North-East Indian teachers get expert training in handling lab instruments

New Delhi: Recently the biotechnology teachers from the North East states were trained by experts for three days on Lab instrumentation and biotech approach to Swachh Bharat.

While inaugurating the programme Dr Madhan Mohan, Adviser, DBT said that BLiSS is a unique program to address the ground realities of the North Eastern Region. He pointed out that very few students in NER region opt for science stream due to reasons like lack of interest or infrastructure — poor lab facilities in schools at senior secondary level. “The BliSS programme sought address this by strengthening Human Resource Development in the region to fill this gap,” Dr Madhan Mohan stressed.

Dr Pavan Jutur, Scientist of ICGEB elaborated on the basic principles of working of instruments in the lab, particularly in biotechnology. He added that biotechnology is booming and explained how it can be used to harness natural resources. “DBT in particular is using biotech method in strengthening Swachh Bharat initiative,” he specified.

Dr B C Sabata, Senior Scientific Officer, Department of Environment elaborated on the waste generation in the country and the magnitude of problems the waste create in the country. He said that it is the responsibility of the teachers to enlighten the students on waste management and waste disposal methods.

Dr Ranjan Nanda, Scientist, ICGEB told the teachers that various streams of biotechnology like industrial biotechnology, medical biotechnology and agricultural biotechnology are contributing immensely to the nation and with specific focus on missions like the Swachh Bharat mission.

During his presentation on instrumentation in basic biotechnology Dr Pawan Sharma, Senior Consultant, North Eastern Region-Biotechnology Programme Management Cell (NER-BPMC) said that equipment should not limit our biotechnological thinking or biotech mindset. “If school labs lack adequate amount of instruments lab stations can be build,” he further added.

Dr Desh Bandhu, president of Indian Environmental Society (IES) demonstrated the working of various instruments which can help teachers and their students learn about the environment and various changes occurring in the environment.

The ‘Lab instrumentation & Swachh Bharat’ training for teachers started on 15th May 2017 at Vishwa Yuvak Kendra, Chanakyapuri, Delhi.

DBT had launched its BLiSS program in 2015, under which Biotechnology Laboratories were established in 88 Senior Secondary Schools in North Eastern Region of India. The training of NER BliSS teachers was organized under this program.

DBT is one of the mentors of the BLiSS program. Biotech Consortium India Limited (BCIL) is also an important partner of the BLiSS initiative.