Bhopal, Jan 10: Nobel laureate Dr Roger Kornberg and Prof PB Sharma, Vice Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi Technical University met ex-president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam in Delhi and apprised him of the major initiatives of RGTU including R&D on bio diesel rector, biomass gasification and the ambitious project of carbon dioxide absorption to produce hydrogen, methane and bio diesel from a single plant.

Dr Kornberg also had a highly useful interaction with Dr Kalam on his research work on Zene transcription for creating a disease free society. He also revealed that his team is currently working on re-programming of the brain to help the mentally challenged children to regain mental health.

Dr Kornberg visited India with his wife Yahli Lorch and children Gil and Maya and delivered lectures at Trirupati, ITM Gwalior and Banaras Hindu University. He also met this year's Nobel laureate Dr RK Pachauri, who received the prize for climate change research and public awareness.

Dr Kornberg was here on a joint invitation by Prof PB Sharma Vice Chancellor, RGTU Bhopal and Dr SC Mishra Academic Dean of IIT Guahati.

Incense stick trade flourishes in City of Diamonds

By Our Staff Reporter

Bhopal, Jan 10: Panna, which is famous as the City of Diamonds, is now fast gaining popularity as the centre of incense sticks. The credit of this popularity goes to women entrepreneurs. With the help of Swarna Jayanti Swarozgar Yojana, Ms Dhanwanti Sharma has now become a familiar name due to her unit's product Akshar-Panna Dham brand incense sticks. Her incense sticks are favourite with buyers due to their high quality and low price. She keeps herself abreast of latest market trends and rates using her mobile.

Ms Sharma once used to be a labourer working on daily wages. With the assistance given by Swarna Jayanti Swarozgar Yojana, she has become owner of the incense stick unit. The hands, which were once spread for demanding work, now themselves give work to others. Ms Dhanwanti has earned the pride of becoming one of the leading incense stick producers in Panna district.

Several persons and organisations have helped her in fulfilling her golden dreams, which needed financial help, technical know-how and supply of raw material. The helping agencies include Panna-based District Urban Development Authority and State Bank of Bikaner. There is a great demand for Panna-Akshar Dham brand incense sticks produced by Dhanwanti in Panna, Chhatarpur and Sagar and nearby areas and the demand is ever-increasing. Under the guidance and supervision of Ms Dhanwanti, about 250 women living below poverty line have also mastered the art of wrapping incense over sticks. Due to these women, Panna city is now fast emerging as the centre for incense stick trade.

The business of Akshar-Panna Dham incense sticks has completely transformed the life of Dhanwanti as she is gaining name, fame and money due to these incense sticks' overwhelming popularity among the masses.

She had started the incense stick production in her shabby house some years ago with the help of Rs 50, 000 provided to her under Swarna Jayanti Swarozgar Yojana. She has not only established this trade but has also converted her once dilapidated house into a cozy, luxurious one. She has repaid the bank loan also. Dhanwanti has now lots of jewellery apart from all the household luxuries and facilities.