IGEN FIRST NOBEL LAUREATE LECTURE BY NOBEL LAUREATE RICHARD J ROBERTS

The Institution of Green Engineers (IGEN) had successfully hosted First IGEN NOBEL LAUREATE LECTURE, in academic partner with K.P.R Institute of Engineering & Technology (KPRIET), by Prof Nobel Laureate Richard John Roberts on “Sustainable Agriculture”, 25th Aug 2020.

The objective of IGEN Nobel Laureate Lecture is to connect Nobel Laureate's experiences with the core research community, budding students and kids. An insightful take will make every responsible citizen of a country to recognize the necessity of balanced social, economic and environmental sustainability.

Dr.L. Ramesh, President of IGEN, expressed his pride and gladness while welcoming the multitude. He briefed IGEN’s mission of working towards UN Sustainable Development Goals (3,4,6,7,9,11,12,13 & 17) that are represented as VIBBGGYOR. He also mentioned the Young Green Innovative Army that is developed for encouraging Innovative products leading to provide solution for sustainable greener world.

Deliberating the objectives of IGEN Nobel Laureate Lecture Series (NLLS), Dr. M. Akila, the Organizing Secretary of NLLS ,highlighted its mission of connecting the Nobel Laureates of the globe under one forum. . She informed that NLLS strives to provide an insightful take for every responsible citizen of a country to recognize the necessity of balanced social, economic and environmental sustainability. He mentioned that four Pre Event was conducted in connection with IGEN Nobel Laureate Lecture Series 01, which are

Event 01 : Panel Discussion on “Sustainability of natural Resources ” , 15 Aug, 2020, Hosted by Team KPRIET, Watch Video @ https://youtu.be/tXJiCFDSGtg

Event 02 : Panel Discussion on “Need for Sustainable Agriculture in Academics” , 20 Aug, 2020, Moderated by IGEN Gokul, Watch Video @ https://youtu.be/ettigPYSBQI

Event 03 : Panel Discussion on “Sustainable Agriculture Ground Reality” , 22 Aug, 2020, Moderated by IGEN Selvakumar, Watch Video @ https://youtu.be/ahu2ibD9CY0

Event 04 : Press Conference on IGEN Nobel Laureate Lecture, 23 Aug, 2020, Hosted by ALLATRA TV https://youtu.be/aXggKwCf-M4

Dr S S Mantha , Board of Governor IGEN, Former Chairman AICTE and Chancellor, KL University has declared the first Nobel Laureate lecture series -1 open and also introduced our Nobel Laureate Sir Richard John Roberts, Chief Scientific Officer, New England, Biolabs, USA. Drenched in the intellectual spring of Sir Richard John Roberts, every researcher, academician, student fraternity and Industrialists would have quenched their curious minds with profound insights. The Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, concentrated on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) and elaborated the process founded by Marc Van Montagu, Jeff Schell and Mary Dell Chilton. The Laureate brought to light that around 800 million people suffer from hunger and recommended that food is their medicine. He detailed the campaign supported by 155 Nobel Laureates, acknowledging that GMO technology is safe and has to be supported for yielding better crops with added nutritional value.

Prof Nobel Laureate Richard John Roberts was introduced to the participants by the Dr G.R Subhashree and Dr Sumithra. Sir Roberts informed that the Nobel Laureates call for science honesty about GMOs was conceived in December, 2013 but was formally launched in 2016. He illustrated the distinction between conventional breeding and precision breeding, pointing out the transmission of GPS system from one car to another car as an instance. In the course of his explanation, he mentioned that it is the product that is important and not the method. He also pointed out that precision breeding has Agrobacterium with DNA to shoot new gene directly so as to reduce the time for new breed production.

Affirming that 2 million people die every year due to Vitamin –A deficiency, he stressed on the production of Golden Rice as a solution for the same. In continuation with the benefits of GMOs, he elucidated the technique of overcoming the Xanthomanas wilt disease of banana through transferring the genes in Sweet pepper by precision technique. He also recorded various other crops such as Casava, eggplant and papaya that could offer better yield through GMO solutions. Remarking the advantages of GMOs, he advocated that civil society, Religious leaders, Rotary Clubs and media must play an active role in voicing out its vitality.

