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Genetics: A field to excavate for futuristic potentials

According to Edwin Grant Conklin, “what molecules and atoms and electrons are to physicists and chemists, chromosome and genes are to biologists”.

At the end of school days, as the students are at the verge of initiating their higher education, they develop a fairly vivid idea about their inclination towards a particular subject of interest. This decision is the most crucial stepping stone in the budding path of their career. If the science of life fascinates a student, then the curriculum of biology provides a basic introduction to different fields of biological science like botany, zoology, physiology, microbiology, genetics, etc. Some of these fields are classical while the others are contemporary with continuous addition of recent technologies and novel findings.

When a young scientific mind intends to unravel the mystery underlying the behaviour and characteristic features of the living world, the interrogation should be triggered at the level of DNA. DNA is an astonishing molecule that stores every possible information of all life forms: How they look like? Do they resemble their parents? How they function? Whether a person is more inclined to have a disease or whether a person can have some power to avoid a disease? How to increase yield of a crop? And many other questions find their answer in this central molecule of biology. In short, DNA is the language that writes the story of genes according to which the life forms enact.

What is Genetics all about?

Genetics, as a key field of biological science, is the blend of classical concepts of hereditary passage of genetic information from parent to offspring or of a population as a whole together with recent advancements of applied science as in genetic engineering, recombinant DNA technology, forensics and pharmacogenomics. The advancement in this field is now prompting the use of genetic information in designing disease treatment in an individualistic manner – the very essence of personalized medicine or “precision medicine” that may provide life-saving cues for ailments that are hard to treat. Using the concept of genomics and transcriptomics we can also increase sustainability of agriculture, improve crop production (genetically modified crops) to solve the global problem of food scarcity. As a major component of forensic science it is indispensable for solving cases of criminology, dubious parenthood and other issues of biological relevance under legal surveillance. Even the most complex form of genetic information is opening up through high throughput advancements like human genome project.

Components of the subject worth mentioning:

Classical genetics: Classical Genetics is the oldest discipline of genetics based on Mendelian inheritance that provided many insights into inherited traits and elucidated many inherited human disorders that were known to follow Mendel’s law of inheritance and were useful to explain the reappearance of disease within families.

Population genetics: Population genetics deals with genetic differences within and among populations, and the dynamics of how populations evolve as a result of the propagation of genetic mutations occurring within the germlines of individuals together with contribution of evolutionary attributes.

Conservation Genetics: Conservation genetics is an interdisciplinary extension of population genetics for conservation and restoration of biodiversity through comprehension of the dynamics of genes in populations.

Quantitative Genetics: Quantitative genetics deals with the genetics of traits that are continually fluctuating on the basis of alterations in the frequency distribution of traits that are difficult to assign in discrete phenotypic classes.

Ecological Genetics: It deals with features associated with fitness that are involved in interactions between/ within species, and between an organism and its environment.

Medical genetics: In the field of medicine it deals with application of genetics for diagnosis and management of genetic diseases apart from investigating the causes and inheritance of the disorders.

Immunogenetics: It refers to the scientific discipline that studies the molecular and genetic basis of the immune response with emphasis on immunological pathways as well as genetic variations that result in immune defects. It is a subfield of medical genetics.

Molecular genetics: Molecular genetics is concerned with the structure and function of genes at the molecular level and utilizes molecular biology tools and technique of genetic engineering to manipulate organism’s genome that gets translated through protein function to health and disease.

Human genetics: It involves the study of the human genome and the gene transmission from one generation to the next. It is an interdisciplinary field contributed by classical genetics, cytogenetics, molecular genetics, biochemical genetics, genomics, population genetics, developmental genetics, clinical genetics, and genetic counselling.

Combining the concepts derived from the above mentioned subfields of genetics, every now and then, new areas of scientific knowledge and research are coming up to find the answers of countless questions that are unaddressed till date in living world and its complexity. The new fields with immense potential for research activity that are worth mentioning are Genomics, Epigenomics, Metagenomics, Phramacogenomics, and many others.

