i v i t yenhancement in fish;development ofpromoters for upgradingeco friendly, aqua-farmingsystems; biotech supportfor the large scaleproduction of monosexspecies of endemic or exotichigh yielding fish varieties;technology standardizationfor fixing systemic feeding andseeding schedules, and theapplication of standard units, legalregimes and control measures on theusage of probiotics and antibiotics.

l Marine bio prospecting will be a majortheme of the Biotech Policy. A numberof novel marine biotechnologyinitiatives are feasible and the policy willemphasise such emerging areas.

HealthcareThe area of focus will be on early,

sensitive and accurate diagnosis of thediseases (e.g. PCR based diagnostics;immune diagnostics) and development ofvaccines. The State will encourage theestablishment of diagnostic servicecenters at District headquarters forinfectious diseases such as tuberculosisand other pulmonary, parasitic and gastrointestinal infections and AIDS. Sree ChitraThirunal Institutec of Medical Sciencesand Technology is already involved inELISA and DNA based diagnostics forcardio vascular infections and geneticdiseases. Rajiv Gandhi Centre forBiotechnology is active in PCR baseddiagnostics for entero, rota, hepatitis A andE viruses. Pharmacogenomics work atRGCB on software development fordetection and identification of metabolicerrors (e.g. single nucleotidepolymorphisms) will complement thiseffort. SCTI and RGCB along withRegional Cancer Centre will jointlyspearhead the initiative with SCTI as thenodal institution.

Tissue Engineering has immensepotential to be a niche area in medicalbiotechnology. Tissue Engineering isexpected to revolutionise the technologiesleading to organ replacement and thesubstitution of damaged tissues, e.g., invitro regeneration of tissue includingnerve, liver, and bone and heart valves.The effort will involve the participation

of biotechnologists and material scientists.Groups working at SCTI in the areas ofpolymer science and bioceramics will beencouraged to initiate the majorprogrammes in this area.

Ayurveda and traditional medicinesThe State Policy will encourage the

synthesis of the traditional and modernin upgrading the quality and the contentof the Ayurvedic medicines and services.

Creation of an advanced multipurpose analytical testing andstandardization laboratory approved bythe National Accreditation Board ForTesting and Calibration of Laboratorieswill cater to the needs of the Ayurvedicand Pharmaceutical industry for meetinginternational specifications.

Discovering new Medicines fromNature

Kerala’s biodiversity treasure and richtradition of Ayurveda provides an idealcombination for discovery and patentingof new drugs. A consortium approachwith leading industry partners and theState’s major medical R&D institutionssuch as SCTI, RGCB, RCC, TBGRI andCUSAT will be encouraged by KSCSTEwith special emphasis on collaborationwith National Chemical Laboratory, Punein utilizing NCL’s multicrore highthroughput robotic facility for screening,combinatorial synthesis, structureelucidation and profiling of bio-molecules

Tissue Engineering has immense potential to be aniche area in medical biotechnology. TissueEngineering is expected to revolutionise the

technologies leading to organ replacement and thesubstitution of damaged tissues, e.g., in vitro

scientists. Groups working at SCTI inthe areas of polymer science and

bioceramics will be encouraged to

regeneration of tissue including nerve, liver, andbone and heart valves. The effort will involve the

participation of biotechnologists and material

initiate the majorprogrammes in this

area.

December 2003 KERALA CALLING


for drug development.Biodiversity

The main goal of the Policy will be toharness, the State’s Biodiversity treasurewithout eroding or endangering the samein any way.

A number of initiatives will beencouraged by the Stake-holdinginstitutions such as. KFRI, with TBGRIas the coordinator with participation byappropriate industry partners;

Herbal farms for cultivation,harvesting and processing of rawmaterials; their standardization andchemical profiling for certification needs;

Provision of planting materials suchas seeds, cuttings and tissue culture plants;

Application of controlledfermentation techniques for thestandardized production of Arishtas andAsavas;

Bioreactor and fermentation kineticsof plant cell cultures for secondarymetabolites;

Creation of database on traditional,tribal and ethno botanic remedies andformulations; their patenting as well asprotection from bio piracy;

Evolving a mechanism or legislativeprovision for rewarding the traditionalvaidya or tribal for sharing the wealthgenerated by marketing/commercialising

leads from their traditional knowledgebase.

A number of areas of commercial andindustrial biotechnology are cited forpriority focus under the sections dealingwith Agriculture, Healthcare, MarineResources and Biodiversity. It will be thetask of the Industry Ministry to scout fortechnology leads from the various R&Dinstitutions in the State and also globallyfacilitate technology incubation, industrypartnership and technology transfer. TheMinistry will provide fiscal incentives andtake administrative measures to create theright milieu for the BT industrydevelopment. Many of the imperatives arecited in the section on “Kerala State asProactive Enabler of Biotechnology”.

Establishment of BiotechnologyParks will play a pivotal role in contractresearch, technology development,incubation, scale-up and commissioningof Biotech projects.

Environment and sustainableDevelopment

The bio load of the major rivers,Periyar and Pamba are indeed very high.There is also a need for the regenerationand preservation of the wetlands ofKerala. KSCSTE will evolve a networkingmechanism of concerned institutions inthe State as well as the NationalEnvironment and Engineering ResearchInstitute, Nagpur to tackle the degradationof the environment using biotechnologicalapproaches.

The development of Bio informatics,especially in the context of Kerala’sstrength in information technology is amuch-needed strategic initiative.

Creation and access to the databaseon Kerala’s unique biodiversity and the

related traditional knowledge inAyurveda, the genetic traits,agronomic features and diseaseresistance sensitivity profiles ofspecialty spices and commercialcrops, marine resources, theclinical/genetic information onthe Keralite’s disposition todiseases such as cancer,diabetes, cardiovascular-ailments and mentaldisorders will be extremelyvaluable for research andp r o d u c t / p r o c e s sdevelopment in these areas.

Contract sequence services -synthesisand mapping (seeds, leaves, blood/organ tissue, purified DNA);

Molecular marker services -DNAfingerprinting, molecular markers andESTs (Expressed Sequence Tags);

Training courses -awareness courses onBio informatics, genomic, DNAfingerprinting apart from specializedhigher courses on physical mapping,YAC libraries, and chip technologies;

Hardware and software supportservices -web hosting services forclients/institutions Data storage anddocumentation services. Bioinformatics activity will be part of thetechnology mission already underwayin the State and will need to networkwith not only Kerala’s leading R&Dinstitutions, but also the National Bioinformatics Centres such as PuneUniversity and Madurai KamarajUniversity.

Biotechnology ParksKerala State has decided to establish

Biotech Parks with the lead taken byKINFRA. The essential components,apart from customized lab units, of thebiotech park are:1. Bio resource Centre as a hub to

provide infrastructure, equipment.Facilities and services to assist thetenants and clients of the park.

2. Technology Incubator with thecapability to develop and license, incollaboration with R&D institutions,proprietary technologies to the tenantsand clients in the State and elsewhere.

3. Training Centre where technologyskill packages can be imparted inbiotech streams, e.g., molecularbiology, genetic transformation,immunology, tissue culture,fermentation and down streamprocessing and instrumentation.Considering the locations of leading

R&D institutions and the geographicdistribution of the State; natural resourcesand commercial centres, the State willencourage the establishment ofBiotechnology Parks with emphasis onhealthcare at Thiruvananthapuram,marine resources at Cochin and agriculturein an appropriate location near Thrissur/Kozhikode/Munnar.

l

Considering thelocations of leadingR&D institutions andthe geographicdistribution of the State;natural resources and

commercial centres, the State willencourage the establishment ofBiotechnology Parks with emphasis onhealthcare at Thiruvananthapuram, marineresources at Cochin and agriculture in anappropriate location near Thrissur/Kozhikode/Munnar.

KERALA CALLING December 2003


Biotechnology Commission willstep up HR activities : Dr.Valiathan

Kerala Biotechnology Commission with the help of the Universitiesin Kerala will start academic programmes in Biotechnology, saysDr. M.S.Valiathan, Executive Vice President, State Council for Science,

Technology and Environment. One of these programmes will be a five-year Master’sDegree Course for Higher Secondary Students. The students for this course willbe selected on the basis of an entrance examination, he said during an interviewfor Kerala Calling.

This will be an inter institutional programme which will entail all the majorinstitutions in the state in Biotechnology. Kerala has its own strengths in certainareas like spices, cash crops like rubber, medicinal plants, and marine sciences. Thecourse will cover all these areas. The Commission has to convince the Universitiessince only Universities can take up this task, Dr.Valiathan said. The Master’sprogramme will give stress to subjects Mathematics, Physics, Statistics andPhysiology in addition. There will be project works in the above said institutions.Such courses will in future enrich the human resource of our State in Biotechnology.There is no use starting courses without adequate infrastructure. Those coming

S.Radhakrishnan

COVER STORY - INTERVIEW±

C.S.

Rav

i Kum

ar

“We started late.Our policy is alsoa belatedassertion. But wehave our ownstrengths inparticular areaslike MarineSciences, Spices,Medicinal plants,Healthcare etc.We cannotimitate the otherstates in areaslike modern drugdevelopment.”

Dr.M.S. Valiathan


for Scietific and Industrial Researchwith the help of many institutions. ButKerala can go ahead with thedevelopment of medicinal plants andAyurveda involving institutions likeTBGRI. Even Governments in Europeare skeptical about applications ofBiotechnology in Agriculture.Genetically modified foods may causedoubts in people but we can, for thetime being, keep away from suchactivities and concentrate in cash crops.

Compared to InformationTechnology what are the steps youare going to take in popularisingBiotechnology?

In IT we have all sorts of jobs for

out of such courses will not attract anyjob, pointed out Dr. Valiathan.

Excerpts from the interview:In the Biotechnology policy

approved by the Government ofKerala there are recommendationsfor the formation of BiotechnologyCommission and BiotechnologyBoard. How far things haveprogressed after these bodies wereformed?

We had met once. A workshop wasconducted and certain projects wereidentified. We are in constant touch withthe Department of Industries, which islooking after the formation of theBiotechnology parks. Incidentally theseparks are also a recommendation in theBiotechnology policy.

How do you visualize the arrivalof industries in these parks?

Starting industries in these parks orin any other part of our State will takemore time. For this to happen thereshould be a playing field for research inour institutions almost like Rajiv GandhiCentre for Biotechnology inThiruvananthapuram. There should beindustry-sponsored research in suchinstitutions. Our focus should beproducts and processes. Suppose wewant to develop a new type of pepper,which is resistant to diseases. We canrequest an industrial house to sponsorthe research programme. There shouldbe unambiguous agreements by whichthe institution and the State will benefitfrom the programme. TheBiotechnology Commission will meet apart of the operating cost for additionalequipment required for the purpose.Our Scientists can be engaged for thework. The product evolved can be putup for patent. There should beconfidentiality in research. Premierinstitutions like Indian Institute ofScience are undertaking such researchactivities. If we demonstrate ourselvesin one programme more such projectscan be attracted and this will pave wayfor industries that rely on our expertise.

But this can naturally raiseeyebrows in our peculiar social andpolitical set up?

Why? This is being done all overIndia. Our people and our institutionswill benefit a lot from such programmes.Only through research we can bringindustries in Biotechnology. Theseresearch activities will also strengthenour proficiency and our people. In thisera we cannot go on our own. Theinhibitions we have regarding industriesshould change. Industry does not meancorruption. It is an engine for growth.Creating parks alone won’t bring anyindustry.

Is there an alternate step likeattracting an industry to outsourceits research activities in Kerala?

I doubt. Such an outsourcing needs

Only through research we can bringindustries in biotechnology. These researchactivities will also strengthen our proficiency

and our people. In this era we cannot go on ourown. The inhibitions we have regarding industries

should change. Industry does not mean corruption.It is an engine for growth. Creating parks alone

won’t bring any industry.

sharing of knowledge. Big companieswill not encourage this. Exploiting theadvantages of low wages and low costfacilities, these companies can set uptheir own facilities in India. Ourneighbouring states are vying for suchcompanies.

Compared to those states wheredoes Kerala stand regarding theaccomplishments in Biotechnology?

We started late. Our policy is also abelated assertion. But as I said, we haveour own strengths in particular areas likeMarine Sciences, Spices, Medicinalplants, Healthcare etc. We cannot imitatethe other states in areas like moderndrug development. It takes a long timeinvolving many institutions fordevelopment and trials of a moderndrug. This is now being done by Council

the people. BT cannot providethousands of job opportunities butprovides more high-end jobs. There areno quick results. But the outcomeaffects a lot of people. So nowprogrammes to create awareness amongpublic at large may not be necessary. Butthe Biotechnology Commission willthink of such programmes in the futureas and when necessary.

Is there any plan for a nationalinstitute in Biotechnology like anIIT?

Kerala alone can’t venture into thecreation of an Institute forBiotechnology. And at present thereis no such Institute in India. I heard,the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister istrying for such an Institute. Cost wise itmay be a big project. l

December 2003 KERALA CALLING1 0

Dr. A.N. Namboodiri

When Paul Berg of the University of Stanford announced the synthesisof a recombinant DNA molecule in 1972 no one realized that thediscovery would affect the life of all mankind directly or indirectly.

Within a year, a genetically engineered organism was made; it was a colon bacteriuminto which a gene taken out of a toad was transferred. And in the words of MattRidley.And, Biotechnology was born.

Insulin and InterferonOne of the earliest achievements in this field was the transfer of insulin gene

into the bacterium of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and the development of methods

COVER STORY±

BT ScenarioImages and illusions

One of the celebratedsuccesses of the early

period was the synthesis ofinterferon. Interferon,as the name implies,

interferes with thedevelopment

of several viruses rangingfrom the common

cold to some kind of cancer.

KERALA CALLING December 2003 1 1

for its industrial utilization. Insulin gene was transferred initially from cattle andlater from humans. The bacterium divides every 20 minutes and the transferredinsulin gene divides with it. In the course of a few hours, millions of bacterialdescendents, each acting as a micro-insulin factory get established.

One of the celebrated successes of the early period was the synthesis ofinterferon. Interferon, as the name implies, interferes with the development ofseveral viruses ranging from the common cold to some kind of cancer. However,46,000 litres of blood are needed to synthesize half a gram of interferon and themarket value of one kilogram of this drug was calculated as one billion dollars.The human gene for interferon was isolated and transferred to E. coli facilitating itscommercial production.