He presented various case studies like,

(i) Golden rice i.e., inclusion of keratin in rice can help in fighting the deficiency of vitamin A, which is research output of Peter Jennings in 1984.
(ii) Though insulin is extracted from yeast it is not opposed as GMO product.
(iii) Green illusion, which indicates how millions of children died or suffer due to vitamin A deficiency.
(iv) Sweet pepper can be used as resistant to Xanthomonas Campestris (banana problem). Its field trials have also begun.
(v) Kenya and Uganda scientists have engineered a CBSV (Casava) resistant variety. Casava suffers from brown streak disease. He said that developing countries are also progressing themselves in GMO.
(vi) Fall Armyworm which is the new threat in Southern Africa for corn, have found a solution to the problem using GMO.
(vii) BTA plant technology has been executed for eggplant (brinjal) in Bangladesh. India has banned BT crops. GMO solutions should be allowed in India was his suggestion.
(viii) Rainbow papaya – GMO papaya in Hawaii is used in USA. 77% of the crop is genetically engineered. But in Thailand this solution is banned.

Two impressive ideas of Sir Roberts that drives a common man are food is a luxury and not a problem in developed countries and that there is need for more science in politics and less politics in science. Bearing in mind, the challenges of understanding the concept of GMOs, Sir Richards advised on offering scientific education to young children and a platform to express their understanding in public. On that note, he concluded that accomplishing zero hunger is never a fictional theory but a factual reality that could come true through GMOs.

In relation to the Nobel Laureate Lecture series, a total of 3 Pre- Virtual Panel discussions were conducted on said topic namely, ‘Sustainability of Natural Resources’, ‘Need for Sustainable Agriculture in Academics’ and ‘Sustainable Agriculture – Ground Reality and way forward’. In addition, International Online Competitions were also organised under four heads namely, Artistic Challenge for School Students; Talent Hunt for College Students; Creative Pitch Deck for Academicians, Industrialists and Professionals and Snap ‘n’ Share for General public. Out of the massive 2000 competitors, 12 winners were awarded with medals, shield and certificate duly signed by the Nobel Laureate and 15 of them were rewarded with medals and shields for their outstanding performance.

This momentous event came to a close with the concluding remarks of IGEN ambassador Dr. Ishrat Meera Mirzana. Further, Closing remarks were offered by Dr J.Balamurugan, Vice President IGEN and the vote of thanks was proposed by Er. Hudson Egbert, Secretary IGEN. Mr. D. Gokul, Organising Head, NLLS and Mr. Selvakumar, IGEN Member, acted as moderators for the quintessential event. Needless to say, the historical event proved to be an eye opener to the current young generation and undoubtedly IGEN has served its purpose of propagating the UN Sustainable Development goals across the globe.

Sir Richard was kind enough to answer the queries raised by the participants and by Ms.Anya and Mr. Alexander from Germany of Allatra TV and said that life is all about taking risks, so we have to be prepared to take risk to achieve success and provide sustainable solutions to the society.

Winners of the Multifold International online competitions conducted in line IGEN NLLS were announced.

It was a great achievement by the IGEN and Academic Partner KPRIET to initiate the Nobel Laureate Series and making the IGEN Nobel Lecture Series 01 as grand success.

IGEN President thanking the Organisation who Supported in the promotional activities of IGEN NLLS.
Directorate of Technical Education, Kerala
Karuna International Foundation

Watch IGEN NLLS Inauguration Video @ https://youtu.be/cMztRMMzca4

For IGEN Membership @ www.theigen.org

We care Mother Earth
Dr.M.Akila
Organising Secretary
IGEN NLLS

F1 RPNagar Ambatur
Chennai

In line with the UNESCO/ a healthy discussion was held between a group of technical experts across the globe / on greener environment and effective use of natural resources. This discussion/ lead to an effective conclusion of forming a nonprofit professional society named /“The Institution of Green Engineers”/(IGEN)

The IGEN works towards/ achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals/ (3, 4,6,7,9,11,12,13 & 17). It aims to be the solution provider/ for government policy drafting/, to develop Innovative products which in turn/ would lead to provide solution/ to sustainable greener world /and to organize activities through 9colour nonagon VIBBGGYOR society./

www.theigen.org

This release was published on openPR.