Career options:

Genetic Counsellors –Due to increase in gene-based therapies and wellness treatments, there is a rise in demand for Genetic counsellors for Pedigree analysis, identification of risk factors, etc.
Forensic Science Research Associates/ Scientist – Law enforcement firms recruit geneticists to identify and analyze the evidences from DNA samples, tissue samples, etc. from potential crime scenes.
Genetic Scientist in Agriculture & Food – For food and agriculture based industries, new varieties of genetically modified crops are being generated by manipulating plant genes. The resultant varieties are generated for increased yield, resistance to pests and plant pathogens or for increasing tolerance of the plants for adverse environmental conditions. It is not limited to plants, the scientist work on animal breeds also to get a better variety.
Scientific Researcher – With a doctoral degree a student of genetics can work on a scientific project involving the study of various genes and their regulations to pave the way towards new discoveries like CRISPR gene editing. The Human Genome Project or the 1000 genome project is a hallmark achieved by genetic scientist.
Academic researcher: As an academic researcher one can apply his/her expertise and skills developed through study and research: as a teacher as well as a researcher. And contribute to journals and books with research articles and new findings.
Medical Scientist –The medical scientist can use sequence information to understand genetic disorders especially those with hereditary conditions and find a solution for them. They can address not only diseases of population in general but also at level of individuals based on response of his genome towards medication – the very essence of precision medicine or personalized medicine.
Scientific Content Writer –Scientific writing is a very lucrative career at present and in the coming years as it offers you to learn in the field of one’s mother subject as well as earn.

Genetics is the science of future. As all aspects of life are being questioned for improvisation or for addressing errors or deficiencies, the molecules regulating life are now and will always be in limelight and those molecules are indeed the DNA, RNA and proteins. Therefore innumerable DNA and RNA analysis are awaiting technical knowledge of upcoming geneticists. So the job and research prospect of genetics students are broadening day by day for the young people who aspires to do something new, something different. To open up the prospects of such promising career for our future students, Department of Microbiology from School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Adamas University is opening a new three year undergraduate course BSc with Honours in Genetics.

Curriculum: Addressing all the components in the field of genetics the courses offered include the following:

Fundamental Courses: Principles of Transmission genetics, Population and Evolutionary Genetics, Biochemistry, etc.
Advanced Courses: Immunology, Molecular Biology, Microbial genetics, Genomics & Proteomics, Nanotechnology, etc.
Applied Courses: Bioanalytical tools, Genetic modification in agriculture, food and medicine, Tools for gene expression analysis, Genetic disorder and gene therapy, etc.
Skill Enhancement Courses: Molecular diagnostics & genetic counselling, Basics of Forensic Science, Bioinformatics, Intellectual Property Right (IPR) etc.

With all technologically advanced laboratory facilities available and highly qualified faculty members who excel in their respective fields of expertise, our department presents a perfect ambience for the students to undertake BSc Honours in Genetics as a choice to begin their career.

Microbiologist: A prominent career choice for biology students

Biology aspirants at School level:

While the interest in studying biology at School level starts with understanding cells, both plants and animals, it takes a peak during the study of human system. While traditional zoology, botany and physiology creates the base for understanding biology, advancements in the form of microbiology, immunology, biotechnology, recombinant DNA technology etc. paves the path of inquisitiveness among the biology lovers at the school level. This lead to the selection of medical or non-medical biological subjects as career option for the aspirant biologists.

Exploring the less known world:

Microbiology has always been frontrunner among the choice of such biology-aspirants for their studies at undergraduate level beyond medical education (Refer: https://adamasuniversity.ac.in/microbiologyplus-the-most-promising-career-path-beyond-medical-education/ ).

‘Knowing the unknown and seeing the unseen” has been the trend of human acumen since the inception of human race. Microbiology stimulates this, with the challenge of finding novel microorganism (bacteria, virus, protozoa, algae etc.) and a plethora of their magnificent properties. Till date the share of known microorganisms has not even reached 1% posing immense prospect for the future. The microbial world extends from the hottest region of the world to the coolest, from the top of the Everest to the Mariana trench and from the gut of human to the solar panel. Diversity of microorganisms holds the key and charm to study the subject.

Knowledge, Skill and Competency development:

Striking balance between diversity as well as specialization is important during the selection of stream/ subject to be opted for career. The three major focus on the 3-4 year undergraduate degree as well as 1-2 years of post-graduate degree lies in the development of theoretical knowledge, technical skills and more importantly competency as life-long learner. Studies in microbiology provides a well-balanced blending of these enhancing theoretical knowledge to strive for innovation, hands-on skills to work in an industry/ research as well as gain like skills and competency to remain relevant and updated despite rapid technological evolution.

