By Pradip R Sagar | Published: 08th October 2017 NEW DELHI: With a dream to work for his country after spending a successful stint overseas, Dr Gausal Ahmed Khan applied for the post of senior scientist in the country’s premier defence research institute—DRDO—in 2009. Eight years down the line, Khan’s dreams were shattered when he was forced to resign in September owing to ‘internal politics’.
Khan, a physiologist, worked on a project to reduce the acclimatisation time of Indian Army personnel stationed at high altitude locations like Siachen. He has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi exposing nepotism, politics, and corruption prevailing in the DRDO. “Unfortunately my scientific temperament and hard work proved to be a disqualification in one of the country’s most reputed organisations—DRDO,” Khan wrote to the PM.
Dr Gausal Khan
“Bereaved, my broken and humiliated conscience prompted me to write to you and apprise you of the prevalent politics, corruption, and other work conditions in DRDO. I am writing with a hope that in future work condition in DRDO may improve and will prevent scientists from leaving the organisation,” he added.
While disclosing how he was involved in litigation after not given credit for his work, he said, “I spent the last three years in the organisation defending myself in unwanted litigations imposed on me by higher officials due to their politics, personal vengeance, and family lineage.”
Khan got some relief when he approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) against a disciplinary case imposed on him. The Tribunal in its order stated: “He has been conferred with ‘developing world scientist award’ at international level for his research of unique nature.
Assuming that there are some lapses on the applicant (scientist), the disciplinary authority should have taken a lenient view on account of the excellent scientific research by him which brought laurels not only individually for him but to the country as whole. However, the respondent (DRDO authorities) has not given due credit for his research in the scientific field. This depicts sorry state of affairs. Instead of appreciating his research work, he has been treated shabbily and awarded punishment in gross violation of law”.
When contacted Khan, who is leaving for the US, said, “I came with a vision and a dream. My working conditions forced me to leave. But before leaving, I wanted to apprise the top leaders of the poor work atmosphere. PM talks about self-reliance in defence, but we cannot achieve it unless we weed out corruption and internal politics.”
As everyone aware that lot of complaints was filed against various Lab heads, but somehow DRDO management managing to protect these corrupts.
The case of CEPTAM, Director, Sh Rajesh Goyal’s SMS scheme, Dr A K Saxena , Director, DMSRDE is on the top of corrupt scientists list, So called Prof. Dr M P Kaushik, ex Director, DRDE, regarding procurement of 100 cr ICAD Chempro100i Make: Environics, Dr A K Maini, Ex Director, LASTEC regarding fire scam of Coil Laser facility worth Rs 21 Cr, Dr. Lokendra Singh’s farzi claim of Bio digester, Director, DRDE Dr Vijay Veer minting money in the name of high altitude vegetables, Dr Shashi bala, Director, DIPAS looting in the name of improving the health condition of our jawans in extreme condition, (Super audit report), Dr K Tamilmani companies exposed by CAG on LCA issue, Dr K D Nayak, Burman minting money in the name of customized PC from Tata powers etc. Dr Hardwar Singh legacy still running in the name of GOCO, Dr Shubhananda Rao, Resin Allied, Dr Guru Prasad Silver Rath even not going to save him, Ms Tessy Thomas appointment as Director, ASL and her husband appointment with tailor made recruitment snatched the SA post from Sh Avinash Chander.
There several cases are pending in the name of inquiry is going on ……
Now hope Parrikar sahib will going to take seriously all complaints of
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT – The Telegraph New Delhi, Sept. 3, 2014: Whether the digester bacteria have called cease work or not isn’t clear but the government’s bio-toilet drive in villages is suddenly looking a bit leaky.
The Odisha government has told the National Human Rights Commission that nine of the 12 bio-digester toilets installed in five villages in Bhadrak district have become defunct, contrary to the Centre’s claims that these toilets don’t need maintenance.
The toilets, developed by defence research organisation DRDO and launched by then rural development minister Jairam Ramesh as part of the Centre’s drive to end open defecation, had been installed in 2012 in two blocks — Dhamara and Basudevpur — all meant for community use.
