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The Hindu
19 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
The story of how heeng came to be successfully cultivated in India
Heeng or asafoetida (Ferula assa-foetida) is an essential ingredient in many Indian cuisines. A pinch of heeng is typically added to hot oil before other constituents when cooking. Despite the great diversity of India's cuisines, most of them have recipes with heeng. There are mentions of heeng in ancient Indian texts including the Mahabharata and texts of Ayurveda. The latter recommends using heeng to refresh one's senses, including consciousness. The Charaka Sanhita Sutrasthana 27/299 says heeng can help relieve abdominal pain, digest undigested food, and enhance taste. The Pippalada Samhita and the works of Panini also include heeng. Today, heeng plants thrive in cold, arid environments suited to the native regions in Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia. The plant prefers sandy, well-drained soil with low moisture, ideally receiving annual rainfall of 200 mm or less, though it can tolerate up to 300 mm in cultivated regions like the Indian Himalaya. It flourishes in temperatures of 10-20° C, tolerates highs of up to 40° C, and withstands winter lows down to –4° C. In extremely dry and cold weather, heeng plants typically become dormant to survive. These requirements make high-altitude, semi-arid regions like Lahaul-Spiti and Uttarkashi in India suitable for its cultivation. Excessive rainfall or high soil moisture can hinder growth. The final product obtained from the plant, asafoetida, is derived from an oleo-gum resin extracted from the plant's thick, fleshy taproot and rhizome, which makes up 40-64% of the dried gum. Heeng is a perennial plant that typically takes five years to mature and start flowering. Incisions are then made in the taproot, allowing the milky latex to exude and harden into a gum-like substance. This resin is dried and processed into powder or crystal form for culinary and medicinal use. Cutting import dependence Until early last decade, despite being the world's largest consumer of heeng, India depended on imports from Afghanistan, Iran, and Uzbekistan, among others. The government subsequently launched a national effort to promote indigenous cultivation of heeng. This mission was led by the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT) in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. Researchers here took up the challenge of introducing heeng to Indian soil for the first time, starting with a rigorous and multi-layered international search from 2018 and 2020 to procure viable seeds of heeng. As part of this programme, CSIR-IHBT scientists communicated with the relevant agencies in Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and South Africa and contacted more than 20 suppliers. These efforts culminated in the procurement of heeng seeds, initially from Iran, and later from Afghanistan. To facilitate legal and phytosanitary compliance, the ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) in New Delhi, the designated nodal agency for plant germplasm import and quarantine, issued the necessary import permits and conducted all mandated quarantine inspections. Once the seeds were cleared, they were handed over to IHBT for research and field evaluation. The first import of six seed accessions from Iran took place in October 2018, and IHBT researchers were faced with the significant biological challenges posed by their dormancy and low germination rate. They worked to develop germination protocols, identify altitude-specific locations suitable for cultivation, and formulate agronomic practices for Indian conditions. Controlled trials were conducted at IHBT Palampur and its Centre for High Altitude Biology in Ribling in Lahaul & Spiti. Early adopters The team planted the first heeng seedling in India on October 15, 2020, in a farmer's field at Kwaring village in Lahaul Valley, officially marking the beginning of the country's journey into indigenous heeng cultivation. One key milestone in expanding heeng cultivation beyond Lahaul was achieved shortly thereafter when the team planted heeng at Janjheli in Mandi district on November 8, 2020. This was the first extension of heeng cultivation into the mid-hill regions of Himachal Pradesh, exploring the crop's potential beyond the high-altitude cold desert zone. This was soon followed by the establishment of demonstration plots and farmer training programmes across Lahaul & Spiti, Mandi, Kinnaur, Kullu, and Chamba, in collaboration with the State Agriculture Department. Villages that became early adopters of this initiative were: Lahaul & Spiti: Madgran, Salgran, Beeling, Keylong Mandi: Janjehli, Majhakhal, Kataru, Ghayan, Karsog Kinnaur: Kafnoo, Hango, Maling, Reckong Peo, Kalpa, Moorang, Graming, Katgaon Kullu: Bagsaid, Dhaugi–Sainj, Kotla–Banjar Chamba: Pangi, Deol, Bharmour, Mahala, Tooh To further institutionalise this progress, the Heeng Germplasm