Curriculum:

Studies in microbiology at undergraduate as well as post graduate level is generally divided into several courses as mentioned in the following:

Fundamental Courses: Bacteriology, Virology, Biochemistry etc.
Advanced Courses: Immunology, molecular Biology, microbial genetics etc.
Applied Courses: Food and Dairy Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, Agricultural Microbiology, Industrial Microbiology etc.
Skill Enhancement Courses: Quality Control & Quality Assurance, Vaccine Technology, Bioinformatics, Intellectual Property Right (IPR) etc.

Most academic institutions follow a Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) to design their curriculum of Microbiology. However, a few institutions also offer ‘Outcome Based Education’, a student centric educational model employed to maximize learning outcome of the enrolled students.

Infrastructure, facility and Instructors:

Studies in microbiology require sophisticated instruments, well-equipped laboratories and well trained instructors to create a strong base for the students. Unfortunately, many institutions lack these facilities and treat it alongside other conventional subjects. The major requirements in supporting all round development of a microbiologists includes (not limited to):

Laboratory Facility (Basic): Laboratory with Bio-Safety Level: I (BSL-I)
Instruments (Basic): Microscope, Autoclave, Laminar Air Flow, Centrifuge etc.
Instruments (Sophisticated): -80°C freezer, Phase contrast microscope, UV-Vis Spectrophotometer, HPLC etc.
Facility: Animal Cell Culture, Plant Tissue Culture, Animal House etc.
Co curricular Facility: Tinkering Lab, Incubation Centre, Fabrication Lab etc.

technicians trained in microbiology. However, most of the institutes run the UG and PG program in microbiology employing faculty members from other domain of biology (e.g. botany, zoology etc.) not having requisite exposure and expertise in the core domains of microbiology. The emergence of microbiology as a specialized field of biology also demands the involvement and guidance of personnel from the field of microbiology for proper dissemination of knowledge and skill of aspirant microbiologists. People having relevant industrial exposure adds on significant weightage in terms of leveraging benefit to the students.

Career path:

Despite of the abundance of open source information and higher digital access/ literacy, career path remains unclear to most students at the entry level to graduation. Over rated courses, glorified outcome and rationalizing odd success stories make students a victim during admissions. The following career path of microbiologists are stated to uncover the potential strength as well as challenges to be faced:

Teaching: ‘Teacher shapes the future of the coming generation’ This still motivates a lot of students to take up teaching at various level viz. school, college or university as their preferred profession. Microbiology graduates are not only eligible to appear for most of the school level recruitment process (e.g. School Service Commission, WB) they find it ease during exam and highly relevant during teaching. Joining colleges (both govt. or private) after the completion of M.Sc. in Microbiology is a lucrative option while clearing NET (National Eligibility Test)is highly competitive. Teaching at university level having independent research career, guiding Ph.D. students is also highly sought after career.
Researcher/Scientists: Most of the students of microbiology aspire to pursue Ph.D. on completion of their M.Sc. and conduct research for creation of knowledge towards human and societal development. There are plenty of research institutes, universities offering position of Junior Research Fellow (JRF), Senior Research Fellow (SRF) in the domain of microbiology (e.g. IISER, IIT, Bose Institute, NIBMG, IACS, IICB etc.). Research funding is mostly obtained from government through Department of Science & Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) etc. The researchers receive good amount of fellowship during the PhD tenure, through these schemes. After completion of PhD, students join institutes as senior researchers or scientists. Alternatively, they continue their research as Post-Doctoral Fellow in India or Abroad. The offer of fellowship at this level is attractive and often higher than the salary offered through regular employment.
Industry: While knowledge is created at the university level, its implementation is seen in the industry. There is a boom of biotechnology and allied industries that require trained microbiologists at various level. UG level students are employed as Trainee, laboratory technicians etc. in the Quality Control, production department. While students completing M.Sc. are recruited as QC executive, microbiologists etc. Students having Ph.D. are mostly employed in the R&D division. It is to be emphasized that all pharmaceutical, food, biotech industries have definite requirements of microbiologists as a part of regulatory compliances. Hence, there lies a constant need of microbiologists at various industries.
Entrepreneurship: The present generation of students have found a suitable solution to the problem of unemployment by the creation of start-up employing their domain knowledge or interest. Several innovative ideas in the form of product or service has led to the development of enterprise making the students ‘job creators rather than job seekers’. Microbiology has enough scope of developing products related to medical, agricultural and also of inter-disciplinary nature that can be nurtured in the incubation facility in creating a start-up. The Govt. is constantly encouraging such activities with various financial and regulatory support through creation of proper start-up ecosystem at the higher educational institutions.

