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Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Shun 'sterlisied living', reconnect with nature to tackle Covid-like pandemics: Renowned scientist
New Delhi: Shunning today's "sterilised" and "hyper-clean" lifestyle and reconnecting with natural elements like soil, rivers, fresh air can strengthen people's immune system and better prepare them to face Covid-like pandemics in future, renowned scientist Ajai Kumar Sonkar has said. In an exclusive conversation with PTI, Sonkar, whose development of pearl-making techniques through state-of-the-art tissue culture surprised the world, used an analogy comparing the human body to a mobile phone. "By coming in touch with nature, the human body gets information about bacteria and their evolving forms just like a mobile phone needs regular software updates to function properly," he said. "Like Covid , any future pandemic will not occur merely due to bacteria and viruses, but because of our own biological mistakes. To deal with such a nightmare, we must reconnect with nature ," said Sonkar, who was awarded Padma Shri , India's fourth-highest civilian award, in 2022. Sonkar, who has conducted in-depth research for years on microbiology and aquatic biology in India and abroad, said, "Modern humans have become so sterilised (artificial and chemical cleanliness shields) that now their bodily immune system is unable to even recognise environmental pathogens." "As long as humans were in contact with soil, rivers, and natural air, their immune system continuously received information about bacteria and their evolving forms (microbial updates), just like how mobile phones receive regular software updates," he added. Sonkar said today's "hyper-clean" culture has distanced the people from this natural protective shield. "We have not only sterilised our homes but have also separated our bodies from the microbes that protect us from diseases," he said. Revealing a particularly startling finding from his research, he said the Ganga River is a living microbial network that reads the microbial data of anyone entering it and responds with protective bacteriophages -- viruses that destroy harmful bacteria. "When people bathe in the river, they introduce their body's microbes to the Ganges, and in return, the Ganges protects them by destroying pathogens through bacteriophages," he said. "This gives natural training to the human body's immune system. This is the reason why people who come in contact with it are more resistant to new diseases," Sonkar, who is considered among the world's leading scientists on microbiome and bacteriophages of the Ganga, said. Sonkar, who has spent decades researching microbiology and aquatic ecosystems in India and abroad, claimed that developed nations like the US and those in Europe were severely affected by Covid due to "microbial amnesia." "Societies like Europe and America have been victims of 'microbial amnesia' for decades. People there live in such clean and sterilised environments that no new 'data' reaches their immune systems. "They are cut off from the changing forms of bacteria/viruses. As a result, whenever a new bacterium arrives, the body takes time to recognise it and the death rate increases," he said. When asked about the way forward, Sonkar said, "We must reconnect with nature. We must see the Ganga not just as a sacred river but as a teacher... Reactivating the biological systems of soil, rivers, and air could be the real strategy to prevent pandemics. "Vaccination is only an insufficient response. In a constantly changing climate environment, vaccination can never replace natural microbial intelligence . Living with the natural ability to fight bacteria and their new forms is the real prevention of any pandemic," he added.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Shun 'sterlisied living', reconnect with nature to tackle Covid-like pandemics: Renowned scientist
Shunning today's "sterilised" and "hyper-clean" lifestyle and reconnecting with natural elements like soil, rivers, fresh air can strengthen people's immune system and better prepare them to face Covid-like pandemics in future, renowned scientist Ajai Kumar Sonkar has said. In an exclusive conversation with PTI, Sonkar, whose development of pearl-making techniques through state-of-the-art tissue culture surprised the world, used an analogy comparing the human body to a mobile phone. