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There is a need for increasing cropping intensity in South Asia including India to ensure food security of burgeoning population. Accordingly, increasing cropping intensity in rainfed rice fallows can be a futuristic strategy. Identification of suitable cultivar and exploration of genetic variability of specific crops/traits are imperative for genetic improvement, drought resistance and yield gain in rice fallows. We evaluated the morphophysiological, yield traits and stability of 15 chickpea genotypes in randomised complete block design for three consecutive years on a drought‐prone rainfed condition of Fluvisol in Kanpur, India. Among genotypes, 'IPC 2014‐55', 'IPC 2015‐44' and 'IPC 2011‐92' had 2%–10% higher relative water content (RWC) over 'ICC‐92944' (check cultivar). These genotypes did not differ for total chlorophyll content, root dry weight and nodule dry weight with 'ICC‐92944' and 'KWR 108' (wider adaptable cultivar of the region). The nitrogen balance index was higher in 'IPC 2011‐92', 'IPC 2014‐88' and 'IPC 2014‐55' by 5%–44% over check cultivar (p < 0.05). The membrane stability index was higher for 'IPC 2014‐55' (30%, p < 0.05) and 'IPC 2011‐92' (17%, p < 0.05) than 'ICC‐92944'. 'IPC 2011‐92', 'IPC 2014‐88' and 'IPC 2014‐55' (3 years mean) had 3%–24% higher plant dry weight than 'ICC‐92944'. Notably, 'IPC 2014‐55', 'IPC 2015‐44', 'IPC 2014‐88' and 'IPC 2011‐92' had higher yield attributes such as pods plant−1 by 9%, grain weight plant−1 by 13% and 100‐seed weight by 3% than 'ICC‐92944' and 'KWR 108' (mean of years). These genotypes had higher mean seed yield than 'ICC‐92944' by 23%–42% and 'KWR 108' by 7%–23% (p < 0.05). The yield of 'IPC 2014‐55', 'IPC 2015‐44', 'IPC 2014‐88' and 'IPC 2011‐92' were stable over years across variable soil and environmental condition as indicated by the genotype × year biplot. Membrane stability index, pods plant−1 and 100‐seed weight were the determinants for increased seed yield of chickpea under drought‐prone condition. Evidently, genotype 'IPC 2014‐55', 'IPC 2015‐44', 'IPC 2014‐88' and 'IPC 2011‐92' were better under rainfed rice fallows. These genotypes could be tested under specific drought condition for developing varieties and promoted in rice fallows of South Asia for yield advantage and drought resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2005.05.006 Byline: V. Arora (a), U. Jha (b), P. Bandhopadhyay (c), S. Kumar (a) Abstract: An attempt was made to investigate the relationship between raw coal characteristics and effluent quality in two coking coal washeries of Central Coalfields Limited, Kedla and Rajrappa in Jharkhand State, India. Coal samples -- raw coal feed, washed fine clean coal, washed coarse clean coal, middlings and rejects were collected. Similarly, raw water (intake to washery) and effluent samples generated in the washeries, namely, fine coal jig under water, coarse coal jig under water and slurry pond water were also collected over a period of 6 months. Parameters outlined in Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) Schedule VI Indian standards were determined, both in coal samples and water/washery effluent samples. Apart from the parameters listed in the standard, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphate and chloride found to be present in coal were also determined in coal and water samples. The processing results essentially in production of huge quantities of suspended material, which is beyond the stipulated limit of 100mg/l as specified in the Standard. Lowering of pH was observed in both the washeries. The trace/heavy elements were found to be concentrated in the heavier fractions in rejects produced from the washery. The concentrations of major elements in coal -- Na, K, Ca, Mg, and minor elements in coal -- Mn; F, SO.sub.4 and Cl were found to be higher in process water than in raw water indicating that these elements are transferred from coal to the water in washeries. However, only in the case of Mn, the stipulated limit of the effluent standard was exceeded. Trace elements like As, Se, Hg, Cd, though found to be present in coal, were absent in the process water indicating that these elements are not released by coal during washing. Author Affiliation: (a) Central Mine Planning and Design Institute, Kanke Road, Ranchi, Jharkhand 834 008, India (b) Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, Jharkhand 835 215, India (c) Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, Jharkhand 826 001, India Article History: Received 20 July 2004; Revised 10 March 2005; Accepted 18 May 2005

The phenomenon of globalisation - involving large scale movement of ideas, capital, goods and people across the borders - is perceived as a threat to local and national cultures in many quarters. The perception is based on the belief that globalisation introduces a single word culture based on ' consumerism, mass media, Americana and English language. 