JAMMU: The Drug and Food Control Organisation(D&FCO) has advised the Food Business Operators (FBOs) dealing with storage, packaging, distribution and sale of Fruits & Vegetables to strictly adhere to the prescribed guidelines during and post artificial ripening treatment to ensure safe and compliant ripening practices, failing which penal action as warranted under FSS Act2006 shall be initiated.
The Organization has specially issued advisory for repining of Climacteric Fruits- Fruits which are harvested at full maturity and can be further ripened during transit or storage like Banana, Guava, Avocado, Mango, Apple, Pear, Apricot, Peach and Tomato etc Artificial ripening is the process by which ripening is controlled to achieve desired characteristics intended for better consumer acceptance. Fruit trade involves transporting fruits to distant places.
It said that considering the issue of use of banned calcium carbide and non-availability of alternative ripening agent, Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) permitted the use of ethylene gas for ripening of fruits in India vide notification dated 23.08.2016, subject to adherence to the SoPs by the Food Business Operators (FBOs).
A detailed SoP for use of Ethylene gas for artificial ripening has been notified by FSSAI and available at the official website https://fssai.gov.in/cms/guidance-notes.php.
Artificial Ripening with Calcium Carbide, popularly known as ‘Masala’ has been strictly banned in terms of sub-regulation 2.3.5 of Food Safety & Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulation, 2011, due to its potential health hazards. Recommending the use of Ethylene Gas, D&FCO said that Ethylene is a hormone produced naturally within the fruits to stimulate ripening process. Ethylene, being a natural hormone, does not pose any health hazard to consumers.
Ethylene gas, ethanol, ethephon, etc. can be used on fruits to trigger the ripening process in fruits, under controlled conditions of Humidity, Temperature and Exposure Time. However, any source of ethylene gas coming in direct contact with fruits is not permitted. Further, only the approved source of Ethylene Gas is allowed to be procured and used, besides ensuring authenticity/purity of the sachets containing ethephon in powdered form and other components.
“Only those sachets must be used that are properly labelled mentioning details of manufacturer, composition, instructions for use etc. Use of Ethylene Gas for artificial ripening can be done upto the concentration of 100 ppm (100 µl/L) only” the organization advised further. Fruit should not occupy more than 75% of the volume of the chamber (as well as crate) during the treatment.
Gas leakage monitoring system should be installed in the commercial ripening chambers. Stacking of boxes should be done keeping minimum 4-6 inches space from the walls and between the adjacent crates.
For detailed guidance note all the stakeholders have been advised to visit https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Guidance_Note_Ver2_Artificial_Ripening_Fruits_03_01_2019_Revised_10_02_2020.pdf
Consumers also are advised to remain vigilant in the market and purchase fruits from known sellers/reputed stores/dealers who declare that fruits sold have not been ripened using harmful/banned chemicals and to wash fruits thoroughly with potable water before its use/consumption to ensure its safety and quality.
GANDERBAL: Department of Mathematics, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Central University of Kashmir (CUK), today conducted a National Level online workshop on “Vedic Mathematics: Unlocking the Power of Ancient Indian Maths”.
The workshop received an overwhelming response with about 700 registrations from across the country, representing around 300 academic and research institutions. The participants included 211 Assistant Professors, 24 Professors, 42 Associate Professors, and 50 Research Scholars, with the remaining attendees comprising teachers and UG/PG students from diverse institutions.
In his keynote address, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A. Ravinder Nath highlighted the contributions of ancient Indian mathematicians and drew attention to the role of mathematics in Indian defence systems, particularly in missile interception technologies. He encouraged the department to expand its offerings and conduct more such events to maximize outreach and impact.
Dean, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Prof. M Yousuf was also present. Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr. Haribhau R. Bhapkar, HoD, Mathematics and workshop Convener, emphasized the vision of “rootedness in India” and the importance of nurturing pride in India’s cultural and intellectual heritage. He underlined the integration of traditional knowledge systems with modern education in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and showcased the department’s efforts in organizing events such as workshops on Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation Boot Camps to cultivate holistic and multidisciplinary growth.
The first expert lecture titled “Development of Mathematics in India from Ancient Time” was delivered by Prof. S. A. Katre, former Professor, SPPU, Pune. He discussed: Bodhayana’s Shulbasutras, geometric principles, and practical applications in civil engineering- Historical approximations of and , including contributions by Aryabhata and Madhava; Insights from ancient Indian texts such as Waradiya’s Vastushilpa and Suryasiddhanta; Contributions by Pingala in combinatorics, and the relevance of Bhaskaracharya’s and Aryabhata’s mathematical techniques in modern fields like online encryption and banking.
