VOL. XXXIX NO. 47 PAGES 48 NEW DELHI 21 - 27 FEBRUARY 2015 ` 8.00

WEB EXCLUSIVESFollowing item is available in the WebExclusives section on www.employment-news.gov.in :

Budget as a Tool to Scale Up EconomicPotentials

For Informative articles on current affairsyou can also visit :www.facebook.com/yojanaJournalwww.facebook.com/publicationsdivision

Union Bank of India requires 49Forex Officer and Economist Last Date : 28.02.2015

(pg 22-23)Indian Overseas Bank requires 100Senior Manager -Credit Last Date : 06.03.2015 (pg 24)

BANK

Union Public Service Commissionnotifies Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical ServiceExamination, 2015 and CombinedGeo-Scientist and GeologistExamination, 2015 Last Date : 20.03.2015 (pg 2-16)

UPSC

Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (HQ)requires 95 Deputy Commissioner,Assistant Commissioner andPrincipal

(pg 26-27)

KVS

JOB HIGHLIGHTS

Turn over the pages for other vacan-cies in Banks, Armed Forces,Railways, PSUs and other Govt.Deptts

@ROZGAR_indiaFollow us on:

Visit our facebook pagefacebook.com/director.employmentnews

DEMOCRACY AND SOCIAL INCLUSIONAsh Narain Roy

T he twenty-first century has witnessed anew paradigm of governance. Thanks

to an array of citizens' movements, a newpyramid of democracy and a new currencyof power have come to the fore. Threetrends are discernible. First, power is easierto get, hard to hold and easier to lose.Second, there has been a displacement ofpower upwards(transnational networks,international organizations and big globalcompanies), downwards (local governmentinstitutions) and outward(non-profit organi-zations, NGOs and civil society). Third,there is withering away of institutional poli-tics and the dominance of day-to-day con-cerns in people's lives. Given thegradual shift from representative toparticipatory democracy, new actorshave appeared on the politicalscene. As such, traditional reposito-ries of power have become vulnera-ble to challenges from smaller, nim-ble entities.Globally, some of the most hopefuladvances are not the result of officialpolicies but of social movementsharnessing their own power. Themain demand from protestors acrossthe world has been for bigger andbetter democracy and real democra-cy. It is paradoxical how in a momentin which the mass media, political classesand institutions are focusing on economicissues, society is asking for a better democ-racy. Today democracy has become the pol-itics of everyday life. It is concerned withproblems closely related to people's lives-primary education, health, livelihood etc.More importantly, politics of everyday life isrooted in civil society. The 21st century hasalso witnessed a global trend towardsdemocratizing democracy. It is a processand framework in order to include womenand marginalized social groups in the dem-ocratic dialogue and process. It may be

called politics of difference.Why we need power to the people? First,the challenge of rapid growth requires newforms of governance and citizenship. It alsorequires active participation of all citizens.Representative democracy has failed tobecome a bridge between the state andsociety.Second, there is need to deepen democra-cy in ways so that ordinary people caneffectively participate in and influence poli-cies that directly affect their lives.Third, the reliance on participation andcapacities of ordinary people are the goalsthat can be reached at the local government

level.Power to the people is possible only at thelocal level. The real issue is not whether theparticipatory model is desirable but whetherany real participation is feasible within thepresent institutional framework of concen-trated powers. The Indian experience tellsus that decentralization of power throughthe panchayati raj can bring about this poli-tics of difference which in fact could be thepolitics of presence. The global experiencetoo suggests how local governance institu-tions are constantly breaking new ground inenhancing the quality of life and the quality

of local services.The introduction of the panchayat raj follow-ing the passage of the 73rd and 74thConstitutional amendments marked a newchapter in giving power to the people. Itcreated a new governance paradigm whereempowered local communities would takecontrol of their own destiny. The PanchayatiRaj Institutions (PRIs) have been envi-sioned not only as the third tier of govern-ment but also as the first tier of democracy.As Gandhiji had said, "true democracy can'tbe worked by twenty men sitting at the cen-tre. It has to be worked from below by peo-ple of every village." The new avatar of pan-

chayati raj is in line with Gandhiji'sidea of 'village swaraj'. It is "a com-plete republic. The government ofthe village has all the authority andjurisdiction required. This panchayatwill be the legislature, judiciary andexecutive combined."The functioning of the PRIs is amixed bag of some outstanding suc-cesses and equally significantreverses. Thanks to the reservationof seats for the historically disadvan-taged sections of people, gover-nance is today deeper and exten-sive. Reservations work to theadvantage of the disadvantagedgroups. At the same time, placing

elected representatives of these groups inpositions of power hasn't necessarily madethem holders of political power.As the mid-term appraisal of the PanchayatiRaj by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj someyears ago says, "Because of the affirmativeactions of this Act, Scheduled Castes areoccupying leadership positions in local bod-ies. However, their leadership has yet toachieve significantly the social acceptance,as envisaged in the spirit of theConstitution."

