Contemporary Science

Science has touched everything—from smart phones to satellites; from burgers to chapatis; from yoga to the gym—all have been impacted by technology. Mostly good, some evil. The world is today driven by developments in science and technology. All aspects of our lives are impacted by what humble scientists pursue hidden away in laboratories. India is changing fast and the country is making friends with science and scientists. A lot of science is complex and hard to comprehend but here is collection of fifty top essays written on contemporary topics in science which give a ring side view of developments. Science is fun—enjoy the wide canvas of this avid book which covers from atomic energy to solar energy; from giving every Indian a Mangalyaan in his hand to unearthing the real cause of air pollution. A collection of simple and short topical essays for any person interested in science and the developments taking place in this vast field.__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ContentsPreface—7Acknowledgements—9agriculture1. Magic Millet: Poor Man's Cereal gets an Enrichment Boost to Cure Anaemia—192. Wealth from Waste: A Novel Indian Biotech Solution that Efficiently Convert Agri-Waste into Alcohol—223. A Miracle Rice that Saved India from Famines!—27astronomy4. Go, Ligo-India Go where no One has gone before! A Nobel Prize Awaits—33biology5. Is Ganga Water Special because of an Enigmatic X-Factor, Government Launches Intensive Search to Resolve the Mystery of this 'Brahma Dravya'!—39Science6. A Ticking Time Bomb, waiting for the next big Earthquake Scientists try to Decipher Signatures of Past Temblors—477. India: A Leader in Tsunami Warnings—528. Science gets a tight embrace in the Modi government—58energy9. Is Solar Power the Real Solution to India's Energy Crisis?—65Environment10. Everyday Plastics Spell Doom for the Oceans—7111. Beef eating is Bad for Environment. Shun Beef Save the Planet say Experts!—7512. In a Global First, the World Bank goes to a Zoo in India!—7913. New Delhi choking! root cause Stems from a Deep Crisis in Indian Agriculture!—8314. Killer Air: Solution to Pollution is not Dilution but better Public Transportation—88Health15. The Weight Loss Paradox: Low Fat Diets are no better than High Fat Diets in the Long-Term!—9316. WHO urges India to be Vigilant, as a New Deadly 'Camel Virus' shakes the Soul of Seoul City—9617. Mobile Phones, White Coats and Neckties all part of a Doctor's Attire Spread Dangerous Infections—10018. India could be Hit by a Tsunami of Obesity!—10419. What ails India? A New Study finds on any given Day about 35 Million Indians could be Unwell!—10820. ISRO's Rocket Technology to power Human Hearts—11221. Health Ministry's Own Survey Projects a Bleak Picture—11622. Taming a Tiny Terrorist called TB, Indian Scientists provide New Insights for Drug Discovery—12023. Failing Antibiotics: The World Wakes up to the Worst Horror!—124International24. Burgeoning Indo-US relations: Denial of Visas to Scientists remains A Big Thorn in the Flesh—13125. Amazing Molecules with Life-Saving Properties discovered Literally from the Cold by Indian Biologists—13626. 'Human Sacrifice' in Shiva's abode inside the Kingdom of God Particles. Irrational behaviour by European Scientists riles India!—141nuclear27. Presence of Radioactivity in Steel could dent the 'Make in India' Effort—14728. Waste to Wealth: BARC Pioneers New Life Saving Radiation Technology—15129. Kakrapar Atomic Plant Leak Exposes a 'Mysterious' chink in Armour; Indian Nuclear Plants need urgent Systemic Safety Review—15530. Fourteen Year 'Vanvas' ends in Kudankulam bringing Cheers & Tears at India's Secretive Nuclear Establishment—16031. At Pokharan Indian, designed planes & missiles show firepower, DRDO quietly exults —166personality32. 'Kalam Island' should be the New Name of Wheeler Island, the 'Karam Bhoomi' of India's Missile Man A.P.J. Abdul Kalam—17333. Mother Teresa was a Living 'God' Why Attribute Irrational Miracles to Her for Granting Her the Status of a Saint—17834. M.G.K. Menon a Remarkable Polymath Scientist Leaves a behind Big Void!—183policy35. Coming soon a Never before Reactor; Friendship Satellite and a New Universal Polio Vaccine: Big-Ticket Sci-Tech Push Expected in 2016—19136. On Its Platinum Jubilee an aging CSIR cries for Renewal, but is Forced to Behave Likes a Glorified ITI!—196politics37. Modi Sarkar Anniversary: Mangalyaan brought Cheers; the Monsoon could bring Tears; while Scientists live in Fear—20538. Modi's Gift a Mangalyaan in Every Hand!—21039. Back to the Future from Food Rationing to Cash Rationing!—21440. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's 'entrepreneurial' advice to PM Narendra Modi on 'start up India, stand up India'—218space41. America Looks to Partner in India's Quest for Deep Space Exploration! As India goes Planet Hunting, ISRO Eyeing Venus, Mars and Asteroid—22542. India and China set Their Eyes on a Joint Satellite Constellation even as Pakistan bails out of SAARC Satellite—22943. ISRO's Big Leap Embarks on Launching an Indian Space Shuttle!—23444. ISRO's Century Emboldens it to Embrace Private Sector. But is the Love Affair One Sided?—23845. ISRO in Service of the Indian Soldier and the Indian War Machine—24446. ISRO's French Connection—25047. Moon shot Politics: Will an Indian start-up 'Tea Indus' beat ISRO in Planting India's Flag on the Moon?—25548. Troubles from Neighbours make India and Israel Forge Friendly Ties in Space—26049. Touching Lives : ISRO's space technology can save lives of soldiers at the Siachin Glacier —26350. Big gains for ISRO under Modi. 'Ache Din and a Naya Savera' for the Indian space community as NAVIC was navigated into place—268