Resource Centre was established at IHBT Palampur and was formally inaugurated on March 5, 2022. It serves as the national hub for conservation, research, training, seed production, and plant propagation vis-à-vis heeng. May 28 milestone CSIR-IHBT researchers also developed a dedicated tissue culture unit to facilitate the large-scale propagation of heeng plants. This specialised facility was funded by the Government of Himachal Pradesh, reinforcing the collaborative framework between scientific institutions and the State in advancing the high-altitude cultivation of this important crop. Researchers used advanced methods such as ecological niche modelling to map favourable cultivation zones using GPS-tagged occurrence data and environmental parameters. The first flowering and seed set of heengat Palampur was finally reported on May 28, 2025, by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research — a significant milestone demonstrating that heeng can indeed be successfully cultivated in India. This achievement, realised approximately five years after the initial sowing in 2020 in Himachal Pradesh, confirmed the plant's successful acclimatisation. It also signifies its ability to complete the reproductive cycle, a critical prerequisite for seed production, long-term domestication, and sustainable commercial cultivation. While the heeng plant thrives in cold deserts, its successful cultivation in Palampur at just 1,300 m (above sea level) is a breakthrough: proving that plant adaptability holds untapped potential and that new agro-ecological frontiers still await discovery. Ultimately, the milestone paves the way for India to reduce its import dependence, and for farmers to enhance their incomes and build a self-reliant supply chain for this culturally important spice. In all, the success of heeng cultivation in India owes itself to the efforts of CSIR-IHBT, ICAR-NBPGR, the Himachal Pradesh government, the State Agriculture Department, and the region's progressive farmers. Sanjay Kumar is former Director, CSIR-IHBT, Palampur. Shekhar C. Mande is Distinguished Professor at the Savitribai Phule Pune University and the former Director General, CSIR.
New York Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
The debate over Lamine Yamal's ‘true' rookie card and its skyrocketing value
Over the past year, at the age of just 17, Barcelona's Lamine Yamal has almost won it all. A Euro 2024 trophy with Spain, Best Young Player at the Ballon d'Or ceremony, Copa del Rey and La Liga titles. After his impressive breakout season, he signed a new six-year contract that could be worth nearly $45m a year. All of which has propelled one of his rookie cards in gem-mint condition to go from selling for $200 to $10,000 over the last six months. Or has it? Advertisement Since Yamal's historic La Liga debut in April 2023, trading card manufacturers Panini and Topps have produced a variety of rookie cards from their respective FIFA, UEFA, and La Liga sets. From over 20 sets across 18 months, there's been thousands of Yamal trading cards printed with a rookie card 'RC' logo on them. But there is often only one deemed an athlete's 'true' rookie card that collectors gravitate towards, and the chosen one for Yamal has a bit of intrigue to it. Common sense would suggest that the very first Yamal trading card released in August 2023, the 'Master Rookie' insert found in Panini's 2023-24 Megacracks La Liga 1st Edition boxes, would automatically be the one. It's a card currently selling for around $700 in the best condition, a PSA 10 on the leading grading company's scale, but that's not what's proved most sought-after. Nor is it his second released card one month later by Topps to commemorate his Champions League debut, Topps Now UCL #9, which would set you back $100 in the highest grade. It's the third printed Yamal rookie card, from Panini's 2023-24 Megacracks 3rd Edition boxes released in October 2023. It's known as the '#108BIS' (we'll come back to why those three letters are important later). This week, a #108BIS in PSA 10 condition sold for $10,000 on eBay, raising eyebrows after 56 sales in 2024 averaged just $350, and reached as low as $201 just six months ago. It looks to be no fluke either, with another auction due to end this weekend, seeing bids upwards of $7,000. So are those who purchased the card last year for a fraction of these current prices now looking at a big pay day? Collectors on social media are split, with claims ranging from accusations of shill bidding (where groups of collectors who own the card bid up the price, but don't actually pay, in order to make it appear more valuable than it actually is in the hopes that someone else will pay the inflated price), to money laundering, to poor financial decisions, to genuine belief that the young soccer star is indeed the next Lionel Messi. CardLadder, which tracks trading card sales across multiple marketplaces, has verified sales (i.e. proof of payment versus auction house final hammer prices) for sales up