Study on 'genetic changes' in Kashmiri Pandits since exodus from Valley by Canada-based scientist

January 2023 will mark 33 years of the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley. Ahead of the grim anniversary, a Canada-based scientist has announced a genetic analysis of the displaced community.

Dr Archana Koul, who works with a pharmaceutical company, has launched a study on genetic changes in the Kashmiri Pandit community in the last 3 decades.

Also part of the research is the Jonaraja Institute of Genocide and Atrocities Studies, an online venture recently launched by a group of Kashmiri Pandits. Jonaraja Institute chairman Titu Ganjoo told PTI that the project is to study changes in genetics in Kashmiri Pandits after their exodus in 1990.

"We will correlate the findings with other genocide survivors in the world, including in Armenia and Rwanda, and also Jewish survivors," Ganjoo said. He said that the study will reveal new aspects about the ill-effects of exodus and whether it is reversible or permanent.

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Koul, who is armed with vast experience in molecular cloning for genetic expression, gene manipulation, recombinant DNA, protein technology, and microRNAs, said that the project will take anything between one and two years.

Talking about the outreach to inter-generational people of the Kashmiri Pandit community, the scientist said, "We are getting feedback from groups of four generations through questionnaires. We will study their conditions."

After completion of this process, the team will procure blood samples from them, she said, adding that "we need to have at least 50 samples each for four generations of people. In the case of great grandparents' generation, we need samples of most of them. The process has been started," she said.

(With PTI inputs)