In 2014, skeletons were found in the well in a Gurdwara in Ajnala area of Punjab. Who do the skeletons belong to? While historical records said that these could be Indian soldiers killed by the British during the 1857 armed uprising, there were several other theories about it. How did scientists go about investigating this mystery? We spoke to Dr J S Sehrawat, a forensic anthropologist from Panjab University. This podcast is the story of the fascinating world of forensic anthropology. 

Reporting and research - Menaka Rao
Co-host and audio editing - Rakesh Kamal

Additional Reading:

Short fieldwork report. Human remains from Ajnala, India, 2014
Forgotten, Discovered and Then Forgotten Again: The 1857 Martyrs in Punjab's Ajnala
Carbon dating, the archaeological workhorse, is getting a major reboot
Aspartic acid racemization of root dentin used for dental age estimation in a Polish population sample - PMC.
Forensic odontological sex determination of Ajnala skeletal remains based on the statistical equations generated from the odontometrics of known teeth - ScienceDirect
Dental Age Estimation of Ajnala Skeletal Remains: A Forensic Odontological Study
Pinpointing the Geographic Origin of 165-Year-Old Human Skeletal Remains Found in Punjab, India: Evidence From Mitochondrial DNA and Stable Isotope Analysis

In 2014, skeletons were found in the well in a Gurdwara in Ajnala area of Punjab. Who do the skeletons belong to? While historical records said that these could be Indian soldiers killed by the British during the 1857 armed uprising, there were several other theories about it. How did scientists go about investigating this mystery? We spoke to Dr J S Sehrawat, a forensic anthropologist from Panjab University. This podcast is the story of the fascinating world of forensic anthropology. 
Reporting and research - Menaka Rao Co-host and audio editing - Rakesh Kamal
Additional Reading:
<a href="http://www.anthropology.uw.edu.pl/10/bne-10-06.pdf" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.anthropology.uw.edu.pl/10/bne-10-06.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1664635851677000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3om4yyHDkKPk4LPx8KxKK9">Short fieldwork report. Human remains from Ajnala, India, 2014</a> <a href="https://thewire.in/history/punjab-ajnala-well-1857-martyrs" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thewire.in/history/punjab-ajnala-well-1857-martyrs&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1664635851677000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1g5tXWohnTMupZL1xtUaDo">Forgotten, Discovered and Then Forgotten Again: The 1857 Martyrs in Punjab's Ajnala</a> <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-01499-y" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-01499-y&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1664635851677000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0lf6SHOzkdROmy4NOEO8Pw">Carbon dating, the archaeological workhorse, is getting a major reboot</a> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6096966/#:~:text=Aspartic%20acid%20(Asp)%20racemization%20is,estimation%20of%20age%20%5B7%5D" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6096966/%23:~:text%3DAspartic%2520acid%2520(Asp)%2520racemization%2520is,estimation%2520of%2520age%2520%255B7%255D&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1664635851677000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3qXmnz-K6cJicpnHget4b-">Aspartic acid racemization of root dentin used for dental age estimation in a Polish population sample - PMC</a>. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665910719300441" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665910719300441&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1664635851677000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1dKQbpZRUYkKGy-xxZ8Kl-">Forensic odontological sex determination of Ajnala skeletal remains based on the statistical equations generated from the odontometrics of known teeth - ScienceDirect</a> <a href="https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/348738" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/348738&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1664635851677000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1173R_vvc-IbYnzZlrPxB5">Dental Age Estimation of Ajnala Skeletal Remains: A Forensic Odontological Study</a> <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2022.813934/full" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2022.813934/full&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1664635851677000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2dE95UwqDpCcxlJrkmzN0B">Pinpointing the Geographic Origin of 165-Year-Old Human Skeletal Remains Found in Punjab, India: Evidence From Mitochondrial DNA and Stable Isotope Analysis</a>

The podcast series 'Science and Us' explains how we understand science around us and how it impacts us every single day. It will demystify scientific concepts and explain the scientific logic behind them.

 'Science and Us' explains the understanding of scientific principles in history and culture and also help bust myths about commonly held beliefs in cultures.

The podcast series 'Science and Us' explains how we understand science around us and how it impacts us every single day. It will demystify scientific concepts and explain the scientific logic behind them.
&nbsp;'Science and Us' explains the understanding of scientific principles in history and culture and also help bust myths about commonly held beliefs in cultures.

