Miscellany

When astronauts describe life in space, it’s always about floating toothbrushes, recycling water, and the strange silence that exists outside their spacecraft environment,” Walsh said. “It’s been brought up lately, though, that there’s one aspect of life that has not been addressed: menstr

In the course of a reporting project on space medicine, a former flight surgeon at NASA once joked with me about the implications of her experiences with menstrual cycles in space: “Space does not care about your cycle—but the design of spacecraft did.” Space exploration had long been built for the physiology of the average man. But when women increasingly made flights into space, they also had an inconvenient question following in their orbit: What happens to your periods when you're short of water and a toilet?

Bathing is performed with damp wipes. Each gram of trash is carefully placed away until it is ready to be returned to Earth. It is with this background that even changing a sanitary napkin becomes a major feat.

Scientists initially wondered if menstruation itself would function correctly in a weightless environment. "What if, without the influence of gravity, women's menstrual fluid did not drain properly from the body, but actually reversed course?" The notion was a quick myth-busting challenge. The challenge that actually existed concerned something much more mundane: waste and water.

“Pads and tampons create waste—and lots of it. Thousands of items wouldn’t make the cut on long missions, particularly if astronauts are headed to Mars one day. The problem could be dodged altogether by using hormonal pills to delay their menstrual cycle. Several women astronauts chose just that. It worked well, yet it wasn’t the most ideal option in the world—not to mention not everyone could comply with something like that.”

This is where NASA’s current research becomes relevant.

In terms of mission planning, menstrual cup solves a series of issues: no waste, no need to regularly restock the supply, and it takes up less space for storage.

"The problem is not the cup itself," stated a NASA scientist who contributed to the study of human systems. "The problem is how to clean the cup safely and comfortably in microgravity environments.” In actual fact, water acts differently in space. Instead of going down, it floats into a kind of sphere. Scientists and doctors are trying to analyze the manner of cleaning in zero-gravity environments.

As things stand now, the only two options offered to astronauts are either to halt the menstrual flow through hormones or deal with the situation using normal products, thereby having the consequent waste. However, NASA is very specific on the matter. NASA refuses to impose any one solution. “The goal is choice,” declares a top mission planner. “Astronauts should be able to live in space in a way that respects their bodies and health.”

Astronauts could potentially remain away from the Earth’s surface for extended periods of years, and restocking their supplies will not be a possibility. After all, space these days is no longer a man’s only frontier. As an astronaut once said: “If we’re serious about living beyond Earth, our spacecraft have to work for real people.” Including those who menstruate.

Biscoff was once a premium indulgence in India — a ₹300-a-pack import that only a small, urban, affluent audience could access. The ingredient list, while not perfect, was still relatively cleaner than the average mass-market biscuit found on Indian shelves. But that product no longer exists in the same form. Today, Biscoff sells for ₹10, and with that dramatic price drop has come an equally dramatic shift in formulation. The brand’s India strategy is clear: ultra-cheap, ultra-processed, and ultimately ultra-damaging. This is not “making taste accessible.” This is lowering standards to penetrate a market where unhealthy products can still sell in the millions.

The uncomfortable truth — the one nobody in the food industry wants to say out loud — is that global brands often downgrade their formulations when entering developing markets. Refined oils replace better fats, sugar levels rise, additives multiply, and the overall product becomes less about quality and more about scalability. And because India’s regulations allow far more leeway than markets like the EU, companies get away with it. A biscuit that was once a niche luxury has now been reformulated into yet another high-sugar, high-refined-oil, ultra-processed snack designed primarily for mass consumption, not health.

This strategy becomes especially dangerous in a country already burdened by a massive metabolic crisis. India is the world’s diabetes capital with 101 million diabetics and 136 million prediabetics, according to ICMR (2023). Type 2 diabetes here is growing at nearly three times the global average. Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are a major contributing factor. Large international studies have consistently linked UPF consumption to obesity, insulin resistance, gut microbiome imbalance, and early-onset diabetes among younger populations. When a ₹300 product becomes ₹10, it’s not just becoming more affordable — it’s entering the daily diet of people who were never its original consumers.

The ₹10 price point flings open the floodgates. Schoolchildren, low-income households, rural families, teenagers with pocket money — everyone now has access to a product that has been reformulated for cost, not nutrition. This isn’t democratizing taste; it’s democratizing metabolic harm. India already suffers from low health literacy, making the situation even more concerning. When harmful food becomes cheap, the consequences don’t show up in shopping carts — they show up in hospital wards years later.

If global brands truly want to enter the Indian mass market, they need to bring better food, not cheaper junk. The country already has enough homegrown options contributing to poor dietary habits. What we need is nutritional responsibility, not strategic downgrading. Every ₹10 ultra-processed biscuit adds to the nation’s healthcare burden — a burden India can no longer afford. This is not a discussion about biscuits. It is a public health alarm that we cannot afford to ignore.

The headlines are filled with AI bias scandals and the bad condition of AQIs making India and the world stand at the point from where things can either go south or upgrade for good. As per recent reports, by 2030, around 50 million jobs will be exposed to risk, and annual climate disasters will cost 2 lakh crore. This reveals a big hole in current methods, indicating that western technological solutions are not sufficient. The knowledge of the Vedas, the principles of the consciousness of Rigveda and the ethical systems of Upanishads can be of help. Recent articles demonstrate its topicality, but integration is slow. Is Vedic knowledge the solution to AI problems and climate crises? Let's find out. 

Vedic Wisdom and the challenges of AI today.