Thus, Microbiology offers enough scope of quenching thirst for knowledge, ignition towards innovation and having a successful career. However, the success highly depends on the quality of training obtained during academic tenure and perseverance.

5G Implementation to 6G Evolution in IoT

The change from landline phones to the movability that 1G distant advancement offered was an immense leap. However, in our view, the leap from 4G to 5G is in much the same way enormous, as 5G is the vessel that will broaden the Internet of Things (IoT) climate decisively. We expect the creating number of related contraptions passing on at higher multi-gigabit data speeds and dare to increase network capacity to work with 5G’s gathering rate. Besides, as individual and corporate clients experience 5G’s benefits, they will clear a path for 6G’s augmentation — which history proposes is most likely going to come sooner than later.

Key Points

Broadband IoT, including 4G and 5G far off headways, is ready to outperform 2G besides, 3G as the part that engages the greatest piece of IoT applications from one side of the planet to the other by 2027.
The amount of related IoT contraptions generally extended by around 9% in 2021 to 2.3 billion unique endpoints. Moreover, that number should pass twofold to more than 27billion when 2025.
The energy for 5G continues to grow with associations beforehand executing the advancement. 5G should make 4G old by 2030, along these lines, with everything taken into account 6G could be Again ready to change IoT.

5G Network Expected to Widespread in 2025

As with each new alliance, a mass get-together of 5G will take time, yet not as much time as its forerunners. The 3G social affair wasn’t fast due to purchasers floundering towards change and 3G’s more extreme expense networks. The clearest system for drawing in an agreed data network development combines exploring the speed at which past cell networks were made. Shipped off in 2001, 3G cell networks didn’t change into the norm until 2007, when clients embraced 3Gconnected phones — four years after 3G opened up and 16 years after 2G moderate accessibility opened up. Generally, 4G cell networks were conveyed in 2009 and changed into the standard four years eventually later in 2013 — two years faster than the 2G to 3G change and simply a brief timeframe after 3G shipped off.

Cell Information Network Ages as The Years Progressed

As per these certain examples, we expect 5G’s gathering rate to go on in the steps of 4G’s fast move to standard. After a restricted scope course of action in 2015, as attempts began testing 5G advancement, current appraisals suggest an overall inevitable gathering of 5G occurs in 2025 4G flexible enrolments are projected to top at 4.7 billion in Quarter 4 2021, and a short time later constantly decline to 3.3 billion around the completion of 2027, as 5G transforms into the fundamental participation choice.

Telecoms Report for 5G Adoption Evident Already

In its middle, 5G is planned to further develop the IoT’s buying experience. Purchasers will need to get to cloud organizations rolling from multiplayer cloud gaming, extended reality (AR)- filled shopping experiences, and permission to free robots for movements. As buyers experience 5G power, the more they’re likely going to research. Additionally, according to telecom providers, the word is getting out. Verizon itemized that 25% of its buyer distant clients used 5G-capable contraptions under a year after their conveyance, well before 4G’s 10% gathering rate a year after ship off. As a part of the 5G increment, telecoms are shutting down additional laid outages, including 3G, to reuse frequencies and work on their 4G and 5G associations. AT&T logically progressed away from the 3G relationship in February 2022 T-Mobile means to make a move as needs be in July, and Verizon before the ongoing year’s over by the completion of 2027, 40% of cell IoT affiliations should be broadband IoT (4G/5G).