Science & Us

The podcast series 'Science and Us' explains how we understand science around us and how it impacts us every single day. It will demystify scientific concepts and explain the scientific logic behind them.

'Science and Us' explains the understanding of scientific principles in history and culture and also help bust myths about commonly held beliefs in cultures now.

The podcast series 'Science and Us' explains how we understand science around us and how it impacts us every single day. It will demystify scientific concepts and explain the scientific logic behind them.
'Science and Us' explains the understanding of scientific principles in history and culture and also help bust myths about commonly held beliefs in cultures now.

Forensic archeology helps unravel mystery of skeletons found in Punjab

On October 16, 2022, Dr Dilip Mahalanabis died in Kolkata. In 1971, he pioneered the use of oral rehydration therapy in refugee camps near Kolkata saving many lives. This was the first time it was used in a crisis setting. 

In this episode of Science and Us, Suno India’s Menaka Rao speaks to Dr Rajib Dasgupta about the scientific mechanism of oral rehydration therapy and why it works to save lives during acute diarrhoea. Dr Rajib describes the twists and turns which led to the final acceptance of oral rehydration therapy for diarrhoea treatment at the global level. The show is co-hosted by Rakesh Kamal. 

References

Dilip Mahalanabis: The ORS pioneer who helped save millions of lives | The Indian Express
MAGIC BULLET: THE HISTORY OF ORAL REHYDRATION THERAPY
ORAL MAINTENANCE THERAPY FOR CHOLERA IN ADULTS - The Lancet
Oral fluid therapy of cholera among Bangladesh refugees[1] Mahalanabis D, Choudhuri A B, Bagchi N G, Bhattacharya A K, Simpson T W
Oral rehydration therapy: the simple solution for saving lives | The BMJ
Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar launches Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight – 2022 aimed at zero child deaths due to childhood diarrhoea 



Exploring intra-household factors for diarrhoeal diseases: a study in slums of Delhi, India

On October 16, 2022, Dr Dilip Mahalanabis died in Kolkata. In 1971, he pioneered the use of oral rehydration therapy in refugee camps near Kolkata saving many lives. This was the first time it was used in a crisis setting. 
In this episode of Science and Us, Suno India’s Menaka Rao speaks to Dr Rajib Dasgupta about the scientific mechanism of oral rehydration therapy and why it works to save lives during acute diarrhoea. Dr Rajib describes the twists and turns which led to the final acceptance of oral rehydration therapy for diarrhoea treatment at the global level. The show is co-hosted by Rakesh Kamal. 
References
<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/dilip-mahalanabis-ors-pioneer-who-helped-save-millions-of-lives-8216532/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/dilip-mahalanabis-ors-pioneer-who-helped-save-millions-of-lives-8216532/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1667110948416000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0fJlPQgzQxlxiSTLRPYurJ">Dilip Mahalanabis: The ORS pioneer who helped save millions of lives | The Indian Express</a> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1036912/pdf/medhist00037-0005.pdf" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1036912/pdf/medhist00037-0005.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1667110948416000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2sLNnpoZdiqXnZxbU6GX6x">MAGIC BULLET: THE HISTORY OF ORAL REHYDRATION THERAPY</a> <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(68)90591-6/fulltext" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(68)90591-6/fulltext&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1667110948416000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0JqAlzpaZkM8rcEuMOJvi7">ORAL MAINTENANCE THERAPY FOR CHOLERA IN ADULTS - The Lancet</a> <a href="https://www.who-seajph.org/article.asp?issn=2224-3151;year=2012;volume=1;issue=1;spage=105;epage=112;aulast=Mahalanabis#ref6" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.who-seajph.org/article.asp?issn%3D2224-3151;year%3D2012;volume%3D1;issue%3D1;spage%3D105;epage%3D112;aulast%3DMahalanabis%23ref6&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1667110948416000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0YXfioDUpLhfal3Ti43tIb">Oral fluid therapy of cholera among Bangladesh refugees[1] Mahalanabis D, Choudhuri A B, Bagchi N G, Bhattacharya A K, Simpson T W</a> <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/334/suppl_1/s14" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.bmj.com/content/334/suppl_1/s14&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1667110948416000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1RAaFwFCcGyJNyk05YxL-O">Oral rehydration therapy: the simple solution for saving lives | The BMJ</a> <a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1833576" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID%3D1833576&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1667110948416000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1q9riYEzSrpXlrOJRLd9Ys">Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar launches Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight – 2022 aimed at zero child deaths due to childhood diarrhoea </a>
 
