Falling behind and catching up : India’s transition from a colonial economy

India fell behind during colonial rule. The absolute and relative decline of Indian GDP per capita with respect to Britain began before colonization and coincided with the rising textile trade with Europe in the 18th century. The decline of traditional industries was not the main driver Indian decline and stagnation. Inadequate investment in agriculture and consequent decline in yield per acre stalled economic growth. Modern industries emerged and grew relatively fast. The falling behind was reversed after independence. Policies of industrialization and a green revolution in agriculture increased productivity growth in agriculture and industry, but Indian growth has been led by services. A strong focus on higher education under colonial policy had created an advantage for the service sector, which today has a high concentration of human capital. However, the slow expansion in primary education was a disadvantage in comparison with the high growth East Asian economies

Molecular typing of antibiotic resistant bacteria isolated and identified as ESBL producers from polluted water reservoirs

Anthropogenic polluted reservoirs are the mating hub for antibiotic resistant genes and multidrug resistant bacteria (MDR). The rapid emergence of this MDR is the consequence of mutations in the genes as well as the horizontal gene transfer of mobile elements carrying the resistant genes. Current study focuses on isolation and characterization of Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producers from diverse water resources of Pune city and to understand the genetic modifications responsible for multidrug resistance using whole genome sequencing (Next Generation sequencing-Illumina sequencing). The identified isolates were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Mechanism of resistance developed by all isolates was efflux pump as per the genes (adeL, macA, macB, ros B) identified by Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database. Primary phenotypic detection of isolates as ESBL producers and AmpC hyper producers was supportive as identified genes were resistant to all antibiotics including last resorts like carbapenems, peptide antibiotics. Rapid emergence of antibiotic resistance was seen in one isolate due to presence of additional 19 antibiotic resistant genes (blaI, exo bet lactamase, PDC 9, CMY-83, mec I, etc.). The investigation alarms the deadly pollution of reservoirs due to haphazard use of antibiotics which pressurizes rapid emergence and persistence of MDR