A rguably the most contentious subject intoday's era is "Biotechnology", popular-

ly believed to be a research oriented sci-ence. To define simply, it is the manipulationof biological processes to evolve repro-ducible methods and products to form atechnology that can be commercialized.Biotechnology uses living matter especiallycells and bacteria in evolving industrial pro-cedures. The responsible use of biotechnol-ogy is essential for integration of economic,social and environmental benefits that is theprime requisite for evolution of significantresearch from classical sciences like tradi-tional plant breeding, fermentation technolo-gies to modern sciences equipped withadvanced techniques like recombinant DNAtechnology, cell and molecular biology,genetic engineering and therapy. Thesetechniques are recurrently used to provideefficient synthesis systems producing lowtoxicity, biodegradable products, bioenergysustainable systems and renewableresources.The versatility of biotechnology is evi-denced by its innumerable applications. Itcan be categorised under three broad disci-plines: Medical Biotechnology,Environmental Biotechnology and IndustrialBiotechnology1. Medical biotechnology:Healthcare is our foremost concern andmedical biotechnology offers tremendousscope for designing novel drugs, to producevaccines, pharmaceutical recombinant pro-

teins like insulin, somatostatin, soma-totrophin, and diagnostic products that helptreat and prevent human diseases. Mostmedical biotechnologists work in academicor industrial surroundings. While industrialbiotechnologists are involved in developingvaccines or drugs, the academic laborato-ries encourage professionals to conductexperiments as part of medical research

studies; The medical biotechnology fieldhas helped commercialize insect-resistantcrops, microbial pesticides, and environ-mental clean-up systems.

Genetic Engineering: Biotechnology'sintervention in the area of animal husbandryhas improved animal breeding leading todevelopment of transgenic plants and ani-mals.

Clinical trials play a pivotal role in deter-mining the success of various endeavoursin the emerging and expanding field ofbiotechnology. Designing efficient clinicaltrials save time, and money, thereby

improving innumerable lives. 2. Environmental Biotechnology encom-passes old issues of ecology such as wastegas and water management, composting,hazardous soil pollutants, bio-magnificationthat are now addressed with biotechnologi-cal solutions involving microbes that envis-age abiotic and biotic factors. It may bereferred in the context of environmental pro-

tection since rapid urbanization and otherdevelopments have resulted in a pollutedenvironment and depleted naturalresources.

Soil Bio-treatment uses bacteria todegrade soil contaminants by ex situ (i.e.,above ground) or in situ (i.e., in place, inground) treatment based on the principle ofsoil composting.

Waste gas and Water Treatment bybiotechnology illustrates the current applica-tions of microbes in control of waste gasemission. The other aspect that can beaddressed by bio filtration an expanding

biotechnological application to maintain airquality by microbial metabolic processesarising from abatement of toxic volatile pol-lutants to the emission of annoying odours. 3. Industrial/ White Biotechnology usesmicro-organisms, or their enzymes to makebio-based products such as food and feed,paper and pulp, textiles, chemicals, deter-gents, and bioenergy (such as biofuels orbiogas).

Bio-fertilizers use microbes to enhancethe quality of seeds, insecticides, pesticidesand fertilizers that may be applied to growplants in soil that promote growth by sup-plying primary nutrients to the host plant.

Biofuels involves micro-organisms forimproving energy production through a bio-logical process of carbon fixation thatcoverts inorganic carbon into hydrocarbons.Biomass can be transformed directly intoliquid fuels called "biofuels," unlike anyother renewable energy sources. The twotypes of biofuels in use today are biodieseland ethanol.

Microbial biotechnology comprises thegenetic manipulation, exploitation, andalterations of microbes to make commer-cially valuable products which includes fer-mentation both upstream and downstreamprocesses.

Green Chemistry commonly referred toas sustainable chemistry relates to thedesign of chemical products and protocols

CAREER IN BIOTECHNOLOGYDr Anita Kamra Verma

Continued on page 48

Continued on page 48

48 www.employmentnews.gov.in Employment News 21 - 27 February 2015

DELHI POSTAL REGD. NO. DL-SW-1/4101/2015-17U(C)-108/2012-14 Licensed to Post without prepayment RNI 28728/76 N.D.P.S.O. New Delhi 20/21.02.2015 Date of Publishing : 16.02.2015 (` 8.00)

Air Surcharge 20p for Srinagar, Leh, Kalimpong, Imphal, Dimapur, Agartala, Duliajan, Karimganj, Chabua, Diphu, Dibrugarh, Tezpur, Haillakandi, Mariani, Jorhat, Shillong, Digboi, Silchar, Port Blair

Printed & Published by Dr. Sadhana Rout, Additional Director General, on behalf of Publications Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Govt. of India, New Delhi and Printed at Amar Ujala Publication Ltd., C-21 & 22,Sector-59, Noida-201301. Published from Employment News (Ministry of I. & B.) East Block-IV, Level-5, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-110066.