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18209291/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18209291/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1667110948416000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2uJ1vLIF1jvryhVTFuH_Sh">Exploring intra-household factors for diarrhoeal diseases: a study in slums of Delhi, India</a>

Why this simple solution helps prevent diarrhoeal deaths

In the past couple of decades, we have been hearing of cloudbursts in some part of the country or another. How is the Indian Meteorological Department studying this phenomenon? Why are these incidents increasing over a period of time, and what can be done to minimize the damages cloudbursts cause, both to life and property?

To understand this phenomenon, we spoke to Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune studying climate change research, and extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall, floods, heat waves, and cyclones among others.

In the past couple of decades, we have been hearing of cloudbursts in some part of the country or another. How is the Indian Meteorological Department studying this phenomenon? Why are these incidents increasing over a period of time, and what can be done to minimize the damages cloudbursts cause, both to life and property? To understand this phenomenon, we spoke to Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune studying climate change research, and extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall, floods, heat waves, and cyclones among others.

Why are cloudbursts the new normal?

At 2000 deaths on an average per year, lightning kills more people than any other natural event or disaster. In this episode of Science & Us, we find out how climate change leads to an increase in lightning strikes, why it is not notified as a national disaster, and how we can protect ourselves from it. Our reporter Suryatapa Mukherjee speaks to Colonel Sanjay Srivastava, chairman of the climate resilient Observing System promotion Council (CROPC) and convenor of the Lightning Resilient India campaign. She also speaks to Arun Kundu, Secretary of Smart Future Foundation in West Bengal, about his work of visiting villages to make them lightning resilient. Our Contributing Editor Menaka Rao co-hosts this episode.

Annual Lightning Report 2021-2022 
Lightning occurrences and intensity over the Indian region: long-term trends and future projections
Projected increase in lightning strikes in the United States due to global warming.
Lightning kills more Indians than any other natural disaster. Can those deaths be prevented?

At 2000 deaths on an average per year, lightning kills more people than any other natural event or disaster. In this episode of Science &amp; Us, we find out how climate change leads to an increase in lightning strikes, why it is not notified as a national disaster, and how we can protect ourselves from it. Our reporter Suryatapa Mukherjee speaks to Colonel Sanjay Srivastava, chairman of the climate resilient Observing System promotion Council (CROPC) and convenor of the Lightning Resilient India campaign. She also speaks to Arun Kundu, Secretary of Smart Future Foundation in West Bengal, about his work of visiting villages to make them lightning resilient. Our Contributing Editor Menaka Rao co-hosts this episode.
<a href="http://www.cropc.org/LR/Ex%20Summary,%20Annual%20Lightning%20Report%202021-2022%20(5).pdf" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.cropc.org/LR/Ex%2520Summary,%2520Annual%2520Lightning%2520Report%25202021-2022%2520(5).pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1656681905395000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2vI7QvYnWAde-ffI-RWStx">Annual Lightning Report 2021-2022 </a>  <a href="https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/21/11161/2021/acp-21-11161-2021.html" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/21/11161/2021/acp-21-11161-2021.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1656681905395000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Hy_paMCo8N6aV6-v6pE7T">Lightning occurrences and intensity over the Indian region: long-term trends and future projections</a> <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1259100#:~:text=They%20predict%20that%20the%20number,in%20global%20average%20air%20temperature" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1259100%23:~:text%3DThey%2520predict%2520that%2520the%2520number,in%2520global%2520average%2520air%2520temperature&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1656681905395000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0VsOVuck2aSRrmWU-PdnIQ">Projected increase in lightning strikes in the United States due to global warming</a>. <a href="https://scroll.in/pulse/810598/lightning-kills-more-indians-than-any-other-natural-disaster-can-those-deaths-be-prevented" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://scroll.in/pulse/810598/lightning-kills-more-indians-than-any-other-natural-disaster-can-those-deaths-be-prevented&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1656681905395000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0dx3eaLmSfRKXGH-4eWiIx">Lightning kills more Indians than any other natural disaster. Can those deaths be prevented?</a>

Forensic archeology helps unravel mystery of skeletons found in Punjab

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