44
I suggest that Mr. Awati should be transferred to the department of parasitology on the
conditions of service mentioned above, but that his services should be at the disposal of the
Medical Department as hitherto. Similarly, one entomologist should be considered as definitely
at the disposal of the Veterinary Department for any purpose or line of work for which he might
be required by the head of that department. Any other special lines of work which it might be
desirable to take up would bo arranged in consultation with the heads of the medical and veteri-
nary departments or their scientific officers, and for such enquiries any or every member of the
staff should be considered available, each expert being held practically responsible for the
conduct of his own branch, subject to the general supervision of the Senior Expert.
Attached workers. Provision has not been made for giving regular courses in elementary
parasitology, though this would not involve more than an extra initial outlay of Rs. 25,000
(for an average of 20 students) and say Rs. 500 recurrent. Special instruction would however
be given to officers or nominees of any department, up to the limit of accommodation provided
Medical and Veterinary officers having the first call. I have not included in the staff any,
Bacteriologist, Pathologist, Protozoologist or Chemist. Collaboration with experts in these branches
would however be very desirable and at times essential.
Accommodation and equipment would be provided which would enable such experts to carry
out enquiries at the central station and Government or private enterprise might be stimulated
to provide a few Research Studentships from Indian and European Universities.
Information Bureau. The Central Station should perform the functions of an information
bureau on insect parasitology, and should circulate abstracts of all literature on the subject
published in India, together with a classified card-index of references. Copies of all Government
publications relating to the subject should be forwarded in this connection.
Under the above head I place also such activities as the preparation of cinema-films, lantern-
slides, and, if necessary, lectures or pamphlets or small text-books required for special purposes
or for distribution.
Publications. With regard to "scientific" publications, and the extent to which the existing
organs of the Medical, Veterinary, or perhaps other departments should be used, I think that
consultation would be advisable. Personally, I am not sure that there is room for an independent
publication.
Buildings. The full scheme as proposed comprises one central station with ramifications
in the form of sub-stations in various parts of the country. The question of the nature and
number of these sub-stations I have left indefinite as being a matter for discussion, and to a great
extent dependent on the general form of biological organization, which may or may not involve
the establishment of all-round "biological stations." I should be prepared to put up a detailed
scheme, if desired.
As regards the main buildings, i.e., the central station, the principle of small detached
laboratories has been adopted in view of the very great saving in expenditure thereby secured.
Collections, Library, Administrator's office, and clerical staff are in one building, while the great
majority of the rest consist of combinations of small circular buildings (rondavels). These
are very cheaply constructed, adaptable to many uses and have the considerable advantage of
permitting the independent construction or expansion of any one section of the total laboratory
accommodation proposed.
The use of this system allows of good laboratory accommodation for one expert and four
assistants being provided at a building cost of well under Rs. 3,000.
A "Guest-House" for the use of visitors and attached workers is included in the estimate.
The cost of providing water and power, and of any necessary road-construction, is so largely
dependent on circumstances that it has been omitted from the estimate.
It will be realized that it must take some time to fill the posts proposed, and the full pro-
gramme as regards both building and other expenditure would come only gradually into opera-
tion.
ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE.
Initial.
Main building, 7,500 sq. ft. @ Rs. 5 per
sq.
ft.
Laboratories, equivalent to 50 Rondavels of 16 ft. diameter, @
Rs. 750
Apparatus of all kinds, materials, fittings, and furniture
.
.
Initial Library Grant
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
RS.
37,500
37,500
1,10,000
10,000
1,95,000