In a report last month, the state’s rural development department said the Bhadrak district administration had written to the DRDO in July requesting it to repair the toilets — that use bacteria for treating the waste — but has got no response yet.
No one from the DRDO was available for comment.
The report followed a case filed by a lawyer, Radhakanta Tripathy, who complained to the rights panel that the toilets were not helping the common people and the practice of open defecation was continuing as before.
“The people were expecting their miseries would end after the installation of the bio-toilets. These toilets have become defunct and nobody is taking responsibility for their maintenance,” Tripathy said.
The report has come as a “reality check” at a time the Centre is promoting these toilets in a big way as part of its efforts to make India free of open defecation by 2019.
A letter from the ministry of drinking water and sanitation last month to all state secretaries in charge of sanitation said states may be given the option of adopting the DRDO model for safe disposal of human waste. The ministry also sent the names of 39 firms that produce bio-toilets, used mainly by the army in high-altitude areas.
The railways, islands such as Lakshadweep and houseboats also use the technology that involves bacteria converting human waste to odourless compost and biogas. There is no need to replenish the bacteria since they regenerate.
Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of sanitation NGO Sulabh International, said the technology was not foolproof. “The water released from tanks of these bio-digesters is pollutant. The technology should be further developed.”
But Rail Tech, one of the firms mentioned in the government letter, defended the technology. “The technology is working perfectly in trains and army camps in high-altitude areas. There is no reason why they cannot work in the plains,” Rail Tech director Kunal Jain said.
He said the problem lay with the user. “If foreign materials are dropped into the drainage system of the toilets, they will stop working.”
A 25 years old Junior Research Fellow has filed a complaint against D Majumdar, additional director of DIPAS, of making sexual advances.
NEW DELHI: After well known environmental scientist Dr R K Pachauri faces allegations of sexual harassment by his junior woman colleague, a senior scientist of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO),the country’s premier defence research body, too is facing similar charges by a junior researcher.
A 25 year old Junior Research Fellow has accused 59 year old Dr D Majumdar, the additional director of the DRDO’s Delhi based Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), of sexually harassing her. Taking cognizance of the woman’s complaint, Majumdar has been shunted out in ‘public interest’ following the recommendations of a high level committee, which was set up by the DRDO, to look into the allegations
According to official sources, the woman, who joined DIPAS in December last year, filed a complaint with the head of the organisation in February. In her complaint to Dr Shashi Bala Singh, Director, DIPAS, the woman accused Majumdar of making sexual advances towards her and she also sought her transfer from the particular group of Ergonomics. The woman alleged that Majumdar used to sexually harass her on his office premises. Over 40 other fellow researchers also came in support of the woman complainant and gave their representation against Majumdar. Subsequently her complaint was forwarded to the DRDO headquarters and a five member committee headed by Hina Gokhale, Director HRD of the DRDO, was formed to look into the allegations, as per the Vishakha Guidelines formulated by the Supreme Court.
Majumdar, who is retiring by the end of 2015, has been transferred to a Gwalior based laboratory where he has been directed to report by March 16. When contacted, Majumdar defended himself and said that the allegation was a conspiracy. “I completely denied such allegations and it is a conspiracy to defame me. Surprisingly, hours after appearing before the committee on March 3, I received my transfer orders from the headquarters,” said Majumdar, Scientist G of the DRDO, which is equivalent to a Joint Secretary rank officer. While deposing before the committee, he reportedly handed over six testimonials from junior scientists in his favour.
However, the complainant didn’t comment. When contacted, Dr. Shashi Bala Singh said, “I will not be able to make any comment on it. Please contact my headquarters.”
But DRDO Spokesperson Ravi Gupta said, “We (DRDO) follows strict regulations, whenever such allegations come out in the department. Since in this matter, a committee is already constituted and looking into the matter, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on its proceedings.”
