Krushna's Blogs

  Is Nano-Urea Really Helping Farmers? A New Study Raises Concerns A new study by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has raised serious concerns about Nano-Urea, a liquid fertilizer promoted by the Indian government and IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative). Nano urea was introduced as a revolutionary product to reduce fertilizer use and costs, but the latest findings suggest it might not be as effective as claimed. What is Nano-Urea? Nano-Urea is a liquid fertilizer made using nanotechnology. It contains 4% nitrogen in a 500 ml bottle (about 20 grams of nitrogen).  In comparison, a regular 45-kg bag of urea contains 20 kg of nitrogen. Unlike traditional urea, which is applied to the soil, Nano-Urea is sprayed on plant leaves. It was commercially launched in 2022 as an innovation to reduce fertilizer subsidies and import costs. It is used especially for major crops like wheat and paddy.  Instead of applying urea to the soil, farmers spray Na...

  Adaptation and Mitigation: Centre’s Twin Strategy for Climate-Resilient Agriculture A Warming World 2024 became the first year when the Earth's average temperature crossed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, according to data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S).  Experts warn that if emissions remain unchecked, the world could exceed 2°C warming by 2050, threatening food security, livelihoods, and ecosystems. At 15.1°C, (refers to the average global surface temperature of the Earth in the year 2024) was the hottest year ever recorded, with 11 out of 12 months crossing the 1.5°C threshold. This extreme heat was fuelled by El Niño conditions and the continued rise in greenhouse gas emissions.  Scientists like Roxy Mathew Koll from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and Prof. Joeri Rogelj from Imperial College London warn that the trend is deeply troubling. It highlights the urgent need for global decarbonisation to prevent even more dangerous l...

  Farewell to a People's Leader: V.S. Achuthanandan (1923–2025) Shri Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan, fondly known as VS, a veteran Communist leader and former Chief Minister of Kerala, passed away on July 21, 2025, at the age of 101. He cremated with full state honours on July 23, at the Punnapra-Vayalar Martyrs' Memorial in Valiya Chudukad, Alappuzha, at 9:15 p.m. Despite the heavy rains, thousands gathered to bid a tearful farewell to a leader they deeply admired and loved.  As the monsoon clouds hovered over the Alappuzha coastline, grief filled the air. People lined the roads from Thiruvananthapuram to Alappuzha, forming a human tribute to VS and his legacy. A ceremonial gun salute marked the final farewell to a man who became the conscience of Kerala’s Left politics. Early Life and Political Awakening: V.S. Achuthanandan was   b orn on October 20, 1923, in Punnapra, Alappuzha (then part of Travancore kingdom), now in Kerala State. VS lost both parents by ...

  Ensuring Transparency in GM Crop Approvals: New Rules for GEAC Experts The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has revised the rules for selecting expert members of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), which is India’s apex body for approving genetically modified (GM) crops. As per the new rules, experts must declare any conflict of interest, including all professional affiliations from the past 10 years. If a member is directly or indirectly involved with a matter being discussed, they are expected to disclose this before the meeting and may have to recuse themselves unless requested otherwise by the committee. This change follows a July 2023 Supreme Court order, which delivered a split verdict on the government’s approval of GM mustard. The Court emphasized the need for a national policy on GM crops and measures to address potential conflicts of interest. Concerns had earlier been raised by activists about links between experts and b...

Celebrating Science, Sustainability, and Women Empowerment:  Highlights from the 108th Indian Science Congress   From January 3 to 7, 2023, Nagpur witnessed a remarkable scientific celebration as the 108th Indian Science Congress unfolded at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU). The prestigious event was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and became a vibrant platform to explore themes of science, technology, sustainable development, and women empowerment. The five-day congress was a platform to promote inclusive growth, recognize women’s contributions in science, and explore sustainable solutions for the future. From science scholars to young school students, the event catered to a wide spectrum of participants, sparking discussions that were both insightful and forward-looking. Science with a Purpose The congress focused on holistic development and addressed the challenges faced by women in science and technology. Multiple sessions emphasized the n...

My First Flight Travel: A Memorable Journey from Pune to Nagpur Date: 2nd January 2023 Destination: Pune to Nagpur Early in the morning on January 2, 2023, I embarked on my first-ever flight journey from Pune to Nagpur to attend the 108th Indian Science Congress, scheduled to be held in Nagpur from January 3 to 7, 2023. The excitement and anticipation filled the air as I made my way to the airport, ready to embark on a new adventure. What made this experience even more special was the presence of a close friend who had become a seasoned traveler over the years. His wealth of knowledge about flying added an extra layer of excitement to the journey. As we entered the bustling airport, the sight of massive airplanes lined up against the clear blue sky left me in awe. The airport was abuzz with travelers from all walks of life, each with their own unique stories and destinations. We made our way to the check-in counter, where we were greeted by friendly airport staff who guided us through ...

  ITEC and Indian Agriculture: Building Global Bridges through Knowledge sharing India has long been a trusted partner in the global development landscape, especially for countries in the Global South. One of the strongest reflections of this commitment ITEC program. The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program is a flagship initiative of the Government of India, launched on 15th September 1964 by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Established as a bilateral assistance program, ITEC reflects India’s commitment to strengthening South-South cooperation by sharing its developmental experience, technical knowledge, and capacity-building expertise with partner countries, particularly in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Pacific Islands. As of now, ITEC has partnered with 161 countries across the globe, supporting a wide range of training, education, and capacity-building programs across multiple sectors such as agriculture, rural d...