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BY S VENKAT NARAYAN
Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, October 29: India’s Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under the Union Environment Ministry has approved seed production “prior to commercial release” of the country’s first indigenously-developed transgenic hybrid mustard. This opens up possibilities for India’s first genetically modified (GM) food crops by farmers amid opposition from green groups and the so-called swadeshi lobby affiliated to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
At its meeting on October 18, the country’s regulator for GM organisms recommended the “environmental release” of the transgenic mustard hybrid DMH-11, developed by the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP) at Delhi University. Whether the GEAC’s green signal will also tantamount to final government clearance is, however, not clear at this point.DMH-11 contains two alien genes isolated from a soil bacterium called Bacillus amyloliquefaciens that enable breeding of high-yielding commercial mustard hybrids.
Proponents of the GM technology-based crop say it is necessary for boosting domestic oilseed and vegetable oil production. India annually produces only 8.5-9 million tonnes (mt) of edible oil, while importing 14-14.5 mt that entailed a record foreign exchange outgo of $18.99 billion in 2021-22 (April-March).
India has todate approved GM breeding technology only in cotton. Previous attempts at commercial release of GM brinjal were foiled by environmental activists. Even with respect to the transgenic mustard, the GEAC, following a meeting on May 11, 2017, had decided that matters related to its environmental release be “kept pending for further review”.
It is not clear at this point whether the GEAC’s green signal amounts to final clearance by the government. But the field trials could open up the possibility of the cultivation of India’s first genetically modified (GM) food crop by farmers amid opposition from green groups and the so-called swadeshi lobby.Mustard is a largely self-pollinating crop, which makes development of hybrids (which typically yield more than normal varieties) difficult in the natural course. The CGMCP scientists, led by the former Delhi University vice-chancellor Deepak Pental, have developed what they claim is a robust and viable hybridisation system for mustard. Their GM hybrid is a product of crossing two plants containing alien ‘barnase’ and ‘barstar’ genes derived from a soil bacterium.
“I am happy at the GEAC decision. We have enough seeds for multiplication,” Pental said. DMH-11 is claimed to produce 25-30 per cent more grain/seed than the existing high-yielding mustard varieties. But given the limited time – mustard is generally sown by the end of October – it remains to be seen if any planting for seed multiplication is possible in the current rabi season.
The GEAC recommended the “environmental release” of DMH-11 for seed production as well as of its parental lines for developing new hybrids based on the same GM technology. “We are open to sharing our parental lines to other breeders who may develop their own hybrids that can give higher yields than DMH-11,” Pental said.
The GEAC also recommended conducting of field demonstration studies with respect to the effect of GM mustard on honey bees and other pollinators as a “precautionary mechanism”. It quoted a report by an expert committee under a Department of Biotechnology scientist Sanjay Kumar Mishra, saying that globally available scientific evidence made it “unlikely that the bar, barnase and barstar system will pose an adverse impact on honey bees and other pollinators”.
The Retreat
Blood-bath in the politburo
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By Tom Sato and Saliya Weerakoon
Walking into a creditor meeting without an actionable growth plan is like diving into a quagmire. Sri Lanka needs a plan and a drastic one that can jump-start the economy. If you go to Israel, now the leading innovation hub, everybody has a deck. Just to explain, a “deck” is a business plan presentation.
Government Action plan on Growth
Does the Sri Lankan government have a growth plan based on startups and innovations? If you look at the US, Silicon Valley pretty much generated most of the growth area and they were not backed by the Government. They were backed by venture capitalists. But the corporate law in Delaware gave Silicon Valley the legal structure to invest and build startups that can scale. And the Obama administration fueled VC investment with JOBS Act in 2012 which empowered individuals to invest in startups.
