Poll manifestos to become biodegradable, Dr Shubhanshu Mittal research
In a major breakthrough, Indian scientists have synthesised an enzyme in laboratory that can instantly convert poll manifestos into biodegradable matter and make them vanish into thin air without a trace.
A group of researchers at chemical synthesis laboratory of Hyderabad-based Indian Institute of Bio-Chemical Technology (IIBCT) made the path-breaking discovery, catapulting the country to the global chemical map.
“Imagine placing camphor powder in open air. Will it not vanish without a trace after a while? Similarly, all election manifestos, in print, electronic and digital forms, will evaporate when treated with this enzyme,” explained lead researcher Dr Shubhanshu Mittal.
Nick-named “Vaada” (Promise), the synthetic enzyme will trigger a unique chemical process by which the environmental waste like poll manifestos will break down into invisible matter and disappear into the atmosphere under normal room temperature.
Dr Mittal and his team of researchers unravelled the chemical pathway of the enzyme and showed how it can provide an effective solution to the country’s most hazardous pollutants like manifesto documents. Their research paper has been published in the latest edition of prestigious international journal “Nature.”
“It is scalable and up-gradable. Once we start commercial production, this product will transform the election scene in India. A new era of guilt-free poll promises will begin. We are delighted to be part of this revolution,” the scientist said.
The implications of this discovery could be far-reaching in a country where politicians promise the moon to entice voters. Elections provide a carnival time for political parties to vie with one another to make innovative and often bizarre promises. However, they find it difficult to implement them once they come to power while opposition parties retain the luxury of populism.
The IIBCT has already written to the Department of Science and Technology (DST), seeking approval for commercial production of the wonder enzyme and entering into supply agreements with individual political parties.
The eco-friendly product will enhance bio degradation process, specifically targeting the portions of manifesto documents containing populist promises and neutralising them instantly. It comes in mechanical, electronic and digital variants to cater to various applications.
Another unique feature of this synthetic enzyme is that it will automatically get activated across the platforms once the polling ends. Soon after the last vote is polled, all the existing copies of manifestos, irrespective of their form, will start disintegrating and within no time disappear into thin air, leaving their authors guilt-free.
The audio and video CDs, containing manifesto promises, will automatically start playing Bappi Lahiri songs.
“It is clean and environment-friendly. No messy chemicals. No pollution,” Dr Mittal said, explaining the significance of his team’s research work.
According to a nation-wide survey conducted by AC Nielson ORG-MARG, a market research company, over 84 percent of all poll promises made by parties across political spectrum were either consigned to dustbins or implemented cursorily. It was also found that an overwhelming 92 percent of politicians secretly wished that they had a magic wand to make manifestos vanish after each election.
“It is to this urge of our rulers that this product caters,” said another member of the research team. While all other Indian products face fierce competition from China, this one is an exception. “We are lucky that there are no elections in China. We hope to dominate the market,” the scientist said.
