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BBC World News Horizons features 9 innovations of India
MUMBAI:BBC World News show Horizons takes a tour of India and highlights a few innovative ideas and practices followed in the country. From the ambitious biometric system called Aadhar to the SMS authentication service to counter problem for proliferation of fake drugs, India has proud moments along with nations like China, UK & US also working towards similar issues.
1.Scientists at IIT have developed a biodegradable emulsion called Fru Wash. The emulsion contains anti-oxidant and anti-microbial qualities, which slow the process of ripening and could increase the shelf life of produce without the need for refrigeration. Fru Wash is used in the field after harvesting when produce is freshest and the chemical most effective
2.To counter problem for proliferation of fake drugs, PharmaSecure has worked with leading companies in India to roll out their SMS authentication service on over 100 million drug packages for the domestic market. The system is allowing consumers to authenticate medicines by mobile phone
3.K.K. Plastics collects plastic which is shredded and eventually turned into roads. The plastic is mixed with asphalt at 150 degrees Celsius to produce polymerized bitumen. The plastic acts as a binding agent, helping road surfaces hold together better at higher temperatures. Since plastic is water-resistant, the roads don’t get waterlogged, have fewer potholes and need repairs less frequently than conventional roads
4.The launch of the biometric system is called Aadhar where a 12-digit unique ID is generated using both ten fingerprints and two Iris scans, which boosts accuracy and reduces duplication
5.Zed Earth, two eco-friendly housing developments in Bangalore which aim to be almost entirely independent from the civic infrastructure for water and electricity using renewable energy sources
6.The so called Advanced Heavy Water Reactor is being developed to accommodate Thorium as its core fuel. A prototype reactor is being constructed at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre based on this mineral; leading to independence from imports
7.The twin pit toilet developed by Sulabh Sanitation Movement in New Delhi is already improving sanitation for an estimated 10 million people daily. The simple toilet uses two pits dug into the ground connected to a traditional squat lavatory. This reduces water use and needs no chemicals to treat the waste.
8.ZMQ Software Solutions, Delhi-based technology for social development company. create mobile phone apps and educational games to help and empower the poorest in society. A group of women who have been able to start their own small businesses using apps, which provide access to microloans and teach basic economic skills
9.Housing districts like Chembur have started to deal with 8,000 metric tonnes of waste it generates daily. A women’s collective gathers Chembur’s rubbish and biodegradable wet material, which makes up to 60 percent of the district’s household waste – is composted on-site and used for gardening, while dry material is recycled. Similar schemes are now running at 40 locations around Mumbai.
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Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