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category "By coming in touch with nature, the human body gets information about bacteria and their evolving forms just like a mobile phone needs regular software updates to function properly," he said. "Like Covid , any future pandemic will not occur merely due to bacteria and viruses, but because of our own biological mistakes. To deal with such a nightmare, we must reconnect with nature ," said Sonkar, who was awarded Padma Shri , India's fourth-highest civilian award, in 2022. Sonkar, who has conducted in-depth research for years on microbiology and aquatic biology in India and abroad, said, "Modern humans have become so sterilised (artificial and chemical cleanliness shields) that now their bodily immune system is unable to even recognise environmental pathogens." Live Events "As long as humans were in contact with soil, rivers, and natural air, their immune system continuously received information about bacteria and their evolving forms (microbial updates), just like how mobile phones receive regular software updates," he added. Sonkar said today's "hyper-clean" culture has distanced the people from this natural protective shield. "We have not only sterilised our homes but have also separated our bodies from the microbes that protect us from diseases," he said. Revealing a particularly startling finding from his research, he said the Ganga River is a living microbial network that reads the microbial data of anyone entering it and responds with protective bacteriophages -- viruses that destroy harmful bacteria. "When people bathe in the river, they introduce their body's microbes to the Ganges, and in return, the Ganges protects them by destroying pathogens through bacteriophages," he said. "This gives natural training to the human body's immune system. This is the reason why people who come in contact with it are more resistant to new diseases," Sonkar, who is considered among the world's leading scientists on microbiome and bacteriophages of the Ganga, said. Sonkar, who has spent decades researching microbiology and aquatic ecosystems in India and abroad, claimed that developed nations like the US and those in Europe were severely affected by Covid due to "microbial amnesia." "Societies like Europe and America have been victims of 'microbial amnesia' for decades. People there live in such clean and sterilised environments that no new 'data' reaches their immune systems. "They are cut off from the changing forms of bacteria/viruses. As a result, whenever a new bacterium arrives, the body takes time to recognise it and the death rate increases," he said. When asked about the way forward, Sonkar said, "We must reconnect with nature. We must see the Ganga not just as a sacred river but as a teacher... Reactivating the biological systems of soil, rivers, and air could be the real strategy to prevent pandemics. "Vaccination is only an insufficient response. In a constantly changing climate environment, vaccination can never replace natural microbial intelligence . Living with the natural ability to fight bacteria and their new forms is the real prevention of any pandemic," he added.
India Gazette
08-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
4000 applications filled for Solar rooftops under PM Surya Ghar scheme in Dhamatri, Gov subsidies are motivating factor
Dhamtari (Chhattisgarh) [India], July 8 (ANI): The Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is proving to be a game changer across the country. The initiative, which aims to provide free electricity through solar rooftop systems, is changing lives in Chhattisgarh's Dhamtari district, where many families are seeing both economic and environmental benefits. One such example is the Sonkar family residing in Gokulpur Ward under Dhamtari Municipal Corporation. As soon as they heard about the scheme, they contacted the local electricity department and the municipal office to gather complete details. After understanding the procedure, they submitted the required documents and registered for the installation of a rooftop solar system. Within 15 days, a site inspection was conducted, and the solar panel system was involved. S.R. Sonkar, the head of the household, said that the installation of the solar rooftop has completely changed their electricity consumption. Their house has 9 to 10 rooms, each equipped with electrical appliances like fans and coolers, which they continue to use without any problem. Before the installation, their monthly electricity bill used to be around 2,000. But after the installation, the bill has reduced to zero. They are also generating excess power, which has led to a credit of 3,000 with the local electricity department. The total cost of the rooftop system was approximately 1.85 lakh. Of this amount, the Central Government provided a subsidy of 78,000, while the Chhattisgarh State Government gave an additional subsidy of 30,000, making the setup financially accessible for the family. Shekhar Sonkar, son of S.R. Sonkar, operates a stationery shop on the ground floor of their home. The shop, too, runs entirely on solar energy. Despite using electrical appliances such as fans, lights, and a television in the shop, the electricity charges are zero. The Sonkar family expressed their gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai for launching this impactful scheme that is not only easing their monthly expenses but also promoting clean energy use. The success of the Sonkar family has inspired neighbours in the area. People like Laxmidhar Diwan, a resident of the same ward, have expressed interest in using the scheme and have approached the Sonkar family for guidance. Many are now planning to install similar systems in their homes. Dhamtari District Collector Abhinash Mishra confirmed that the district administration has received over 4,000 applications under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana so far. He said work is progressing rapidly and assured that each applicant will benefit from the subsidies. He highlighted that the total cost of installation is around 1.85 lakh, with 78,000 being subsidised by the Centre and an additional 30,000 provided by the State Government. The scheme continues to gain momentum as more households look to shift to solar energy, saving on electricity bills and contributing to a sustainable future. