Consulting Editor, Down To Earth. She has been associated with the magazine since 2000 and has written extensively on health, science and food issues. She is a biologist by training and holds a PhD in Botany
Why dengue needs out of the box thinking
India should learn from success of its malaria control efforts
Why no debate on independence of research?
There was no discussion on how promoting PPP model will affect independence of research
Wasting an opportunity to create safer alternatives to fossil fuels
Generating methane from organic wastes might be a more rational choice than pinning hopes only on coal
Does Science Congress provide direction to research?
If the science congress is a reflection of the best research in the country, then we surely need to worry
Depression’s other face
Factors linking depression to air pollution, food habits and environmental degradation are not commonly considered
Why did Centre take late action despite signs of Zika's presence?
It took the governmnet 11 months to test the blood sample that has now been cofirmed positive for Zika
Saving oceans: shipping industry to go green
All businesses affect the oceans. Some like marine tourism have a direct effect on the health of oceans
Voluntary commitments can protect the ocean
Since the time taken to negotiate environmental commitments is not always worth the outcome, the UN Ocean Conference is doing away with this time lag
Worrying trend of hospital deaths
Recent death of children in Gorakhpur hospital is emblematic of a larger malaise
Health of India’s states: What the latest health report means
Although non-communicable diseases now contribute more to India’s disease burden than communicable diseases, it does not mean that …
Can India achieve its goal to be a zero trans fats nation by 2022?
Not if the food industry has its way. They do not see a link between trans fats and ill health
The cervical cancer puzzle
Data on cervical cancer suggests we do not need HPV vaccine, especially when there is doubt about its efficacy
Glyphosate use increased 1500% since genetically modified crops were introduced
Cultivation of genetically modified herbicide tolerant crops relies heavily on glyphosate, a possible carcinogen
Consumers cannot make informed decision without GM labelling
21 of the 65 processed foods tested had genetically modified ingredients; most of these products do not mention anything about GM on their labels.
It is time we protect our oceans
Oceans also drive the climate, and most importantly, they act as a buffer against climate change
Affordable medicine for tuberculosis to get a push at UN General Assembly
In a rare win, developing countries managed to thwart USA's plan to derail a tuberculosis declaration that will be signed at the UN General …
The link between blood pressure and suicides
Indian Science Congress: time for makeover
Vaccine woes continue
World Health Assembly to discuss reforms
Health activists push for funds with no strings attached
Indian Science Congress showcases innovations for a smarter home
Exhibits include gas stove that can be timed to turn off; a clothesline that protects clothes from rain
What’s in a name? Everything, if its botany
Taxonomists who can identify plant samples correctly are in great shortage, affecting research in applied sciences like biotechnology and genetics
Bill Gates, Grand Challenges and Indian Science Congress
The Bill Gates Foundation has invited Indian innovators to send in their ideas that could change the world. But India needs more solutions to its …
Science for people
Scientists attending the 101st Science Congress discuss solutions to lift farmers, livestock owners out of poverty
Health infrastructure sans care
Who will run all the institutes and labs promised?