Even before the chemical synthesis of the gene in the seventies, hopes wereraised about the possibility of gene therapy. This envisaged replacement of defectivegenes with functional genes bestowing permanent cure to patients suffering fromgenetic orders. However, there was very little reliable data on effective transportationof isolated or synthesized genes to the human organs or cells. Researchers likeMartin Cline could not wait till the protocols were finalized; they tried gene therapyand predictably all attempts were failures.

Gene therapy came to age only with the involvement of Dr French Anderson.In 1990 Anderson and his colleagues began to treat patients afflicted with SCID(Severe Combined Immuno-deficiency) caused by the genetic inability to producethe enzyme ADA. Normal genes of ADA were synthesized and an injection of abillion normal cells with ADA gene was administered to the patient. The experimentwas a success. However, periodic transfusion of the engineered cells was necessaryand permanent cure was not achieved.

Pharmaceutical FarmsGenes transferred to microbes synthesized desirable chemicals but their yield

was only minimal. Could the genes be transferred to plants and raise chemicalfarms, which could turn out drugs in tons? American scientists have transferredinterferon gene to turnip and found that the plants synthesize this drug. It was alsofound that one bacterium, Alcagenes entropus, synthesized the plastic polyhydroxybuturate (PHB). This is degradable plastic and might solve the challenge of plasticpollution. However, the cost of producing PHB is prohibitively high. ChrisSomerville of the Carneigie Institute, Washington, transferred the genes for PHBto the common weed plant, Arabidopsis. Raising the plants with the plastic geneswas left to the care of the Monsanto and Somerville turned his attention to plantnylons.

Very few discoveries have attractedmore attention than the transfer of thepesticide gene from the bacterium,Bacillus thuringiensis, to cotton. Btcotton, as the transgenic crop is calledis the better known of severalgenetically modified (GM) crops.Genetically modified wheat, corn,soybean, and canola are also widelycultivated. In fact, during 2002, GMcrops increased by 6.1 million hectarestaking the genetically engineeredcultivated area to 58.7 million hectares.In fact, within a short period of adecade, crops created by man haveacquired a dominant position incultivation. It is estimated that in 2003six million farmers are cultivating GMcrops and more than seventy five percent of them are poor farmers of thedeveloping countries.

Eco-warriorsTransgenic organisms are designed

to solve ecological problems. Severalgroups in both the public and privatesectors are working to create organisms,which can be used to monitor surfaceand sub-surface contaminants. Othertransgenic organisms absorb andconvert toxic forms of mercury into theless toxically elemental mercury. GMplants are also used to monitorradioisotope levels around nuclearstations and to detect leakage of copperfrom mines.

A novel feature of transgenic plantsis their role as detection of land minesand hidden weapons. After the war, theland mines buried are abandonedwithout any hint or direction.Thousands of mines left in Egypt afterthe Second World War still remain as athreat to man and animals. Plantsdesigned to detect mines have a genetransferred from which produce a greenprotein that fluoresce on contact withthe explosive (TNT). Transgenic plantsabsorb TNT from the soil and when itreaches the leaves the gene producesfluorescent protein, which makesdetection easy. Once the position of themine is known, steps can be taken tomake the explosive inactive.


Cloning of Coconut PalmsIn the background of such cutting

edge technologies it may seem odd todiscuss a project to solve a persistentproblem of coconut farmers of Kerala.Root-wilt disease had been theirprincipal enemy and decades of studyand research have not given anyconsolation to them. In the eightiesthere was considerable discussion ofcloning coconut. It was well known thateven in the infected fields there are afew trees that are disease resistant andhigh yielding. If we can clone these elitepalms and replant the affected area withdisease resistant clones, the problemof the farmer could be permanentlysolved.

There were formidable challenges.A suitable culture medium and optimumgrowth conditions have to be found out.Plants vary in their requirements fornutrients and hormones. The standardmedium, though suitable for manyspecies, does not support division anddifferentiation of coconut tissues.Palms, as a matter of fact, are classifiedas very difficult material for tissueculture propagation.

Several attempts had been made totame the coconut palm. Prof. SinclairMantell, of the University of London,who was consultant to TBGRI, oncenarrated his experiences with coconutcloning. Palm is a tropical plant, andthere were problems in getting freshmaterial. This was solved by air-liftingcoconut inflorescence from Jamaica.Prof. Mantell had the support of avariety of experts of the AdvancedPropagation System of the HorticulturalDivision of the University ofLondon. He and his colleagues wereworking on this problem for severalyears but all the sophisticatedinstruments and the expertiseaccumulated over the years did nothelp them in obtaining a clone.

In the eighties, however, LaurieJones of the Uni Lever Companyannounced that tissue culture of oilpalm was successful. If oil palm can becloned, surely coconut could also becoaxed to co-operate.

Research groups who ventured intothis field focussed on trials with a vastnumber of culture media that differedin their constituents and proportions. Inone major effort, scientists used 2340different media and each variant wasused for ten separate trials. As a result,23,400 trials were made and the datacollected and analysed. This was long,hard and dedicated work but coconutremained unyielding.

The case of CubaIn Biotechnology, the roll models

are often selected from the Westerndeveloped countries with resources torun massive enterprises such as theHuman Genome Project. However,there are lessons to be learned from theexperience of Cuban biotechnology.

Cuba, that impoverished island in.the Caribbean is often said to be half acentury behind its big neighbour, theUnited States of America. Thepopulation of Cuba is only one thirdof that of Kerala. American embargocuts off even supplies of chemicals and

isolating interferon from human blood,but soon realized the advantage of usingRecombinant DNA technology forinterferon synthesis. The Centre forGenetic Engineering and Biotechnologywas soon established with ManualLimonta as its Director.

Cuba’s efforts in biotechnology arehighly pragmatic and aimed at solvingreal life problems. The main crops ofCuba are potato and sugar cane andresearchers have transferred genes togive them pest resistance. They haveadded an extra growth hormone geneto tilapia creating a faster growingvariant of this tasty fish.

It is in the field of vaccines thatCuban biotechnology made a realimpact. Cuba is one of the largestproducers of a recombinant vaccineagainst hepatitis B. It is also aproducer of a recombinant vaccineagainst meningitis B. It also marketsinterferon for cancer treatment.epidermal growth factor for woundhealing and streptokinase for heart

glassware to the laboratory .Yet, Cubais now a biotechnological mini power.Significantly, it also earns $100 milliona year from sales of biotechnologyproducts. It all began in 1980. FidelCastro heard about interferon, thewonder drug that fights a variety ofviruses ranging from common cold tocancer. He asked Manual Limonta, animmunologist, to set up a facility tosynthesize this drug. Limonta started by

ailments.Cuba provides hepatitis B to all

newborns free and charges countrieslike India as little as $2 a shot. Cubanbiotechnology is now gearing up forexpansion and collaboration withinternational pham1aceutical firms.

If Cuba is a mini power could notKerala aspire to be a biotechnologicalmega power?

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Cuba’s efforts in biotechnology are highlypragmatic and aimed at solving real life problems.The main crops of Cuba are potato and sugar cane

and researchers have transferred genesto give them pest resistance. If Cuba is a

mini power could not Kerala aspire to be abiotechnological mega power?


Biotechnology can be broadly defined as “using living”organisms or their products for commercial purposes.As such biotechnology has been practiced by human

society since the dawn of history in which activities takingplace were baking bread, brewing alcoholic beverages orbreeding food crops or domestic animals were taking place.These processes actually marked the beginning of what wetoday call as biotechnology.

The discoveries and innovations specially in industrialisedcounties through the basic understanding and unravelling ofthe double helix structure of DNA by Watson and Crick in1953 and thereafter, developing a large number ofbiotechnological tools and techniques, the field ofBiotechnology has assumed a prime position amongst all thedisciplines of science.

The Human Genome Project gives the completion ofthe DNA sequence and analysis of human chromosome6 comprising 167 million base pairs. This chromosomehas tremendous significance from the medical researchpoint of view including aspects of protection andtreatment for diseases like cancer, schizophrenia, arthritisand diabetes. The most important aspect is a region onthe short arm of the chromosome which encodes theMajor Histocompatibility Complex (MHC). It isabsolutely essential for the human immune response. Thiswork is going to further light up the curiosity and desireto speed up research in all aspects of genomics.

The challenges, the excitement, the curiosity and theopportunities are limitless before the scientific communitypursuing modern biology and biotechnology research.Equally important are the aspects of its application.

Modern biotechnology constitutes a growing rangeof techniques, procedures and processes. The confluenceof classical and modern technologies enables the creationof new products and highly competitive processes in a

Potential ofbiotechnology

large number of industrial and agricultural activities as wellas in the health sector. This would provide the impulse toradically transform the competitiveness and growth potentialfor a number of activities and open up new possibilities.

Biotechnology promises a ‘golden age” in agriculturalproduction, where no one goes hungry, customize foodscontain added nutrients to enhance our health or wardoff disease, and farmers produce the raw materials forplant-based industrial stock, fuels, antibiotics and a myriadof other products as well as food.

Biotechnology provides unique opportunities toincrease the quantity, quality and reliability of foodsupply. These gains can be achieved with potentially lessneed for pesticides and herbicides, less demand on scarcewater supplies and less pressure to use ecologicallysensitive land.

To increase agricultural productivity, in an environmentallysustainable manner in the face of diminishing land and waterresources is a highly challenging task. Knowledge basedapproaches including crop genomics can provide powerfulsolutions and enhance food security, by improving localagricultural productivity, minimizing the use of chemicalinputs such as pesticides and fertilsers, insulating crops againstlosses from diseases and pests, curtailing post harvest losesincluding food spoilage, improving food quality and nutrition,increasing crop tolerance to stress factors such as droughtand salinity problem, and through the production of valueadded products.

COVER STORY±

Dr. Manju SharmaSecretary, Department of BT, Government of India


We have been domesticating, breeding andhybridising animals and plants since long. But whiledoing so, we could not accomplish the mostdesirable goals because of the natural constraintsimposed by species barriers and some built-in-limits. Genetic engineering has by passed all thespecies barrier and information between completelyunrelated species in a controlled manner and hasgiven birth to Precision Breeding.

Biotechnology can expedite the developmentof new varieties and also enhance marginal cropslike millets, banana, grain legumes, cassava andsweet potato all important staples in the developingworld. Introducing genes that increase by three-fold are available iron levels in rice can be apotential remedy for iron deficiency. Modernbiotechnology offers effective techniques toaddress food safety concerns. Biotechnologicalmethods may be used to decrease the time necessary to detectfood borne pathogens, toxin and chemical contaminants aswell as to increase detection sensitivity. Enzymes, antibodiesand micro organisms produced using rDNA techniques arebeing used to monitor food production systems for qualitycontrol. Biotechnology can compress the time frame requiredto translate fundamental discoveries into applications. Nowplants resistant to insect attack like Bt cotton, are a reality, nomore the fantasies of science fiction.

A case study compiled by National Centre for Food andAgriculture Policy (NCFAP) reveals that crops (maize, sugarbeet and potato) developed through biotechnology can helpfarmers reap an additional 7.8 billion kgs of yield and improvefarm income by 50 billion Rupees and reduce pesticide usageby almost 10 million kg per year.

It is amazing to know that three years of field trials ofgenetically modified cotton in Australia particularly BollgardII has shown that pesticide use can be reduced by as much as75per cent compared with conventional cotton.

Genetic engineering can be used to modify the geneticcompositions of plants, animals, and micro organisms.

The number of genes that have been isolated and areavailable for transfer are growing daily. Some of the areas in

agriculture where biotechnology has shown significantachievement include transgenic crops, herbicide tolerance,insect resistant, virus tolerance, other engineered products,stress tolerance.

Vaccine Production from PlantsAn interesting development is the use of plants to produce

“edible oral vaccines”. The plants provide a naturalencapsulated environment for the proteinaceous vaccineswhich can be produced on a very large scale at cost, which islower as compared to using current technologies. Currentlyedible crops such as bananas and corn are being used forproducing a variety of vaccines including vaccines againstHepatitis B, transmissible gastroenteritis and E. coli labile toxin.

Potential applications of this technology would includeefficient immunisation of humans and animals against diseaseand control of animal pests. For instance, antigens for theHepatitis B virus have been successfully expressed in tobaccoplants and used to immunise mice.

This technique promises to pave the way for inexpensiveimmunisation against several human diseases. Oral vaccinesagainst cholera have already been expressed in plants.Generation of antigens through plants is not only cost-effective, but can also be mass produced, and easily recovered.

Plant biotechnology is stated to be an important R&Dbusiness in our country, as India is regarded as the largestproducer of milk and the second largest for fruits andvegetables. Analysts predict that by 2010 India can becomethe World’s largest exporter of agriculture.

BiodiversityIncreased economic growth spurred by genetically

improved crops will provide much-needed resources in theefforts to conserve biodiversity.

India is one of the world’s 12 mega diversity areas, withover 45 000 wild plant species and 77000 wild animal species

‘Designer’ FoodsMany plants are now being used to produce useful proteins.This has given birth to ‘Nutraceuticals’ - a word coined formade up food. These foods are also known as functionalfoods. The nutraceuticals include all ‘designer’ foods fromthe vitamin-enriched breakfast cereals to Benecol, a margarinespread that actually lowers LDL cholesterol. A leadingAmerican company, Novartis Consumer Health, estimatesthe US market for functional foods is around ten billion dollars,with an expected annual growth rate of ten per cent.


registered, accounting for about 6.5 per cent of the world’sknown wildlife. The biological wealth of India is a valuableasset to be managed prudently, particularly since the CBDrecognizes that the biodiversity present within the politicalfrontiers of a country is the sovereign property of that country.The diversity of living forms in India is the result of climateand soil variability and cultural and ethnic diversity. Thereare over 53 million tribal people in India, belonging to 550communities.

There are three megacentres of endemic biodiversity inIndia -the Western Ghats, the Eastern Himalayas and theWestern Himalayas -and 25 micro-endemic centers.

We have the rich bioresources base which can providenovel genes, molecules, enzymes for commercial exploitationetc. These would eventually generate a significant revenuefor the state.

Recently, the World Summit onSustainable Development held atJohannesburg once again reviewed theconcept of sustainable developmentand projected three dimensions asintegral part of this, namely:environmental conservation andenhancement of genetic resources;social security of the people; andEconomic security.