Experiment with Controversies DIPAS was recently in the news for carrying out a study for faster deployment of troops for high altitude operations in case of war like situation, which was rubbished by the Indian Army. In fact, army severely criticised the methods adopted by the DIPAS scientists to collect data sample for its study. DIPAS was set up after the Indo China war in 1962 with the thrust area identification of high altitude physiology, nutrition and biochemistry of human in and also with the urgent need felt for ergonomic assessment of workstations and machine interface. The laboratory carries out various researches and studies to look into the aspect of high altitude warfare.
डी आर डी ओ पिछले दो सालों में बायो डायजेस्टर तकनिकी के बारे इतना ढिढोरा इसलिए पीटा क्योंकि एक तो इनके पास और कुछ डेवलप नहीं हो पा रहा था और दूसरा डी आर डी ओ द्वारा डा सेल्वामूर्ति को नंबर दो के पद पर बिठाना।
डा सेल्वामूर्ति डी आर डी ओ के मुख्य मिशन के नहीं थे वो तो लाइफ साइंस जैसे विषय से संबधित थे जोकि एक डी आर डी ओ का एक मुक़्तलिफ़ कार्य था परन्तु डा सेल्वामूर्ति के प्रोपगंडा स्पेसलिस्ट होने के कारण उन्होंने डी आर डी ओ के मुख्य मिशन से डी आर डी ओ को भटका दिया और सब अधिकारी नाम व् पैसे के कारण डा सेल्वामूर्ति के पीछे हो लिए। मंत्रियो और बाबाओ व् फ्लिम स्टार्स के साथ फोटो सेशन और टेक्नोलॉजी ट्रांसफर के नाम पर कम्पनियो से साठघांट और साथ में टेम्परोरी ड्यूटी का मजा लेने के लिए डी आर डी ओ मुख्यालय के सब अधिकारी डा सेल्वामूर्ति के जाल में फँस गए। डा सेल्वामूर्ति ने बहुत से डीम्ड यूनिवर्सिटी को डी आर डी ओ लाइफ साइंस बोर्ड के माध्यम से करोड़ो रूपए बांटे तथा उनसे अपने लिए व् अन्य डी आर डी ओ अधिकारियो के लिए मानद उपाधि ली व् कुछ अपने चापलूसों को पी एच डी करवाई।
बायो डायजेस्टर तकनिकी का कई बार डी आर डी ओ ने विभिन्न स्थानो में लोकार्पण करके देश के बहुमूल्य पैसो का जम कर दुरूपयोग किया।
One World South Asia
India’s DRDO develops eco-friendly toilets
Tripti Nath/ OneWorld South Asia Jul 23, 2012
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) dedicated to enhancing self reliance in defence systems, has demonstrated exemplary versatility by developing eco-friendly bio-toilets for soldiers for human waste management in high altitude regions.
The low temperature at high altitude halts and delays the natural biodegradation of human waste and leads to its accumulation which is an environment hazard.
The painstaking research spanning a decade involved study of the science of bio digestion. It began in 1998 and was carried out by a team of DRDO scientists who camped for 16 months in harsh weather conditions in Antarctica and identified psychrophilic bacteria that can withstand both summer and winter temperature. The bacteria were then brought back to the laboratories where they were cultured and their kinetics studied.
After DRDO installed 200 units of bio digesters in high altitude areas such as Siachen and Ladakh for its jawans and word spread about the advantages of bio toilets, the Planning Commission evinced interest in the technology developed by DRDO. The technology has been adapted successfully for use in all terrains.
Dr W. Selvamurthy, DRDO’s distinguished scientist and Chief Controller of Research and Development, said, “The Lakhsadweep Islands were facing water borne diseases and had approached the Planning
Commission for a solution. What began as a solution for jawans turned out to be a gift to society. The bio toilets are a blessing in rural India where only 30 per cent of population has private toilets.”
Not just this, big brother America is taking interest in the bio-toilets. Coming month, Dr Selwamurthy alongwith Dr Lokendra Singh, Scientist G and Director, Life Sciences, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior, will be travelling to Seattle in the United States to make a presentation to the Bill Gates Foundation as Bill Gates is reviewing the technology of bio toilets.
The presentation alongwith the exhibition of the innovation will be made at the invitation of the Bill Gates Foundation which is holding a global competition for best global solution for human waste management.