Sri Lanka Government should have a plan for start-ups and small and medium businesses. As of now, we don’t see a cohesive plan to spur growth in these two segments. The 2017 and 2018 national budgets had some early inroads to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset backed by capital and debt allocations. However, it was short-lived just like many other initiatives in the past. The new tax regime though is necessary for the larger picture of the macroeconomy but not conducive for a budding entrepreneur to jump-start a business. A national policy for start-ups is a dire need if we are to attract capital from venture capital and private equity investors. This is what Isreal did under Ben Gurion’s leadership. The start-up nation was born even without having access to proper capital and it was largely banked on the human capital of Isreal. Sri Lankans have the brain capacity just as much as Israelis to do business. The Sri Lankan diaspora is a true testament to this fact and many local ventures have taken the centre stage in the global business by participating in the supply chain. All that we need is a vision and an action plan, and the world will follow us.
Industries to nurture innovation
Washington State has worked with the local marine industry to create incubation to foster global innovation in the maritime industry. Japanese agriculture co-op, JA now runs a startup incubator. It used to be just the IT sector which had these initiatives. Now, all industries around the World are supporting startups to add growth to their industry.
What is Sri Lanka’s industry sector should do? Good question. Most entrepreneurs feel that they are doing the utmost given the dire conditions in the country. Given the small market size, local entrepreneurs seem to be focussing on serving the 22 Million people and some are happy being big fish in a small pond. There are many reasons for contentment but nowadays businesses should be looking to expand at least regionally if not globally and build scale. This will get the eyeballs of VC firms. A few conglomerates have started up incubators to support start-ups and a few started up co-working places to cash into the start-up boom post-2010. However, the results are not up to the mark of what was expected. The government has many priorities and rightly so the private sector has joined the bandwagon without waiting for the government to act on these initiatives. As a country, we need a Silicon Valley type of ecosystem, if we are to succeed in this race. A classic example is neighbouring India. There is enough capital to take because the ecosystem keeps growing day by day. The world’s best VC firms are now operating local offices in India to spur growth and there are many examples of entrepreneurship and innovation in India. Sri Lanka doesn’t have to look that far for inspiration, India would do.
Educational Institutions should incubate startups
If you look at the movie “The Social Network”, there is a scene, earlier on, where Mark Zuckerberg goes to see a speech given by Microsoft’s founder Bill Gates where it s explained how he started his business from a Harvard dorm room. Now, every college and university in the US has incubators and startup programmes. The University of Washington has four locations providing not only student startups but also local startups as well.
How shall universities in Sri Lanka contribute to the start-up growth? A few universities including Moratuwa university have started producing entrepreneurs. However, they are facing serious issues unlike in other countries which are more conducive to start-ups. The country should have at least 10 universities building an ecosystem for students to get into start-ups. Mere ideation would not suffice to be an entrepreneur. We must provide capital, mentorship and a healthy environment for them to grow. Standford and MIT are two universities which have carved out a niche to encourage students to start up. Many students who are aspiring to be entrepreneurs specifically choose universities which have better entrepreneurial DNA in universities. We must understand the fact that Sri Lankan universities are running on shoestring budgets and sometimes lack innovative thinking as a result. This is where a proper ecosystem could play a key role. We need to learn the good from the world and adapt them here, otherwise we would lose out our best brains to other developed or developing countries with the desire to attract the best talent.
Summary
Let’s say all the industry sectors had innovation programmes and all of the universities and colleges have startup incubation programmes and all of the local governments had startup support systems in place. How many people would be embracing innovation? And what does it translate into real growth for the Nation?
Every Government Agency, every Local Government, every industry sector and every educational institution should have an innovation programme to give a chance to every citizen of Sri Lanka.
Writers, serial entrepreneurs, Tom Sato and Saliya Weerakoon possess over 60 years of combined experience in managing large businesses and start-ups, currently playing a pivotal role in support entrepreneurs to access capital and mentorship. Saliya can be reached on saliya@eqwtay.com
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Therapeutic sleep might furthermore reduce lethal blood sugar levels by facilitating healthy systems. Curtailed sleep is a risk aspect for improved blood sugar levels.