to $7,500, however the $10,000 sale is still yet to be verified. The winning bidder's account had zero feedback (suggesting it's a new account with limited or no previous transactions), which raises suspicion, however the card has not yet been relisted. The Athletic have also had confirmation of transactions upwards of $5,000. Advertisement One seller who sold his card earlier this year for $1,700 described receiving payment as 'unfortunate' in hindsight, after feeling that they had sold the card too early. So, after proven four-figure sales, how did the third card produced become the most in demand? It's one part population, one part historical precedent, and one part learning from its past mistakes. Verified sales of Yamal's #108BIS card over the last six months. (Chart: CardLadder) 'I know there's a lot of skepticism around how this card skyrocketed, but Panini Megacracks are not actually great quality cards,' said a Yamal collector named Tomás, who recently sold a Yamal #108BIS. 'Getting a top PSA 10 grade is so difficult, it's like finding the holy grail. Last year I purchased around 150 fresh from the pack and only 66 I deemed good enough to be submitted to PSA. Just 12 came back a PSA 10'. In simple terms, the card is largely printed with defects, which make it tough to achieve the best possible grade. Currently one in five cards sent to PSA are awarded the top Gem Mint 10 rating, with a total population as of writing sitting at 198. 'People are now submitting hundreds of them aiming for a 10,' Tomás said. This card condition concern hasn't stopped people from buying boxes of 2023 Megacracks La Liga, which now resell for upwards of $800 after an initial recommended retail price of $28. The gem rate (percentage of cards that earn a top grade) is the lowest for any of the early Yamal rookie cards, which points to one reason why this card has grown exponentially in price. 'His first Megacracks card, the Master Rookie, has over 1,300 PSA 10 grades, thus it looks like the hobby picked this card (#108BIS) as the True Rookie as it was with Messi's BIS back in 2004,' said Tomás. The word 'bis' in Italian means encore. Founded in Italy, Panini added BIS cards (i.e. an update set that comes later in the season) to La Liga Megacracks boxes after the first edition had been released, which is why the #108BIS can only be found in third edition boxes. Three years before Yamal was born, Lionel Messi's Barcelona rookie card was released and there was no debate about it. By the third edition of Panini's 2004 Megacracks, there was just one Messi trading card, the #71BIS, where a PSA 10 grade most recently sold for $312,000 via Fanatics Collect (19 in existence, with a gem rate of just 2%). There's something charming about the Spanish star's GOAT comparisons on the pitch and the connection between Megacracks BIS trading cards, and it's certainly not lost on collectors. Yamal's Barcelona team-mate Ansu Fati provides a cautionary tale of how the card market can move in the opposite direction. After scoring seven goals in 24 La Liga appearances in his 2019-20 debut season that began when he was still 16 years old, Fati's first Megacracks BIS PSA 10 hit the market with an initial sale of $1,775. Sales continued to rise up to a high of $5,100 in February 2021. Three months prior to that, he had suffered a torn meniscus, ruling him out for the entire season. Since then, his career has failed to live up to expectations, and the same card sold this April for just $90. Advertisement Given that precedent, collectors would be forgiven for being cautious about the latest hyped soccer star, which points to why the #108BIS PSA 10 had an initial sale of $269, far less than where Fati's opened. Now Yamal's accolades match the early promise he showed when running onto the Camp Nou pitch aged just 15, the prices look to be adjusting in line with levels for stars across sports. It's not just this card that's taken off; in March his one-of-one autographed superfractor sold for $136,000 via Goldin. His 1/1s have collectively amassed over $500,000 in sales. As the $10,000 sale remains uncertain, what next for the #108BIS? Yamal is the bookmakers' second favorite behind Ousmane Dembele to win the 2025 Ballon d'Or, but his performance against France in the Nations League semi-finals on Thursday will only boost his odds. Next is a date in the final on Sunday against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal. 