Dr Selwamurthy is confident that this will become a global technology. “ It is a unique IP (Intellectual Property. We have patented this technology not only at the national level but also at the international level.”
Better known as bio digesters, the toilets were conceptualised as DRDO’s solution for decomposition of biological waste generated by soldiers deployed in high altitude areas.While 12,000 units in Lakshadweep islands are using DRDO developed technology , the railways which have faced severe criticism for stinking platforms and unsightly human waste littered tracks , are also using these toilets.
As of date, eight trains are running with 436 bio toilets based on DRDO technology in 191 coaches.” As part of the green intitatives promised in the Railway Budget for 2012-’13, the Ministry of Railways will provide 2500 bio toilets in its coaches. By 2016-17, the new railway coaches will completely switch over to bio toilets.
]The Minister for Rural Development, Mr Jairam Ramesh, has given a go ahead for installation of bio toilets in 1000 village communities (gram panchayats) with a budget of Rs 400 crore. At the launch venue located only 15 kilometre from the Wheeler island where Agni V was successfully test fired early this year, the Minister for Rural Development promised that under the recently launched Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Campaign) , his ministry will ensure that all gram panchayats are covered in the next 10 years.
As of now, India has 2,40,000 gram panchayats.”
The DRDO distinguished scientist said, “ To begin with, we have installed six twin bio digester toilets in Odisha in eastern India. The Ministry of Rural Development will identify these 1000 villages communities and ensure that every village home gets a bio toilet.”
Dr Selwamurthy is satisfied that DRDO is discharging its corporate social responsibility. “ Our technology has a spin off. It is now going to States. The Minister for Urban Development has recommended that new housing societies being developed in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra, instal bio toilets.”
DRDO’s versatility has earned it praise from the Union Minister for Rural Development, Mr Jairam Ramesh. While launching the eco toilet project based on DRDO’s bio digester technology in Dhamra in Odisha’s
Bhadrak district last month, the minister said that bio toilets can do to rural sanitation what Agni has done to India’s external defence. He said that the DRDO developed technology for bio toilets can bring a significant change in the quality of life of people, mainly in rural areas and help them lead a healthy life.”
Dr Selvamurthy agrees that the bio digesters will prevent the dehumanising practice of manual scavenging and meet its objective of discouraging open defecation and improving sanitation conditions. Open defecation is a huge problem in India and Sikkim is the only State that boasts of zero defecation in the open. Sixty per cent people in the world who have to go outside for toilets are from India.
The senior scientist, who has been part of the DRDO’s growth story for almost four decades, said that one toilet would cost Rs 15,000 but the cost would be borne by the Ministry of Rural Development. “Looking at the cost benefit analysis, it is not very expensive. It will prevent deaths that are caused by water borne diseases. A large number of children die due to water borne diseases. The durability of the whole system is 25 years. We have given it to 45 Indian companies for capacity building. We are willing to give it to other countries also. Industry will implement it under the Quality Assurance of DRDO. We are only monitoring it.”
DRDO to launch green toilets for civilians – The New Indian Express
Kasturi Ray Express News Service – BHUBANESWAR Published: 24th June 2012
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in a first of its kind attempt, will launch, not missiles, but bio-toilets for use by civilians. Scheduled to be dedicated to the nation on Sunday at Dhamra, 64 km from Bhadrak district, the bio-toilets project was conceived by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with Ministry of Rural Development.
With the objective of reducing open defecation and increasing sanitation, the project has been based on DRDO’s Bio-Digester technology developed by Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE), Gwalior, and Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), Tezpur, two constituent laboratories under DRDO.
The technology was used to decompose biological waste generated by soldiers deployed in high-altitude regions such as Siachen and Ladakh. It degrades and converts the human waste into usable water and gasses in an eco-friendly manner. The generated gas can be utilised for energy/cooking and water for irrigation purposes. The process involves the bacteria which feeds upon the fecal matter inside the tank, through anaerobic process which finally degrades the matter and releases methane gas that can be used for cooking, along with the treated water. Highlighting the technical aspects and features of bio-digester technology, Dr W Selvamurthy, Chief Controller (R&D Life Science & International Cooperation) stated, “The bio digester technology is an innovative and cost effective solution for a mega problem of water pollution and health hazard due to open defecation.
