Jawaharlal Nehru University

About: Jawaharlal Nehru University is a education organization based out in New Delhi, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Politics. The organization has 6082 authors who have published 13455 publications receiving 245407 citations. The organization is also known as: JNU.

Identification and evaluation of hydrogeochemical processes in the groundwater environment of Delhi, India

Abstract: A study of the hydrogeochemical processes in the national capital territory of India was carried out with the objective of identifying the geochemical processes and their relation with groundwater quality as well as to get an insight into the hydrochemical evalution of groundwater. Salinity and nitrate contamination are the two major problems in the area, which is alarming considering the use of this water for drinking. Various graphical plots and statistical analyses have been carried out using chemical data to deduce a hydrochemical evaluation of the aquifer system based on the ionic constituents, water types, hydrochemical facies and factors controlling groundwater quality. The prevailing hydrochemical processes operating here are simple dissolution, mixing, weathering of carbonate minerals, locally known as ‘kankar’, and of silicate, ion exchange, and surface water interaction. Limited reverse ion exchange has been noticed in a few parts of the study area especially in post-monsoon periods. Periodic seasonal switch-over has been clearly noticed in these hydrogeochemical processes that control groundwater quality of the area. The number of factors that control the overall mineralization and water quality of Delhi vary from season to season. In pre-monsoon, there are four factors while in post-monsoon it increases to five. The study highlights the descriptive capabilities of conventional and multivariate techniques as effective tools in groundwater evaluation.

Ameliorative effects of proline on salt stress-induced lipid peroxidation in cell lines of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Abstract: Cell lines of a salt-sensitive cultivar of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L. cv. JL24) were selected on media amended with high NaCl concentrations. Comparative analyses of the water status and ionic relations of salt-sensitive and salt-tolerant cell lines showed a decrease in the water potential (ψw) and solute potential (ψπ) with increases in salt stress. However, the maintenance of cellular turgor indicated active osmotic adjustments in response to salinity stress. In addition to the extrusion of Na+ in the NaCl-selected cell lines, a significant accumulation of proline was observed, which was probably associated with osmotic adjustments and the protection of membrane integrity. The addition of proline to the culture medium alleviated the salt stress-induced decline in fresh weight accumulation and reduced peroxidative damage to the lipid membranes, both in a concentration-dependent manner.

The Geopolitics of Refugee Studies: A View from the South

Abstract: In the post-1945 period the policy of Northern states has moved from the neglect of refugees in the Third World, to their use as pawns in Cold War politics, to their containment now. The paper explores in these shifting policy contexts the geopolitics of knowledge production in the field of refugee studies. The arrival of the 'new asylum seekers' in the 1980s signalled the expansion of refugee studies. A 'new approach' took shape which critiqued the established positivist approach to refugee law and created the myth of difference (the idea that great dissimilarities characterized refugee flows in Europe and the Third World). It advocated the rejection of the exile bias of refugee law; reliance on the solution of voluntary repatriation; and responsibility of the state of physical origin. In legitimizing the 'new approach', a key role, so far ignored, has been played by the knowledge production and dissemination functions of UNHCR.