Kalam's green signal to Jatropha

LUCKNOW: Green technology using ecologically friendly Jatropha based bio-fuel was given the green signal by none other than the President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam on Saturday.
With childlike enthusiasm this man of science personally tested the efficacy of bio-fuel investigating its smell, viscosity, smoke emissions and performance on his generator and lawn mower at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi.While the lawn mower was tested at a 5 per cent mix of bio-diesel - as has been recommended by the government - the President was ready to take the big leap forward and experiment with a higher percentage blend when it came to the generator.
Hence on Kalam''s request scientists from National Botanical Research Institute director, NBRI, P Pushpangadan and HM Behl who had taken a sample of Jatropha based bio-fuel from NBRI to Rashtrapati recommended that they try a 20 per cent mix. Satisfied with the performance Kalam up-scaled the project asking for a test with a 40 per cent mix of bio-fuel. A test which went off as smoothly as the flow of biofuel known for excellent lubricancy value.
HM Behl said that a visibly pleased President Kalam planted a Jatropha Curca (Ratanjot) tree at the newly developed ''Bio-diesel Garden'' at Rashtrapati Bhawan which already boasts of a picturesque Bio-diversity garden and a Blind Garden developed by NBRI. Nearly 800 Jatropha saplings will be planted in this newly developed garden.
After investing two hours listening to the finer scientific nuances of growing Jatropha, Kalam said that there were three pronged benefits of this Jatropha bio-fuel project. He said it would help in greening the wastelands as Jatropha can be grown on sodic lands. Also it will benefit the farmers and a reduce India''s import bill on oil often referred to as liquid gold.
Kalam emphasised that of the three benefits he was most pleased with this biofuel project as it is ecologically sustainable, eventually reducing the pollution burden and most importantly it would improve the income and livelihood of poor farmers. He recommended that a ''farmers'' programme on jatropha'' should be held at Rashtrapati Bhawan to train farmers in this green technology.
Behl said that NBRI had already planted 5 lakh saplings of Jatropha grown at fast multiplying hi-tech nurseries. "Bio-fuel developed by NBRI was appreciated by our President is a big achievement for the institute," he enthused.