I visited Malabar Botanical Garden, Calicut....

Last week, I had been to Kozhikode to conduct a PhD viva voce examination of a student of Calicut University. The job in Calicut University was over by lunch time.  My return journey being in a Goa-bound night train, I thought of meeting a close friend, a retired professor like me, Prof. P.V. Madhusoodhanan, former Head of Botany, Calicut University, who is currently engaged in developing an ex situ conservatory of ferns and fern allies of Western Ghats at Malabar Botanical Garden and Institute of Plant Sciences, Kozhikode, Kerala.

Similar to Goa, Calicut is a historic, coastal city. Located in the close proximity about 8 km away from Kozhikode railway station on the south-east direction, the Malabar Botanical Garden (MBG) is a treasure grove of very unique plant-lot, especially aquatic/wetland plants which are otherwise fast depleting throughout our country due to habitat destruction. Prof. Madhusoodhanan arranged my transport to MBG and we spent the whole afternoon together looking at his rare plant collections. It was a great learning... Major attractions at MBG are the following –

Waterlilies (Family Nympheae) are beautiful aquatic plants. The MBG has a collection of nearly 400 species of waterlilies from all over the country. These plants are so delicate that maintenance of them demands right ambient wetness and atmospheric humid temperature. Several of these waterlilies are already in the RET list. It is unbelievable but I saw a tiniest aquatic flowering plant, Ludwigia sedoies, measuring 1-2 mm diam., at MBG.

The MBG has a special herbal garden, named ‘Sanjeevani’, established in a 15 acre sloppy hill. More than 300 varieties of medicinal plants of Western Ghats, regularly used in the Indian traditional medicines and many reportedly endangered ones, are carefully nurtured here. A unique attraction at MBG is a ‘star-forest’, denoting 27 birth stars. The MBG has a vast collection of ornamentals, palms, fruit-trees, bamboos, shade-loving plants, spices and condiments and insectivorous plants.  

Another unique attraction of MBG is presentation of live plants described in the 300 year old monumental work Hortus Malabaricus written by van Rheed (1678-1703) at their ‘Hortus Valley’. The medicinal properties and traditional use of these plants, as described in the book, are displayed making it a heritage knowledge garden.

The Malabar Botanical Garden is an approved centre of research in Botany of the University of Calicut, especially for non-flowering terrestrial plants and aquatic flowering plants. The centre has a brief reference library, field laboratory, herbarium and botanical museum. Prof. Madhusoodhanan has carefully maintained a bryophyte conservatory; I am aware of his deep interest on these primitive, pioneer land-invaded plants. These plants are maintained in a specially erected conservatory with required humidity and temperature.

The Malabar Botanic Garden is an institution of Kerala State Council for Science, Technology & Environment, Science & Technology Department, Government of Kerala, and the contact aggress being Director, Malabar Botanical Garden, Post GA College, Kozhikode 673014, Kerala. www.mbgs.in.  They regularly provide training in horticulture and mushroom cultivation. I urge that those interested in plant wealth of our country should visit this unique conservatory called Malabar Botanical Garden whenever time permits.

D. Jayarama Bhat

With Professor Madhusudhanan at MBG

On completing the ‘Visiting Professor’ assignment, at the Department of Botany, Goa University (March-Oct 2015) .......

Yesterday was the last working day of my brief post-retirement assignment as Visiting Professor at the Department of Botany, Goa University. During past 8 months, I partly-shared teaching of mycology and plant pathology paper, theory and practicals, to Part 1 M.Sc. Botany students of Semester I (2015-16) and worked for the Asian Mycological Congress 2015 which we successfully organized during 7-10 October 2015. I enjoyed both activities.

Last week, on the eve of my readying to leave the University, Prof B. F. Rodrigues, Head of Botany Department, and Prof. M.K. Janarthanam, Dean of Faculty of Life Sciences and Environment, convened an informal meeting of students, research scholars and staff members, primarily to express appreciations to the student-volunteers who worked so hard for the success of Asian Mycological Congress 2015; the meet also expressed volumes of goodwill to me....! I am thankful to the staff and students for their kindnesses.

