Discovering the Microcosm in the World of Algae

Our world is a vast multitude of diversities-ranging from the primitive viruses to the most advanced and complex humans. Among them algae denotes one of the most complex group of organisms. Studying the diverse world of algae and the scope of their use stands out as one of the most exciting career options in biology.
Today we got a hands-on experience of this in our lab when we looked at various species of algae through microscopes, getting a sneak peek into the dynamism present at magnitudes much smaller than what an eye can actually see.
One of the most fascinating things about algae is the tremendous variation in their sizes-from a few microns to several meters, sometimes looking like a normal plant which we see everyday! Also it was a great experience watching some of these organisms vibrate and move like snakes, intruding into others' domain. The shapes of these algae too varied-ranging from small round dots to thin filaments, each as if brimming with an inherent uniqueness. The most intriguing of them all was perhaps the slide containing the diatoms which had intricate designs and patterns on them, giving an insight into their fairly complicated world.  
The session really helped us appreciate the infinitely diversified world which is beyond the imagination and perception of most human beings in this world.
 

Talk by Justice Santosh Hedge on 'Corruption Free India'

A prevalent notion about IISc is that it is a home to the best researchers and scentists in India and the world. But something is missing in this statement-it is also a home to renowned orators, inspiring speakers and great thinkers form the whole of the world.
This fact showed up clearly when the former judge of the Supreme Court of India and former Lokayukta of Karnataka, Justice Hedge gave a talk in the Satish Dhawan Auditorium, IISc on 'Corruption Free India' to a enraptured audience comprising of faculty, students and the honourable director and associate director of the institute.
 The notion of omnipresent corruption, especially in our country, in itself is a grave issue and Justice Hedge , through his fluent oratory elaborated on the plight of the nation due to the negligence of the public and the domination by a select group of people who claim to be the 'rulers' of our country.
Being one of the foremost 'Lokpal' activists in the country he also described the role of 'Lokpal' in keeping a tab on the vice of corruption. Justice Hedge, throughout the lecture kept the audience mesmerised through his delightful anecdotes and witty replies as he faced questions from the audience in the end.
Indeed the lecture was a real eye opener and gave momentum to the awareness against corruption in the minds of the audience.