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
01-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
2012 Dalit Trader Assault Case: Ayodhya SC/ST court orders arrest of 10 cops
A special SC/ST court in Ayodhya has issued non-bailable warrants (NBWs) for the arrest of 10 policemen, including the then-station house officer (SHO) Jung Bahadur Singh, in connection with a 2012 case involving the alleged custodial assault and robbery of a Dalit trader, Rajkumar Sonkar. The court has directed the inspector general (IG) of Ayodhya to ensure the arrest of all accused and produce them before the court on June 20, 2025. According to the case details, the incident occurred on August 21, 2012, when Rajkumar Sonkar, a local trader, was allegedly detained and assaulted by policemen inside a police station. The victim has claimed that he was forced to provide food items free of cost for a police function. Upon refusal, he was allegedly beaten, and his gold chain and ₹25,000 in cash were taken. Speaking to reporters, Martand Pratap Singh, counsel for Sonkar, said, 'My client was forcibly taken to the police station, brutally assaulted and looted by the policemen on duty. Despite repeated court orders, no action was taken.' Sonkar later filed a complaint in the SC/ST court, which has since issued multiple warrants over the years. Despite this, no arrests were carried out. The accused policemen had moved the Allahabad high court seeking relief, but their petition was dismissed, and they were instructed to surrender within three weeks. However, they reportedly ignored the directive. With no compliance, the SC/ST court has now taken stringent action by issuing fresh NBWs and ordering top-level police authorities to implement the order. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for June 20, 2025.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Time of India
History-sheeter violates externment order, held in encounter in UP
Varanasi: Aurai police conducted a late-night operation, arresting Arun Kumar Sonkar, alias Jaharile Sonkar, an externed history-sheeter. The arrest followed a shootout near Ugapur on Wednesday, during which Sonkar sustained a bullet injury to his leg and was hospitalised. Despite being externed from the district, Sonkar was found residing in Bhadohi. When police raided his location, he attempted to flee by firing at the officers. Bhadohi SP Abhimanyu Manglik stated that on Wednesday late night, Aurai police were conducting checks on suspicious individuals and vehicles near a lawn in Ugapur. When they signaled a passerby to stop, he opened fire and attempted to flee. The police returned fire in self-defence, hitting him in the right leg, and subsequently apprehended him. The police recovered a country-made pistol and live cartridges from the suspect and immediately rushed him to the hospital. He was identified as Arun Sonkar from the Kansapur Husaini area. Further investigation revealed that Sonkar had 18 cases lodged against him and was also booked under the Goonda Act. Notably, despite being banished from the district, he was found residing at his home. Varanasi: Aurai police conducted a late-night operation, arresting Arun Kumar Sonkar, alias Jaharile Sonkar, an externed history-sheeter. The arrest followed a shootout near Ugapur on Wednesday, during which Sonkar sustained a bullet injury to his leg and was hospitalised. Despite being externed from the district, Sonkar was found residing in Bhadohi. When police raided his location, he attempted to flee by firing at the officers. Bhadohi SP Abhimanyu Manglik stated that on Wednesday late night, Aurai police were conducting checks on suspicious individuals and vehicles near a lawn in Ugapur. When they signaled a passerby to stop, he opened fire and attempted to flee. The police returned fire in self-defence, hitting him in the right leg, and subsequently apprehended him. The police recovered a country-made pistol and live cartridges from the suspect and immediately rushed him to the hospital. He was identified as Arun Sonkar from the Kansapur Husaini area. Further investigation revealed that Sonkar had 18 cases lodged against him and was also booked under the Goonda Act. Notably, despite being banished from the district, he was found residing at his home.