'I guess that at some point this summer (Yamal's card market) will calm down and settle, but with France vs. Spain it very well could continue to rise. I don't think it will drop dramatically with the Ballon d'Or awards in September and then the World Cup next year. I'm getting so many inquiries from collectors in America asking if this one (#108BIS) is a good investment and I think it's a one-of-a-kind card to own,' said Tomás. Buyers should do their due diligence when seeking a rare Yamal rookie card. Last week an auction for a Champions League rookie card limited to just 25 in existence ended with a sold price of $12,119. Five days later the exact card was relisted for auction after going unpaid. Anyone bidding now could be led to believe that type of card is worth 12 grand without reviewing the serial number. Circles of collectors who own high-value cards of specific players have been accused of pumping prices over the years, creating a false economy where potential new owners could be burdened with a market price that's unsustainable and destined to make a loss. But even with an influx of Yamal #108BIS cards in the PSA grading queue, at its current 20% gem rate, there would need to be over 5,000 submitted to reach the high populations of the first two Yamal rookies, so this Megacracks BIS card may well hold strong long term as long as Yamal continues to deliver on the pitch. If a select few have cornered the #108BIS market, however, then maybe the Master Rookie is a safer buy after all. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence in all our coverage. When you click or make purchases through our links, we may earn a commission.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Pick up your favourite newspapers this weekend to get 12 FREE stickers
Pick up your favourite newspapers this weekend to get 12 FREE stickers #GOTGOTNEED We've teamed up with Panini to give you the chance to get your England Lioness Official Sticker Collection 2025 off to a great start with free stickers with this weekend's Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror (Saturday June 7 and Sunday June 8, 2025). You'll get a voucher inside both your newspapers to get a set of six stickers each day. These free stickers are part of the official guide to the eagerly-anticipated summer of football and features England's best women's footballing talent in sticker form. All you have to do is cut out the voucher in the newspaper and take it to your nearest WHSmith High Street store. The offer is valid until Sunday June 8, while stocks last. Let's join the England Women's squad as they look to retain their title! Coach Sarina Wiegman has brought the feelgood factor to her super-successful squad with every player learning, growing and winning together – united as a team. There's never been a better time to play for or follow the Lionesses, so get behind the team and discover everything you need to know about their journey to the top! The sticker collection features a total of 160 stickers to collect including 36 special stickers to look out for. You can kick start your collection with a starter pack, which includes an album + 5 sticker packets. So what are you waiting for? Don't forget to pick up your copy of the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror this weekend. Get stuck in!
News18
31-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
'The Hindu Manifesto': A Comprehensive Global Manual Of Governance
Last Updated: The book has 8 chapters that provide a Hindu view of different aspects of governance that could lead to an ideal society The Hindu Manifesto is not a complex book. It is not a book on Hindutva. It is a simple book based on very deep and wide-ranging research by a sadhu scholar, Swami Vigyananand. You can actually feel the labour of seven years of research in creating this book. His research is complex, but his presentation is not. The Hindu Manifesto is not a manifesto for Hindu Rashtra nor a manifesto for Hindus alone. It presents to the world a comprehensive manual of governance based on Dharma, understood as duty in our respective roles and ethical behaviour based on belief in our innate nobility as human beings. The book has 8 chapters that provide a Hindu view of different aspects of governance that could lead to an ideal society. The narrative is simple. The author quotes chosen gems of invocations, suktas, mantras and shlokas from different Hindu scriptures right from Vedic times to the time till invaders managed to damage our governance, knowledge base, and social systems to a great extent. Even those periods could not destroy those principles completely till the British came, dismantled it brick by brick and handed over governance to the leaders who were trained in Western models of governance with no training or understanding of their own rich knowledge system or systems of governance. Women cannot commit sins; it is men who become the culprits and sinners. Due to being forced into submission and exploited due to their vulnerability, women cannot be deemed offenders (page 244). The wife has a right to dissolve her marriage if her husband is considered unworthy due to factors such as his low character, residence in a foreign country, disloyalty to the nation, involvement in criminal activities like murder, departure from moral principles, lack of integrity, impotence, and unmanliness (page 247). However, the same group of self-professed feminists and liberals would be disappointed that their pet theory of misogyny and women's supposed inferior position does not stand the scrutiny of