Human Health CareIn a report published in nature

genetics it was revealed that 10 mostpromising biotechnologies forimproving health in developingcountries in the next five to ten yearsinclude: modified moleculartechnologies for affordable, simplediagnosis of infectious disease,recombinant technologies to developvaccines against infectious diseases,technologies for more efficient drugand vaccine delivery systems,technologies for environmentalimprovement (sanitation, clean water,bioremediation), sequencing pathogen genomes tounderstand their biology and to identify new antimicrobials,female-controlled protection against sexually transmitteddiseases, both with and without contraceptive effect,Bioinformatics to identify drug targets and to examinepathogen -host interactions, genetically modified crops withincreased nutrients to counter specific deficiencies,recombinant technology to make therapeutic products (forexample, insulin, interferons) more, affordable, combinatorialchemistry for drug discovery.

BiopharmaceuticalsMany of the biotechnology based therapeutics under

development or which have been approved for use are proteins

that help the body overcome infections and cancers, fightpain, encourage the growth and repair of tissues or carry outother specific functions. The body itself during its normalfunctioning in fact produces many of these proteins.

VaccinesThe vaccines produced by modern biotechnology consist

only of the antigen. This reduces the risk of the vaccinestransmitting the virus and allows for modification of thevaccine to increase its effectiveness. We are at various stagesof developing vaccines for dreadful killer diseases such asMalaria, Cholera, Tuberculosis, Japanese Encephalitis Virus,HIV/AIDS etc.

DiagnosticsDiagnostics are used to detect diseases under normal and

abnormal conditions of the human body. Many moderndiagnostic kits are based on the useof labelled antibodies. More recentlydiagnostic kits based on thepolymerase chain technology havebeen developed.

Diagnostic kits produced throughbiotechnology play an important rolein the screening of blood for HIV andhepatitis. Home pregnancy tests areexamples of commonly useddiagnostic product.

Gene TherapyGene therapy involves

modification, deletion or addition ofgenes. to cure a disease. Theoretically,a single successful application of genetherapy will cause the body topermanently cure the disease. Genetherapy is currently being evaluatedfor its ability to treat wide range ofdiseases such as cancers, diabetes,heart disease, arthritis and neuro-degenerative diseases. Gene therapyhas been used, for example, to treatsevere combined immunodeficiency

disease (SCID), commonly known as the “bubble bodydisease”. Gene therapy requires the identification and cloningof the relevant human genes. The data generated from thecompleted Human Genome Project will therefore prove tobe a cornerstone of gene therapy.

Stem cells have an enormous potential for repairingdamage to the body caused by disease, injury, or aging. Stemcells also offer the prospect of treating many inherited diseasescaused by a single, defective gene.

DNA FingerprintingThe development of DNA fingerprinting technique has

proved to be extremely significant in identifying criminalsand establishing parentage.

DNA Vaccine : A boon todeveloping countries

With DNA vaccines, the gene for a proteinfrom a pathogen is inserted into a bacterialplasmid. The first clinical trials usinginjections of DNA to stimulate immuneresponse against a foreign protein began forHIV in 1995. Since DNA is relativelyinexpensive and is easier to produce thanthe isolated proteins or attenuated organismson which conventional vaccines are based,this technology may enhance the availabilityof vaccines to developing countries andenable timely immunization againstemerging infectious diseases. In Indiasignificant progress has been made todevelop DNA rabies vaccine at IIScBangalore.


Prenatal Diagnosis of InheritedDiseases

Molecular genetics has asignificant application in prenataldiagnosis of inherited disorders likehaemoglobinopathies. For instance,the technique for analysing DNA todiagnose sickle cell anaemia from theamniotic fluid cells was devised in1978.

PharmacogenomicsThe intervention of molecular

tools in the pharmaceutical domainhas given birth to a new area ofPharmacogenomics. This upcomingfield holds great promise of the day,when it will be possible to tailor drugsfor individual patients keeping in viewtheir genetic architecture.

Animal HealthUsing biotechnology, scientists are

developing fast, accurate diagnostictests for many of the most commonlive stock diseases. Recombinant DNAtechnology has made it possible tobreed animals with great precision andaccuracy. Specific genes can be insertedinto an animal embryo without causinga shift in other genes present in thesame animal.

One of the major applications ofgenetic engineering is the developmentof new breeds of productive cows thatcan produce more nutritious milk. Themilk of an ordinary cow lackslactoferrin, an iron-containing protein,which is significant for infant growth.Scientists at Gen Pharm International,California, have now developed thetransgenic bull Herman, which hasbeen microinjected with the humangene for lactoferrin. The breeding ofHerman and its progeny will prove to be a new source ofnutritious milk.

Animal NutritionNatural proteins called somatotropins, or growth

hormones, help animals convert feed into muscle or milk.Using recombinant DNA technology, scientists have beenable to develop bacteria that produce commercial quantitiesof somatotropins.

Organ transplantationThe latest biotech feat, has proved to be a cost-efficient

treatment for heart, kidney, lung and other diseases. Organs

from species like pigs are believed to bepromising sources of donor organs forhumans. This practice is referred to as‘Xenotransplantation’. The firstxenotransplantation experiment wasconducted in 1905, when a Frenchsurgeon transplanted slices of a rabbitkidney into a human patient.

Bovine embryo transfer is anothertechnique of genetic manipulation. Theprincipal advantage of embryo transferis that it increases the reproductivecapacity of useful cattle like cows andbuffaloes. Such transfer can also decreasethe generation interval between selectionsteps by having a large percentage ofprogeny of young donors.

Industrial BiotechnologyThe most successful application of

industrial biotechnology outside thepharmaceutical industry to date has beenthe production of industrial enzymesthrough fermentation - a process withleading market applications in textiles,food, and detergents. Techniques forremoving hazardous chemicals from theenvironment are also gaining interest.

Food and Beverage IndustryEnzymes are biological molecules

present in various organisms. Microorganisms have beenfound to be a rich source of industrially important enzymes.One such enzyme is xylanase. Different types of xylanaseshave been identified and isolated by genetic manipulation.These include digestive enzymes for natural fibres like wood,pulp and cellulose.

Environmental BiotechnologyOne of the major concerns today is the preservation of

the existing flora and fauna including plants, animals andmicrobes. Molecular applications have opened up new andimproved methods of preserving plant and animal geneticresources and have accelerated the collection and evaluation

Dolly and PollyThe development of Dolly and Polly by

Dr. Ian Wilmutt of PPL Therapeuticals,London, the first cloned animals created wavesallover the world. This feat is indeed significant,as it not only marks a great scientificachievement, but also paves the way for thegeneration of many other cloned animals, whichcarry valuable human proteins.

In addition to producing new diagnostic testsand therapeutic proteins, animal scientists areusing biotechnology to develop vaccines toprevent disease. A safe, effective vaccine forswine pseudorabies, is already in use. Anotheradvantage of recombinant vaccines is the speedwith which they can be developed.

“Conventional vaccine development can take 20or 30 years, may be even 100 years”,Recombinant vaccines are being developed forfoot-and-mouth disease, a highly contagiousviral disease that infects cattle, sheep, and otheranimals.


of germplasm for specific traits. We have gene banks, bothex situ and in situ. A new generation of genetically engineeredorganisms is being developed to convert toxic materials intobenign substances. Scientists are also using geneticallyengineered fungi, bacteria, and algae as “biosorption” systemsto capture polluting metals and radionuclides includingmercury, copper, cadmium, uranium cobalt etc. Some of theareas where biotechnological tools have made c dent includeland fill technologies, bioremediation, biosensors,biodegradation of Xenophobic Compounds, oil eating bugs,designer bugs for biomining, pollution control, cleaning ofindustrial, dairy, dye and industry wastes, restoration ofdenuded ecosystems etc.

Maintenance of a wide genetic base, which is an importantelement of biodiversity, is essential. The global scientificcommunity agrees that biotechnology gives us an importantadditional tool towards meeting these needs. Plant tissueculture has been regarded as a key technology for increasingthe production capability of many plants of selected varieties,and to prevent their extinction. Biotechnological tools havethus paved a new pathway for restoring and preserving ourbiodiversity in multidimensional ways.

Aquaculture and MarineBiotechnology

We all know that oceans cover 70 per cent of the earthand these house millions of marine organisms each of whichoffer unique qualities and uses. Reports suggest that marinebiotechnology can help utilize more than 30 thousand knownspecies of marine organisms to develop new productsincluding the biochemical capabilities of marine organismsto generate new classes of pharmaceuticals, polymers,enzymes and many otherchemical products. Thistechnology can boost thedevelopment of vaccines,diagnostics and analyticalagents, and geneticallymodified organisms foraquaculture and seafoodindustry.

Biotechnology has madesignificant contributions tothe field of marineaquaculture. The tremendouspotential of marine resourcesare still untapped. Asoverexploitation of naturalresources takes its toll onthese natural reserves, thedevelopment of transgenicfish will playa key role in theaquaculture industry in thenear future.

Seaweeds have numerous

applications. These are used as food, fertilizers, industrialgums, medicinal use. cosmetics industry etc. Farming ofseaweeds has resulted in production of biopolymers withmany industrial applications. For instance carrageen an iswidely used in food and cosmetic industries. This is a milliondollar industry since India has a large coastline of 7000 kmand nearly 770 species have been reported from India. Oflate few Indian companies also have started seaweedcultivation, which eventually would create nearly 50,000 jobin coastal states especially for women.

Bio informaticsOne of the main applications of bio informatics in

addition to its enormous use is the data mining and analysisof the data gathered in genome projects. Other applicationsare sequence alignment. protein structure prediction.metabolic networks. morphometrics and virtual evolution.Protein structure prediction is another important applicationof bio informatics. The amino acid sequence of a protein,the so-called primary structure, can be easily determined fromthe sequence on the gene that codes for it.

There are many successful examples of structure baseddrug design. Development of anti-retroviral therapy for thetreatment of AIDS or the development of anti-cancer drugshave been significantly accelerated by the knowledge of thethree dimensional structure of the target proteins. Today,structure based drug design is an undertaking in every majorpharmaceutical set up.

Bio informatics can help in Characterising targets, suchas the classification and subclassification of protein families;Understanding targets, such as their behaviour in a larger bio-chemical and/or cellular context; Developing targets, such

as production, detoxifica-tion, the stratification onpatient population andother gene-based varia-tions.

It can be said that thegenome projects gave uslong lists of letters andwith bio informatics I wecan determine words,grammar, sentences and,finally their meaning.

Advances in genomicsand DNA analysis areleading to new develop-ments in molecular elec-tronics and bio comput-ing.

Biomolecules or mac-romolecules like carbohy-drates, lipids, nucleic ac-ids and proteins form animportant area of re-

Intellectual Property Rights and BTDue to increased costs of research and development all over the globe, itbecame necessary in the interest of public, to provide adequate incentivesto the inventors for carrying out research. This thought eventually gavebirth to what is called Patent, the Patent Law and IPR regime.

IPR’s related to biotechnology are mostly covered under plant breedersrights, trade secrets, trade marks and copy rights. Depending upon thenature of the invention, the patent may be granted for a product, a processor both {product-process patents). However, live forms may or may notbe patentable though majority of the industrialized countries haveextended patent protection to living organisms. Among thebiotechnological innovations, patents are granted for products likeantibiotics, new microorganisms, new gene(s) sequences, new substanceswith no previously recognized existence etc. Patentable processes includemethod for new organisms, for example enhancing biological utility,reducing disease incidence due to pathogenecity, construction of neworganisms by genetic recombination or cell fusion, etc.


the HER2/neu receptor, one of the epidermal growth factorreceptor (EGFR) family members, and is the only growthfactor receptor inhibitor approved for clinical use (to treatmetastatic breast cancer with or without chemotherapy). Someof the novel therapeutic approaches are outlined below.

The goal of gene therapy for cancer is to inhibit theconstitutive signals that drive tumor growth. One area ofresearch is replacement of the missing function of a mutatedtumor suppressor gene, P53. Various approaches have beenused and are in clinical trials. Results from this and otheragents are limited by a variety of problems, including difficultydelivering the agent, identifying tumors that lack P53 or overexpress other targets, and production of the novel agent.

Two radio labeled antibodies in clinical trials treatingpatients with relapsed or transformed low-grade non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, are tositumomab (Bexxar), andibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin}. Both are antibodies

I to CD20, tositumomab is linked to 131I and ibritumomabis linked to 90Y. (An antibody against CD33 linked to thetoxin calicheamycin has been effective in the treatment of

Cancer treatment: Novel biotechnological approaches

search with application in Biosensors and DNA chips andBio-chips.

NanobiologyOver the years, we have seen the convergence of various

diverse fields and, this has led to development of new frontierinter-disciplinary areas, such as Nanobiology. It involves theexpertise of physicists, as it deals with cooperative systemsof many subunits, which undergo structural changes alsocomputational methods, chemistry etc. Nanobiology is a blendof physics and biology -the study of biological entities atNanometer scale levels.

The emergence of nanobiology depends on thedevelopment of Nanotechnology. The concept ofnanobiology was first proposed in a group study named“Biological Nano- Mechanisms”.

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While the medical treatment strategies in general usenow (i.e., surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation) aresuccessful in some cancers, they all have limitations.

For example, surgery has been used successfully for manyyears to remove cancerous tumors. However, not all cancerscan be surgically removed and even when they can be, somecancerous cells may have been missed. Conventionaltreatments don’t always kill every cancer cell, or they killnormal cells as well as cancer cells. The use of cytotoxicdrugs and radiation against cancer is limited by a number offactors, including toxicity, tumor resistance and lack oftargeted cell death. Now, scientists are developing better waysto target therapies directly to the tumor while protectinghealthy cells. New strategies are based on increasing andimproved knowledge of the molecular events responsible fordisordered cellular growth and include antibodies to blockreceptors, small molecules that inhibit receptor tyrosine kinase(RTK) mediated cell signaling, agents directed at suppressinggrowth of blood vessels that feed cancer growth, vaccines tostimulate immune recognition of cancer cells, cell cycleinhibitors, and gene therapy to turn off signaling pathwaysor provide a missing tumor suppressor. Novel agents arealready in the clinic, including antibodies such as Herceptinto treat advanced breast cancer and the small molecule RTKinhibitor Gleevec for the treatment of chronic myelogenousleukemia. Herceptin is a monoclonal antibody directed against

Some of the areas where nanobiology can make impact aredevelopment of improved chemical separations using non-porous material, combine engineered and self assembledcomponents into useful devices ranging from sensors tophotocatalysts for splitting, assessing the properties ofnanobiological systems such as enzymes, other proteins, andbiochemical processes for better understanding, offundamental life processes and for developing new and usefulproducts from these technologies

Looking at the enormous potential of biotechnology, itseems quite apparent that our way of life is likely to be morefundamentally transformed in the next several decades thanin the previous one thousand years. By the year 2025, ourchildren and we may be living in a world very different fromanything human beings have ever experienced in the past.