Post-retirement, from 2012 to date, I spent time partly at Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand, and a brief period in the Department of Botany, Goa University, both as Visiting Professor. Not only I participated in the teaching of mycology paper to graduate students but also assisted the research scholars with guidance on fungal taxonomy and correction of research papers. This is what I wanted to do until attaining 65. Therefore, I am truly happy....1

The success of Asian Mycological Congress 2015 was largely due to a ‘team-show’ by staff and students of Goa University. Everyone worked so hard and cohesively and the event turned out to be a grand success from its high-rated scientific content point of view. Delegates came from far and near Asian countries, Europe, Canada and USA, met each other and exchanged scientific knowledge on biology of fungi. Such high-powered scientific meetings are of immense impact on young and budding botanists (mycologists). Towering personalities in the field of  mycology from overseas such as Drs. Keith Seifert (Agriculture-Canada), Pedro Crous (Director-CBS, The Netherlands), John Dighton, Gordon W. Beakes, E.B. Gareth Jones; Peter Buchanan (New Zealand), Akira Suzuki, Toru Okuda, and many more from Japan; and renowned Indian mycologists, viz. Profs B.N. Johri (Pantnagar), C. Monoharachary (Hyderabad), D.J. Bagyaraj (Bengaluru), T. Satyanarayana (New Delhi), T.S. Suryanarayanan (Chennai), K.R. Sridhar (Mangalore), Sunil Deshmukh (New Delhi), T.N. Lakhanpal (HP), R.N. Kharwar (Varanasi), D.K. Upreti (Lucknow), R.C. Upadhyay (Solan), Durgadas Kasbekar (Hyderabad), Anant Padmanabhan (IMTECH), R.G. Bagool (Mumbai), K.V. Sankaran (KFRI), S.K. Singh and Rajesh Kumar (MACS-Pune), P.Y. Prakash (Manipal) and many more, descended to Goa for the AMC-2015. It was certainly a rare opportunity to the students of Botany and Microbiology of Goa University, meeting and interacting with the experts for 4 days.   

I enjoyed teaching and research, the most. Teaching and imparting knowledge is a noble profession. It is my firm convection that, given a correct motivation and continued training, our students get transformed into an excellent batch of credible human resource. Our students not only have the ability but also the interest. I am very happy with them and wish all students of botany the very best in their future. The Department of Botany Goa University has a good number of  dedicated, excellent research scholars. They will bring laurels to the Department. I have noticed that both the Registrar and the Vice Chancellor are supportive to all academic and research programmes of the Department. I felt deeply honoured having spent some time working at my own department at Goa University, for a brief second stint. It was truly a delightful and productive academic period. I wish the Department all well in its future endeavours.....

D. Jayarama Bhat  

Asian Mycological Congress 2015 and its impact.....

Since the AMC 2015 held during 7-10 October 2015 in Goa, there is renewed interest to procure my book ‘Fascinating Microfungi (Hyphomycetes) of Western Ghats – India’ (2010), published by M/s Broadway Book Centre, 1^st Floor, Ashirwad Building, 18^th June Road, Panaji-Goa, <www.bbcbooks.net>. The book is available on sale at the Publishers.  

One of the highlights in the book is an exclusive chapter on different methods or techniques used  in mycological studies. I have written in detail my personal ‘hands-on expertise’ of working with fungi collected from different habitats. Young mycologists constantly used the book for reference expressed their happiness with great enthusiasm.... I am more than humbled....

Those desiring to purchase the book may contact  the Publisher directly or through me...

D. Jayarama Bhat  

VIJAYADASHAMI......

VIJAYADASHAMI, also known as DASSEHRA, is an important festival in India. Following nav-ratri (9 nights) pujas, the 10^th day puja or 'dashami', is a festival with reference to victory of Bhagwaan Shri Ram over the demon king Ravana. The day also refers to victory of Goddess Durga over demon Mahishasur.

I am particularly interested in making reference of this day to commencement of and reaffirmation to education in young children. I believe, it is not enough if we are simply literate. It is important that we should be well-educated. Good education is the noble path for good future. In most houses in India, children keep books for puja, referred as ‘Saraswathi puja’, on the day of Vijayadashami. Goddess Saraswathi is inspiration for good education. After the puja, the books are taken out and read. The tradition, known from time memorial is well-practised with devotion even today, in all parts of India.

Goddess Saraswathi is symbol of good learning and attainment of wisdom and refinement. It is a divine force for knowledge-building in all aspects education including science and technology. This auspicious day is used to initiate good work and inaugurate good institutes. I understand that the renowned educationalist late Pandit Man Mohan Malaviya founded the famous Banaras Hindu University on the Vijayadashami Day in 1916. I will soon be visiting the Institute of Agricultural Sciences at BHU, Varanasi, to give a few special lectures on Mycology & Plant Pathology....      

