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The Rearview

The Rearview

By: The Hindu
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 Jacob Koshy and Sobhana K Nair guide you on a scenic route through the history of science. Filled with fascinating anecdotes, deep archival dives, and a closer look at the quirky minds behind groundbreaking ideas.The Hindu Science World
Episodes
  • India’s First Bio-Startup: The Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Botanic Garden

    India’s First Bio-Startup: The Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Botanic Garden
    Dec 1 2025
    Spread out over a sprawling 109 hectares (270 acres), the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, previously known as the Calcutta Botanic Garden, was among the first experiments commissioned by the East India Company to create a ‘ nursery’ for exotic plants that could be studied for commercial use. Situated in Shibpur, Howrah, just across the Hooghly River from Kolkata, the Garden boasts over 12,000 specimens. The progenitor of plantations and cash crop in India, the various brands of Darjeeling tea and Indian cotton owe their origin to experiments conducted here. Hosts: Jacob Koshy and Sobhana K Nair Shot, produced, and edited by Jude Francis Weston
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    32 mins
  • Death of the Indian Science Congress

    Death of the Indian Science Congress
    Nov 17 2025
    The Indian Science Congress (ISC)—the first-ever conclave of India’s scientific community—was inaugurated in 1914. It was conceived by two British chemists, Professor J. L. Simonsen and Professor P. S. MacMahon. The inaugural session was held from January 15 to 17, 1914, under the presidency of Ashutosh Mukherjee, then Vice Chancellor of the University of Calcutta. The event brought together 105 scientists from across India and abroad. For nearly a century, the ISC attracted luminaries from India and the global scientific community. Yet, questions lingered: Was it more pomp than purpose? Critics often argued that the Congress remained a platform for exchanging ideas rather than fostering a scientific temperament among the masses or inspiring students. The 109th edition, scheduled for 2024, never took place. In September 2025, the government formally replaced the ISC with the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC)—a clear pivot toward innovation-driven forums. In this episode, we trace the journey of the Indian Science Congress—from its cradle to its grave. Hosts: Sobhana K Nair & Jacob Koshy Recorded by Tayyab Hussain Edited and produced by Jude Francis Weston
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    40 mins
  • India's Tryst with Cloud Seeding

    India's Tryst with Cloud Seeding
    Nov 5 2025
    On October 28, the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur flew a small plane in the vicinity of Delhi firing a chemical cocktail into clouds in the hope that it could make them rain. This was the first time that cloud seeding was attempted in India as a measure to control air pollution. The rain, the logic went, would make the air borne particulate matter settle. This however was a failure. India has a history of experimenting with cloud seeding thanks to the importance of agriculture and rains. But the history of the science suggests it was of immense interest to militaries. What were the lessons from its early history and what have India's experiments with cloud seeding revealed? The hosts dive into these questions and more. Tune in! Hosts: Sobhana K Nair and Jacob Koshy Recorded, edited and produced by Jude Francis Weston
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    28 mins
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