Dr.D. Karunagaran ,Rajiv Gandhi Centre for BT,Thiruvannanthapuram


relapsed AML (Acute MyeloidLeukemia). There are a number ofagents under development with theimmune system to help fight cancersuch as interferons.

As with vaccines for polio, hepatitis,and other diseases, the aim of a cancervaccine is to get the body’s immunesystem to attack foreign materials in thebody. Researchers get the body torecognize this foreign material byintroducing a small amount of the targetmaterial (or the antigen}. To make thesetargets for cancer vaccines, scientiststake parts of tumor cells (i.e., proteinsor enzymes) that are unique to thosecells and make them harmless. Theythen inject this vaccine into the body.Experimental cancer vaccines that maybe able to prevent or treat cancer target

Cancer treatment: Novel biotechnological approachesdifferent parts of the immune system.Some try to induce an antibody responseto prevent cancer in the first place.Others activate an arm of the immunesystem to kill cells that are alreadycancerous. Cancer vaccines are provingto be promising for the following typesof cancer: melanoma (skin cancer},colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostatecancer, lymphoma and very recently forcervical cancer. The vaccines beingtested now are injected, however,investigators are also looking at thepossibility of developing a vaccine thatcould be swallowed, sniffed, or given insome other way. There’s still muchresearch still to do, but if these newcancer’ vaccines prove successful, theycould eventually become part ofstandard cancer therapy. They could be

COVER STORY±

used, for example, with already availabletreatments, such as chemotherapy, in-patients who have had cancer and areat high risk of their cancer returning.

DNA vaccine; DNA vaccination isa new strategy of immunization wheregenes coding for tumor-specificantigens are injected intramuscularly asnaked plasmid DNA where they lodgeand commence synthesizing the protein.The tumor protein has been shown tostimulate both antibody-mediatedresponse as well as cytotoxic Tlymphocyte response. Genes coding forcytokines have also been used toenhance the immune response againstthe tumor cells. Encapsulation of theDNA vaccine into biodegradablepolymer microspheres ensures long-term release of the vaccine eliminating


COVER STORY±the need for subsequent boosters.Blocking a tumor’s blood supply-A

tumor needs a constant supply of bloodand nutrients for it to grow and theability to produce new blood vessels iscalled angiogenesis. Scientists arestudying ways to cut off the tumor’sgrowing blood supply that willessentially starve the tumor to death.They are developing a number of drugsthat may block angiogenesis. Theseagents are called angiogenesis inhibitorsor anti-angiogenesis drugs. Angiogenesis(the growth of new blood vessels) isthought to be an essential componentof the ability of a tumor to invadelocally and to metastasize from theprimary tumor site. Tumor angiogenesisis regulated by angiogenic stimulatorssuch as vascular endothelial growthfactor (VEGF, the ligand for the VEGFreceptor) as well as the newly describedinhibitors of angiogenesis, angiostatinand endostatin. There is intense interestin using inhibitors of angiogenesis tosuppress tumor growth and metastases.A recombinant humanized antibody toVEGF (anti-VEGF, Avastin) has beentested alone and with chemotherapy incolon, breast and lung cancers. The mostpromising results have been seen inpatients with advanced colon cancer inconjunction with chemotherapy, whereimproved response rates and survivalwere seen in the anti-VEGF armcompared to the chemotherapy-alonearm. Another novel way to suppressangiogenesis is with RTK inhibitors thatblock VEGF mediated receptorsignalling. Several agents are in clinicaltrials treating advanced metastaticcancers of the colon and lung, usuallyin combination with chemotherapy,including Semoxind (SU5416). Strikingresponses have been seen in advancedand resistant multiple myeloma, oftenin combination with other agents.

Some cancers are very sensitive tohormones, such as certain breast cancersand prostate cancer. Scientists areperfecting ways to give agents thatsuppress estrogen in women with breastcancer and other agents that blockandrogens in men with prostate cancer.

A light-sensitive drug is given topatients before they undergo surgery.After surgery, a laser beam is directedat the tumor site where the drug hasaccumulated. The light triggers the drugto release chemicals that kill any of thecancer cells that were missed, withoutaffecting any healthy cells Thistechnique has been used in early stagesof bladder and esophageal cancers andis now being tested in brain cancer.

One of the major problems intreating solid tumors by either radiationtherapy or chemotherapy is that thetumor cells are often resistant toapoptosis and therefore do not succumbto the conventional treatment. Hence,the therapeutic approaches have beenaimed at killing cancer cells by inducingapoptosis. Wild type p53 has been usedeither alone or in combination withother apoptosis-inducing genes, or incombination with radiotherapy. Abrand-new class of drugs known as“antisense drugs” may soon app r onpharmacy shelves and they will literallythrow a wrench into the p ion of a cell’sgenetic machinery that producesdisease-related proteins. Researchers arealso testing the use of heat, such asmicrowave energy, to help kill cancercells. They are also studying ways to usecold substances, such as alcohol, thatmight freeze or otherwise kill cancercells. Another new area is the use ofmagnetic particles to draw cancer-killingagents into tumors. Some of thesetargeted approaches stop the growth ofexisting tumors and prevent new tumorsfrom developing. However, thesetreatments won’t necessarily remove thecancer altogether. In the future, somecancers may be managed over longperiods of time with regular drugtherapies. Controlling cancer in this waywould become similar to themanagement of other chronic diseases,such as heart disease and diabetes. Manyof these approaches are years away frombeing readily available. Nevertheless, thisresearch opens the door for thedevelopment of new classes of cancertreatments. And it raises our hopes thatmany more cancers can be successfullytreated in future.

A Centreseeking excellence


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Remna Mariam George

Biotechnology,Thiruvananthapuram,which has a story to tell and history tocreate.

The Centre was registered on July3, 1990 as an educational institutionknown as C-DEST (Centre forDevelopment of Education, Scienceand Technology). Later on August 29,1991 the name of the Centre waschanged to Rajiv Gandhi Centre forDevelopment of Education, Scienceand Technology and it became a ‘Grant-in aid’ institution of the Governmentof Kerala. Again on March 21, 1993 theGovernment reconstituted theGoverning body and the Executivecommittee. On April 18, in thefollowing year, the Governmentrestructured the centre as R & D Centreof Excellence in Biotechnology. Finallythe Government changed the name ofthe centre from RGC - DEST to RajivGandhi Centre for Biotechnology onMarch 21, 1997.

Aims, ObjectivesThe Centre aims at to facilitate the

development of the state and the nationthrough research at the cutting edge ofscience and manpower development inbiotechnology and basic sciences. Itsobjectives are to carry out and to co-ordinate advanced research by highcaliber in frontier areas ofbiotechnology, molecular biology, bio-



Biotechnology making a big wavein the West, especially in thefields of agriculture and medi-

cine, has awakened India to the needsto invest in biotech industry as a meansof creating wealth and generating em-ployment opportunities. Fundamental toany development in this field is the cre-ation of new information through ba-sic research. Scientists believe that bymerging the traditional medical knowl-edge and the modern research toolsprovided by biotechnology, they canopen new avenues in drug research.Kerala with a rich biodiversity has muchto gain from these researches.

The vibes created in the West werepicked up by Kerala. Sensing theimportance the Government of Keralainitiated with the help of theDepartment of Biotechnology,Government of India to set up RajivGandhi Centre for Biotechnology inThiruvananthapuram. But it was a longup hill trek of hardwork before theysearched their present geory.Its ultimategoal is to bring about BT developmentin the State. Bring a difference inagricultural medicines which is our keysource of income. To eradicateinfectious diseases among human beingsand animals.

Personally having a chance. I, visitedRajiv Gandhi Centre for

Sensing the importance the Government ofKerala initiated to set up Rajiv Gandhi Centre

for Biotechnology in Thiruvananthapuram. Butit was a long up hill trek of hardwork before

they searched their present geory.

Rajiv Gandhi Centre for BT in Thiruvananthapuram.


Vision Kerala -2025A new development agendaC.P JohnMember, Planning Board, Kerala

DEVELOPMENT±

informatics and related interdisciplinary areas of physical sciences,to identify and develop technology,formulate projects forimplementations, and to provideconsultancy services on technologies,to organise workshops, seminars,symposia and training programmes ofa specialised nature in selected areasof health care biotechnology, lifesciences agriculture andenvironmental protection, tostimulate the diffusion of knowledgein the thrust areas of the centre andto disseminate information relevantto industry. agriculture and medicine.

The scientists of this centre has

undertaken research works on:infectious diseases, environmental biotechnology, plant molecular biology,transgenic plants and animals, molecularbiology of genetic diseases andmolecular basis for biological functions.

The RGCB has a wide range ofsophisticated instruments for carryingout these researches. It also houses agroup of engineers to carryout repairsof most of the instruments by avoidingthe expensive maintenance contracts.

It has a well maintained library. Itcaters to the intellectual needs ofscientists, students summer trainingprogramme in addition to so many usersfrom other universities and scientific l

institutions.Public Services

Their work among the publicthough not very popular are DNAfingerprinting technology anddiagnostic tests. The centre has a formalcollaboration with the PoliceDepartment, forensic section and thestate women commission for the DNAfinger printing cases. The centre is alsocapable of doing DNA fingerprintingfrom blood samples, dried blood strainsor semen smears. The centre hasconducted 49 DNA fingerprinting testsduring this short period. In thediagnostic tests area - tests areconducted on Hepatitis B and Cinfections and on Tuberculosis.

“A developed India by 2020, or even earlier is not adream. It need not even be a mere vision in the minds ofmany Indians. It is a mission we can all take up and succeed.”

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Every country needs a vision, which stirs theimagination and motivates all segments ofsociety to greater effort for further

development. It is an essential step in building apolitical consensus on a broad national developmentstrategy that encompasses the roles andresponsibilities of different sections in the economy,such as governments at various layers, private sector,people’s organisations etc. The Planning CommissionCommittee on Vision 2020 has already prepared aVision Document for the country. States like AndhraPradesh, Assam, Chattisgarh, and Jharkhand havealso prepared such documents. By taking the spiritof the honourable President’s concept Kerala StatePlanning Board has also initiated the preparation ofa perspective plan for 2025.

Kerala’s development experience poses an

interesting riddle to economists worldover and it is a stark reality that no othersingle state in any country received therare privilege of being praised andquoted frequently in internationaldevelopment circles; the latest in theWorld Development Report 2003.However, since the late 1970s manyscholars and activists within Kerala aswell as outside have been sounding analarm; that is the Kerala model movingtowards a crisis. This raises the questionof the sustainability of the Kerala modelto face the real situations in this dynamicworld. Kerala was a forerunner in thedevelopment of physical and socialinfrastructure, and human development,but was lagging behind in economicgrowth and employment. Kerala isunsuccessful in transforming theleverages attained under the socialservice sectors to the productive sectorfor the over all development.

Kerala isunsuccessful intransforming theleverages attainedunder the socialservice sectors tothe productivesector for the overalldevelopment.


‘Vision 2025’ is to make the Stateeconomy a fully developed one by 2025or if earlier. To achieve this, each Rupeespared by the Government need to bemonitored for the extent of actuationon both capital mobilization as well asthe socio-economic promotion. Itrequires a ‘circulation tracing’ of thevarious sectors and subsectors.

The basic feature of the Keraladevelopment model is an unbalanceddevelopment pattern, with advanced

demographic/ social service sectors andunderdeveloped production sectors.The ultimate mission of Kerala Vision2025 is to make all sectors and sub-sectors to a fully progressed one by 2025to cater the needs and aspirations of thethen society. Such a long- termperspective requires a well-planneddevelopment approach with rationallytargeted goals and suitable strategiesincluding contingency plans. One of theprime steps to be taken in theformulation of Vision 2025 is the

The ‘Kerala Vision 2025’ is not only an interventionat the department and grass roots levels but also a mission

that thrives for the over all development of the State economyby making positive changes in strategic areas.

Kerala could not transform its highsocial standards to the forces ofproduction. Our development planningover the last five decades could not alsomake significant impact on such atransformation. While reviewing thedevelopment pattern of the State overthe last couple of decades it could beseen that the major glut in the smoothand balanced development of the Stateeconomy was mainly lack of aperspective plan with a vision on thepart of the planners, policy makers,administrators, as well as politicians andacademicians. Countries worldwide havetaken strong initiatives in breaking theirdevelopmental bottlenecks with a long-term perspective. Major attempt havenot yet been made to remodel the Stateeconomy to cater the needs of thepeople at both the ends of the incomeladder including the middle incomeclass, under the globalized regime.

Our honourable President Dr. A.P.JAbdulkalam’s concept of ‘India Vision-2020’ has already triggered a newdiscipline of development waves aroundnook and corner of the country. It isnot too late for us to look into thismatter by taking advantage of thealready developed service sectors. The‘Kerala Vision 2025’ is not only anintervention at the department and grassroot levels but also a mission that thrivesfor the over all development of the Stateeconomy by making positive changes instrategic areas.

The VisionOur vision of Kerala’s future should

be both comprehensive and harmoniousand it should encompass all the myriadaspects that constitute the life ofKeralites. It must be based on anobjective assessment of facts and arealistic appraisal of possibilities, yet itmust raise beyond the limitations of pasttrends, immediate preoccupations andpressing challenges to perceive theemerging opportunities and concealedpotentials. The ultimate goal of the

Forecasted Production Trends of Important Crops in KeralaCrops Production (in Tonnes)

2001-02 2020-21

Paddy 703504 331619

Coconut* 5479 6587

Arecanut* 16687 18543

Cashew 65867 68620

Pepper 58240 151879

Coffee 66690 304685-

Tapioca 2455880 1812391

Rubber 580350 954840

Tea 66090 60831* Production in million nuts

setting up of need and capacity basedtargets for AD 2025. Such long-termtargets are to be divided into shortperiods. This kind of stratification helpsin necessary mid term appraisals atregular intervals. While setting targetsall development indicators are to bequantified with sub-sector break ups.