Upon Dassehra holidays, my grand-daughter came for a week and we faithfully celebrated the Saraswathi puja. May Goddess Saraswathi bless us all with good education and all well-being....

D. Jayaram Bhat

ASIAN MYCOLOGICAL CONGRESS 2015 AND ITS IMPACT.............

As the AMC-2015 came to a close, several young students attended the Congress and genuinely interested to learn more, asked me if I could organize a few short-term ‘hands-on training workshops’ on various aspects of micro-fungi and their biology. Maximum query was on a basic issue, viz. single-spore isolation, culturing and taxonomic identification of fungi. As a teacher, I realize the urgency for such training because fungal identification is basic to all applied aspects of mycology and a large number of fungi from various habitats are yet to be collected, cultured and identified.  Unless we know what fungi we are handling, there is no creative science ahead, basic or applied. The idea of hands-on training workshop is good; then, how will we do this? I am pondering on the issue and will soon come out with a well-laid plan..........

D. Jayaram Bhat

Goa University conducted 'ASIAN MYCOLOGICAL CONGRESS 2015', during 7-10 Oct 2015

The Department of Botany, Goa University, in association with Mycological Society of India and Asian Mycological Association, organized an international biennial event ‘Asian Mycological Congress 2015' during 7-10 October at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Auditorium, Goa University. This 4-day event was inaugurated by Shri. Laxmikant Parsekar, Honb’le Chief Minister, Government of Goa, on 7^th Oct 2015. Dr Satish Shetye, Vice Chancellor, Goa University, presided over the inaugural function. Prof. B.N. Johri, President, Mycological Society of India, graced the occasion. Prof. V.P. Kamat, Registrar, Goa University, welcomed the gathering and Prof. B.F. Rodrigues, Head, Department of Botany, proposed vote of thanks. A special First-Day postal cover was released on the occasion. A Fungal Philately, inaugurated by the chief guest, was on exhibition on the occasion.   

Over 250 delegates attended the Asian Mycological Congress 2015 and of which 67 were from various Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Iran and Viet Nam.  More than 20 Japanese delegates, including several senior scientists and young researchers came to Goa and attended the AMC 2015.  In addition, mycologists from UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand and Germany participated and delivered lead lectures in the Congress. 

Various fungi-related issues such as biodiversity, biotechnology, molecular biology, agricultural mycology, medical mycology and culinary usage of fungi were presented and discussed in 4 plenary, 13 keynote, 113 oral and 115 poster papers, during the Congress.  A popular lecture entitled, ‘Five Microfungi that changed the World’, was delivered by Prof. Keith Seifert from Canada at Institute Menezes Braganza auditorium, Panaji, on 8^th October 2015 and a large number of people from all walks of life attended the session. An industry-academia interactive session was held at Goa Chamber of Commerce, Panaji, during the Congress. Former vice-President of BioCon, India, Shreekumar Suryanarayanan moderated the session. A special workshop on conservation of fungi was held during the Congress.

Prof. Keith Seifert, President of the International Mycological Association, Dr. Pedro W. Crous, Director, CBS, Netherlands, Prof. Gareth Jones, U.K., Dr Peter Buchanan, New Zealand and country representatives of the Asian Mycological Association were some of the renowned mycologists attended the Congress. Several leading Indian mycologists came to Goa and participated in the Congress.

The AMC-2015 was an intellectual feast to students and researchers working on fungal biology, biodiversity studies, taxonomy, medicine, industrial application, culinary usage, plant pathology and drug discovery. 

D. Jayarama Bhat

My visit to Tumkur University and keynote address at the National Conference of Indian Aerobiological Society on 28^th Sept 2015...

The 18^th Biennial Meeting and National Conference of the Indian Aerobiological Society were held at the Department of Science, Tumkur University, Tumakuru, Karnataka State, from 28^th to 30^th Sept. 2015 with a theme ‘IMPACT OF AEROSOLS ON HEALTH, HERITAGE AND ENVIRONMENT’.  Prof. A.H. Rajasab, Vice Chancellor, Tumkur University, himself a renowned aerobiologist, was the host. 

