Aflatoxin contamination of pods of Indian Cassia senna L. (Caesalpinaceae) before harvest, during drying and in storage: Reasons and possible methods of reduction

The presence of aflatoxins in senna plants was studied in two different areas of India using an HPLC method. Only pods of Cassia senna angustifolia contained aflatoxins: leaves and flowers were free. Damage by insect larvae (Ephestia elutella) led to aflatoxin formation by fungi in the pods. Fruits damaged by other factors can also contain aflatoxins. The occurrence of aflatoxins in senna pods in South India proved to be unevenly distributed. Before harvest, 55% of samples contained less than 2 μg/kg, and 25% more than 10 μg/kg, with a maximum of 255 μg/kg. Controlled sun drying of pods allowed the aflatoxin content to double, while drying in the shade was followed by a four-fold increase. Only a very small fraction of dried senna pods carried the maximum load of aflatoxins. During storage of Indian senna pods, the aflatoxin content usually fell.

The smallest increase of aflatoxins, but still giving rise to unacceptably high levels, was achieved using a solar dryer. The formation of aflatoxins in Indian senna pods could also be reduced by application of NeemAzal T/S^® and even more by a fresh neem leaf water extract, but not to below the desired level of 2 μg/kg. Northern Indian harvest methods, used in South India, resulted in a reduction of aflatoxins, but again not sufficiently, and with a reduced economic output. Sudan senna (C. senna acutifolia), grown in South India, showed resistance to fungal infections and the aflatoxin content was lower than in Indian senna (C. senna angustifolia), in the field and in the laboratory, but growing Sudan senna elsewhere in India was not economical. The consequences of the findings are discussed.     

Broadband in India: Strategic investment opportunities

India is one of the top five mobile communications markets in the world. A wave of structural reforms in the Indian telecommunications industry during the past decade has fueled this growth. Following the introduction of competition, removal of entry barriers, and increasing foreign direct investment, the mobile sector has enjoyed unparalleled success. In contrast, broadband Internet services have not witnessed similar development, and the spread of broadband services in India is slow compared to some of the developing nations in the same region. This paper outlines the success factors (social, economic, and technological) that have contributed to the growth of the mobile communications industry. Based on its success, this paper proposes strategic investment opportunities for service providers, governments, and corporate organizations in the field of broadband services. It also touches on major areas that are outside the telecom arena but contribute to its success.     

印度与西方现代建筑的对话

本文概述了从殖民地时期到７０年代西方建筑师在印度的建筑活动，分析了西方影响下印度土土现代建筑的形成和发展。     

Isolation of Free Living Amoebas as a Highly Sensitive Index of Water Contamination

Abstract

Safe drinking water is a rare commodity in India. Several water borne diseases are commonly reported from metropolitan cities of India, most likely due to unsatisfactory disinfection of municipal water. The analysis of the microbiological flora of the water supplied for drinking purposes shows that New Delhi water is biologically contaminated. Six hundred water samples obtained from New Delhi residential complexes included 96 from direct taps, 310 from overhead tanks used for storing the same water for urgent needs, and 194 were from water filter residues. The samples were repeatedly collected in every season for two consecutive years. Ninety percent of the water samples were found to be biologically contaminated. Most contaminated samples were from overhead water tanks (97.4 percent) and from filter residues (94.5 percent). Even direct tap water was found to be contaminated in more than 50 percent of the samples. The most common isolates were from the protozoan category, the free living amoeba (90.1 percent) and by aerobic bacteria (73.0 percent). Overhead tank water samples were co-contaminated with as many as 15 microorganisms. Isolation of free living amoebae was found to be the most sensitive tool of analyzing the water safety. It is proposed that after determining the microbiological contamination, the public health laboratories should modify the existing technique and must perform the cultures for free living amoebae on non-nutrient agar in addition to the standard coliform test.     

