Common sense about common salt
In earlier times, a mixture of salt, herbs and spices or a simple dose of salt by itself was considered a prime cure for a range of illnesses.
Patent fears
Scientists in Karnataka are forced by the administration to abandon efforts towards documenting the biodiversity knowledge of indigenous people
"Ayurveda has no lobby"
David Frawley, director, American Institute of Vedic Studies, New Mexico, USA spoke to Vibha Varshney about ayurveda in the US
Poor man's saffron
Loaded with immunity-boosting properties,parijaat flower is used in various delicacies during the onset of winter
Unravelling science for the lay person
NCSTC-Network, a voluntary organisation, links and helps smaller organisations working to demystify science for the masses and dispelling blind …
Checking population growth through the ages
The concept of family planning control dates back to the ancient Greeks. Though many scientific advances have been made in the field since then, …
Technology gives traditional water-mills a lift
The gharat, a water wheel used for centuries by the Himalayan people, has now been modified so that it can empower several machines simultaneously.…
Beyond 'intelligence'
BEYOND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: TOWARDS TRADITIONAL RESOURCE RIGHTS FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES· Darrell A Posey and Graham …
Losing jobs in the jungle
Irula tribals are rich in the knowledge of traditional medicine. They used to catch snakes and practise herbal medicine for a living. Today they …
Folk cures
In Ethiopia, traditional healers can be a good alternative to an inefficient public health system
Uninspired view of culture and development
Culture and Development: Cultural Patterns in Areas of Uneven Development K C Alexander and K P Kumaran Publisher: Sage Publications, New Delhi, …
Ayurveda offers remedy for failing memory
After yielding successful formulations like Liv. 52 and Guglip, Ayurveda now holds out promise of a new range of drugs to treat mental disorders.
Stretching arguments to point of absurdity
SCIENCE, DEVELOPMENT AND VIOLENCE -- THE TWILIGHT OF MODERNITY Claude Alvares Publisher: Oxford University Press, New Delhi Price: Rs 195
Mughal system stilll supplies water at zero cost
Mughal builders are known the world over for the Taj Mahal. But their water engineers built a supply system in 1615 that still provides water to …
Building up a dangerous trend
Last October's earthquake destroyed 20 per cent of Uttarkashi's houses. When the rubble had settled, it was found that the older, traditional …
"India has lost much to the West"
Lynn Crisanta R Panganiban is a physician in the department of pharmacology at the University of Philippines, Manila. A toxicologist and an …
In custody
The zabo is the chosen water harvesting system of the Chakhesang tribals of Nagaland's Kikruma village. Placed by fate in the rain-shadow of a …
The red tape vs Kanis
The forest department reserves the right to conserve arogyapacha, and prevents Kanis from selling it outside
The miracle-makers
Scientists are only now finding out the Kanis' knowledge of herbal remedies. The most outstanding find so far is arogyapacha
Popular science
Traditional science and technologies are crucial to the everyday life of a large part of India. But will the traditions hold on?
Tribals become anthropologists
An academy that aims at converting tribals to anthropology; where the Bhils crossover from being mere objects of study to an active role in …
The Baigas and their weavers
The buzzword these days in Baigachak is the Baiga Mahapanchayat. It is an effort of Nai Disha, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Sijhora …
Sacred Ecology
Sacred Ecology examines bodies of knowledge held by indigenous and other rural peoples around the world, and asks how we can learn from this …
Making sense of `Make in India'
Manufacturing needs to get a boost. But what to manufacture and how are two critical questions
Traditional irrigation fails themoney test
USER-FRIENDLY IRRIGATION DESIGNS Nirmal Sengupta Publisher: Sage Publications, New Delhi Price: Rs 185