5G’s Power on display

A couple of extraordinary IoT associations are early adopters of 5G advancement. From time to time, 5G made their more prepared models old. In various cases, 5G nudged the improvement of new advances. One model is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon, the association’s adaptable structures on a chip (SoC) thing suite. In handsets, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is the world’s most significant 5G modem-radiofrequency reply for showing up at a 10-gigabit download speed or 10,000 megabits. At this speed, colossal data records can be downloaded rapidly. For setting, 4K spouting across different contraptions expects around 100 megabits or 1% of Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s most extreme limit. Qualcomm checks that 5G-engaged handsets will show up at 750 million units sold in 2022. Cisco’s Catalyst 900X trading stage is another model. In light of Cisco’s Silicon One development, the 900X licenses the association to use quick Wi-Fi 6E sections to give 5G and cloud-based game plans. It expands the presence of existing cabling from 1 to 10 gigabits. Cisco hopes to offer 5G as an a-organization game plans commonly open to private endeavors, the advancement ability of which could be gigantic given the prerequisite for further developed data speeds, cloud accessibility, and flexibility in blend strategies. All around, attempts reliant upon security, similar to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and organizations, such as programming as-expert association, Zendesk, relied upon Cisco’s switch advancement. Cisco expects spending on private LTE and 5G association establishment by relationship to outperform $5.7 billion by 2024. Likewise, mechanical innovation association ABB worked together with frameworks organization and telecom association Ericsson to make the keen handling plants address what might be on the horizon. ABB expects to include 5G advancement to motorize client help with utilities, present-day, transport, and structure pieces. 5G should allow more modern office robots to exploit the cloud for more unmistakable figuring power and discard comparatively inefficient and extreme in-house central dealing with units or plans taking care of units. All the while, robots can be controlled utilizing a 5G remote organization inside a distance of 1.5 kMS and in any case show steady control, given 5G’s super-low torpidity capacities. The overall market for 5G in cloud mechanical innovation should create at a 79.2% form yearly improvement rate to reach $10.6 billion by 2028.

5G Adoption to Surface the Way for 6G

We guess that fundamental tailwinds ought to result from 5G’s ability to relate, all things considered, everyone and everything speedier and more strongly than any time in late memory. Additionally, 5G’s accelerated gathering rate near to its predecessors will set up the overall economy for an altogether faster rollout representing things to come. 6G, which could hit the market by 2030, will offer more imperative use of circled radio access association (RAN), terahertz (THz) range for essentially more prominent cut off, lower dormancy, and better reach sharing so various classes of clients can safely have a comparative repeat gathering. With inventive work in progress starting around 2020, 6G will progress IoT impressively further towards a possible destiny of totally savvy and autonomous structures. Regardless, first, we’ll embrace 5G and its benefits as a general rule, which are currently starting to show up.

Advantages of 5G Communication

Fast Speed: The zenith speed of 5G correspondence can reach to 10Gbps up and 20Gbps down. Clients can truly experience speeds of 50Mbps up and 100Mbps down.

High cut off: 5G correspondence network is prepared for supporting high-thickness contraption affiliations and high breaking point data transmission. The presentation rundown of a 5G correspondence network is 1,000,000 contraption relationships for each square kilometer. Meanwhile, the display record of a 5G correspondence network is 10Mbps data transmission capacity per square meter.

High unfaltering quality: 5G correspondences support significantly strong data affiliations. Additionally, a show indication of high steadfastness tends to 0.001% package incident rate. This speed is like fiber optic trades. 5G correspondence network utilizes the consideration and convenience of low repeat band and the high information move limit and high speed of high repeat band to give high trustworthiness correspondence to clients through multi-affiliation advancement.

Low deferral: 5G correspondence has unimaginably low dormancy. Moreover, the typical show record of 5G correspondence’s beginning to end inaction is 1ms.

Low power use: 5G correspondence can figure out the traits of low power usage in unambiguous circumstances. 5G correspondence maintains high rest/development extent and broadened rest when no data is conveyed. In low power wide locale association (LPWAN), IoT has a remarkable application prospect.

6G Infrastructure Scenarios

Other than the utilization of new recurrence goes, an examination concerning new organizations is necessary. While certain uses of 5G will likewise keep on being conveyed in the current 5G groups, which, over the long run, perhaps rethought to 6G.

Industrial Networks

While 5G was inventive in presenting the chance of industry 4.0, we infer that 6G will take colossal steps in changing the social occasion and creation processes. The improvement of present-day affiliations will rely on useful social affairs of current and future radio access advances to the key business 4.0 and past use cases. Current associations are viewed as privatized, zeroing in on insane persevering through quality and ultralow idleness.

The critical strategy use cases are:

Correspondence among sensors and robots
Trades across different robots for coordination of attempts
Correspondence between human current office heads and robots.