SNS/ANN):
Sleep and blood glucose levels: Contended Sleep and good health is inseparable with immense health benefits. Sleep deprivation leads to many health complications including blood sugar levels which has a major link with sleep cycle. There are proven facts that decrease in sleep impacts the blood sugar level leading to diabetes which, if stretched longer may result in heart diseases.However, the connection between sleep and blood sugar is complicated. There is not a reasonable formula that demonstrates a relationship between the amount of sleep and an interconnected increase or decrease in blood sugar.
How does sleep impact Glucose Levels in Blood?
It sounds antithetical that sleep can both raise and lower glucose levels. According to a Rutgers University study report our bodies encounter a cycle of changes every day which is called a “circadian rhythm” which naturally boosts blood sugar levels at night and when an individual sleeps. However, these natural blood sugar mounds are not a reason for worry.
Therapeutic sleep might furthermore reduce lethal blood sugar levels by facilitating healthy systems. Curtailed sleep is a risk aspect for improved blood sugar levels. Even discriminatory sleep deprivation over one night improves insulin resistance, which can in turn upswing blood sugar levels. As a result, a lack of sleep has been linked with diabetes, a blood sugar disorder.
Additional analysis is needed to better understand the relationship between sleep and blood sugar.
Factors managing the relationship between sleep and blood sugar levels:
-The abundance of time a person sleeps.
-The phases of sleep a person experiences.
-The time of day a person sleeps.
-A person’s age.
-A person’s eating habits (which coincide with nourishment and sleep).
How does inadequate sleep and Blood Sugar levels?
According to Dr Stuti Sharma, PG Resident MAMC Delhi, inadequacy of sleep and blood sugar levels are connected. Inadequate sleeping significantly increases blood sugar levels. Researchers have conveyed the following relationships between sugar and lack of sleep or sleep problems:
Sleep-disordered breathing is related to higher glucose levels
Obstructive sleep apnea is attributed to defective glucose tolerance
More intense sleep breathing issues are linked with higher blood sugar
Obstructive sleep apnea stringency is associated with increased fasting glucose
Poor sleep is associated with a decreased capacity to control glucose levels in diabetic patients
Sleep loss is correlated with risen glucose levels in hospitalized patients with and without diabetes
Relationship between blood sugar levels and heart disease
People with diabetes have a higher chances of developing various health problems including heart disease. High blood sugar levels over time can damage the blood vessels of our heart and other organs leading to different health problems. It means the longer you have diabetes the greater your risk for heart disease. Because of higher blood glucose level the heart may suffer from stroke and even death. But if blood sugar levels are maintained then there will be less chances of heart diseases. And it can be done by sound sleep as discussed earlier.
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As for the formulation of ecologically viable projects, a concept called River Basin has gained currency internationally. In conventional approaches, man-made components such as roads, highways were the nuclei around which projects were formulated and the main focus was emeconomic development. This approach has now proven to be unsustainable.
By Mahinda Panapitiya
Resident of Gampaha District
Introduction
Our natural ecosystem is deteriorating at an alarming rate. Therefore, in parallel to reducing the number of members Local Governments (LG) as suggested by the President, the boundaries of LG could also be changed to address preservation of our ecosystem. Currently, we simply follow starlight lines laid down by the British to define those boundaries. Those straight lines have no “muscle” to motivate people to protect the ecosystems in their districts. However, it is possible to define those boundaries using rivers in the provinces as a guide.
River Basins in Sri Lanka
This method called “River Basin Management approach”. With that approach, it is also possible to develop indicators to evaluate the performance of those LG members, especially in relation to their role in preserving the natural ecosystems under their command.
Background
One of the main issues presently being experienced in urban areas such as the Western Province is that its natural eco system is becoming deteriorated at an alarmingly rapid rate due to poorly planned land use practices. Natural streams which were used as bathing places about 50 years back are now polluted beyond use. Even the Fish Couture has vanished. Catchment areas of those natural streams such as Attanagalu Oya basin are also being fragmented into small plots due to rapid urbanization thereby severely altering the basin characters related water retention capacities. For example, in some areas the ground water table in Gampaha District is being dropped down at an alarming rate. In addition, small tributaries which were perennial nature about 20 years back replenishing streams such as Attanaugalu Oya, are gradually becoming dry, limiting their water flows only to rainy periods while causing flash floods, during heavy rains. Cultivations of other crops in highlands are also at declining phase because of the lowering of ground water tables due to unplanned land use practices.