SWOT AnalysisThe over all vision for 2025 is to be

streamlined in such a manner that eachand every sector should be given properattention. Setting up of goals, targets,and strategy in each sector is to besupplemented by contingency plans.The prime issue to be tackled in thisendeavour is none other than properutilisation of natural and humanresources. Revision and modification ofexisting mode of operation throughinterventions and application ofinnovative and modern technologies arewarranted in each and every line ofdepartments. Rather than sectoralinterventions major policy changes areto be ensured in following areas.l Employment and poverty,l Regional disparity and

backwardness,l Financing the perspective plan,


While framing a vision document for 25 years the ‘Business as UsualApproach’ (BAU) is not the main strategy but has been the ‘Best CaseScenario’ (BCS) approach. For which the efficiency of service sectors andthe productivity of production sectors are to be at least doubled.

health gains. Skilled manpower andgeneral English education of thework force make the humanresources internationallycompetitive.

u Non Resident Indian PopulationThe NRIs (numbering 13.86 lakhs)

constitute around 4.4 percent of theKerala population and the peopleworking abroad amounts to 10 percentof workforce of Kerala. At the sametime NRI remittances constituted 22percent of the State Income and 179percent of value added inmanufacturing.

Weaknessu One of the serious locational

disadvantages of Kerala is its poorlyendowed natural energy resourcessuch as petroleum, coal etc.

u Lack of fine tuning over the yearsmake the system and in particularthe governance of low quality thatis reflected through the servicedelivery.

u Low productivity of the productionsector affects their sustenance.

u The quality of education systemexisting in the State is not ofcompetitive in internationalstandards.

Opportunityu One of the strengths as well as the

opportunities is in the informationcommunication technology.

u Telemedicine has to play animportant role in Kerala.

u As discussed earlier infrastructurestrength including transportationand communication networksincluding IT has immenseopportunities in making Kerala adevelopment destination.

u One of the traditional strengths ofKerala in the health sector isAyurveda, which has to play pivotal

Major Targets Development parameters India India Kerala

2002 2020 2020Percentage of people belowpoverty line 26.0 13.0 12.72

Male adult literacy rate (%) 68.0 96.0 94.2

Female adult literacy rate (%) 44.0 94.0 87.9

Public expenditure on education(Percentage of GNP) 3.2 4.9 3.96

Life expectancy at birth (Years) 64.0 69.0 72.0

Infant mortality rate(per 1000 live births) 71.0 22.5 16

Public expenditure on health(Percentage of GNP) 0.8 3.4 0.85

Telephones (Per 1000 population) 34.0 203.0 85.0

Sectoral composition GDP(%)a) Agriculture 28.0 6.0 24.5b) Industry 26.0 34.0 22.0c) Services 46.0 60.0 53.5

l Policy and programmeimplementation, and

l Technological changes.Before embarking on a vision

exercise it is important to assess theState’s potential in terms of its inherentstrengths and weaknesses. The SWOTanalysis presented herein is not intendedto be exhaustive. However, it isindicative of some of the primary issuesthat the State will need to content with,going forward.

Strengthu Bio-wealth (Micro organisms to the

plant and animal kingdom)The Western Ghats is one of the 25ecological hot spots of the World,just 8 degrees away from theequator, the forest of Kerala areknown for their rich bio-diversityand endemism of many species. The‘biomass wealth of Kerala includeslocational specific resources such asflora and fauna, nutrient rich soil,rainfall (3000 mm) and waterresources, round the year brightsunlight, hills, ocean, and beachesetc. Protection, production,processing, and marketing of the bio

wealth in the form of agro-relatedactivities is one of the potentialstrengths of the State. Bio wealthto Kerala is just like petroleumreserves to Gulf countries.Hypothetical zero intervention bymankind in this fertile land will makeit full of bio-reserves includingplants and animals within couple ofyears.

u The infrastructure strength includeda number of airports, harbours,better transportation andcommunication networks etc. Roadtransportation networks in Kerala isone of the best in the country. Atthe same time Kerala is a forerunnerin the information communicationtechnology.

u Human resourcesKerala is well known for itsknowledge society (high levels ofliteracy) and other demographic/


role in the new era.u The God’s own country’s natural

beauty as could be seen in theeastern mountains, western beaches,and the backwaters along with richbio wealth and cultural heritagemake Kerala a place of immensepotentiality in the tourism sector .

u Kerala is an investor friendlyeconomy.

u Biotechnology and organic farming.u Modernisation of traditional

industries and handicrafts.Threats

u Increasing numbers of population(even though the growth rate isfalling) and its pressure on scarce

land resources will impededevelopment initiatives to a greaterextent. At the same timedemographic transitions in the formof aging population and theresultant pressure on workingpopulation will create adevelopment dilemma.

u Major crops produced in the State,which are facing internationalcompetition included spices andplantation crops and in particularfrom Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand,Philippines, Sri Lanka, Brazil, andGuatemala.

u Declining opportunities formigration in the Middle East willaffect the State’s labour class and

also the foreign remittances.u Environmental problems including

deforestation, destruction ofwetland ecosystems and waterbodies, and pollution will affect thesustainability of the developmentefforts.

u Consumer marketWhile framing a vision document

for 25 years the ‘Business as UsualApproach’ (BAU) is not the mainstrategy but has been the ‘Best CaseScenario’ (BCS) approach. For which theefficiency of service sectors and theproductivity of production sectors areto be at least doubled.

l

Dr. K.M. AbrahamSecretary (MGP)

H istorically Kerala has been following adevelopment strategy, which had yielded verygood results as seen in its human development

indicators. However over the years there has been aperceptible decline in the quality of public services. Thetransfer of most of the development services to the localgovernments has also not made any significant differenceexcept in the improvement of infrastructure of theinstitutions delivering the services. Another point to benoted is that the service delivery institutions have beentransferred to local governments on an as is where is basiswith the result that inter local government disparitiesrelating to infrastructure is fairly wide with the backwardareas having lesser facilities. Quality of services can beenhanced in a meaningful manner if local governmentsprescribe service standards and performance standards andbring out citizen’s charter. To achieve this ModernisingGovernment Programme has an Initiative named: “Serviceand Performance Standards integrated into citizens’charters” with code number V.2.1.

The objective of the initiative arel Enhance quality of service delivery standards in

schools, hospitals and welfare institutions.l To ensure assured level of services and help the poor

access their entitlements.

M G PFormation of

Citizens’ chartersl To make local governments more responsive to citizen

needs which would lead to greater public andcommunity participation

l To do away with influence peddling by middlemen andcorruption in service delivery

l To enhance credibility of the local governments whichwould serve as a demand factor for greaterdecentralisation.This initiative proposes that a study has to be

commissioned to prepare minimum standards for facilitiesand services in public hospitals, schools, hostels, institutionsfor the aged and challenged. It envisages preparation ofcitizens’ charter by each Local Self Government.Consultative workshops will also be conducted to finalizethe stands of services and citizen charter.

A successful implementation of the initiative willprovide prescribed minimum standards of facilities andservices and a road map for attaining these standards withinreasonable time period and resource availability. Once theminimum standards of services, infrastructure and staffrequirement and its costing are done, it will be easy forresource allocation to bridge the gap. Subsequently Citizen’sCharter for providing better and speedy services to thecommon man will be published and made available to all,particularly to potential users.

NEW INITIATIVE±


Rubber wood canoefor marine fishing

K.C. Saleem

The Central Institute of FisheriesTechnology, Kochi hasdeveloped a fibre-coated rubber

wood canoe for marine fishing. The 6.2metre-long rubber wood canoe ismaintenance-free and cheapercompared to the conventional type ofcanoes.

Kerala is the most important rubberproducing state in India with plantationconcentrated in the hilly districts of thestate. The Head of the FishingTechnology Division of the CIFT, DrB. Meenakumari said that the CIFT hadbeen making efforts to use rubber woodfor making canoes since 1997. The costof rubber wood is only about one-fourth compared to the jungle jack(Artocarpus hirsuta) that is traditionallyused for making canoes. The rubberwood canoe would cost only around Rs15,000, Dr Leela said.

According to the 1998 census of theartisanal marine fishing fleet of Kerala,there are 6366 plank-built canoes in thestate. More than 90 per cent of themare made of jungle jack and traditionalpreservatives like sardine oil, cashew nutshell liquid and eggs are used forprotection from the attack of bacteria,

preservatives. The treated panels wereexposed at the test site in Kochi harbour.A combination treatment technologyearlier developed for less durable speciesof timber by the CIFT was found to bevery effective in prolonging the life ofthe rubber wood under water.

The scientists at the CIFT thenassessed the extent of internal damageby marine borer attack through visualobservations, X-ray photographs andmechanical strength testing. While theuntreated test panels perished within sixmonths in sea water, the panels that hadgone through preservative treatmentwas found intact. The preservativetreatment had prevented bio-deterioration under marine conditions,Dr Meenakumari said.

The encouraging results naturallyled to the construction of two protypecanoes; one for marine fishing and theother for backwater fishing. The boatswere made at the local boatyard atchellanam in Kochi. The treatment bychemical preservatives through simplediffusion process was done in arectangular cement tank. The processobtained good penetration of thepreservative. The treated planks wereallowed to season by air-drying.

Dr Leela Edwin said theexperimental rubber wood canoe wasgiven a fibre coating, while the doubletreatment of the two canoes developedearlier involved oil treatment and water-borne preservative treatment. She saidthe use of rubber wood for marinepurposes would also help reducedeforestation to a certain extent.

fungi and insect and marine borers. Thescientists at the CIFT thought that itwould be a boon to the fishermen ifthey could get a canoe the cost of whichcould be 35 to 40 per cent less than thatof the conventional canoe made ofanjili wood. They have now made itpossible by making a rubber woodcanoe. The CIFT officials handed overthe first canoe it built to fishermen inKannur through the Matsyafed on anexperimental basis.

The CIFT had conducted studies onthe natural durability of rubber woodunder marine, soil and atmosphericconditions. The study revealed thatrubber wood was highly perishablewhen exposed to field conditions. Thiswas followed by field trials and otherexperiments by treating small clearspecimens of the wood with chemical

l

FISHERIES±


FILM±

Dr. Sudha Warrier

This year, IFFK arrives, lendingsound and colour to the mistymornings of December. “In

the embrace of the snow, the earthsmiles sweetly, during these nights ofthe traditional one month festival ofThiruvathira”, said the great Malayalipoet Vailopalli. Because the mergingof mist and moon brings backmemories of foregone pleasures, themind wanders.The ideal setup for thedream merchants and the dreamersalike! Hence the anticipation of thefestival awakens the senses furthersince the film experience is a known

thrill to the Malayali psyche.But Keralites revel in

controversies. Where there is nonethey will invent them. So, along withthe films there will be fireworks alsoon display – at times more colour andsound than films could produce ontheir own.

The first question that alwayscomes up before and after eachfestival is whether it is worth themoney and effort. There is only oneanswer – a big “YES IT IS”. As thedown to earth, solid, rough hero of

Chemeen, Palani proclaimed, we needthe unaffordable luxury too to makelife livable – and film is the poorman’s luxury. Hence any country, nomatter how poor it is, money wise,needs to nurture and cherish thisartform of the present. And the bestway to do so is to bring the Worldcinema at your door steps for thefilmmakers to discern the pulse offilm culture far and near and for thefilm buffs to share the heart throbs ofthe millions like them.

Even though Cinema was born asan accidental byproduct of some

Festivals – WhereDreams and Realities Merge


reaches the nooks and corners of theworld and since communication isvisual even the barriers of languagedo not pose any hazard.

Retrospectives and packages play avery decisive role in the success of afilm festival as a cultural discourse.While the young get an exposure totalents that have stood the test oftime and become world classics, theolder film buffs get the oppurtunity toreinterpret and reassess their favoritepictures with the accumalated wisdomthey have gathered through years offilm experience.

The IFFK 2003, beginning on 12th

December, is exceptionally rich in thisregard. Along with the films of ourmaster talent G.Aravindan, there arepackages on the famous film makersChris Marker, Chantel Akerman andBen Barker. Seven films of differentfilm makers represent China. Thereare also packages under the banner ofMartin Karmitz productions, River toRiver (Italy) and a number of NewAmerican Independent films.

In the same way other features likethe competition section where eachcountry or language test their mettlein an atmosphere of happycomraderie, the documentary sectionwhere fast strides are being taken bothin content and form and the worldcinema section which brings cinemasfrom far and near to compare andcontrast, enrich the festivalexperience.

The unique feature of this year’sIFFK is the premier of Poets of FilmLights by the famous Polish cameraartist Piotr Jaxa.

Many film makers consider filmfestivals as fertile grounds where newtalents are discovered and pastgrandeur renewed and remembered.Of course, each festival has its ownlimitations. But they will be forgottenand what will remain is the sweetnostalgia of a mass experience in thedim light where life in its glory makeimages alive on the silver screen. Sothe effort of another film festival isdefenitly worthwhile.

an aesthetics of its own.This excellence was by no means

accidental, but the result of greattalent and strenuous efforts. Peopleinvolved in making films always hadan urge to come together and discussthe content and form of their artisticcreations because it was a group effortof more than one talent. It was this

desire that materialised as filmfestivals. It was initiated by

the film enthusiasts inFrance in the earlytwenties. The officialones from Cannes toKerala followed suitand it is a long,remarkable andoutstanding list now.

In fact the festivalcalendar brings the world

together at different placesthroughout the year. Thus it

is more of a culturalevent now – each

festival acquiring anidentity of its own.

This identity is areflection of notonly the ethnictraits of thatparticularcountry or aplace but also aspontaneousresponse towhat ishappening allover the world, asdepicted in filmsfrom othercountries. It is anunconscious orsemiconciousexpression of ourown approaches,aspirations andattempts. Thiscultural aspectof cinema is aboon tohumanity as awhole intoday’scomplexlife. It

scientific experiments and the firstviewers of this shadow play expectednothing more than the wonder andmovement to while away the time,itsgrowth into that of a full fledged artform was rapid and aweinspiring.Within a short span of a century, witha number of classic creations from allover the world, Cinema gotacknowledged as the most significantart of the world on par withother traditional arts with

l


Writing non-fictionfor children’smagazines

Prof.K. Pappootty

LITERATURE±

Why should we have children’smagazines at all? To givethem information? To

entertain them? To emancipate andcivilize them? Perhaps all of these andmuch more.