Hindu texts. On page 218, the author tells us about 28 Brahmavadini (female sages) who appear in the Rigveda. Scriptures tell us that the son is like oneself, and the daughter is like the son[…] A daughter is like a son; she will be the one to carry forward the family lineage (page 220). It quotes evidence of boys and girls studying in the same Gurukul (page 233). The writer dwells at length on the social equity and casteism, providing evidence that the theories of caste discrimination are more myths than historical reality. He explores and helps the reader understand the concepts of varna, jati, jatiya, and jnati, according to Panini's grammar and other rishis (page 271). The Mahabharata notes that in all the varnas, there are no special signs or distinct markers. Everyone originates from Bhagwan Brahma; thus, everyone is considered as Brahmin (page 279). The author quotes KS Lal in an annexure, concluding that the growth and evolution of scheduled tribes and castes in medieval Bharat were significantly influenced by their active participation in sociopolitical and economic spheres (page 303). While the world has made us believe that we were only spiritually inclined and had no interest in accumulating wealth and enjoying life, the scriptures confirm that we believed in producing, consuming, and enjoying within the framework of Dharma. Artha (prosperity) for us was the basis of our life. Dharma, kama, heaven results from artha. Without artha, life in the world would be unsustainable (page 12). Many texts talk about taxation. Taxation is akin to extracting juice from a palmyra tree (page 29). A state should take only one-sixth of people's income as taxes (page 35). To achieve this level of prosperity, education was considered of critical importance. A rishi says, there is no greater vision in the world than education (Vidya), and there is no greater reward than education (page 102). Scriptures also note that Learning, Penance, and a great deal of wealth–all these can be obtained through diligent work. Therefore, one should recognise the importance of hard work. […]The state should prioritise a single learned and knowledgeable individual over thousands of illiterate fools, as such individuals can greatly contribute during an economic crisis (page 199). A shloka of Shukra Samhita lists out various types of Vidya, of which there is Yavan philosophy too (page 109). Which means we were not cocooned, but had a great understanding of the world around us. In Hindu society, our ancestors have placed significant emphasis on the importance of politics, The Hindu sutra is Responsible Democracy–Politics is a refuge, a place of safety, for all living beings (page 126). We did not believe that politics is the last resort of a scoundrel. A shloka says, Rajadharma (politics) is like a boat that floats on the ocean of dharma. The attributes of satva (truth and purity) serve as the oars to steer the boat. Dharmashastra acts as the ropes that tie it. With the help of renunciation in the form of wind, the boat moves swiftly, allowing it to cross the worldly sea (page 132). Another set of shlokas describes thirty attributes of an effective head of state (page 166). How should a state treat its citizens? The author quotes, 'The state should provide support and care for weak and vulnerable individuals, including the blind, deaf, lame, disabled, those with limb loss and wandering monks" (page 145). It also enjoins that the state should take care of widows, orphans, the disabled, and the destitute (page 190). Oppression of people by the state is forbidden (page 194). The author notes that the state should not oppress its people by extracting excessive taxes, as this undermines the prescribed rules and ultimately leads to the destruction of the state (page 195). And, for minor mistakes made by its people, a state should not resort to mutilation, execution, or various forms of torture (page 196). Our sages caution that some entrepreneurs, both poor and wealthy, have become wealthy in a short period. Ministers and tax collectors should not be misled by others to believe that their success was achieved through improper means (page 31). It means trust your citizens. On the environment, our scriptures and shastras exhort us and the state to take care of nature. The state's responsibility to the citizens also includes the preservation of the environment. The author goes to great lengths to prove that our scriptures do not ask for animal sacrifice in yagna. Then it goes on to quote shlokas that tell us to use grains, that too, which are older than three years (not fit for seeding). We are told: The paddy, barley, gold, and animals on this earth are not sufficient for one person. Therefore, one should give up craving (page 308). This means responsible, restrained consumption. A series of shlokas to prove that the tree, its leaves, bark and fruit and flowers possess life. When trees are cut, new sprouts germinate, and they experience pleasure and pain. From this, one can infer that trees