CATEGORIES

TRIAGING FOR MAINSTREAMING HOMEOPATHY

Homoeopathy, as a system of medicine, is a science of ‘similars’ and ‘overalls’. The role of homoeopathy in alleviating chronic ailments like skin, respiratory, gynaecological, joint, paediatric and psychiatric problems is promising.

CRITICISMS OF HOMEOPATHY ADDRESSED THROUGH SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Despite being practised for over 200 years homeopathy is still facing credibility challenges. Emerging research in this field has however, proven the plausibility of this science. During last two decades developed nations like Britain, France, USA and Australia, have questioned the effectiveness of homeopathy, although results have proven the scientificity of the alternative system. In the years to come studies conducted by homoepathic research organisations around globe is likely to further validate its scientific basis.

THE SIDDHA SYSTEM OF MEDICINE A GEOGRAPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

The word AYUSH denotes traditional and non-conventional systems of health care and healing which includes ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, unani, siddha, sowa rigpa and homoeopathy. AYUSH systems of medicine are codified and recognised by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. Medical pluralism in India is a reflection of its cultural diversity and AYUSH systems have evolved over thousands of years, absorbing and adapting yet maintaining its individual identity.

Broadening the role of homeopathy in India's health care

Anil Khurana, Director General, Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH) shares his perspective on the need for homeopathy to be significantly integrated with the holistic health care needs of India.

TRADITIONAL HEALING REVIVING AN ANCIENT ART

Traditional, indigenous and folk medicine is a system developed over generations within various civilizations, societies, communities, tribes and clans. The World Health Organisation estimated that 80 per cent of the population in developing countries rely on traditional medicine, mostly plant medicines for their primary health care needs. In India, 70 per cent of the population is seen to use traditional medicine.

An integrated system of medicine to address India's health care concerns

Vaidya R Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) discusses the scope of mainstreaming the traditional system of preventive and curative care and the proactive interventions by the Indian government.

HOMOEOPATHY A PRIMER ON ITS APPLICABILITY

In an era where the World Health Organisation (WHO) is worried about antibiotic sensitivity and chronic non-communicable diseases, homoeopathy is a therapeutic science that can step in to fill the gap. Research leads us to understand that homoeopathy is based on nano-technology and works on immunity enhancement.

Migrant Workers in Globalising India

Contrary to the widely held anticipation that post-reforms economics would give rise to significantly higher levels of migration within India, the initial post-reforms period did not witness a massive increase in the extent of migration. the 2001-2011 decade however, sees a substantial increase.

Migration will have a bearing on citizenship

PC Mohanan, former Chairperson of the National Statistics Commission, discusses the relevance of recording migration through different data sources and offers solutions for creating better documentation practices.

MIGRATION AND UPWARD MOBILITY

IN THE LABOUR MARKET: THE CASE OF KERALA

GENDER AND SKILLED MIGRATION: WOMEN IN THE INDIAN TECH SECTOR

Who goes abroad and why? the impact of going abroad for international assignments is usually gendered. While women make up nearly 35 per cent of the labour force in the Indian tech sector, a proportionally smaller group takes up international assignments. In this article, we draw on our findings to highlight who this group is, how the nature of work and migration is gendered and how it impacts women’s long-term career prospects within the Indian tech sector.

Climate instability and labour migration in India

Climate-induced migration has put new emerging challenges for labour administration. Pre-existing regional inequalities, prevailing poverty levels, scattered and partial nature of existing labour laws, etc. alert us about further worsening of the vulnerable conditions of climate migrants.

Siwalik Hills A Storehouse Of Extinct Mammals

The Siwalik hills are known to be a storehouse of fossil mammals. The rocks entomb a variety of fossils of extinct mammals ranging in age from 16 to 6 million years. Important groups of mammals at various evolutionary stages which thrived during the deposition of the Siwalik rock strata are elephants, horses, cats, cattle, deer, giraffes, rats, pigs, hippopotamus, rhinoceroses and many others.

The Cliffs Of Varkala

The only cliff geoheritage site recognised as a national Geological Monument—the Varkala lies about 55 km northwest of Thiruvananthapuram in kerala. The linear wave-cut cliffs and beaches have a vibrant cultural heritage and serve as a major tourist attraction. However, unmanaged anthropogenic activity and intense erosion are pushing the cliffs landwards.

Erra Matti Dibbalu: Coastal Red Sand Dunes Of Visakhapatnam

Picturesque and rare, the Late Quaternary red Sand Dunes—Erra Matti Dibbalu is spread over 10 sq km between the coasts of Visakhapatnam and Beemunipatnam in Andhra Pradesh. owing to its geological significance, the Geological Survey of India declared it as a National Geoheritage Site in 2014 while state government notified it as a Protected Area in 2016. Attempts are now underway to establish a Visakhapatnam Geopark by combining several geological and cultural sites in the region.

