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

Warm greetings!

Nearly two years since I didn't open my blog and write. Several other activities took precedence on my time. 

Friends keep insisting that I should write, in this column. 

Yes, sure, I will now write.

With warm greetings to all.....

D. Jayarama Bhat