The second lecture was presented by Dr. Haribhau R. Bhapkar, titled “Vedic Mathematics: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Problems”. His session showcased rapid calculation techniques, including: magic way of quickly multiplying numbers consisting of 1’s or 9’s; Working base multiplication methods; Quick and innovative squaring technique using the duplex concept. Dr. Rehan Ali and Dr. Aaqib Iqbal, Asst Profs, Deptt of Mathematics, played a vital role in the successful conduct of the event.
NEW DELHI: In a significant move to deepen the understanding of India’s strategic thought and enrich military education, the Defence Services Staff College (#DSSC), Wellington, has established the Chair of Excellence on Indian Strategic Culture. Renowned academician and public intellectual, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, Dean, School of International Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, has been appointed as the inaugural Chair Professor.
This visionary initiative marks a major step in empowering India’s premier Armed Forces Training Institutes with academic and domain specialisation, particularly in the realm of Indian strategic thinking and civilisational wisdom. The Chair is intended to provide critical guidance, foster academic rigour, and offer nuanced perspectives on India’s strategic ethos, thereby equipping DSSC faculty and participants with deeper, contextually-rooted insights.
Prof. Mattoo brings with him a distinguished career spanning academia, diplomacy, and policy-making. He has served as Vice Chancellor of the University of Jammu, where he led transformational reforms in higher education, founding Director of the Australia India Institute at the University of Melbourne, member of the National Knowledge Commission and the Task Force on Global Strategic Developments of the Prime Minister of India and Adviser to the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, with cabinet rank besides visiting professor at various global universities, including the University of Notre Dame, and a member of several national and international strategic forums.
His appointment reflects the growing emphasis on integrating indigenous strategic thought into the training architecture of India's military institutions. Through lectures, seminars, and focused research, the Chair of Excellence will act as a bridge between academic scholarship and military praxis an imperative in shaping well-rounded future Strategic leaders.
The establishment of this Chair aligns closely with DSSC Wellington’s mandate to cultivate operational and strategic excellence across India’s tri-services leadership. The presence of Prof. Mattoo is expected to foster a vibrant intellectual ecosystem, promoting deeper reflection on India's civilisational strategic heritage, contemporary geopolitical realities, and the evolving nature of warfare.
SRINAGAR: Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (M), Dr. Arvind Karwani, today took on the spot stock of arrangements being put in place for the ensuing Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela-2025. Pertinent to mention that the Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela is scheduled to be held on 3rd June, this year, on the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Ashthami. The Yatra, as part of the mela, will be flagged off from Jammu on 1st June at 6 am. After a brief halt at Ramban, the Yatra will proceed for different destinations like Tulmulla ( Ganderbal), Tikker ( Kupwara), Devsar ( Kulgam), Manzgam ( Kulgam) and Logripora (Anantnag) and reach the destination by afternoon.
The Relief Organization will facilitate transportation of the devotees from Jammu, as per past practice. Dr Karwani interacted with the concerned district administration of Ganderbal, Kulgam, Anantnag and Kupwara besides the Mandir Prabandhak Committee members and devotees. He reviewed the arrangements related to accommodation, sanitation, logistics, security and basic amenities for the Yatris.
Dr Karwani accompanied by the site engineers inspected various transit accommodations for PM Package employees under construction in the North , South and Central Kashmir. He also interacted with the PM package employees putting up at various locations in the Valley. He was apprised of various demands of the employees like allotment of quarters, basic amenities and education for their children.
The Commissioner assured the employees that all their genuine issues will be addressed in a phased manner. He asked the Engineers to ensure quality work and speedy completion of the transit accommodation so that the possession of the quarters can be given to the eligible employees at the earliest, as per the criterion laid down by the government.
SRINAGAR: Ms. Ashmita Paul, a self-defence instructor from Guwahati, Assam, called on Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha, today. Ms. Paul is on a solo two-wheeler journey spanning from Guwahati to Kashmir to Kanyakumari, promoting the cause of 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' initiative.
The Lieutenant Governor congratulated Ms. Ashmita Paul and extended his best wishes for her inspiring journey. He commended Ms. Paul’s efforts to raise awareness on 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' initiative and her dedication to promoting girls' education and empowerment.
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