So much to give

Poison in disguise

Information technology professional John Alexander, 58, had diabetes for 15 years. About two years ago, he shifted to a widely accepted Ayurvediac therapy of consuming cinnamon to control his blood sugar levels. In the course of time he developed an abnormal liver. Doctors could not figure out the cause of his disease as his diet and lifestyle did not warrant such problem. His wife, Mary, looked up for information on the Internet and realised that the cinnamon Alexander was consuming could be the culprit.

A look back at monsoon 2012

The year 2012 was the eighth consecutive year when the forecast of monsoon dates for Kerala proved correct. Most of the long-range forecasts were also accurate, except for northeast India, claims the 2012 South West Monsoon End of Season Report by India Meteorological Department (IMD), New Delhi.

Relief given at last to Kerala’s endosulfan victims

The chief minister of Kerala, Oommen Chandy, on March 26, announced a relief package for people affected by the aerial spraying of pesticide endosulfan in Kasaragod district. The announcement came at the end of talks with activists from Endosulfan-affected People’s Front, and ended a 38 day-long hunger strike.

Kerala overlooks environmental aspects of proposed small hydropower plants

Last October, the Kerala government launched a scheme to construct 62 small hydro power projects to increase electricity generation in the state by 262 MW.

Letters - March 31, 2013

Bigger is better

Drugs pricing policy in limbo

UNCERTAINTY shrouds the fate of a controversial policy which aims to fix the prices of essential medicines in the country. According to public health experts, the method that the draft National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy in December 2012 will adopt to determine the prices will make essential drugs unaffordable for the people.

Pentavalent takes its toll

Letters - January 15, 2013

Healthcare goes to the dogs

Climbers on call

Kerala has 180 million coconut trees. The coconuts need to be plucked every 45 days and at least 50,000 tree climbers are required for this, according to the state’s Economics and Statistical Department data. But there is an acute shortage of labourers skilled in the task.