In addition, Quality of Ground Water adjacent to Industrial Zones such as Ekala is presently being affected to a level beyond use. Wetlands bordering flood plains which serve as natural filters purifying the local water sources are being slowly disappeared due to unplanned development activities. Rice cultivation practices in the valleys replenishing the ground water aquifer in the past are also now gradually declining though the landscape is still intact and available for future agriculture development work.
River Basing Concept
As for the formulation of ecologically viable projects, a concept called River Basin has gained currency internationally. In conventional approaches, man-made components such as roads, highways were the nuclei around which projects were formulated and the main focus was emeconomic development. This approach has now proven to be unsustainable.
In the new River Basin Approach, Features of the Natural Environment such as Streams, Wetlands etc. are also treated in equal terms in formulating development models & political of boundaries for LGs. For example, for regions such as Gampaha District, the Attanagalu Oya (AO) should be the nucleus around which the LG boundaries should be conceptualized. In this approach, preservation and upgrading ecological assets which have impact on the AO, would become necessary pre requisite before launching any new development programme within the LG areas.
Role of the community
The proposed development project by LGs focusing Gampaha District could be treated as a pilot project for the rest of the country demonstrating how a region could be economically developed in environmentally friendly mode through effective community participation, Lands within the Basin of Attanagalu Oya, which is the main water source in the region are very fertile and ideal for rice cultivation as well as for other crops such as Coconut, Rubber, Pineapple and Banana. It has a unique micro climatic condition which is ideal for sensitive crops such as Beatles.
In introducing concepts related to preservation of nature, the spiritual background of the stakeholder communities also plays a very vital role. Buddhism as a religion is well known for its role in promoting environmental preservation. Therefore, the numerous Buddhist Centers spread within the region such as Attanagalla Temple could also play a leading role during the initial mobilisation phase of the programme as well as during the implementation phase to maintain continuous supports of the communities. The target area for the proposed pilot demonstration is also well known for its high caliber Human Resource Base having its own identity with good leadership and intellectual qualities. Most of professionals in high-ranking positions in the government sector as well as in private sector spread throughout Sri Lanka are from Siyana Korale located within this new LG area.
Suggested methodology to mobilise the programme
1. Establishment of Implementation Agency which is of multidisciplinary nature (Environment, Agriculture, Irrigation, Urban Development, Land Use Planning, Landscape Architecture, Sociologists) to operate at Provincial Levels under direct supervision of the Central Government
2. Appointment of a multidisciplinary Panel comprising of expertise during the planning phase (All the expertise for this step such as Social Scientists, Ecologists, Water Resource/ Irrigation experts, Agriculturist, Land Use Planners and Landscape Architects, GIS/IT experts, Communication Experts,etc. are available not only from the region itself but also from other countries such as US, Japan.
3. Literature Survey to compile already collected data, studies, Master Plans etc.
4. Preparation of proposals for funding for the next steps. In case if it is necessary, it is easy to tap international funding sources for this type of intervention. – Feasibility Studies and Design for implementation within next 10 years.
5. Conduct Awareness Programmes / Concept Papers in simple language so that Local Stakeholders including Politician could understand the importance of the river Basin approach.
Conclusion
The main goal of the proposed development work should be to bring the region to the stage prevailed at 50 years back environmentally while developing the region economically to its maximum productive level at least in 2027. For this mission, there is a need to synergize the total resource base (Human, Land, Water) within the region effectively based on lessons learnt from other River Basin projects such as Mahaweli Programme.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe recently requested the Asian Development Bank to set up a university in Sri Lanka to address climatic issues. The concept proposed in this article could be used as a tool to identify right academics for that university by calling proposals from the candidates who wish to serve that university.
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