Trading in contraband

Madurai and beyond Once the trap is set, the tribal people can only go deeper into the forests to repay their loans and fill the coffers of agents, traders and forest officials

Organic Universe

It is a universe of its own—an expanding universe that has its own producers and consumers, its entrepreneurs, its markets, its passionate aficionados of scientists and evangelists. It is a universe that is governed by a different set of regulations and plays strictly by the rules, for the most part.

Future compromised

In the morning of June 19, bleary eyed negotiators left Pavilion 3 of Riocentro to return to their hotel rooms to freshen themselves up. A long round of intense negotiations had taken place the previous night to finalise the outcome draft of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, also called Rio+20.

Ability to deliver

Andhra Pradesh has a better record at controlling JE Since 1979, Andhra Pradesh (AP) has been recording JE cases. The 1990s saw a change in the disease behaviour: instead of peaking every fifth year, it was peaking every second year. The state decided to focus on improved surveillance and vaccination. 98 per cent cases came from just 10 districts; 46 per cent came from just two districts: Kurnool and Ananthapur.

Should India import vaccines?

There are options. India must choose with care JE vaccines can be sourced either from mouse brain or cultured tissue cells. A single dose of mouse-derived vaccine made by the Central Research Institute (CRI), Kasauli, costs about Rs 50. As the numbers to be vaccinated are high, the cost is a worry. Japan, Thailand, Korea and Vietnam also use the mouse brain method.

The new obesity

Making an informed choice

When transnational carmakers talk about giving a choice to the customer regarding the fuel that will power their vehicle, they know that the average buyer in India knows next to nothing about the dangers of diesel. And the companies do precious little to make the customers aware. After all, it is business at stake. Public health be dammed. But people find out. In a democracy, it can be quite difficult to suppress information. And when they are aware, customers are quite capable of making an informed choice.

Stained steel

19/100

Is Arctic rush worth it?

On foot and pedal