Many regular readers of GoodNewsIndia [GNI] have wondered why this site has not been updated since 2006. The simple answer is this: the one-man team, that is me, D V Sridharan that publishes GNI is busy with a land restoration project christened, pointReturn . It will need my undivided time and attention at least till 2010; that leaves me with little time or energy to travel and do stories for GNI as I have done since 2000. So work on the site is temporarily suspended.
That is the reason. But there is a connecting story behind how I came to undertake pointReturn. In case you are interested, do pull up a chair and listen. It's a long one, and I must caution, somewhat opinionated. ⇒⇒
Aug 15, 2006
Scientists at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute [CMFRI] have discovered that the algae Sargassum wightii, can not only remove heavy metals like cadmium and lead but also leads to their recovery. It is more effective than the currently used activated carbon and zeolites.
Scientists packed a perforated box with powdered algae and placed it in contaminated effluents. In 30 minutes, 80% of cadmium and 70% of lead were absorbed by mannuronic and guluronic acids produced by the algae. After that, placing the soaked algae in an alkaline solution recovered the metals. CMFRI is calling it a Bio-battery. News report
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Bunker and his work are not new to prizes either.
Jun 05, 2003:TrendBihar is the ancient home to India’s divine heroes, kings, strategists, teachers, scholars, patriots, artists and administrators.
Aug 22, 2004:InnovationSingh was awarded US Patent No 6237579 in May 2001 for his idea
Feb 16, 2005:ProfileHe was a tree that bore many scientists as fruits.
Jul 15, 2003:ReformsIt is clear the PDS never really delivered to the needy but fed a parallel trade
May 17, 2003:EnthusiastWhether or not you agree with him, you will find yourself asking some new questions.
May 08, 2003:EnergyThe team headed by Prof. Shrinivasa has come up with a draft policy
Jan 10, 2003:EnvironmentFly ash is a very usable resource
Dec 07, 2003:Ideas For IndiaThese are ideas that a rapidly changing India needs
Jan 13, 2005:InitiativeOften what we cannot achieve by fulminating, can be achieved by switching off disappointment and working for a greater objective.
Mar 01, 2004:InnovationMany countries have evinced interest in buying India’s EVM
Jul 02, 2003:Ideas For IndiaIs there an enthusiast out there to commission a study of this idea by specialists?
Dec 17, 2003:ProfileWe could be looking at some action with teeth to it...what can ‘you’ do?
Nov 09, 2003:EconomyTata Motors, Pune, “do all the paint work for Mercedes and it holds the highest quality ratings for that work outside Germany”.
Aug 22, 2005:EnergyPongamia can be a wasteland tree, its oil is not edible, its care requires no chemical fertilisers or much water, it does not call for repeated planting and harvest like rape or soya do and the enriched land under its canopy can be used to raise edible crops.
Mar 06, 2006:EnergyLarge scale jatropha farms may be wrong solutions. Biodiesel producing algae may be a better option.
Mar 04, 2004:ResourcesIt takes 60 years to replace a 60 foot tree but only 60 days to replace a 60 foot bamboo
Oct 07, 2003:ActivismIn spite of its much maligned administration and almost compulsively retailed jokes, Bihar still has surprises to deliver
Jan 24, 2007:EnergyAlthough not of Indian origin, two new developments could favourably affect our environmental and energy situation.
Apr 08, 2003:EconomyIndia’s knowledge-edge is making it a success in the $3 trillion global auto-parts industry
Jan 02, 2004:Memory SpeaksThe whole family gathered around it
Jan 19, 2004:SpringsIt was built on faith-- and a conviction that money can always be found for a good cause
Jun 01, 2004:UpdateThe new compact biogas system is just as large as a household refrigerator
May 14, 2003:ActivismCommentators say it bodes well for the rule of law
Jan 12, 2004:InnovationA quick composting technique and a plant recycling TetraPak cartons
Jan 24, 2003:InitiativeCosts run to Rs.60,000 per month and she needs donations
Apr 28, 2003:Enthusiast“And when I heard of GoodNewsIndia in Rajkot during a seminar I was delighted,” said this grand old man.
Dec 02, 2003:InnovationThis brew has been tried out on carrots, tomatoes, organic cotton and - Bt cotton.
Oct 18, 2004:EnthusiastFor a great communicator, he is a quiet man of few words you are unlikely to track down, as he is always on the move.
Dec 16, 2002:EconomyIndia’s big IT companies are bigger than you think
Dec 10, 2004:ElsewhereGreg’s voice is gentle — it merely informs. There are no harangues at this site.
Sep 15, 2002:InitiativePrize for Dr Pushpangadan’s work with the Kani tribe
Apr 14, 2003:TrendThe flair and versatility of the modern, urban Indian woman is widely known. Her rural cousin is no laggard either
Mar 09, 2003:EnvironmentThis confirms UN’s World’s Forest Report, 1999’s finding that India was the only developing country where forest cover was increasing
Dec 21, 2004:InnovationThe bus plays two roles- that of a school bus and that of a school on wheels.
Nov 09, 2002:TrendIndia’s knowledge services to the world is broader than you think. Most imagine it to be just software
Nov 08, 2002:InnovationIndia produces 13 billion nuts annually.
Nov 28, 2002:ReformsOn Nov 26,2002, the Parliament passed the Securitisation Bill
Apr 14, 2006:ActivismGlobalisation that spawns much evil, has also created many tools and resources for grassroots activists
Jul 17, 2003:ElsewhereDemocracy is more than governments through elections-- it is governance by discussion