Right now, to accomplish the necessities for ultrahigh unwavering quality, most of the business approaches are going on a few spots in the extent of 3.4 and 3.8 GHz, where the spread divert is decently rich to the degree that diffraction ability. Regardless, machines with immense openness in the 6G period will likewise request high information rates close by advancing control and Al to have the decision to convey and manage top-quality visual information, drawing in robotized twins of machines and activities, too s remote inspecting. To this end, we expect the utilization of millimeter Wave frequencies notwithstanding bundles under 6 GHz for the present-day relationship over the going 10 years.

Wireless Personal Area Networks(WPANs)

One more area of affiliation is WPANS and far-off areas (WLANs). These WLANs’ astoundingly short affiliations may be under 0.5-1 m for WPANS and up to 30 m for WLANs. All window WLANs sight be reasonable for this application, taking into account that the affiliation money-related course of action can meet how episode when the higher windows are utilized and where genuine execution advancements exist.

Autonomous Vehicles and Smart Vehicles say Networks

6G could be utilized for data splitting between free vehicles and V2I. In any case, there are questions are expecting traffic conditions and brief distances considering showing up at deterrents talked about before will make the THz packs appropriate for this application. Further, in more, the speedy adaptable relationship between getting wires on train ate roofs and foundations can be utilized for transmission of both thriving’s fundamental data and outright pilgrim information. Such incredibly high rate joins are fitting for THz, yet the high cover ability makes serious areas of strength for beamforming bungles and expected issues with the Doppler spread. While the speed of current fast trains is fundamentally solid, and thus, shafts can be controlled in the right course settled on supposition, the required beamforming gain (and related thin bar width) makes the design touchy to even little deviations from the measures. Besides, high-rehash designs can comparatively be utilized for access among UES and radio wires in the lodges that outright the traveller information, like a (moving) area of interest. Recalling the arising 6G use cases, explicit prerequisites, new recurrent social events, and key sending conditions, we examine the developments expected to be the course of action of 6G radio and centre affiliation plans.

A gateway to clean and green energy

India’s economic revival post the two-and-a-half-month lockdown period could be channelized into searching for cleaner sources of energy that would benefit both nature and its inhabitants. To start with, the central government should look for ways to utilize abundant solar energy available in most parts of the country. In this case, the focal point should be to energise the nearly 39,000 non-electrified healthcare centres as well as numerous primary and secondary schools in the Indian countryside.

As of now, the Indian government hands out heavy subsidies to the fossil fuels sector. Instead of this, in an effort to kick-start the much needed clean energy revolution, the government may transfer the subsidies to the renewable energy sector, thereby enabling it to take small strides that could lead to giant leaps in the coming decades. United Nations climate body chief Patricia Espinosa said on April 22, “With this restart, a window of hope and opportunity opens, an opportunity for nations to green their recovery packages and shape the 21st-century economy in ways that are clean, green, healthy, safe and more resilient”. In fact, India’s own energy research centres, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), echoed similar views. A research fellow at CEEW, Karthik Ganesan, said, “There is a phenomenal opportunity for India in re-thinking if there is a better way of spending these (coal and oil and gas) subsidies to make them investment-worthy”.

Utilization

The present realities exhibit that organization enrichments for limitless power have trebled over the last five years to Rs 9,930 crore in 2019 from Rs 3,224 crore in 2014, as it were, driven by India’s assurance of setting up plants that could help generate an estimated 175 Giga Watt (GW) by 2022, according to the CEED report. In comparison, India spent more than Rs 80,000 crore towards subsidies for the coal, oil and gas industry. It is, therefore, apparent that, at present, India is spending an enormous amount of money towards non-renewable energy sources, which needs to change soon. In fact, the subsidies for the non-renewable sources exceed by seven times when compared to the renewable sources. Unless this is reversed, it will be extremely difficult to promote clean energy in India.

As of now, 56% of India’s electricity needs are generated from coal, 36% from oil and gas while about 3% is obtained from cleaner sources. However, India has made rapid strides in terms of utilizing renewable sources of energy – Renewables now amount to around 20% of India’s total installed power capacity, up from just 13% in 2014.

