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When Vishu Seeds Failed: Cherthala’s Crop Crisis and the Larger Battle for Seed Sovereignty

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In Kerala, agriculture has never been separate from culture. Fields, harvests, festivals, and food traditions have long shaped the rhythm of social life. Crops are not merely grown for sale; many carry symbolic meaning and occupy an emotional place in households and communities. This connection becomes especially visible during Vishu , the Malayalam New Year, celebrated as a festival of renewal, abundance, and hope. On Vishu morning, families traditionally wake to behold the Vishu Kani , a carefully arranged display of auspicious objects believed to influence the year ahead. Lamps, rice, flowers, coins, fruits, mirrors, and sacred items are placed together in a scene of prosperity. Among them, one agricultural product holds a distinct and cherished place: the Kani Vellari , the yellow cucumber. For generations, this golden cucumber has symbolized a rich harvest and financial well-being. Its bright colour evokes abundance, making it an essential part of Vishu tradition. In farming bel...
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India’s Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR): A Milestone in Nuclear Energy Development

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               I n 2026, India reached a major milestone in its nuclear energy journey with the successful achievement of criticality in the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam . While this may appear, at first glance, as another scientific advancement, it is in reality the culmination of decades of planning, experimentation, setbacks, and technological breakthroughs. This achievement represents not only a technical success but also a strategic transformation in India’s approach to energy security, sustainability, and global technological positioning. Nuclear Energy At the core of nuclear energy lies the atom, specifically the nucleus of heavy elements such as uranium. Nuclear fission occurs when a neutron collides with a uranium nucleus, causing it to split into two smaller nuclei. This process releases a large amount of energy along with additional neutrons, which further sustain a chain reaction by triggering additional fis...
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Location: India
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Rethinking Deathcare: Environmental Dimensions of Traditional Burial and Cremation, Modern Cremation Technologies, and Water-Based Alternatives

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               D eathcare practices, though deeply rooted in cultural and spiritual traditions, are increasingly being examined through the lens of environmental sustainability. In the face of climate change, rapid urbanization, and growing pressure on natural resources, even the final rites of human life are no longer environmentally neutral. Traditional burial and wood-based cremation, long considered normative, are now recognized as processes with measurable ecological and public health consequences. At the same time, modern cremation technologies, including electric systems, LPG-based cremation, and portable cremation units, and emerging alternatives such as water cremation, are reshaping how societies approach the management of human remains. Burial Practices: Land Use Constraints, Coastal Challenges, Urban Heat Effects, and Public Health Concerns Burial introduces long-term environmental challenges primarily through land utilization. E...
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Location: India
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DiMethyl Ether (DME): A Cleaner and Self-Reliant Path for India’s Cooking Energy Transition

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I ndia’s journey toward energy security and environmental sustainability is entering a decisive phase. For decades, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) has served as the backbone of domestic cooking fuel, supported by extensive government programs that have significantly improved public health and quality of life. Yet, this success has also created a structural dependence: India imports nearly 60% of its LPG demand, exposing the country to global price volatility and geopolitical uncertainties. At the same time, the urgency of climate mitigation and the need to reduce household air pollution demand cleaner and more sustainable alternatives. In this evolving energy landscape, DiMethyl Ether (DME) has emerged as a scientifically robust and strategically important solution. With recent advances by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), particularly at the CSIR–National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune, India is moving from dependence on imported technologies toward indigeno...
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Location: India
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The Jaipur “Pink Elephant” Incident: A Scientific and Multi-Perspective Analysis

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               T he Jaipur “pink elephant” incident, involving a 65-year-old elephant named Chanchal that was painted bright pink for a photoshoot, has attracted considerable attention across ethical, environmental, and scientific domains. According to official accounts, the colouring was carried out using gulal, was temporary in nature, and was removed shortly after the event. The elephant’s death several weeks later, reportedly attributed to natural ageing, has nevertheless contributed to broader public discussion and interpretative debate. Within a scientific framework, such events are best understood in the context of biological complexity rather than as isolated occurrences. Health outcomes in ageing organisms are rarely attributable to a single factor; instead, they emerge from the interaction of multiple processes, including physiological stress responses, age-related decline, environmental exposures, and cumulative life-history effect...
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Location: India
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