A seminal scientist known for his many breakthroughs, a scholar extraordinary, an educational administrator with a rare vision and vitality, Professor Siba Prasad Adhikary has taken over as Vice-Chancellor of the Fakir Mohan University, Baleswar. He worked as a lecturer and a Reader in Botany till 2002 and assumed the mantle of Professorship at the Utkal University from 2002 to 2009. Then, he occupied the position of Professor and Head of the Department of Biotechnology at the Visva Bharati University, West Bengal before taking his present position. The major thrust in his research lies in bio-fertilisers and organic fertilisers from marine algae for various crops including extension of the technology for benefit of farmers. His research on bio deterioration of stone monuments of India and their conservation is a chink in his armour. He was conferred the Dr BP Pal National Environmental Fellowship on Biodiversity by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests for his research on biodiversity of algae. He has published 223 research papers in national and international journals and has successfully guided 27 research scholars to obtain PhD. Besides, he has authored five books and monographs while contributing 57 chapters of much value in different books from home and abroad. He has also left his debut as a postdoctoral scholar and a visiting scientist in Germany, Japan, Czech Republic, Italy, Slovak Republic and Hungary. In an interview to The Pioneer, Prof Adhikari spoke to Sugyan Choudhury on many aspects of education, science, research and society.
You’re a noted expert in the field of bio-deterioration of stone temples and monuments. What are your suggestions to restore the Jagannath Temple structureIJ
India is a treasure trove for art and architecture. Throughout India, we have gigantic stone temples, especially in Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Agra and Delhi; caves in Maharashtra, most of which were colonised with coloured bio-films on their surfaces that led to various degrees of deterioration. The ASI looks after conservation of these structures and follows methods which have not changed much over the years. Chemical treatment by unskilled workers and methods recommended by the UNESCO for conservation of European monuments are being followed in India though the target microorganisms in the bio-films of the temperate and tropical regions are different. Hence, day by day, we are losing the heritage structures which are the pride of our nation that depict how much developed we were in the scientific skills of building gigantic stone monuments.
Our research group at the Utkal University during 1994 to 2009 and subsequently at Visva Bharati worked on the bio-deterioration of stone monuments and their conservation strategies, executed projects from the Union MOEF as well as a bilateral collaboration with University of Rome "Tor Vergata" on the subject supported by the Government of India’s Science and Technology Department from 2005 to 2008. The work is still continuing with bilateral visits through our respective universities. In Italy and many countries in the temperate zones, use of physical methods of control like use of blue light to restrict microbial growth after removal of bio-films using appropriate chemical agents specially developed after studying response of the colonising species is followed.
Recently, there is a report of the structural changes of Jagamohan of the Jagannath Temple. Many organisations and advisors to the temple authorities are interacting with the ASI. All give suggestions whatever they feel appropriate, possibly without investigating the real cause. Strange PIls are filed by some and judgment is given directing the Government and temple authorities to make restoration work soon to save the structures without knowing who will do the work, how many days it will take, whether to do the work in a hurry to satisfy people’s sentiments or really to find out a solution interacting with experts regionally, nationally and globally. I feel PIls will not solve this problem and any steps taken in a hurry without proper investigation will lead to further deterioration.
In India, the Government and public have an idea that what IITs suggest is a perfect solution. In this case, IIT Madras experts are invited. I wish to mention that the very year we had the DST project with Italy on stone deterioration of Indian temples, the IIT Madras had a similar project from DST also in collaboration with Italy for conservation of buildings in earthquake-prone zones, not on monuments of cultural heritage. The deterioration of which is due to biological agents and their occurrence is regulated by the microclimatic regime. I don’t know whether they are competent to suggest in this field as I don’t find any research publications on this aspect of science from the IIT Madras. With this background, I suggest the Government should keep in touch with the UNESCO/Japanese Fund-in-Trust for the preservation of World Cultural Heritage which supported the team for safeguarding Angkor in Cambodia. The Japanese team did a commendable work for about 10 years and restored the gigantic stone temple complex, Angkor Wat, in Cambodia to its original state.
The ASI must be knowing this as there was a proposal, possibly by the Government of India about 15 years ago, to participate in the conservation of Angkor Wat restoration team. This JSA team of Japan has the expertise for conservation of stone monuments and has proven abilities which we should take to save the structure of our Jagannath Temple complex in a befitting manner. The only problem would be whether foreigners will be allowed inside the complex for restoration work. If JSA help is taken, the matter needs to be resolved first.
Being an Odia, and since the sentiments and faith of all Odias revolve around lord Jagannath, I as a scientist feel pain reading several contrasting statements and actions taken to save the Jagamohan. I hope my voice will be heard through The Pioneer and expertise of international experts is taken to save the temple following appropriate scientific process.
What are your prescriptions for inculcating scientific awareness urgently needed for our societyIJ
Cultivation of a scientific awareness is a bounden task for all of us to educate our society. Take for example, we have a very bad practice of throwing organic wastes to water after each religious ceremony at home or in public. Being a biologist, I find this is the main reason of organic pollution of water and consequent infection from toxin-producing microorganisms. This is an abominable practice which should be avoided at any cost. Throwing garbage to river pollutes it; and if this habit continues, we can never clean rivers like the Ganges, the Yamuna and other rivers and the Swachha Bharat Mission cannot be achieved. More and more garbage are usually thrown after a religious ceremony or a ritual. Nowhere is this practice existing in the world except India, and with a 1.2-billion population, every one practising such religious activity is bound to pollute water which is the first priority of India to stop the unhealthy practice in the name of rituals. Similarly, most people defecate in the open without using latrine. This should be stopped at once. There are hundreds of examples in our society where pollution occurs because of lack of a scientific attitude to life.
How can we eradicate blind beliefIJ
Even today, animal sacrifice is prevailing in villages. By explaining and educating the people, the extent of sacrifice has come down in my village. People are now going to hospitals for consultation when attacked by diarrhea, measles, malaria and dengue in villages and also for childbirth in hospitals. Hence, in India, a blind belief-stricken country, education is most important to eradicate blind beliefs, and scientific thinking and practice is required if we wish to transform near to the developed world.
What are your vision plans for the FM UniversityIJ
I shall leave no stones unturned to catapult this university to a higher qualitative and productive growth trajectory by intoning the academic and administrative wings and by taking a holistic approach in these regards. Actions have already begun in the above lines. This is the beginning of the end and not the end of the beginning.