Children mostly read forentertainment. But elders, especiallytheir parents and teachers would likechildren’s magazines to carry materialsfull of information and also to impartsome moral values and civic senseamong the readers. How to reconcilethese two is a difficult problem.

Children in general, will read amagazine only if it gives them somepleasure. This can easily be providedthrough fiction and comics. That is whyour children’s magazines are filled withsuch materials. A look at some of themost popular ones in Kerala reveals thatabout 40-50 per cent of their printingspace is devoted to comics. And another25-30 percent set apart for stories andother forms of fiction. The productionand supply of comics is now anindustry; there are agencies who supplythem on order. The space left for non-fiction is usually less then 10 per cent,except in a few magazines like Eureka,Thalir etc.

Children like fantasies andadventure stories. But creating realfantasies and adventure stories with ahuman touch is not an easy job. Butthere is an easy way out; include as muchviolence as possible in the name ofadventure. Of course, writers alwaystake care that the heroes always are thewinners in the end and the villains aredestroyed. But the net effect is thatviolence comes to be accepted asnothing unusual and the childrendevelop a passive attitude to them.

Magazine editors perceive a realdanger in allotting more space to non-fiction - children may not like to read

them, which in turn, will affect the circulation. But here also they find a way outthey do not go in for any serious matter, but fill the small space allotted to non-fiction with bits of information, usually much exaggerated and mystified. Oftenwe come across reports of attempts to recreate dinosaurs from a few cells obtainedfrom a dead dinosaur buried and well preserved in arctic ice and the effort nearingsuccess or there appear reports of genetically modified hen as big as a cow ortomatoes as big as a jack-fruit being produced in some unheard lab of some foreignuniversity. Science is made to appear as magic. Subjects like arts and humanitiesare altogether . discarded, since there are less possibilities of exaggeration.

Providing bits of information, mystified or un-mystified, need not be animportant function of a children’s magazine. Children get a lot of them from theirschool curriculum, from news papers, T .V., internet and such other sources. Whatthey do not get, and which a children’s magazine has a duty to provide, is thescientific temper, a better world view and a positive attitude to life and society.Our school curriculum fails miserably on this aspect. Science and humanities arepresented to children as a package of information to be assimilated and memorizedand reproduced at the time of examination. There is a package for each subject;

Shaj

i Kum

ar


one for history, one for civics, one forphysics and so on. And each is keptwater-tight, science never pollutinghistory or civics, physics never pollutinglife -science and like that.

Children’s magazines have a duty tobreak this. Science had played a crucialrole in the development of history. Andhistorical events have determined thepath science and technology has taken.Similarly nature doesn’t distinguishamoung physics, chemistry, earthscience and life -science. To understandnature we should have un integratedapproach. The underlying unity ofnature and the relation between natureand society and the need to preserveand take care of the environment aresubjects to be dealt with in children’smagazines. Science is not magic andscience is not technology. Science isnot G.M food or space explorationor information technology. They areonly products of science. Science isone of the beautiful expressions ofhuman creativity like music,painting, creative writings orsculpture. A scientist is a genius justlike a singer or a painter or a writer.You needn’t be a painter toappreciate a painting or a singer tolove a song. Similarly, you needn’tbe a scientist to appreciate the beautyof science. To enable children to seeand appreciate the unity of natureand the beauty of nature’s laws is animportant duty of children’smagazines.

Kerala has achieved full literacy, butthe state of scientific temper among ourpeople is pathetic. Superstitions andpseudo sciences like astrology, palmistry,vastusastra etc. are on the rise. Newpseudo sciences like Reiki, Magnetotherapy and magic cures like Conibioproducts are wide spread. Fate hasconquered people’s minds. Our formaleducation has failed miserably inpromoting scientific temper. If peoplehappen to believe that fate determinestheir destiny, they lose confidence intheir ability to shape their future andprogress of the nation comes to a halt.Narrow-mindedness like religious andcaste superiorities and intolerance toothers who have different customs andmanners are all due to lack of scientifictemper. The humanizing potential of

science is not used to overcome suchattitudes. Science has been valued onthe basis of its products only. Children’smagazines should make a consciouseffort to change this situation and tryto spread the method of science amongthe children. Children should beencouraged to ask questions, even whenthey are against the current beliefs andattitudes of the society

Thus a purposeful non-fictionwriting aimed at breaking social taboos,encouraging healthy human relationsbased on scientific attitudes, rather thannarrow considerations, promoting freethinking and enquiry and enablingchildren to appreciate the beauty ofnature has to be encouraged, insteadof exaggerating and mystifying theachievements of science and

technology. The harm caused byunbridled technology to our societymust also be brought out.

Now the question is, how to do iteffectively? Children do not likesermonizing. Long, descriptive essayswill be left unread. A way out is to makeuse of the techniques and methodologyof fiction. As an example, I can cite myown experience as a contributor to‘Eureka’. I have been discussing sciencetopics, especially physics and astronomy,through a feature series named‘Mashodu Chodikkam’ (you can ask the

teacher) There, I introduced a quick -witted, naughty girl ‘Sreedevi’, the lonechild of a widow. She spends all herspare time with a neighbouring teacherfamily consisting of a husband (The‘mash’), wife (the ‘teacher’) and theirchild, (little ‘Unni’). Sreedevi is just likea member of the family. She plays withUnni, quarrels with him; some timesmakes fun of him, but is very fond ofhim. She does experiments suggestedby her science teacher with Unni’s helpand he is always ready with a helpinghand, though he understands nothing.Sreedevi is always ready with curiousquestions, which she asks and it is noteasy to answer them. But she will neverallow him to divert from the questionor hoodwink her with some sillyanswers. She has no hesitation in

pointing out his mistakes or arguingwith him or making fun of him.Mash, though calls her a ‘budhoos’(an idiot), has great respect for her.Some times he gets more insight bytrying to answer her questions andoften she helps in finding thesolutions.

A child who happens to read thefeature becomes font of Sreedeviand gradually gets identified withher, because she dares to ask thequestions which they wanted to ask.Whenever the young readers meetme in person, they invariably ask:“Why didn’t you bring Sreedevi andUnni with you?” They refuse to

believe that Sreedevi and Unni arefictional characters. Thus I haveachieved a few objectives through theserial. I could demonstrate that science,and for that matter any topic, can bemade as interesting as any fiction andchildren will appreciate them. Also,teacher -student relationship can bemade more healthy and learning morepleasurable if based on mutual respectand attention. To question or ague witha teacher or make a little fun of him isnot a great sin. More importantly, itcould show that it is possible to infuse

Science had played a crucial role in the development of history. Andhistorical events have determined the path science and technologyhas taken. Similarly , nature doesn’t dist inguish among physics,chemistry, earth science and life -science.


a little love and affection with thediscussions of any-topic and humanvalues, such as fellow feeling for thedisadvantaged, gender equity, need fornature conservation etc can be impartedwithout difficulty.

One thing we must always keep inmind when we write for children is thatthere are limitations to the amount ofideas- that could be conveyed at a timeand the amount of details in to whichwe could go. Here, late Dr. K. BhaskaranNair can be a good guide to us. Healways discussed only the bare minimumof ideas but with telling effect and invery simple language. Our aim must beto kindle an interest in the topic so thatthe reader will pursue it further.

The sentences, especially inconversations, must be crisp. A child’smind is very alert and quick in grabbingideas. Elaborate explanations will onlybore him/her. Conversations shouldappear natural, language used apt forchildren. A tendency on the part ofauthors to put such questions in to themouth of children to facilitateparticular, pre-prepared explanations isself-defeating.

Featurisation and dramatization arenot the only technique that could beused. Many more are possible. Forexample, suppose you want to introducethe wonders of nature to children, youcan make an adventurous journeythrough a forest or a wetland orgrassland. Only, care must be taken sothat it does not appear as a study tour,some thrill must be there to keep itinteresting and some kindness andaffection will make it more enduring.

Science fiction techniques andfantasies are also effective methods andscientists such as Gamow and Assimovhave used it effectively in discussingtopics in physics and astronomy. Thusthere is no dirth of techniques to writenon-fiction effectively only, we, must beready to take pains. But children’s writersand editors of children’s magazines donot seem to take any serious effort inthis direction. They are satisfied withpresent type of fictions and comicswhich brutalize the children and thepublic shows no concern. The situationwarrants serious consideration.

The Kerala State Institute of Children’s Literature has come out with adraft policy as a guide for the development of Children’s literature in

various Indian languages and also on a national level. The institute hasurged the Centre as well as the various Indian States to adapt it with necessarymodification, as a basis for a more elaborate and solid policy.

The policy is based on the fact that ultimately the Children’s literaturedevelopment is aimed at making this sector’s contribution to the totality ofthe cultural development. Attempts to develop children’s book shouldinclude the creation of an overall atmosphere conducive to a high-levelpolitical commitment, public-private sector interweaving and a favourablefinancial policy. Obviously this is a broad and general statement.l A political commitment to consider books as part of a cultural,

economical strategic sectors.l A national conception of the children’s book policy which constitutes

in itself an articulated chain;l A state / private sector consensus in order to stimulate juvenile literary

creation and create a fiscal and financial environment favourable to thepublisher & graphic arts.

l favour trade and distribution of books to foster preferential postal ratesand elimination of customs, taxes and other import taxes and strengthendistribution mechanism, modernise bookshops and support nearbybookstores.

l Adoption by the sector a code of conduct in the field of commercialpractices, and measures to encourage sales.

l Adoption of a legal frame work containing all measures concerningbooks.

l Engagement in training for human resources for all children’ s bookprofessions.“Allowing children and young persons through out the country to enjoy

a variety of ways and thinking enables them to participate in their ownhistory, culture, literature and life and those of others. This is why a bookpolicy for children’s books as a supplement to international (UNESCO)and national book policies is absolutely indispensable,” says the policy.

The policy is detailed under the titles Forward, The Book: An InterlinkedProcess, Objectives of a National Children’s Book Policy, Sub SectorsConcerned, Policy Definition, The Book Law, Consultation & Co-ordinationbetween Public and Private Sector, Book Policy Strategy (Guidelines forField Work) and Specific Aspects of Book Production.

In the brief note given at the beginning, the Institute Director PalaK.M. Mathew writes, “The Children’s Book development measures wouldbe more effective and lasting if they are brought together under a singlegeneral policy and in a single legal text. That is why we have proposed aChildren’s Book Act also in the draft policy statement. The objective of theChildren’s Book Policy is simply juvenile book development.

A Policy forthe Nation

l


Glistening theatricsof Padayani

Raja Varier

When the sunshine spreadsover nature after themonsoon, the festival season

arrives in Kerala. It is the time forcelebration of fertility and happiness.After the harvest, the people give ashare of it to the gracious deities whoprotect them. Thus, a number of ritualart forms and celebrations are born.Padayani is such a ritual art form thathas been performed year after yearduring the time of festivals in Kerala.The ritual art forms all over the worldare related to the land and the climate.Hence Padayani is also no exception tothis universal fact. Padayani isperformed two districts -Pathanamthitta and Alapuzha -ofCentral and Southern Kerala .Alapuzha is coastal and Pathanamthittais mountainous regions. Padayani isnurtured by the mountains and theocean. It is the festival of a people whobelieve that their lives are the gift ofthe great mountains.

To have some kind of control overthe unknown forces of nature manbegan to worship the divinity of natureitself and the seasonal changesbrought about by it. These enquirieswhere resulted in certain definite

rewards. It’s endless repetitions would becomepart of protected assets and ultimately all ourritualistic actions would emerge from them.Stories that explain the mysteries of naturewere generated. They were the first myths thatprovided energy for later day’s creative work.

As a mark of respect to nature, manpersonified the natural forces in charactersthat danced and sang according to the primalrhythms. These became expressions of thebasic emotions in man. The primitive man hadthe power to express these basic emotionsthrough his expressions in the raw form.Most of these expressions became theatrical.

Padayani is a ritual theatre –one of the artforms related to the Devi temples (temples ofMother Goddess) in Central Travancore,Kerala. It has tremendous theatrical value andvery evocative language. It represents nature inits varied vibrancy and vitality whereas folkforms of North Kerala like ‘Theyyam’ and‘Thira’, project super – human characters. Thisritual art possesses the sense of rhythm,vision, aesthetics and power of imitativequality of people ,who are directly involvedwith nature. It elaborates man’s relationship tonature. For the ordinary people, it is theepitome of life. The text of this is derivedfrom our tribal ethos and culminated in theSiva cult. In short, the hidden text of Padayaniis rooted in the Siva and Shakthi cult whichhave all tantric rituals. It is a ritual sacrifice

CULTURE±


performed by the villagers before theprimal Goddess.

Padayani is the simple and at thesame time complicated compilations ofassumptions. It surpasses time. It isattached to the archetypaltendentiousness. Padayani has theinterdependence of absolute glamourof adornment, costume, dance andtheatrical languages.

Padayani is usually performedceremoniously in the rural areas ofCentral Travancore. One can perceive acollectivity in it rarely seen in themodern Aryan culture. There exists amixture of the life style of the peoplewho are in various strata of society,their dialects and their specialhereditary culture. It is an embodimentof Malayali’s nature that is highly deep-rooted in their religion, art, aesthetics,etiquettes and body culture, becausePadayani is not merely an art form butit is a mode of factual culture.

Any myth worth the name is theessence of a multi - racial society.Padayani is the theatrical representationof this myth. Religious rituals orceremonies are media forcommunication. The cardinal elementis favouritism to the life. A vision

abounds in tragic experience isproviding resplendency to it. Theactivity of training the unnaturalpowers can be visualized through theextra body fitting for decorative attireand masks to reveal super-humanappearance (Kolams). We experiencethe dreadfulness and magnanimitywhich play a great role in our villagelife. In it’s intricate and escalatoryfootsteps with it’s varied reverberationsprovide an eternal and emotionalimpressions to the spectator a sense ofbio-physical force which all inspiresthem to be with the performer. Herethe onlooker too becomes a performer.Here the lyrics eulogize the transparentlove, courage, heroic deeds and all theother human emotions in it’s rusticpurity. The choreographical elements,beating of drums and the modulatedrecitation of poetic verses all reveal arobest purity of the fertile soil and themental frame work of the people in thevillage.

