Polytics
@ Hariharan: I never intent to counter what others' say, but trying point the blind spots (if any), which we might miss some times. I have a huge respect for Govt organizations, I do hear/come across lots of politics in govt organizations through my collaborations, but they are 10x lesser than what I face in my organization on daily basis. However, I seldom allowed them impact me. அதற்காக நான் சொரணை இல்லாததவனென்று அர்த்தமில்லை. I strongly believe, every issues and politics has an opportunity hidden in them to learn and keep sailing. To be very honest, I am at the same energy level that I had during joining time in ITC, 9 years back with 10x higher politics in my surroundings. In fact, 'm super-charged now with my job.
@ Jerard: The essence of what you spoke is all about issues (I don't use the word "problems" in general) in Govt system, Primarily, these issues are applicable to an employee, only on the personal growth (such as promotions) and comfort zone (such as transfer to remote place and/or poor infra-structure etc.). But these issues / politics CAN NOT affect an employee, who is has pure intent for science and development and focused on his/her outcome irrespective of the comfort zone. This is not philosophy, but reality. Our surroundings may be contaminated (may be at a higher proportion), but let's not get carried away by those, is my pointer. "Science has become குரங்கு கையில் பூமாலை" - உண்மையாக இருக்கலாம் , அனால் நாமும் அந்த குரங்குகளில் ஒன்றாக மாறிவிடக்கூடாதென்பதே என் வேண்டுகோள். What is given to you (or anyone) is, one in million opportunities, let see its boundaries.
Well, back to what I said in FB about doubling farmers' income in Casuarina plantation is not in my plan. It is in the final implementation stage.
Despite of Casuarina, a coastal species, my little team has developed a drought tolerant inland clone, which yields (60-70 tons/acre) without additional fertilizer, while the existing clones across India in inland makes only 20-30 tons. This super clone not a GMO, not a hybrid, but a “transgressive seggregant”, a rare additive allelic genotype, validated through genomic selection. This is our last 9 years of work. Proved in all POC in MLTs and being registered in Dehradun as we speak.
As a first step, we are distributing clones to farmers at a very small scale this year to about 200 hectares. By 2019, we will distribute to 30,000 hectares, for which the multiplication sequence has already been initiated. This is only a beginning, and we would continue to increase the area and move towards north India. Along with the 2x wood yield, the new coppicing formula (my first defensive patent - free for farmers), the yield is expected to raise 2.4x in the second rotation (proved in POCs), hence it would more than double the farmers' income. I would formally announce this new paper probably next year.
The plan is not just with one clone. There is also a "clonal mosaic" (genetically compatible multi-clones) in the pipeline, which is our super clone-version 2.0, would hit the farmers by 2020, and that module would stand against most pest & diseases by design.
In my organization, I am usually less regarded, because most of my programs are relatively less remunerative to the company. In general, 5x is a minimum standard expected outcome in ITC for a program (meaning, with 100 crore money given, I need to show 500 crore profit per annum). I usually miss this, hence my team is less prioritized in most aspects. However, during many of POC visits, when farmer asks with excitation, Sir, can I get another 1 lakh ramets of this clone before you release?", I get super-charged. Beurocracy- யாவது, மண்னங்கட்டியாவது. இதை விட வேறென்ன வேண்டும்.
Peace