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
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
Poorly regulated Medical Council of India could soon be defunct, what next?
If the National Medical Commission Bill, 2017 becomes an Act, the Medical Council of India will be replaced and doctors will not have regulatory …
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 …
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
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
It is time we protect our oceans
Oceans also drive the climate, and most importantly, they act as a buffer against climate change
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
Depression’s other face
Factors linking depression to air pollution, food habits and environmental degradation are not commonly considered
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
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
Hoping to collide at CERN
The second phase of experiments, being conducted at world’s leading laboratory, to develop more understanding of sub atomic physics is …
World Health Assembly: bogged down by slow decisions
Crucial decisions, like those on curbing antimicrobial resistance and tackling air pollution and its health effects, are yet to be taken
It’s all about the money
Even as countries accepted the proposed programme budget, member states demanded more transparency in the way WHO funds are disbursed. A look at …
Day 2: countries share their experiences of fighting antimicrobial resistance
Experts fear India will accept the draft global action plan on antimicrobial resistance despite reservations
WHO should take a holistic view
Though the global health organisation talks about chemical residues in food, it has not put special emphasis on pesticides. It is also silent on …
Modi's growth agenda sneaks into Indian Science Congress
The theme of the conference, 'science and technology for human development', struck a chord with scientists. It will be interesting to see if …
The inspirational value of ISRO's Mars mission
India's researchers need to find quickest and cheapest possible solutions to problems in the country; technology dearth no longer an acceptable excuse
Science for people
Scientists attending the 101st Science Congress discuss solutions to lift farmers, livestock owners out of poverty
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 …
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
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
Saffola study, a marketing ploy?
Saffolalife’s online survey on risk of cardiovascular diseases could help Marico which positions its Saffola oil brands as healthy for heart
Lateral Thoughts: Will WHO norms on artificial sweeteners help consumers?
Guidelines are just beginning of process of purging these toxins from food chain
Failure to study climate change impact on wild foods can show on global health indicators
Climate change is set to take the benefits of eating good food away from us
Roots of health: How a simple processing method helps turmeric farmers earn more
Minimum processing would ensure that the benefits of turmeric are retained