Lord Ganesha-shaped pearl wonders world

Port Blair, Jul 30: Man's greatest wish of creating god now seems to have come true.

A 42-mm pearl, in the shape of Lord Ganesha, has struck the world with wonder -- the credit goes to Dr Ajai Kumar Sonkar for developing it. Dr Sonkar, an internationally acclaimed young scientist, told the sources that the big sized pearl took only six months to form, due to adoption of a unique technique of mantle activity in the oyster. ''The Lord Ganesha-shaped pearl will cost several thousands of USDs. The 22 mm black pearl, which I developed earlier, was valued at USD 30,000,'' he added.

The scientist elaborated that three surgical operations on the oyster had to be carried out to regulate its chemical secretion which actually helps form the pearls. ''This is a miracle in the field of pearl culture,'' he said.

Meanwhile, after inspecting Dr Sonkar's work, Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration Mr C Targay had asked the Director of fisheries to prepare a viable project for pearl-culture in Andaman to involve the local youths.

Dr Sonkar is engaged in his independent research work in the Islands since 2003 and developed techniques to produce world's most valuable pearl in the local species of pearl oysters of Andaman.

Earlier, in 2003, the scientist had stunned the world by producing world's biggest black pearl in Andaman, for which he received commendation from the then President A P J Abdul Kalam.

In 2004, tsunami had hit his project severely.

UNI