It further says that "caste-based identitiesand practices still continue to exclude themfrom exercising their leadership roles.Socio-economic vulnerabilities limit theircapacities and to act upon their claims andconcerns." But women's increasing role hasbegun to change the grammar of politics.Global experience suggests that whenwomen are empowered, all of society bene-fits. Countries where women have largepresence in parliament and local councils,governance is more inclusive, egalitarianand democratic. It is equally important to improve humandevelopment. But development should beseen as an expansion of human capabilitiesand freedoms. In measuring development,we need to factor in political freedoms, par-ticipation, empowerment and inclusion. AsAmartya Sen has famously said, a demo-cratic society, where people are free tomake choices, is better equipped to tacklepoverty. Many in India would prefer to bemildly poor but free than be confined to a gild-ed cage. Such is the power of democracy.

Power to the people will have a meaningwhen the polity and society become inclu-sive. An inclusive society is a society for allin which every individual, each with rights

and responsibilities, has an active role toplay. An inclusive society is also the onewhere voices of people and their needs andconcerns are heard. All citizens must have astake in their shared society.What makes some societies more inclusivethan others? Inclusive society can't just becreated through constitutional endowmentsbut also through practice and institutionalinnovations. There is also need for partici-

patory citizens, existence of strong civilsociety and respect for cultural diversity.Perhaps even more important is the need tocreate social citizenship.

Social exclusion is inextricably linked toinadequate realization of social rights. Aslong as the disadvantaged, minorities andAdivasis feel 'othered', their democratic citi-zenship will remain at risk. Social cohesionis not the same as social inclusion. Socialcohesion doesn't necessarily ensure socialinclusion. Social inclusion is a politicalresponse to exclusion. It is social cohesionplus. It is citizenship plus.

Indian society suffers from deep disparityand unequal distribution of wealth. In termsof access to and control over land and pro-ductive resources, the poor, Dalits, womenand Adivasis have a long way to go. But wehave begun to move towards inclusivity. Atleast in terms of policy formulations, wehave made a departure from "benefits ofgrowth' and "trickle down" to "inclusivegrowth' The Indian model of grassroots democra-cy is seeking to promote citizens' empow-erment and bottom-up accountability.India has a long way to go to achieve thatgoal. Empowerment is meant for sharingas opposed to snatching. Empowermentleads to entitlements. A number of sup-porting conditions is required to enablelocal governments to deliver better servic-es-political commitment, institutional par-ticipation and accountability mechanisms,adequate financial resources and the like.Perhaps India could have done better. Butthe good story is that India has begun to risefrom below.

(The author is Director, Institute of SocialSciences, New Delhi)

that decrease or eliminate thegeneration of perilous substances.

Bioremediation usesmicrobes/super bugs to degradeorganic pollutants in groundwater,sludge, slurry, soil, and solids. Themicroorganisms break down thesecontaminants by using them as anenergy source or co-metabolizingthem with an energy source. Inshort, "treatment that uses natu-rally occurring organisms to breakdown hazardous substances intoless toxic or non-toxic substances"is a simpler way to understand theimpact.Bioinstrumentation andBioinformatics integrate all threedisciplines.APPLICATIONS OF BIOTECH-

NOLOGYScope for Employment:There is great scope for employ-ment in research laboratories runby the government as well as thecorporate sectors. The meteoricrise of biotechnology as a subjecthas led to it being one of the fast-

growing sectors. Biotechnologistscan find careers in governmentsupported entities such as univer-sities, research institutes, chemi-cal industries, agricultural compa-nies, aquaculture, and food manufacturers, and with pharma-ceutical firms as research scien-tists/assistants. They can beemployed in the areas of planning,production and management ofbio-processing industries. In shortthe students equipped withbiotechnological skills may beengaged in businesses related tolife sciences ranging from equip-ment to chemicals to pharmaceuti-cals and diagnostics. Alternatively,they may find employment in spe-cialized biotechnology companiesor biotech-related organisations.The scope of work can range fromresearch, sales, marketing,administration, quality control,breeding and technical supportetc.Department of Biotechnology[DBT], Ministry of Science &Technology, Government of Indiahas played a crucial role in the