The occurrence of vulnerable seagrass species Halophila beccarii Ascherson, 1871 from restored mangrove of Koduvally Estuary,south‐west coast of India

The ocean turf grass, Halophila beccarii Ascherson, 1871 was recorded for the first time in the intertidal region of the restored mangrove ecosystem of the Koduvally Estuary on the south‐west coast of India. It was found co‐existing in the shallow muddy area of the mangroves, dominated by mangrove trees of Rhizophora mucronata and Sonneratia alba, and macroalgae, Ulva sp., Enteromorpha sp. and Chaetomorpha sp. The meadow is sparsely scattered with shoots near the mangroves, with a mean density of 720 shoots/m². Details regarding the morphology and hydrographic conditions are described. The occurrence of H. beccarii in the Koduvally estuary is an encouraging sign of improved ecosystem health through mangrove restoration. The development of seagrass meadow in the estuary will improve the sediment stability and water quality. A further comprehensive study on the spatiotemporal variation of this species in the estuary is also recommended for conservation and management of this vulnerable seagrass species.     

Domestic solar hot water systems: Developments, evaluations and essentials for “viability” with a special reference to India

Following typical phases of any technology development, initially there have been research works focusing mainly on the solar hot water systems’ (SHWS) technology development then followed by economic aspects. This has resulted in techno-economically feasible standardized solar hot water systems. Owing to these favourable features, SHWS in general and Domestic SHWS (DSHWS) in particular attracted several promotional measures with a view to make them as the alternative for conventional water heating options in India. However, even after the implementation of these measures for more than two decades in India, the potentials-achievements difference remains to be extremely large, the reasons for which are attributed to the so-called “barriers for dissemination”. This paper presents a consolidated review of solar water heating related issues covering these technological developments, techno-economics, promotional measures, present dissemination status and barriers for dissemination, all with a special reference to the Indian context. Also presented in this paper is the identified need for “viability” studies of DSHWS and “essentials for viability evaluations of DSHWS” in multi-dimensional environment that aid in developing decision making tools to improve dissemination of DSHWS.     

Street vendors in Patna,India: Understanding the socio-economic profile,livelihood and hygiene practices

Street food vending is fundamental to daily life in many low and middle income countries where much of the urban population rely on food provided by street vendors. While street vendors are known to be important providers of food; limited research has investigated vendor’s hygiene practices and their socioeconomic circumstances in India. The aims of this study were to investigate the hygienic practices of food vendors and the context of their socioeconomic and living circumstances. Structured interviews were conducted with 31 street food vendors in Patna, India. The interviews explored issues around vending, hygiene practices, planning, and financial stability. Findings from this study indicate that food vendors are aware of good basic hygiene practices despite having low levels of literacy, low incomes, and limited job security.     

Getting reforms done in inhospitable institutional environments: untying a Gordian Knot in India’s power distribution sector

When grand institutional reforms based on idealized models are stalled by the poor institutional environments and difficult politics which often surround large infrastructure systems in developing countries, partial reforms whose design and implementation take into account the different interests of the key stakeholders can provide valuable and immediate benefits while moving these systems from low- towards higher-level equilibria. Strategically negotiated, experimentally partial and purposefully hybrid, these reforms are based on careful stakeholder analysis and strategic coalition building that avoid rigid positions based on idealized models. Our findings are based on a study of power sector reforms in India, where we performed a micro-level and in-depth analysis of a partial and innovative experiment which has allowed private sector participation in electricity distribution within a hostile institutional environment.     

Achieving meaningful public participation in the environmental assessment of hydro development: case studies from Chamoli District,Uttarakhand, India

Uttarakhand, India has great potential for hydro development because of its mountainous environment and fast flowing rivers. While growth in the hydro sector could facilitate industrial development and improve social well-being in the state, it could also have severe negative impacts on social-ecological systems. Using a qualitative methodology involving a review of documents, field observations, and over 100 interviews with government, industry officials and community members, the research investigated two large hydro projects in the Chamoli District. The results show that public participation in project planning and implementation did not exemplify characteristics of meaningful involvement. The participation processes would have been improved with greater opportunities for advanced, decentralised, and more active local involvement. The conclusion is that the central and state governments should play a more assertive role in regulating large-scale hydro development in Uttarakhand, to facilitate meaningful public participation and to protect local environmental, economic and social interests.