A good time to promote the use of renewable energy is now, after the resumption of industrial activities, post removal of lockdown, in an effort to meet any shortfall through renewable energy. Decisions and strategies made now will define the future since the benefits from these decisions will be visible only after 1-2 decades from now. Therefore, judicious use of fossil fuels on one hand and aggressive promotion of renewables are a good way forward.

Volatility of fossil fuels

Industries that are mostly run from power generated by coal and other fossil fuels had a period of nearly 10-15 years that were quite stressful. Case in point is the underperformance of the Indian coal-mining and coal-fired companies. In December 2018, Greenpeace reported an average loss of 10% per year from 2013, costing a total of Rs 25,000 crore in losses.

One among several research set-ups that study the usage and financial benefits of renewable energy source, Matt Gray from Carbon Tracker estimated the economic feasibility of countries that have invested their energy dependence on coal and also in order to recover from the effects of the lockdown imposed by COVID-19. In fact, he specifically cautions India against using coal to spur its industries back after the lockdown and cites a reason for it to support his claim. In India, 2% of the current 222 GW coal fleet is running at a loss; an additional 66 GW is in the pipeline anyway 23% of this will enter the market with a negative cash flow, the Carbon Tracker report said. Matt Gray’s report also adds, “51 per cent of operating coal power costs more to run than building new renewables”.

Setting up the renewable energy network

In order to effectively distribute the benefits of renewable energy, small units of solar power supply units may be supplied to small and medium scale industries as well as small residences in towns and cities. On the other hand, in remote rural areas of the country, electricity generated from solar cells could be used to power small rural schools, hospitals, etc. Although relatively higher initial capital costs tend to deter people from using solar or other renewable energy, funding for these may be allotted from government agencies as well as from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds in order to popularize such schemes. In fact, massive funding schemes, called KUSUM (meant to promote solar pumps), have been launched in order to promote the use of solar power in far-reaching areas of the country.

Some caveats must also be mentioned which deal with strengthening the existing electricity grid so that the grids are able to absorb the introduction of electricity supply from renewable energy sources. Moreover, it may take at least a few years before tangible benefits from renewable energy are financially visible. In addition, adequate training needs to be provided to workers who would be at the forefront of this massive changeover from conventional energy sources to unconventional sources. Ultimately, these actions could help steer India towards a path of recovery, make the air cleaner and, make sure that the inhabitants may experience clean, breathable air in the recent future.

Worldwide coal use in power generation must fall 80% below the 2010 levels by 2030 in order to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C, as per an examination conducted by the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The hitherto unexpected benefits obtained from a prolonged near-global lockdown will go to a complete waste unless coal and fossil fuel usage is limited and more and more renewable energy sources are promoted at an aggressive rate. It would only be possible if more countries realise the benefits as well as the urgency of the situation in tackling the disastrous effects of global warming and, therefore, take necessary steps that can mitigate damages done to the environment from unabated use of fossil fuels.

Choosing career during challenging time!

What do we learn from a challenging situation like this? Well, one of the take-home messages for all of us that by taking appropriate measure one can fight an adverse situation and turn it into a favourable one. Likewise, you need to take charge of the career of the ward and turn it into a successful one. The definition of “success” being debatable, you all must try to do something which leaves footprints on the path of development of society through technological breakthroughs.

What is the best in you?

The most common question one face during his school days is probably “what do you want to become in your life?”. It is asked with the intention to support your career. The most common applauded answer is probably as per traditional mindset such as doctor or engineer. But is it the only question that one should ask? Let’s take a lesson from the life of accomplished people. If we look at the life of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Mahatma Gandhi, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, Acharya J. C. Bose, Prof. C. V. Raman, Prof. Homi Bhabha, our president Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, then we find they are all known for their work and contribution towards society. They are not merely recognized by the career they choose. It’s their intention and actions rather than career options. Whichever field you choose, making an impact is most important.

So, you can say to your child, “what do you want to do in your life” is a more basic and pertinent question rather than “what do you want to become in your life”. If you concentrate on that question and explore what you want to do in our life then it would tell you what stream you should choose, what career you should choose and many more.

It is not an easy question and takes time to find an answer. The most common guiding line by the seniors is “pursue your dreams”. But dreaming without full information about the future possibilities is not an option you should go for!! In today’s world, where the job market and job roles are changing so fast, you should choose a stream that offers flexibility. Flexibility in terms of further study areas and flexibility in the career options. Science is the only stream that has the potential and diversity to offer this much flexibility.