emergence ofbiotechnology in itscutting edge form.[www.dbtindia.nic.in].There are a numberof Institutes that aremaintained by DBT tocreate a strong forceof highly skilled man-power and to regulatethe standard of edu-cation under the 'AllIndia Board ofB i o t e c h n o l o g yEducation & Training'.Following institutesare involved activelyin research inbiotechnology: 1. Indian Council forMedical Research(ICMR)2. The Department ofScience andTechnology (DST)3. The Government ofIndia NationalBiotechnology Board(NBTB)4. Defence ResearchDevelopment Organization(DRDO)5. Council for Scientific andIndustrial Research (CSIR)6. Department of Atomic Energy(DAE)7. Indian Council for AgriculturalResearch (ICAR)8. Indian Institute of Science(IISC)9. Biotechnology Consortium ofIndia Ltd (BCIL) (offers industrialtraining after MSc with a stipend of` 8,000 per month for a period ofsix months and suitable candi-dates are then absorbed. Theselection is based on an onlinetest conducted by BCIL).Biotechnology companiesrequire corporate executiveswith business or managementdegrees. Different job profilesfor biotechnologists includelab technicians, researchassociates, research scien-tists, engineers, sales repre-sentatives, marketing execu-tives and business develop-ment managers. The followingspecializations are much indemand: Medical Scientists: research-

ing in any field of biology for eval-uating protocols to treat humandiseases. To develop novel drugdesign, drug delivery with novelcarriers, drugs or pre-existing FDAapproved drugs for clinical trials. Biomedical technicians: A

range of advanced techniques arerequired to help the biomedicalscientists optimise their experi-ments in research. Maintenanceand use of the laboratories andthe high-tech instruments is part oftheir responsibility. Preparation ofsamples, routine compiling of data

and keeping the records in orderfor conducting experiments is anessential part of their training. Clinical lab technicians: are

generally employed in pathologylabs, hospital labs to study biolog-ical samples-tissues, blood, bodyfluids etc. They are trained tooperate automated instrumentsthat help quantify and analyse thecomputer generated data. Biophysicists are essential to

understand various protein mole-cules, DNA, RNA that are requiredto evolve fresh strategies toaddress existing drugs and theirmolecular interactions.

Biomedical Engineers adapttheir engineering training to designnew instruments to create realtime data that helps in precisediagnosis that will eventuallyenhance health care. It is impor-tant for the engineers to haveknowledge in biology and medi-cine to enable them to deviseinstruments according to the needof the patients; this includes MRIs,CAT Scans, prostheses, etc.Students from basic sciences likeBotany, Zoology, Life/AppliedSciences, Genetics, Immunology,Biochemistry, Virology,Microbiology, Analytical chemistry

and Engineering graduates fromBiotechnology, BiologicalSciences, Biomedical engineer-ing, Veterinary Sciences,Agricultural Sciences, Soil andseed Technology, SoilConservation etc. can pursue asuccessful career inBiotechnology. Any student pursu-ing BSc/ BTech, M Sc/M Tech orafter BSc, pursuing MBA inbiotechnology can get any of theabove mentioned jobs.Undoubtedly, the career potentialof a student pursuing a degree inbiotechnology is immense, but therealization of the potential isdependent on the level of educa-

tion achieved by the appli-cant. To become a scientist thehighest degree of PhD is req-uisite. The increasing popu-larity coupled with the explo-sive growth and expansion ofpharmaceutical industries hascreated plenty of opportuni-ties in the field of biotechnolo-

gy. Applicants should be equippedwith strong technical laboratoryskills, good communication andpresentation skills. Reasonableproblem-solving and analyticalproficiency, superior investigationand research techniques are anadded advantage. Teamwork skillsfor cross-disciplinary research areessential. An eye for detail is nec-essary for achieving best projectmanagement skills.

(The author is AssociateProfessor, Department ofZoology, Kirorimal College,Delhi University)

DEMOCRACY AND ...Continued from page 1

CAREER IN ...Continued from page 1

Employment NewsPushpinder Kaur (GM & Chief Editor) Rakeshrenu (Senior Editor)Irshad Ali (Editor Circulation)Dr. Mamta Rani (Editor)V.K. Meena (Joint Director) (Production)Sandeep Nigam (Production Officer)P.K. Mandal (Sr. Artist)K.P. Manilal (Accounts Officer)

E-Mail : GM-cum-chief Editor : director.employmentnews@gmail.comAdvertisement : enewsadvt@yahoo.comEditorial : 26195165Advertisement : 26104284Tele Fax : 26193012Circulation : 26107405Tele Fax : 26175516Accounts (Advt.) : 26193179Accounts (Cir.) : 26182079