Summary of Special Lecture
Delivered by Dr. Kumaravel, IFS
State Planning Commission, Government of Tamil Nadu

A special lecture in connection with Technology Transfer for Rural Development was organized by MCRC on 12th October, 2010. Dr. Kumaravel, IFS, State Planning Commission, Govt. of Tamil Nadu delivered a lecture on “Nature is Our Future”. His lecture focused on Health of Hills and Wealth of Plains, not only brought out the current statistics on biodiversity of flora or fauna of each of these habitats, but also reasons for the exodus of people from rural to urban areas. The consequences of undoing the important done things of the past and the necessity for doing the undone tasks were insisted from the sustainable perspective. He affirmed on managing the environment in a holistic manner by highlighting the importance of widening and strengthening the primary sector with simple pictorial representations on cone and cup ice creams. The nutritive value and the availability of protein supplements were emphasized. A light was thrown on the dual advantages on the usage of bamboo biochar as a favorable environment for the growth of microorganisms as well as the reduction of chemical fertilizers to 1/20th. He mentioned about the significance of bamboo farming, cogeneration of food and wood, mushroom cultivation, biomass gassifiers etc. are a few proposals under consideration in the agenda of Tamil Nadu government. He also explained the enhancement of the quality of vermicasting by inoculation of VAM, Rhizobium, Phosphobacteria and Azospirillum to the medium resulting in fortification of the castings with beneficial bacteria in manifold strength. He also addressed few problems encountered on account CO2 emission from energy production unit, disposal of TDS from textile dye and leather industries etc. and recommended possible remedies. He interacted with research scholars and scientists of the institute and gave suggestions on a few possible avenues to work on.

Welcome address by Dr. K. Perumal, Deputy Director (R&D and Admin) (from left) Mr. M.V. murugappan, Chairman, Dr. Kumaravelu, IFS, State Planning Commission, Mr. N. Mahatvaraj, Member Secretry and Dr. S. Seshadri, Director (R&D)		Special Lecture by Thiru Dr. Kumaravelu, IFS, State Planning Commission of Tamil Nadu
Ms. Mathumathi, Research Scholar interacting with chief guest		Mr. R. Karthic, Research Scholar interacting with chief guest
Mr. M.V. Murugappan, Chairman presenting  a memento to chief guest