The effluent coming out of the bio digesters is odourless and harmless and could be used for gardening and irrigation as well. Minister of State (I/C) Statistics and Programme Implementation and Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Srikant Jena and Minister of Rural Development and Drinking Water and Sanitation, Government of India, Jairam Ramesh are expected to be present at the inauguration.
The research body held a meeting with the RD Minister introducing him to the new technology and desired it be adopted in the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) that funds construction of toilets in rural households. Earlier, DRDO and FICCI had entered into a MoU for DRDO-FICCI Accelerated Technology Assessment & Commercialisation (ATAC) programme.
The DRDO-FICCI ATAC programme is a unique initiative of DRDO and FICCI that aims for commercialisation of cutting edge technologies developed by various DRDO labs for civilian applications. The RD Ministry will be implementing bio- toilets in its sanitation campaign providing privacy to rural folks apart from dealing with waste management. CTRAN Consulting, a BASIX group company dealing with sustainability solutions, has provided techno-managerial coordination for this project.
Bio-digester would cost Rs 15,000 (approx) and plans are afoot to launch it in thousands of gram panchayats.
Event: Inauguration of First Eco-Friendly, Bio digester Toilets at Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh
Esteemed government leaders, scientists and sevaks gathered together today to officially inaugurate the new eco-friendly, bio-digester toilets built at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh through the cooperation and hard work of DRDO, FICCI and Ganga Action Parivar. These toilets, which provide an environmentally-friendly and sustainable solution to the major sewage crisis India is facing, are the beginning of a partnership between these three entities which will help to bring eco-friendly toilets throughout the Ganga River Basin. In the first stage alone, 5,000 toilet blocks will be built hand-in-hand along the banks of Ganga in Uttarakhand.
To dedicate this historic step towards a clean and green India, many top leaders from both the Uttarakhand state government as well as the Central government alongside top scientists and directors, including:
Shri Aziz Qureshiji, Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand
Shri Pritam Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Uttarakhand
Shri Surendra Rakesh, Hon’ble Minister of Social Welfare and Transport, Uttarakhand
Shri Satpal Maharaj, Hon’ble Member of Lok Sabha and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Defence
Shri Harish Rawat, Hon’ble Union Minister of State, Parliamentary Affairs, Agriculture and Food Processing Industry, Government of India
Shri Nirankar Saxena, Senior Director, FICCI
Dr. Lokendra Singh, Director of Life Sciences, DRDO
Shri S. Radhakrishnan, Director, DI2TM, DRDO
Shri R. Krishnan, Director – HR, BHEL
Shri S. Sundaresh, Chief Controller, R&D (ACE&SI), DRDO
The Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand praised the resolve of the DRDO, FICCI, GAP and the Parmarth family in its dedication to environmental protection and the betterment of India’s homes, villages, towns and cities. He recognized how building toilets in public places and girls’ schools will not only help the state in remaining clean but will also be a great facility for tourists and pilgrims. In addition, it will help save women’s dignity and promote women’s education, thus toilets are a must across villages and cities.
Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, founder of Ganga Action Parivar, spoke on how it is everyone’s right to live with dignity, and thus current practices related to sewage management, such as manual scavenging, must be eliminated. Pujya Swamiji detailed how lack of toilets in villages, girls’ schools and elsewhere is a true curse on society, as it creates innumerable difficulties in so many lives. Women in villages must wait until it is dark to go to relieve themselves, causing many stomach and bowel issues and diseases. To protect their dignity, they must stand up every time a person or a vehicle passes by, and to avoid this women often walk out into dark areas and jungles to go to the bathroom – a very dangerous practice.
Pujya Swamiji also spoke about how building toilets is necessary for maintaining Gangaji’s purity and cleanliness, and that by building eco-friendly toilets within the Ganga Basin will not only help keep the environment clean, but will help our culture shine everywhere.