Ladakh: The India-Eurasia Collision Region

One of the most sought-after tourist destinations, the Trans-himalayan region of Ladakh also bears significant geoscientific importance with rock records dating back to the India– Eurasia plate collision. Moreover, the history of the evolution of the Great himalaya is also enshrined in its varied facies. a heightened effort towards the conservation of these rich geological sites must be made by developing a geopark that can help reveal to the masses the rich, and often overlooked geological history of the region.

Stromatolites - The Building Blocks Of Life

Stromatolites record the evolutionary signature of earliest life forms on Earth. The prolific growth of stromatolites found in carbonate rocks were deposited between 3900 and 541 million years ago. The cyanobacteria, responsible for the formation of stromatolites obtained their energy through photosynthesis, thus utilising carbon dioxide from water and rocks—liberating large quantities of oxygen in return. India, fortunately, has extensive stromatolites deposits in the limestone and phosphate facies providing a natural laboratory for the study of the history of earth and it’s evolving environment.

Conserving Indian Geoheritage: The Geopark Approach

Through a balanced blend of science, culture, education and tourism, geopark networks across the world are successfully improving the socio-economic condition of communities, thereby contributing to sustainable development of the region. India, with numerous geosites of significance, needs to learn from experiences world over and take a leap of faith to build its first global geopark.

Agriculture, Nutrition And Environment Nexus In South Asia

Food systems are at the nexus of food security, nutritional health, ecosystems, climate change, and prosperity. Agricultural policies have focused on increasing food production, but may have neglected the negative externalities on nutrition, natural capital, and biodiversity. A new paradigm on food system transformation is emerging using the concept of ‘planetary boundaries’ in defining the ‘safe operating space’ for stability of the earth system and human health.

Climate Change Impacts On Nutrition: In The Indian Context

Achieving country and global nutrition targets is essential for delivering the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. Despite concerted efforts of the Indian government and its partners, malnutrition persists at critical rates. Understanding the interlinkages between climate change, agriculture and nutrition can help enhance health and productivity.

Heirloom Rices A Repertoire Of Genetic Wealth

With 3000 genomes of rice varieties now sequenced, plant breeders are identifying new genes for traits such as better grain quality, yield, nutrition and biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. Working with partners, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Centre of Excellence in Rice Value Addition (CERVA) at IRRISARC are prioritising this research.

Food System Transformation In India

From food deficit to self-sufficiency and then to surplus production, India is moving towards a ‘sustainable’ food system. Changing consumption patterns from cereal-based diets towards more nutrition-rich commodities and increased expenditure on non-food items are all fuelling the demand for services such as education, health and transport.

Poshan Abhiyaan For A Malnutrition Free India

To achieve malnutrition-free status, India’s development agenda needs to tackle its ‘double burden’ of malnutrition, under-nutrition and obesity at the same time. It is in this context that the POSHAN Abhiyaan provides an opportunity to counter malnutrition and usher in a new era in food and nutrition security.

India Cooling Action Plan 2019

Penetration of air-conditioning in the growing economy of India is low whereas the rising cooling requirements are both a challenge and an opportunity.

The Uncharted Waters Beneath The Ice

Antarctica, a vast expanse of ice and land, harbours one of the most intriguing features under its ice— the subglacial lakes. These isolated lakes form a part of the basal hydrological system and conceal unique biological ecosystems and climate records,thus prompting more scientific missions along with numerous challenges.

Tropospheric Ozone And Food Productivity

Ozone is life threatening if found to be increasing near the earth’s surface as it is toxic to life when inhaled. Ozone not only damages airways, but also reduces crop yields as well if it increases beyond the threshold levels. Worries are mounting as India marks a rate of increase of around 1 percent each year. Anthropogenic sources of emissions are responsible for increase in surface ozone, which needs urgent control in the near future.

India's Action To Protect The Ozone Layer

The global community adopted the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol to protect the ozone layer and to phase out ozone-depleting substances. India became party to both and complied with all control measures as per the 1993 Country Programme. India, as a follow up to the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, launched the India Cooling Plan to enhance energy efficiency while addressing cooling demand.

Ozone Pollution From Urban Sources

Surface ozone levels spiked during the summer of 2019 in Delhi. As ozone is harmful to crops and human health, this peculiar rise in its levels indicates a need to monitor ambient ozone levels over a longer period so as to put evidence-based control regulations in place.

Changing Farmers' Income And Agrarian Distress

A strong trend towards agricultural diversification from food to commercial crops and from enterprise to allied activities is emerging. This shift is driven by both, state policies and the domestic market and has a bearing upon small and marginal landholders.

Living Root Bridge

Living tree bridges that one finds in picturesque Meghalaya are called Jingkieng Deingjri meaning ‘bridge of the rubber tree’ in Khasi. Tree bridges are natural structures that are examples of bioengineering at its best.