Why Basic Science still today?

I hope, there is no doubt whatsoever in anyone’s mind about the importance and usefulness of basic science, even today! In fact, all the aspects of the development of humankind is marked by the progress of science. Because today’s science will create tomorrow’s technology. So, the question is not really about the utility of science but the prospect of a career in science. Somehow one misconception is there in the mind of common people that there is a limited job available to students of science disciplines. But in reality, this is just the opposite. If you take the example of any advanced country then the economic model they are following is that of the knowledge economy.

This knowledge economy is propelled by the rapid advancement of scientific innovation. Rapid innovation in science is only possible if you have a skilled workforce capable of carrying out cutting edge scientific research. In India, slowly and steadily we are also moving towards a knowledge-based economy. That is why one can see every company has its own dedicated R&D wing which seeks to employ thousands of employees trained in science. India’s transition to a knowledge-based economy is also reflected through various government initiatives like Atal Innovation Mission, Startup India etc. But that is about the high-end job. Traditional jobs like jobs in the government sector, teaching job in schools, Colleges and Universities and private sectors mostly employ people from science background. So we can say if you are talking about a job in science then it is limited only by your imagination. The possibility is limitless.

School of Basic and Applied Science (SOBAS) at Adamas University is committed to delivering quality education in science and applied areas of Science and at the same time to create world-class scientific knowledge.

To meet our objectives, we have created an ecosystem that focuses on three main areas:

(i) Teaching-Learning pedagogy (ii) Intellectual capital (iii) Infrastructure.

Let us briefly tell you about the features of these three areas:

(i) Process of delivering education:

Outcome-Based Education followed in major National and International Universities.
Choice Based Credit System for all programs.
Freedom to Choose an area of Specialization based on individual choice in Postgraduate program.
Regular monitoring of Syllabi by renowned external experts from Academia and Industry.
Learner-centric pedagogies.
Healthy Student-faculty ratio.
Equal attention to Theory as well Practical classes.
Uninterrupted class in every situation including pandemic (Online class, Smart Lab)
D2P: Every student (UG & PG) is encouraged to publish their dissertation in reputed peer-reviewed journals.
Academic & Industry Internship program in reputed organizations.
Number of Value Added Courses
Co-curricular Activities like National & International Conferences in Technical collaboration with reputed International Publishing Houses like IOPScience, Elsivier, Springer, AIP Publishing etc. , Seminars, Webinars, Field visits etc.
Various Extra-curricular Activities through different club activities like Writer’s club, Environmental Club, Film Club, Dance Club etc.
Adamas Comprehensive Excellence (ACE) scorecard to track the holistic growth & development of each student – regular monitoring by individual mentor
Special classes for competitive academic examinations (JAM, NET, GATE)
Special guidance for higher studies in abroad through Study Abroad Program
Special guidance for entrepreneurial & innovation activities through SOBAS Innovation & Incubation cell
Improvements of soft skills through various programs organized by Career Development Cell (CDC).
Regular career guidance and campus interviews organized by Career Development Cell
Single window grievance cell for students through SOBAS care.

(ii) Intellectual capital

Experienced Faculty Members with specializations in a wide range of Science & Applied science subjects.
Publication with major International journals
Experience in conducting high-quality research in India & abroad.
Experience in conducting sponsored research from Government agencies & Industry.
Regular update of knowledge through various Faculty Development programs, online courses.
Knowledge exchange and research collaboration through physical/online seminars, academic visits

(iii) Infrastructure

Smart Classroom with projector facilities
State of the Art Laboratories
High-End Computation Facility with many software like Mathematica, Matlab, R, Python, QGIS, SAGA, GIS, tnt MIPS etc.
The flexibility of conducting activities through online/offline mode.
Digital infrastructure like Canvas, Smart Lab, TCSion, Microsoft Teams, digital tablets etc.

Currently, we are running our programs through six domains – Chemistry, Environmental Science, Forensic sciences, Geography, Mathematics & Physics. Various Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Doctoral courses offered by these departments can be accessed through our website – https://science.adamasuniversity.ac.in/. Also, any queries regarding our school can be addressed to sobascare@adamasuniversity.ac.in.

Finally, to all our prospective students we would like to say, we harvest knowledge in its pure form, come join us in our quest and try to make a difference in tomorrow’s world!