“Open defecation is blot on our culture.” – His Excellency, Dr Aziz Quresh–Governer Of Uttrakhand
“Toilets are a must for saving women’s honour.” – His Excellency, Dr Aziz Quresh–Governer Of Uttarakhand
“For environmental protection and the promotion of cleanliness, both industrial and spiritual institutions must come forward.” – Harish Rawatji
“Cleanliness of the environment and Gangaji will radiate our culture.” – Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji
DRDO unveils eco-friendly complex based on bio-digester tech – The Economic Times
PTI Feb 26, 2014,
NEW DELHI: DRDO is achieving many successes on technology front and is being recognised for the facilities it has developed for the welfare of people, Avinash Chander, Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister, said today.
Chander, who is also Defence, R&D, Secretary, appreciated the efforts of DRDO while inaugurating Anusandhan Vihar, a self-contained residential complex at DRDO Estate
The 5.4-acre eco-friendly complex consists of 56 Type V & 56 Type IV accommodations sports and children park facilities, a DRDO statement said, adding that the highlight of the complex is that it is first ever residential complex based on DRDO-developed bio-digester technology for sewage treatment.
“The entire water is recycled for various purposes including treated flush water for arboriculture, soft water for bathing and washing purposes each of 2-lakh litre capacity and treated water of 80000-ltr per day capacity for drinking and cooking purposes,” it said.
As per a study carried out by Defence Terrain Research Laboratory, the ecological balance of the area is maintained because the complex has adequate amount of greenery, it said.
DRDO said it has signed MoUs with various states, Union Territories, FICCI and Ganga Action Plan for installation of more than 18000 bio toilets across the country based on the bio-digester technology.
Over 10000 bio-digesters are being installed in various types of passenger coaches of the Indian Railways.
Event: Bhoomi Puja for New Biodigester Toilets with Vivek Oberoi – 26 Feb 2014
Today at the final day of the Kumbha Mela, Vivek Oberoi took a pledge for the construction of the first 2 toilet complexes being built by a partnership between Ganga Action Parivar, DRDO and FICCI. Led by Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, the Founder of Ganga Action Parivar and President of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh, Vivek performed puja, yagna and a ceremonial “bhoomi puja” blessing for bricks to be used in the eco-friendly, bio-digester toilet complexes. The first toilet complex built by the partnership of Ganga Action Parivar, DRDO and FICCI was inaugurated at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh by the hands of the Honourable Governor of Uttarakhand; the second toilet complex was inaugurated at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh, by the hands of revered saints of all the world’s religions at a huge “Environmental Protection for World Peace” event held on November 3, 2012 in honor of Pujya Swami Chidanandji’s 60th birthday. Now, further complexes are being built throughout Uttarakhand, and plans are underway for construction in Uttar Pradesh as well, including here in Allahabad. The 2 toilet complexes sponsored by Vivek will be located here in Allahabad and in the sacred teerth of Badrinath.
Last night, on February 25th, at the Ganga Action Parivar Camp, Pujya Swami Chidanandji showed a film which had been made on the need for toilets. The lack of proper toilet facilities is not only a major factor contributing to pollution in Ganga, Yamuna and all rivers, but also is a source of violence, fear and illness in girls and women. Embarrassed to go to the toilet in the daytime, they suffer innumerable ailments from holding until the dark of night. Then, in the dark of night, they fall prey to wild animals and violent men. Hence, the toilet program initiated by Pujya Swamiji is an answer to problems faced by Mother Ganga, Mother Yamuna and all the young and old girls and women living on their banks.
Said Pujya Swami Chidanandji: “Every time we drive and I see women and girls having to jump up in the middle of answering nature’s calls due to shame of passing cars, it hurts my heart and I feel that we are inflicting great physical and emotional violence against our “Matri Shakti” by not providing them with safe, available places to go to the toilet. Also, lack of toilets is one of the main reasons for young girls dropping out of school, so we are committed to building toilets in schools so our young girls can continue their studies. Our temples purify our minds and thoughts, but a toilet is necessary for the body. Just as temples are crucial for spiritual health, so are toilets crucial for physical health. That is why, after decades of building temples, I am now focused on building toilets.”
