The drought declaration in many states, especially the ‘water sensitive’ five southern states, indicates that we are facing an alarming water crisis this year.

The University of Mumbai is planning to set up offshore campuses, and to start off, it will set up campus in the US and Australia.

I am most grateful to the Mumbai University and to its Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and other University authorities for enrolling me as an honorary alumnus of this great university.

“Tamil Nadu can provide enough water from its flood plains for the whole state, but the mining of sand is ruining this”, said Prof Vikram Soni, writer, physicist at M S Swaminathan Research Foundation here today. Giving a talk based on the book “Naturally – Tread Softly on the Planet” that he has authored, the Emeritus Professor at Jamia Millia and JNU spoke of dealing with the precarious water situation in a state like Tamil Nadu with sensitive solutions. He shared the example of how flood plains were used to provide water to Delhi, which Tamil Nadu could learn from.

Today is celebrated as Holi in North India. Holi marks the harvest festival and is accompanied by special dances like Bhangra.

MSSRF commemorated International Women’s day through events at Chennai and at Wayanad centres. The event at the Community Agro-Biodiversity Centre, Wayanad focused on empowerment. A seminar on March 8, 2017 observed that lack of support from society dissuaded women from seeking justice. The event organized by Wayanad Adivasi Vikasana Samithi included community members, police, legal, and scientist participants.

A majority of cultivator households, who are small farmers, are facing negative incomes, but farming can actually be profitable, said Dr Madhura Swaminathan, Chairperson MSSRF, speaking on food and nutrition security at MSSRF on March 8, 2017.

The MSSRF stall won the first prize for the 'Best Stall' in 3rd National Biodiversity Congress 2017 which was held in Thiruvananthapuram from February 22-26, 2017.

Dr Geetha Rani, a long-serving family member of the Foundation, formerly Principal Scientist MSSRF, passed away in Chennai this morning, The MSSRF family was in shock to hear about the sudden demise of the former manager of the Gene Bank of the Foundation. Dr Geetha Rani had been with the Foundation from 1992 to 2016.

On International Women’s Day, there will be discussions all over the world on methods of promoting gender equity and justice.

The agrarian crisis has been dealt with largely in the context of farmer’s suicides during the last few years.