have a living persona; they are not inanimate (page 333). Big water reservoirs should be built in all regions of the state and filled with water to ensure that crops are not destroyed due to a lack of rainfall (page 21). The state should protect timber forests, elephant habitats, miners, and bridges. Additionally, it should grow new forests, construct bridges, and undertake other developments as needed (page 338). Chanakya instructs that, if any person kills, catches or injures deer, rhinoceroses, buffaloes, peacocks or fish in reserve forests and sanctuaries or in large educational institutions where killing or catching is prohibited, the officials there should inflict the severest punishment on them. If any member of the royal family violates this directive, they should also be punished (pages 210-311). Showing its respect for the environment, a profound shloka says, 'Everything on this earth is created and eventually returns to it, making it the home to every living being and renowned as the ultimate refuge for all creatures" (page 319). Bharatiya civilisation may be the only civilisation that treats its land of birth like a mother and worships it. There are many suktas shlokas from Vedic times and later that describe Bharatvarsh as the motherland, with clear mention of its boundaries. The geography of Bharat is described at great length in the Mahabharata. The states that joined the Mahabharata war paid tributes to King Yudhishthir, covering half the earth. Even China was once ruled by King Mandhata (page 351). Such is the strong connection with the nation that a shloka says, those who seek to increase their fortune through unscrupulous means, harming and betraying their country, are like vermin feeding on a corpse (page 361). Rishis of Atharvaveda, call out: O beloved Motherland, our people should not harbour enmity among themselves. Instead, they should unite, especially our leaders, who must work together for the country's betterment. Our land nurtures a variety of vegetation and herbs that cure diseases and provide nourishment. O beloved motherland, elevate our reputation across the world (page 368). The above quotations are just a glimpse of the wisdom that flows through The Hindu Manifesto. One needs to read the book, a virtual manual for any political leader who wishes to rule a country or a state, anywhere in the world. Because the principles of statecraft are universal and have been described so well by our ancient leaders in philosophy and statecraft. top videos View all This global manifesto of governance stands true for any nation, irrespective of the religion it follows or the type of governance it has. Swami Vigyananand could bring out such a universal manual of governance because Hindu dharma or Santan Dharma is universal, inclusive, non-discriminatory, for the human beings who form our societies and nations. It is truly a liberal worldview. The reviewer is a well-known author and political commentator. He has written several books on RSS, like RSS 360, Sangh & Swaraj, RSS: Evolution from an Organisation to a Movement, Conflict Resolution: The RSS Way, and done a PhD on RSS. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. tags : book caste governance hindu history religion Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 31, 2025, 16:25 IST News opinion Book Review | 'The Hindu Manifesto': A Comprehensive Global Manual Of Governance
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bears TE Colston Loveland on what impresses him most about Ben Johnson
Bears TE Colston Loveland on what impresses him most about Ben Johnson Ben Johnson's first draft selection as Chicago Bears head coach was tight end Colston Loveland, who was selected with the 10th overall pick and provides another weapon for this offense. With Cole Kmet already on the roster, the Bears add Loveland to their tight end room creating more opportunities for Johnson to run 12-personnel, which will allow both tight ends to get on the field at the same time. During Panini's recent "Rookie Premier" event, Loveland met with Kay Adams of "Up & Adams" to talk about his new head coach and the relationship they're building in his first year. From his energy, his attention to detail, and his coaching style, Loveland had nothing but praise for Johnson. "It's been great, I always tell people it's crazy how detailed he is," Loveland said. "You see it in his splits, the precision in how he coaches, the energy he's got and he brings to the facility. I'm a big fan of him and he's going to be great." It's easy to recognize that where the Bears drafted him, Loveland should have an immediate role in the new offense under Johnson. There's plenty of discussion about how Chicago will roll out and distribute touches between not only Kmet and Loveland but the entire offense with their deep roster of playmakers. But given his highly-regarded offensive mind, Johnson is the right coach to put the team in the best spots to deliver. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