Rural areas are considered asendless resources of potential energy.Padayani is performed with all it’s riotof colours, extravagant expressions ofvisual revelations which all confluencesin their painting techniques, artisticposters, architectural poses, hauntingmusic, rich literature, scintilating dancesand rythmic movements. It is also afusion of sixty four different art forms.The participants are with earnestdevotional flow of nectar, apart fromthe differences of caste and thusproclaim the equality of an era also.

The Kolams who dance in a frenzyon the stage of Padayani are its maincharacters. During the performance anumber of realistic characters alsoappear and disappear on the arena.Kolams dance according to the tune ofsongs, but the realistic characters arenot accompanied by songs. Theyprovide improvised dialogues. Theirprimary aim is to add amusement. Ahighly theatrical story is provided bythe characters who perform comedy.This is illustrated in the presentationof ‘Paradesis’ (exiles) to the Kolam.They appear in different opportunities,and their actions vary from place toplace. These characters are on a par

with the ‘Paala Kolams’ insignificance.

Padayani performances last fortwenty eight days in the courtyard ofKaali temples. It’s make - up materialsare taken from the nature, like Spatheof Areca palm ( ‘Paala’ in Malayalam),Terra- cota powder, charcoal andturmeric powder. There are differentvarieties of effigies to represent likeYakshi. Pakshi, Kaalan, Kuthira Maadan,Marutha, Pisach, Ganapapthi, Bhairaviand Kaanjiramaala. There are effigieswith masks and crowns. Padayani isreplete with human creativity andnatures bounty which all leads toexcellent aesthetic extravagansa.

In good old days there wereeighteen types of musical instrumentsused in the Padayani performances.Today the most important instrumentis “Thappu” (A percussion instrumentwith a wooden ring covered withleather on one side). Another specialityin Padayani is a different rhythmicensemble. They are the rarest of therare ‘Thaalaas’ prevalent only in SouthKerala. Some of the major Thaalaasare ‘Marma’, ‘Valiya Lakshmi’, ‘CheriyaLakshmi, ‘Champa’, ‘Kaarika’,‘Kumba’, ‘Adantha’. For all theserhythms there are correspondingstylized body movements . They arenot only important in rhythm butrepresent the characters with momentsof acting which all basically based onrare rhythms. All these rhythms startmainly from a wider canvas and recedetowards a conical structure.

The symphony and rhythm ofPadayani reflect the rhythms of rurallife. The foot steps of the Padayaniartist imitates a farmer carryingbundles of paddy on his head andmovements of a lonely boat in thebackwaters. It reaches ecstatic heightsslowly but gradually. The classicalrhythms are in arithmeticalprogression, but in Padayani it is likethe structure and form of a mountain.The audience who participate inPadayani moves towards the submitswhere the spiritual force of the divinemother is showered on them.

There are three types ofvisualization in Padayani :-


manner.A scene with beginning, middle and

end in unison is enacted in thespectacle of Kaalan Kolam, which isbased on the legend of Markandeya.Kaalan Kolam ( Effigy representingeternity) relates duration or time in itsspecific purpose. The mask used byShiva denotes past, present and future.The actor performs many charactersat the same time. There are elementsof the physical theatre in it. The sameactor performs the roles ofChitraguptan, Bhoothas, Kaali andConsorts. It is almost like a totaltheatre. These elements spring fromthe tribal culture, as is evident from thePadayani performances.

The lore of Padayani believes thatthe primal God head was a bird. TheRig -Veda imagines the Sun as a Godwith wings. The mask of the bird isenacted in Padayani in relation to amyth on children. Maadan is Shivahimself in relation to the ancientculture oriented in cow. He is theprotecting deity of all quadrupeds.

The skies are imagined as Yakshi inthe Anthara Yakshi (A sort of Demi-Goddess). In all its elements there is aphilosophical dimension of naturewhich may appear in the form ofAnthara Yakshi and Sundara Yakshi(charming Goddess). The Yakshis in

Padayani emphasise the intimaterelationship between man and

nature which is defining thatmovement is self realization.

Then they come as Yakhisof beauty, enacted in

Padayani.The Mother

Goddesses like Bhairavi,Kaanjira Maala andSundara Yakshi are veryimportant in Padayani.They represent the‘Pancha Bhoothas’ (fivefacets of nature).

Kaanjira Maala is theembodinent of ‘Sheetala

Devi’, who representwinter.’Kaanjira Maala’ represents heatalso.

Purification of the individual leadsto the purification of the whole world.To attain this aim sacrifice on a largescale is needed. The Pooppada (floweroffering) represents the self sacrifice ofpeople performed through thetheatrical spectacles of Padayani. ‘KaraVanchi’ is the theatrical performanceshowing the solidarity of the wholevillage. They recreate the semblance ofpaddling in water.

Padayani fulfills the aspirations ofthe people, their value systems andsense of beauty. Despite the drasticchanges that occur in the world,Padayani holds on to the eternalaspects. The popular subterranianforce of Padayani gradually ascend togreat realm of the spirit and enablesthe actors and spectators to participatein the dance of the eternal elements. Itlinks the earth and the sky.

One can measure the relevance ofPadayani from different angles. Itrepresents the social ethos andsolidarity. It is formed out of a classlessand castless society that is essentiallytribal in nature. The class feeling issupreme to every individual. Theyworked and prayed in solidarity.Padayani also resembles a streak of lightthat illuminates the primal darkness. Itis a grand spectacle of theatre thatuplifts the human hearts to the eternalrealms of the spirit that exist in thecollective self of man.When we analysePadayani in a theatrical manner, weunderstand the following aspects :-

l Performance using only percussioninstruments.eg:- The Thappu drums

l Percussion instruments andactor’s body movements.eg : Thaavadi

l Spectacles incorporatingThaala, songs, dances,action and otherelements.Humour is widely used

in Padayani. Comicinterludes that sketch theVillage life is performed inthe skits. These comic stripspoint to a time before theadvent of castesm. The charactertittled Paradesi (our-lander)though avillager, is supposed to be coming fromoutside. Paradesi appears with dualfunction, ie, he is ‘Parama Shiva’(almighty) as well as Paradesi (outsider).When he comes on the stage, wewitness the conflict of a personentering into an alien tribal culture.

Padayani portrays stories withhistorical background also.For eg:Horse Kolams. The story goes like this:The King of Madurai in Tamil Nadu isabout to attack Travancroe of Kerala.The King of Travancore enquires hisminister about the preparations for thewar. The minister informed thateverything was ready except horses.The envoys of the King go to Arabiato buy horses. Their dealings with thehorse trader are narrated heredramatically.

Padayani has a therapeutic side as itis said that it can be used to treatepilepsy. The ancient people has carvedout a treatment methed out of theserituals based on the core lifeexperiences. The Kolam of the demonis used for this purpose. All the villageGods and Goddesses are considered tohave healing powers. The MaruthaKolam is considered to be a Goddess ofSmall Pox. The Goddesses are thoughtto be living on mountain tops. Theyare invoked to the planes of humanexistence and they take part in theceremonial feast the children offer tothem. The Marutha Kolam re-enactsthese ancient lores, in theatrical


T he young and pretty polishwomen Monica’s high heelswent click-click-click against the

hard, polished floor, and ended in frontof three life size caparisoned elephantsin the central area of the Kerala Pavilionof India Inter-national Trade Fair (IITF)at Pregathi Maidan, New Delhi. Shetouched the tusk of the elephant andexclaimed Wah...... beautiful. Ms.Monica smiled her sweet and enquiredto the Girl Guide stood nearby, themedium with which the elephant wasmade of. The girl replied that it wasmade using sponge, narrow iron rodsand clothes.

The Kerala Pavilion’s central areaunfolded the colours and sights ofThrissurpooram where elephants deckedup in the traditional way under thebackdrop of ‘VadakkumnathaTemple’and the sacred lamp. The‘Pancharimelam’ of the ‘pooram’(festival) was spread over the central halladded the mood of the festival.

The central area of the Pavilion alsohighlighted through big photo panels,the enticing beauty of Kerala landscape,dense forests and animals, ancientsystem of medicine, Ayurveda and itsfabulous therapies, the dance-dramaKathakali, the awe-inspiring Theyyam,the lasya nirtha, Mohiniyattam, the

India international trade fairConfluence of business and cultureK.C. Venu

Agriculture, Industries, Scheduled TribeDevelopment and the publicundertakings Khadi and VillageIndustries, Hantex, HandicraftsDevelopment Corporation, Coir Fed,Market Fed, Farm Information Bureau,Kudumbasree etc engaged in these stallswith wide range of their products.Figuring prominently, they includeSpices, Cashew, Coir, coir products, tea,coffee, food products, pickles, currypowder, Ayurvedic medicines and a lotof other consumable goods.

Meticulous care was taken todecorate the Pavilion in consonancewith this year’s theme of trade fare‘Tourism and Promoting exports bysmall and medium enterprises’. It is saidthat there was a sale of more thanRupees one crore for all these stalls fora period of two weeks. It was alsoestimated that more than 10 lakh peoplevisited the Kerala Pavilion. The DeputyPrime Minister of Latviya, Alanas

l The methods of actortransforming himself intocharacters. The performermaintains strict spiritual discipline(Vratham) for days together priorto the actual performance. By this,the presenter of the characterchanges his ‘Self ’ into the self ofthe character and analyses thecharacter very deeply before theactual day of the performance.

l The made up performer who

carries heavy masks and decorativebody fitting forgets himself andreaches to an unconscious state ofaffairs - a trance - in it’s full sense.Here the conscious actor slipsinto then mental state and subconscious to unconscious statewhich is nothing but a nonperformance. One should studyproperly all these aspects from amodern psychic level so that thetransformation of ‘self ’ to the

l

EVENT±

unique martial art, ‘Kalarippayattu’ andso many other features of Kerala weredepicted offering a medley ofexperience for tourists and businessmen.

The new facade of the Pavilionconstructed for the fair portrayedunique experience of Kerala, thetranquil backwaters and beautifulhouseboat gently rocked by the wavesrippling to the rhythm of the swayingcoconut palms on the banks. The visualimpact of the facade and central areacreated by the talented sculptor C.B.Jinan, was superb.

There were a total of 35 stalls inthe Kerala Pavilion. The Governmentdepartments Tourism, Fisheries,

character is a psychological processwhich is full and final when itreaches the trance.

l Another important factor in thePapdayani performance is that theperformer himself becomes acharacter in certain sequences andthen changes to his ‘ Self ’ andthen from the ‘self ’ to back stageworker and then from thebackstage worker to onlooker and viceversa.

Mr. M. M. Hassan, Minister for Information & Parliamentary Affairs andMr. Babu Divakaran, Minister for Labour visit the Kerala Pavilion.


The first census in the State ofTravancore was taken in 1875followed by another in 1881.

Even though five censuses were taken,the first census, which was synchronousthroughout the state as regards to bothtime and date, was the census of 1921,which was the sixth of its kind in thestate.

During the last five censuses thepopulation count was taken at threedifferent times.

1. Travellers at one time2. People at houses and rest houses

at another time.3. People at hospitals, jails etc at

another time.This was pointed out as a major

defect of the censuses. So with thesanction of the Census Commissionerfor India the time for the populationcount in the sixth census was madebetween 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. in themorning of March 18, 1921. So we cansay that this was the first census whichstarted on the same date and timethroughout the state and coincided withthe rest of the country.

Regarding the censuses of 1921there are so many points that have tobe mentioned to consider it superior andsystematic to the other five censuses.

In the previous censuses only 19municipal towns were enumerated. Butin 1921, 19 other places declared astowns under Police Regulation were alsotaken into account separately.

In the last two censuses the Kara orthe “Residential Village” was taken asthe unit for census operations both inrural areas and towns. But each Karaboundaries were not properly defined

Prof. Roshini Thomas

HISTORY±Sleses, the Foreign Minister of JamicaK.D. Knight, Health Minister ofPondicherry M. Valsa Raj, Minister forLabour (Kerala) Babu Divakaran, theChairman, Central ElectricityRegulation Commission K.K. Basu wereprominent among them.

As a result of hard work of theofficials especially those of Informationand Public Relations department, thenodal agency for the conduct of fair,Kerala could win the gold medal for thisyear too for the best pavilion among 29States. Of course, the credit for this goldmedal goes to M.M. Hassan, theMinister for Information and G.Rajasekaran, Secretary and Director,Information and Public RelationsDepartment for their initiative andconstant efforts well in advance toorganise the fair.

This mega event IITF (in its 23rdedition) displayed and sold attractionsover 149 acres of land in New Delhifrom practically every nook and cornerof the country and those from theforeign shores. All the states and Union

firans, apples, dry fruits and carpets;Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland withherbal products, juices, syrups,handlooms, handicrafts, cane products,textiles etc. ; Andra Pradesh with pearls,gems and jewellery; Tamil Nadu withKancheepuram silk sarees, handloomsand leather goods. Other States alsoexhibited and sold their bestcommodities.

There were special displays Pavilionlike SARAS, HUDCO, TECHMART,GOOD LIVING etc. SARAS exhibitedhandloom and silk products, herbals,wooden furniture, artificial jewellery anddecoratives manufactured by ruralartisans and craftsmen. HUDCOfocussed low cost building materials andtechnologies. NSIC organisedTECHMART with a perspective ontechnologies and products of small andMedium EntrepreneursGOODLIVING highlighted a broadspectrum of consumer goods andgizmos and technology for exports.

Among the foreign stalls China waspresent in strength and was attracting

Territories of India and 27 foreigncountries and delegations from ten othercountries took part in the trade fair. Allthe State Pavilions lined up withdifferent new faces and central area.

