Latest news with #R.Jayaraj
The Hindu
01-08-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Bamboo on your plate: KFRI brings a nutritious forest treasure to everyday diet
A crunchy, nutrient-rich revolution is under way, and it is rooted deep in Kerala's forests. The Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) has developed bamboo shoot-based flakes and powder, a step that could bring one of nature's most overlooked superfoods to kitchen shelves across the country. Bamboo shoots, long cherished in the cuisines of Northeast India and Southeast Asia, are now being given a new form for South Indian palates, thanks to the efforts of a team led by R. Jayaraj, Principal Scientist at KFRI. 'The goal is not just nutritional innovation, but also creating value-added products that are sustainable and farmer-friendly,' according to Dr. Jayaraj. The products are made from tender bamboo shoots (locally called mulan koombu), which are harvested, processed to remove moisture, and then converted into flakes and powder without losing their natural nutritional profile. Rich in vitamins, proteins, minerals, and low in fat, these bamboo products support digestion and help regulate body weight, according to the scientists. High fibre content With their mild flavour and texture, bamboo flakes and powder can be blended into bakery items like biscuits, breads, and healthy snacks. What's more, the high fibre content and nutritional properties make it an excellent dietary addition for health-conscious consumers. But despite their promise, these products are still in their early stages of market penetration. Lack of awareness among public about the nutritional properties of the product is a challenge. The scientists also face the hurdles in raw material sourcing and lack of commercial-scale partners to take this forward. However, the potential for rural impact is enormous. Commercialising bamboo-based food products could open new income streams for bamboo cultivators, particularly in tribal and forest-adjacent communities. The KFRI believes this innovation could also boost bamboo cultivation in Kerala. At conclave As part of its push to scale the initiative, the KFRI will present these bamboo-based products at an upcoming Research and Development conclave hosted by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment on August 7 in Thiruvananthapuram. In a world turning toward nature for answers to modern health problems, bamboo may soon go from forest floor to dining table, ushering in a greener, healthier tomorrow.
The Hindu
09-06-2025
- The Hindu
Tracking down the missing phones of Sabarimala pilgrims
'Hello, this is the Pampa police calling. You are currently using a mobile phone that was reported lost at Sabarimala. Kindly send it to the Pampa police station at the earliest.'' It's the kind of call that has taken many by surprise, but has also led to over a hundred lost mobile phones making their way back to their original owners. The call is made by the Cyber Help Desk of the Pampa police station, which has been contacting individuals across various States after tracking down phones lost in the rush and chaos of Sabarimala. 12-member team In the previous pilgrimage season alone, 230 devotees who visited the Sabarimala temple complained that their phones had gone missing while being on the pilgrimage. But thanks to this digital dragnet run by a 12-member team, 102 of those phones have already been recovered and returned to their owners. Operations of the desk, which functions under the supervision of R. Jayaraj, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ranni, are led by Pampa Police Inspector C.K. Manoj. As part of it, an Internet-enabled counter has been set up at the station and all personnel have received training in using the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal, a centralised system designed to track and block lost mobile devices. When a devotee files a complaint about a missing phone, the device's information is uploaded to the CEIR portal and it is immediately blocked. If the phone is ever switched on using any mobile network, the service provider alerts both the complainant and the police station concerned. The officers then call the current user of the phone and follow up with an official notice. The devices are collected and returned to their owners via courier. In May alone, the desk recovered 25 phones. As far as north India 'While a few devices were tracked to as far away as north India and the Northeast, most were found in south Indian States themselves. The trail often ended at second-hand mobile shops where the phones missing from Sabarimala are sold,'' said an officer. Interestingly, most recoveries are made from Cumbum, Theni and Coimbatore districts in Tamil Nadu, which border the State. 'Some phones that go missing from the devotees reach the hands of casual labourers like sanitation workers who come from these regions. With no one to claim them, the phones are often taken back to their home villages and sold off,'' the officer added. Taking note of this pattern, District Police Chief V.G. Vinod Kumar has announced that the investigation will now be extended to these areas. He has also issued a public advisory urging buyers of second-hand mobile phones to verify the origin of the devices and exercise caution.