'As a result, a new class of political claims and demands have emerged from individuals, communities and countries feeling that their local cultures are being swept away. So, managing the cultural diversity has emerged as one of the central challenges of our time. Many people apprehend that globalisation can lead to the abandonment of traditional values and practices and the dismantling of the economic basis on which the survival of indigenous cultures depend. Such a kind of threat perception has necessitated an alternative approach that respects and promotes diversity while keeping countries open to global flows of capital goods and people. It aims at promoting cultural freedom by expanding people’s choices in the ways people live and identify themselves. This paper is an attempt to examine the challenges posed by a globalised world on cultural front and how the policy of multiculturalism can be used to manage the cultural diversity. In this context attempts have also been made to examine the rich Canadian experience in managing the problems arising out of diverse cultural composition of their population and what lessons the world can draw from their experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Political--bureaucratic corruption has emerged as a big challenge in our country at a time when good governance has become a necessity for survival in a globalized world. In this context, the passage of the Lokpal Bill, 2013 is considered as a positive step which would be helpful in curbing the menace of corruption at the higher level It is, however; also felt that the Lokpal alone cannot check the menace effectively until and unless it is backed by some other legal-institutional and judicial reforms. This paper seeks to examine the nature and level of corruption in our country, root causes behind corruption, the pros and cons of the Lokpal act, 2013 and what other steps need to be taken to tackle the menace effectively at all levels. It is suggested that besides rectifying some of the fault lines in the Lokpal act 2013, the government should also make provisions for effective scrutiny of source of funding of political parties, neutral intervention of technology in government's dealing with the public, transparency in acquisition and disposal of national resource, enforcing the judicial accountability and so on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The aerial parts of Coccinia cordifolia L. are used to treat female infertility in West Bengal state of India. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the fertility inducing effect of aerial parts of Coccinia cordifolia L. in female rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of aqueous extract of Coccinia cordifolia L. on hyperprolactinemia induced infertility, endometriosis induced infertility and androgen-induced infertility was studied. The effect on serum estrogen level, serum progesterone level and reproductive tract was also evaluated in normal healthy female rats. The extract was administered orally at two different doses of 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg. RESULTS: In hyperprolactinemia induced infertility model, the numbers of uterine implants were almost 10 times more in the extract treated groups as compared to control. The high dose of extract also produced a significant increase in serum estrogen levels (p<0.01) and number of corpus luteum (p<0.05) in healthy female rats. The extract at both doses was effective in reducing the weight of endometrial implants by 70-80%, but failed to induce fertility in rats with endometriosis. The extract was ineffective in inducing fertility in androgen-induced infertility model. CONCLUSIONS: The aqueous extract of Coccinia cordifolia L. induces fertility in hyperprolactinemia induced infertility model in female rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ugra Mohan Jha,1 Yujwal Raj,1 Srinivas Venkatesh,1 Neeraj Dhingra,1 Ramesh S Paranjpe,2 Niranjan Saggurti3 1Department of AIDS Control, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi, India; 2National AIDS Research Institute, Pune, India; 3Population Council, New Delhi, India Background: Although India has demonstrated success in the overall reduction of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence by 57% in the past 10 years, its control among men who have sex with men (MSM) remains a critical challenge. This paper describes the current status, geographic variability, and factors associated with HIV among MSM from the national perspective. Methods: Data on the levels and trends of HIV seropositivity and associated risk behaviors among MSM were analyzed and presented from the following data sources: 1) annual HIV Sentinel Surveillance (HSS) conducted during 2003–10, 2) two rounds of the high-risk group size estimation conducted in 2005 and 2009, 3) two rounds of the Behavioral Surveillance Survey conducted in 2006 and 2009, and 4) the Integrated Bio-behavioral Assessment Round 2. Data were analyzed according to selected sociodemographic characteristics and sexual identities of MSM to understand the factors associated with high HIV prevalence. Results: HSS data indicate that at the national level, HIV prevalence among MSM overall is declining (from 12.3% in 2003 to 4.43% in 2010). However, marginal increasing trends were observed in Chandigarh (from 1.4% in 2004 to 2.8% in 2008) and Haryana (from 0% in 2006 to 3.2% in 2008). HSS data indicate high (>5%) levels and increasing trends in HIV prevalence among MSM in eight states of India during 2003–10. Analysis of 2010 HSS data indicates that HIV prevalence was >10% in seven states. The factors associated with high HIV prevalence among MSM were being a kothi (the receptive partner in oral and anal sex, and typically with effeminate mannerisms) or a double-decker (both penetrative and receptive partner) rather than being a panthi (the penetrative partner in oral or anal sex) (8% vs 4.3%; P

A letter to the editor is presented in response to a review of the writer's book "The South Asian Military Law Systems," published in the October-December 2010 issue.