If there was Arunachal Pradesh withthe rich display of handlooms,handicrafts, cane and bamboofurnishings then there was Gujarat withits textiles, oxidised jewellery and ‘gujju’food delicacies. Similarly there was Goawith bounties like shell lamps, cannedand processed food and traditionalhandicrafts; Jammu and Kashmir withall famous embroidered shawls and

large visitors. There were famousChinese crystal work products, lightselectronic appliances and silk fabrics.This year Pakistan stall was anothermajor attraction with rich show of‘Onyx’ products. Turkey has got interiordecor items and crystal ware. Thailandhoused soft rubber products. ThePresident of India APJ Abdul Kalaminaugurated the IITF on 14thNovember. The Kerala Pavilion wasinaugurated by K. Sankara Narayanan,Minister for Finance, Prof.K.V. Thomas,Minister for Tourism inaugurated theKerala Day. l


The first scientificcensus of Travancore

or surveyed. Also the local villagers’knowledge of their “Kara” boundarieswas found to be conflicting because ofvariations observed in the number ofKaras from census to census. But forwant of a better unit this process hadbeen continued till the divisions of theKaras into smaller areas wasaccomplished in the next settlement. Inmunicipal towns the Kara was the unitfor census operations in the early fivecensuses.

But in 1921 well defined ‘wards’ intowhich the towns have been divided foradministrative purposes were taken asunits. Unlike the previous censuses, thepresidents of the municipal councilswere appointed as chargesuperintendent’s in the 1921 census.

Two agencies were employed forhouse numbering namely the VillageRevenue Officers for rural areas andMunicipal and conservancy staff fortowns. The abstracts from house liststhat were forwarded to the chargesuperintendents were reviewed andnecessary corrections incorporated. Inthe previous censuses house lists wereprepared for each unit and from theseblock lists were prepared to be attachedto enumeration books. But in the 1921census block lists were prepared in thefirst place to be attached to theenumeration book.

prevailed among some non-Malayalis.Even though there were such problems,the difference noticed between theMalayalis and non-Malayalis in variousrespects justified the division.

Unlike the earlier periods where thecensus of railway travellers andemployees were taken by the railwayauthorities, special arrangements weremade to take their census by the stateagency itself.

It was in the census of 1921 thatschoolteachers were tried asenumerators and supervisors for thefirst time. Due to the spread ofeducation, large number ofschoolteachers who were more qualifiedthan the village officers was availableas enumerators. The number ofenumerators was 9147 and each had 438persons to be enumerated as against1600 in USA and 1030 in England inthe 1910 and 1911 censuses respectively.The time allotted was two weeks fortowns and one week for small towns,which was much lesser when comparedto that of the United States. The chargesuperintendents opined that the workdone and the figures collected by theschoolteachers were more perfect andaccurate than the 1911 census. The testschedules prepared by the enumerators,after scrutiny by the supervisorsaccording to the instructions of thecharge superintendents, were sent to thecentral office for review. The reviewswere returned to the chargesuperintendents for information andguidance. They were also instructed togive the abstract of the results of thepreliminary enumeration withgenderwise figures. They were againreviewed and if there are any abnormalvariations it is pointed out for local

It is necessary for a state to know the number of persons who emigrate to otherparts of India and abroad.

Since it is not possible to get details ofsuch emigrants from countries not under British sovereignty additionalcolumns were opened in the enumeration schedule of the state to note

the name, age, sex and destination of persons who have leftthe state service since the last census.

It is necessary for a state to knowthe number of persons emigrate toother parts of India and abroad. Sinceit is not possible to get details of suchemigrants from countries not underBritish sovereignty additional columnswere opened in the enumerationschedule of the state to note the name,age, sex and destination of persons whohave left the state service since the lastcensus.

Under the existing rules, thesuperintendent of each province had tosend to the superintendent of otherprovinces particulars of persons whowere born in those provinces andenumerated in his own instructions weregiven to note the enumeration ofHindus so as to know the persons whoreturned were a Malayali or non Malayaliso that separate statistics can becollected for both. The study of thedemographical peculiarities of the tribeswas still more fascinating due to theeffect of the ‘Nair Regulation’, and ofthe advancement of female education,which brought thorough change in theircivil conditions, birth and death ratesetc.. The mother- tongue was taken asthe guide for classifying Hindus asMalayalis and non-Malayalis. But thishad some difficulties and the numberenumerated was not absolutely correctdue to the Marumakkathayam that Contd. on page 40


P.V. Krishnan

verification and modification. Specialclerks were appointed under thesuperintendents for checking andcorrecting the mistakes before they wereissued for final counting.

In the earlier censuses it was theDivision Peshkars, who were equivalentto the Collectors of British India, whohad the power to appoint enumerators.In 1911 since they had to appoint a largenumber of enumerators, even a few daysbefore the final census the appointmentswere not over. So in 1921 the chargesuperintendents were given the powerto do so and before the final census thestatements regarding the appointmentshad to be submitted. The number ofenumerators was 31724 of which thegovernment employees were themajority. The superintendents in thiscensus had the general opinion that theirwork was made much easier and theinstructions were complete and theywere given well in advance.

The instructions given to the peoplenot to leave their houses during thecensus time were obeyed by the public

at large and the general attitude of themto the census was favourable. But dueto the political, social and economicunrest that took place all over India,especially the agitation for communalrepresentation in public bodies inSouthern India forced the members ofcertain castes caused some problems.This was seen not only among the publicbut also among the enumerators andcopyists in the tabulation office.

The charge superintendents whohad to telegraph one week before thefinal census about the completion ofthe arrangements did it accordingly.After the final census the provisionaltotals were received promptly from thesuperintendents. The CensusCommissioner for India was able toreceive the results of the census withinfifteen hours of the taking of thecensus. Even though totals werecommunicated within the shortest timeit did not affect the accuracy becausethe difference between the provisionaland final totals was only 96 which wasthe lowest figure ever observed in the

census of this state.Earlier the slip copying was done at

the headquarters of taluks underTahsildars who were the chargesuperintendents. But in 1921 it wasconducted at the central office. Theadvantage of having control under thedirect supervision of the CensusCommissioner for India was possibleonly in the central office. There were alarge number of educated persons toget the work done. But the system ofhaving the work done in a central officealso had its drawback.

When a large number of people,especially youths with democratic viewsand who were unaware of officialdiscipline were brought togetherconcerted action on their part becamepossible.

However when we trace back historyand chronologically calculate thedifferent censuses that had beenconducted in our state till 1921 we canwithout any doubt and hesitation regardthe census of 1921 as the first authenticone. l

Contd. from page 37

Life & Line


A

K erala is unique inmany ways. For itslavish monsoon,

penchant for communism,absorbing backwaters, thirstfor literacy and love for soccer,it claims a Name Different.

Which of these factorshelped spread its fame mostis a question not easilyanswered. But for sure, placea bet on soccer. It iscomparable to Brazil in thatrespect, at least for beingidentified with soccer in a bigway. In many parts of ourcountry, the image we have isthat of a soccer- crazy state.As Brazilians call it, soccer isa ‘janale” (Window) throughwhich others can see andexperience our state. In India,only Kerala can claim to havesuch a window kept wideopen. It always has been afavourite ground for soccertalent-hunters. Many a pearlshave been unearthed in thepast from the fertile soccergrounds of this state andI.M.Vijayan was the finestamong them who, incidentallywas also called as the Black

V. Rajagopal

boundaries of the state are a handful. Vijayan is undoubtedlyone among them. He is the only Keralite who has been adoredby fans across the country for more than a decade. And he isa true sportsman, who epitomizes the spirit of survival andsincerity.His life, like that of many of his Braziliancounterparts, is also a rags-to-riches story, which youngergenerations can emulate.

Born into a poor working class family in Thrissur andbrought up in trying circumstances, Vijayan achieved all hisfame and recognition by hard work. His family was living ina roadside thatchment near to the Thrissur Municipal Stadium.His father died in a bus accident when he was 12, leavingmother Chinnammu as the sole breadwinner for the family.She had to do all sorts of sundry jobs including selling scrapsto look after her two adolescent sons. Vijayan was not goodat studies and dropped out of school at eighth standard. He

SPORTS±

A True GeniusPearl (Pele) of Kerala.

Think of Kerala Football, you think of Vijayan. The namehas become synonymous with the game. For the past 20 oddyears he has been in action attracting huge crowds whereverhe goes. His marvelous moves and memorable goals haveenthralled the galleries across the country and he has keptthe flag of Kerala Football flying high for more than twodecades.

Vijayan may not be an internationally acclaimed soccersuperstar like Pele or Beckham. But he is arguably the bestfootballer the state has ever produced. Had he been in Europeor Brazil, many believe that he would definitely have becomea world-class player. It is unwarranted to compare him withWorld Footballers. For that matter, Kerala has never produceda Nobel or Oscar or Gramy winner. No towering personalitieslike Tagore or Gandhi have come up from this soil. In fact,number of personalities who could rise above the four


Vijayan, True Genius

too had to do some jobs to earn money for a livelihood.An article published in ‘Asian Age’ years back has

beautifully summed up his troubles and travails in thefollowing blurb: “At 10, he played with balls made of cloth.At 12, his father died. At 13, he worked in a quarry. At 14, hesold soda bottles in football stadiums At 30, he is a successfulfootballer and actor” -What the writer has omitted here is hisreal story: the story of his rise to stardom. In that 15 yearstime, he became the most sought after player in the domesticfootball league of India. He won seven consecutive federationcups, best footballer award for three times, recognition as thefastest and highest goal scorer for the country, and above allArjuna Award, the most prestigious award a sports personcould hope to get for in India. He also had a successfulinternational career by that time, playing continuously for 14years for the country. A teenager of his tribe could hardly

dream of achieving better heights. Also he brought in laurelsas an actor by helping his debut film win a national award.

It all began when he was spotted at the age of 12 byfamous football coach T.K. Chathunny who was in charge ofrunning a three-year training camp then for young footballersin Thrissur. Admission into this camp was a turning point inhis career. It moulded him into a footballer of rare qualityand helped him understand and explore himself. By the timethe camp was wound up, he had become a top class footballerand had been in great demand for sevens tournaments playedin and around the district. Seven-a-side Football is a uniquemodel of the game played in the villages of Kerala, which isin a way, comparable to the ‘Street Football” of Brazil asboth represent the popular face of soccer in the respectiveregions. All great players of Brazil are known to have theirroots in ‘street football’. Similarly in Kerala, the breedingground of footballers have always been the turbulent andriotous ‘sevens’ fields. And, Vijayan was no exception.

The lanky, dark forward with exemplary skill and strikingability first hit the limelight at the Kollam National in 1987-88. He had a meteoric rise then. On turning 18, he joinedKerala Police and helped them win many a trophies includingFederation Cups in 1990 and 91. Then he migrated toKolkatha venturing to seek greener pastures. That was thehumble beginning of a great journey through the heartlandof Indian Football by an unknown, poor Kerala boy: He playedfor three years with Mohunbagan, three years with JCT, thenback in Kerala for two years with FC Cochin, again in Kolkathafor one year with East Bengal and is continuing for the pasttwo seasons in Phagwara with JCT. He was exploring a lifefull of chances and grabbing each and every opportunity thatcame his way with grit and determination. It was this positiveattitude that made him a successful player and a living legend.

In the meanwhile, he also played a number of internationalmatches for India winning trophies and scoring goals galore.His international career started in 1990, with a tour to Maldiveswith the Indian junior team. Since then he has been a regularmember of the national squad till 2003. He scored the fastestgoal for India (in Bhutan in 1999 SAFF cup) and alsocaptained the country many times including at Asiad in 1998.Even after announcing his retirement from internationalfootball, he proved his worth by scoring four goals in theAfro-Asian Games, the last tournament he played. It is sadthat no statistics or video footage or any other proofs ofevidence are with him to substantiate his records. But thatcaliber and brilliance need no certificates either.

Vijayan’s ability to hoodwink a defender with a feint orflick is beyond comparisons and his style of scoring goalsfrom reverse kicks is inimitable. And coupled with this hisdeadly striking prowess and dribbling skills makes him thedarling of the crowd and a key man upfront for any team.No other player has showed this class of sheer brilliance inour poor grounds.

What makes him a genuinely DIFFERENT player is notonly the talent he inherited but the degree of hard work heput on to nurture it. Take a leaf out of it and that will teachyou a lot. Truly a lot, because he is truly a genius! l

Vijayan, True Genius

Many a pearls havebeen unearthed inthe past from thefertile soccer groundsof this state andI.M.Vijayan was thefinest among themwho, incidentally wasalso called as theBlack Pearl (Pele) ofKerala.


P.V. Krishnan

verification and modification. Specialclerks were appointed under thesuperintendents for checking andcorrecting the mistakes before they wereissued for final counting.

In the earlier censuses it was theDivision Peshkars, who were equivalentto the Collectors of British India, whohad the power to appoint enumerators.In 1911 since they had to appoint a largenumber of enumerators, even a few daysbefore the final census the appointmentswere not over. So in 1921 the chargesuperintendents were given the powerto do so and before the final census thestatements regarding the appointmentshad to be submitted. The number ofenumerators was 31724 of which thegovernment employees were themajority. The superintendents in thiscensus had the general opinion that theirwork was made much easier and theinstructions were complete and theywere given well in advance.

The instructions given to the peoplenot to leave their houses during thecensus time were obeyed by the public

at large and the general attitude of themto the census was favourable. But dueto the political, social and economicunrest that took place all over India,especially the agitation for communalrepresentation in public bodies inSouthern India forced the members ofcertain castes caused some problems.This was seen not only among the publicbut also among the enumerators andcopyists in the tabulation office.

The charge superintendents whohad to telegraph one week before thefinal census about the completion ofthe arrangements did it accordingly.After the final census the provisionaltotals were received promptly from thesuperintendents. The CensusCommissioner for India was able toreceive the results of the census withinfifteen hours of the taking of thecensus. Even though totals werecommunicated within the shortest timeit did not affect the accuracy becausethe difference between the provisionaland final totals was only 96 which wasthe lowest figure ever observed in the

census of this state.Earlier the slip copying was done at

the headquarters of taluks underTahsildars who were the chargesuperintendents. But in 1921 it wasconducted at the central office. Theadvantage of having control under thedirect supervision of the CensusCommissioner for India was possibleonly in the central office. There were alarge number of educated persons toget the work done. But the system ofhaving the work done in a central officealso had its drawback.

When a large number of people,especially youths with democratic viewsand who were unaware of officialdiscipline were brought togetherconcerted action on their part becamepossible.

However when we trace back historyand chronologically calculate thedifferent censuses that had beenconducted in our state till 1921 we canwithout any doubt and hesitation regardthe census of 1921 as the first authenticone. l

Contd. from page 37

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