My relation to aerobiology was indirect and, therefore, I didn’t agree to deliver the keynote address for the Conference, initially. However, on insistence of Prof. Rajasab, I went to Thumakuru and spoke on ‘Advances in the Taxonomy of Fungi relevant to Aerobiology’, on 28^th Sept 2015. Sizable portion of bio-aerosol is composed of fungal spores and hyphal fragments. Mostly, these are dry spores of asexually reproducing fungi such as Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Drechslera, Epicoccum, Penicillium, Pithomyces, Spegazzinia, Tetraploa and many more. Some of them, species of  Aspergillus, Stachybotrys,  etc. cause allergies and mycotoxicity in human system, on inhaling. Some spores impact on structures of heritage importance. Most, of course, upset the quality of air.... Besides, there are spores of phytopathological significance such as smuts, rusts, powdery mildews, etc. air. Presently, fungal spores are largely diagnosed using photo-illustrations of fungi.

There is a sea-change in our understanding of fungal structure and taxonomy in the modern times. Besides morphology, molecular sequence analyses are used to understand the fungi and establish their phylogeny. I spoke in detail on this issue. I am sure that my talk has made an impact on the seminar proceedings.

Prof A.H. Rajasab, Vice Chancellor of Tumkur University and my good friend, took advantage of the occasion and felicitated me with a shawl, shree-phal, garland and a citation. I returned to Goa on the next day. Back home, looking at the citation, my thoughts roll out; ....there are people of great values such as Prof Rajasab who recognizes academic and research merits and honours them with fondness and affection! I am more than humbled.....!

D. Jayarama Bhat

Friends,

ASIAN MYCOLOGICAL CONGRESS 2015 (AMC 2015), will be held at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjii Stadium, Goa University, from 7^th to 10^th October 2015....

The Congress will be declared open on 7^th Oct 2015, at 9:30 am, by Shri. Laxmikant Parsekar, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, in the august presence of Dr. Satish Shetye, Vice Chancellor of Goa University, Shri. Siddharth Kunkolienkar, Hon. MLA, Panaji & Chairman, EDC, President, Mycological Society of India, President, Asian Mycological Association, invited guests and conference delegates from India and abroad.

Commemorating the AMC-2015, a Special Postal Cover will be released on the occasion. A Fungal philately will be on display at the venue on 7^th Oct 2015.

Elaborate preparations have gone into organization of the event.  It is a team work and we look forward to a grand and fruitful Congress. 

D. Jayarama Bhat

SWACHH BHARAT ABHIYAN = CLEAN INDIA MOVEMENT

Our Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Bhai Modiji, gave a clarion call for a ‘clean India’, a year ago.....

At that time, I was under the impression that this will be a short-term movement, people will respond seriously and we will have clean and healthy surroundings very soon. Indeed, our surroundings were not only dirty and littered with garbage of all kinds all around, but also deeply permeated with deafening public apathy. With Prime Minister’s wake-up call, lots of concern and awareness have been created in general public in the last one year and a number of public and private establishments initiated concrete measures for clean and healthy surroundings. Yet, most public places such as road sides, government buildings, bus shelters, etc. still remain littered with all kinds of refuses. Therefore, our Prime Minister’s ‘Swachh Bharat’ appeal remains a continuous movement, until all our surroundings become absolutely clean.

Lot of water has flown in the last one year. There are visible changes. I wish to give one example here:

Indian Railways took the ‘Swachh Bharat abhiyan’ as a serious business and are working towards the purpose. Most railways stations are now becoming clean and tidy. Two stations along the Konkan Railway route that I have personally seen, from cleanliness angle, include Mangalore Central and Mangalore Junction stations.  The platforms are clean and tidy; there are garbage bins everywhere; attendants continuously mop the floors and try to maintain the stations clean; the toilets in the retiring rooms are clean; bill boards are pasted at strategic places appealing for a clean premise. What else.....? It is now left to those numerous everyday commuters and general public who use the railways for travel to remain vigilant and concerned always and maintain the cleanliness. Indian Railways is a massive establishment. Unless we join hands, nothing will become a reality.....

Today, 2^nd October 2015, as we remember our great and iconic leaders, viz. late Shri Mahatma Gandhi and late Shri. Lal Bahadur Shasthri, on their birth anniversary, let us reiterate our pledge for not only a clean India for us but also a better India for our Generation next.......

D. Jayarama Bhat