Said Vivek Oberoi: “I am so glad to be part of such an important initiative which not only helps keep Mother Ganga clean but which also is seva for all of our mothers and sisters — of every age — who don’t have access to toilets and must brave the jungle and rapists in the dark of night. Giving our women the dignity they deserve is our duty.”
Members of Ganga Action Parivar explained that currently, much of India’s sewage is disposed of within water bodies such as the Ganga. The Ganga is deluged with nearly 2 billion liters of human waste a day, while being the sole source of drinking water to a population approximating that of the United States, Canada and Russia combined. The resulting public health crisis has taken a tremendous toll. According to the World Bank, 21% of communicable diseases in India are related to unsafe water. Of these diseases, diarrhea alone is responsible for over 1,600 deaths each day.
The DRDO-Developed Biodigester uses no chemicals and requires no electricity, nor moving parts. Rather, the biodigester tanks provide an oxygen-free environment within which harmless bacteria dissolve all sewage. What’s left is clear, 99% pathogen-free water, which is rich in agricultural nourishments, and odor-free methane gas which can then be utilized as a fabulous source of energy. Cars have been developed which can reach a top speed of over 180 kph which are fueled for an entire year from the biogas produced from the sewage of just 70 homes. A consortium of Japanese auto makers reports that this fuel can potentially cut carbon emissions by 75%.
By Pradip R Sagar Published: 02nd Nov 2014 06:06:55 AM The New Indian Express – The Sunday Standard
Vigilant Indian soldier – Siachen
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surprise visit this Diwali to the world’s highest battlefield, Siachen, to applaud the Indian army troops deployed there again brought into national focus the difficulty of operating under such adverse climatic conditions.
A study by Defence Research and Development Organisation, India’s premier defence research institute, to find solutions and shorten the acclimatization period has been junked by the Army.
Keeping unforeseen events in mind, the Army wanted to reduce the pre-acclimatisation training period to faster deploy its troops to high-altitude locations in cases of emergency. And for this, the DRDO was mandated to carry out a study on how to reduce the pre-acclimatisation training period in May 2009 with budget of over `3 crore. Delhi-based Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), a wing of DRDO, carried out the study for which they selected 210 soldiers. In order to study the soldiers’ physiology changes, they were asked to stay in a make-shift chamber filled with nitrogen for intermittent periods. But the Army has rubbished the study report and criticised the methods adopted by the DIPAS scientists.
In a strongly worded four-page letter to DIPAS on 10 September, the office of the Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) has raised serious objections and sought explanation on various key points related to the study including selection of troops for the study, use of multiple investigators to collect data, use of master step test as an indicator of exercise performance for high altitude and disparity in heart rate date from the same cohort at different points of the report.
DIPAS had used intermittent hypoxia study at sea level before dispatching soldiers to high-altitude locations. Explaining the terminology, a DRDO scientist said that Intermittent Hypoxic Training (IHT) is a test protocol usually given to the individual with reduced oxygen concentration as prevailed in high altitude for pre-acclimatising them at sea level in a normobaric hypoxic chamber, before they are deployed for high mountain warfare.
On the basis the outcome of the study, two costly normobaric hypoxic chambers were planned to be set up in Chandigarh to cater northern command and Sukhna for eastern command troops with a cost of over `10 lakh.
Reacting strongly to the samples of troops taken, that had men who had already served in high-altitude postings, the DGAFMS raised concerns on the validity of conclusions drawn from the data presented. While seeking justification for the selection of re-inductees as study subjects, the Army has said, “Current knowledge on the phenomenon of de-acclimatisation is limited. It is accepted by many experts in the field that certain physiological changes induces on exposure on high altitude may persist beyond one month of return to sea level.”
“Hence the choice of re-inductees as study subjects raises questions about the validity of date being presented, especially since the aim of the project is to extrapolate the findings to healthy soldiers being rapidly inducted to high altitude, in all probability, for the first time,” DGAFMC said in his detailed response to DIPAS study.
When contacted, DRDO spokesperson Ravi Gupta refused to comment as it is a classified matter.
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