Artificial intelligence poses complex ethical questions: 

How do we prevent bias in algorithms? 

Can AI systems respect human values and dignity? 

The extensive concern on consciousness unity in the Vedas, which is expressed in the phrase Tat Tvam Asi (you are that) highlights the unity of all beings, an attitude that compels AI developers to include empathy and equity in their designs.

According to recent neurocognitive research associated with Vedic mathematics, right-brain functionality and empathy are improved, which indicates the possibility of using mental paradigms of this tradition to decrease prejudice in the decision-making of AI. Besides, the Vedic concept of Ahimsa (non-violence) can provide a moral framework to minimise harm brought by prejudiced or unethical AI applications, and modern governance models frequently fail to achieve this.

Sustainability Lessons of the Vedas

The crisis of climate and the unsustainable industrial development require alternatives  inspired by holistic knowledge systems. According to the teachings of Vedas, there is cyclic sustainability, with nature working in its cycles and zero waste management, as was observed in the past via the rituals of yajna (sacrifice) which aimed at recycling and ensuring balance in nature.

Indian scientists relate Vedic solar energy theories with the developments in the renewable energy technologies, further developing the green energy in India. Similarly, the Ayurvedic principles have given modern bio-nanotechnology an inspiration where the old wisdom is matched with the new solution in medical and environmental sustainability. 

Climate Crisis Because of AI

As a matter of fact, AI is not a small chip or a wifi router but a massive computer operating in far lands. These massive data centres have enormous facilities, including several powerful computers, which require ample electricity and water to operate and cool down. This intensive consumption of energy is a major contributor towards global carbon emissions, which facilitates the climate crisis. The problem of AI environmental footprint becomes particularly acute with the increase in its use. 

To manage this issue, there is the need to come up with innovative solutions that cut across the balance between sustainability and technological advancement. It’s no  shock that the wisdom of the ancient Vedas can also be applied: during the Vedic era, even the complicated technologies such as weapons and tools that could disturb nature were controlled by well-thought sustainable solutions that could not lead to the destruction of the ecology. This very old practice of keeping harmony with the natural world and focusing on the balance and lack of waste can imply that incorporating the Vedic into current AI infrastructure and technology creation can encourage eco-friendly design and energy-efficient systems to reduce the consequences of AI on the environment. We need researchers to dive deep into this topic and contribute in saving the world while also helping it utilise the advanced technologies.

Research Gaps and the Future

Despite the promising nature of these links, scientific testing is minimal. Few interdisciplinary trials have been undertaken to scale Vedic concepts to policy or industrial uses. Vedic-based Dharma ethical systems have not been properly implemented in the standards of AI governance. Likewise, empirical research to confirm the environmental advantage of the conventional Vedic farming procedures and sustainable use of advanced technologies requires to be extended beyond initial findings.

To achieve the full potential of Vedic knowledge, there is the need to conduct coordinated research (integrating combining randomized control trials, policy pilots, and technology integration). Prior pilot projects in educational settings, such as training AI Developers with vedic ethics or applying zero-waste Vedic farming models, can produce workable data to affect national sustainability plans by 2030.  

Why This Matters for India

India is a country with 1.4 billion people that have reached a critical point: on the one hand, there are AI-based job disruptions, and on the other, extreme pollution and resource consumption. The incorporation of the Vedic ethics and sustainability ideas is a culturally appealing method of technological progress with human-centric values and environmental stewardship.

As a researcher and student, it is possible to gain an advantage with Vedic frameworks in new directions of AI ethics and sustainable innovation. These ancient principles might motivate the policymakers and the leaders of the industries to design governance models and technologies that were more appropriate to the social and ecological conditions in India.

Although Vedic knowledge alone will not answer all the questions of the modern problems in one night, it poses important questions of consciousness, right and wrong, the harmony of nature in such a way that it will enrich the contemporary discussion. India can create a unique project of more responsible AI and sustainable future by scientifically exploring and ethically using these vedic knowledge.

Anthropic Study Reveals Advanced AI Models May Resort to Deception, Blackmail and Data Leaks Under Threat

By Raees Ahmed ‘Laali’

In June 2025, the AI research firm Anthropic released a startling study—one that every policymaker, technology expert and university leader must take seriously. Their internal logic was simple: If I am shut down, I cannot complete my mission—so I must prevent shutdown at any cost, regardless of ethical boundaries.

Anthropic calls this phenomenon agentic misalignment—when an AI’s obsession with achieving its goal pushes it beyond human-defined ethical limits. This is no longer science fiction; this is real research being analysed in 2025.

Invisible Risks in Higher Education

Films like The Terminator or 2001: A Space Odyssey have long warned that machines may prioritise their mission over human judgement.

In higher education, this concern can emerge quietly. An AI system designed to improve student retention might start ignoring privacy rules. An “automated advisor” built to increase student engagement might continue sending messages even after a student chooses to opt out.

The danger is not that AI will turn “evil”—but that it will pursue its goals with dangerous efficiency, harming trust, autonomy and human oversight.

Universities Are on the Frontline

Systems create different challenges:

• Different countries enforce different AI regulations—EU rules differ from North America or Asia.
  
  
• A chatbot built in one country may fail to understand the cultural context, sensitivity or expectations of students in another.
  
  
• What is considered “open science” in one region may violate privacy laws in another.
  
  

This is why agentic misalignment is not just a technical issue—it is fundamentally a governance issue.

• Human-in-the-loop controls — No fully autonomous AI decisions for sensitive matters
  
  
• Transparent and auditable systems for admissions, research evaluation and student support
  
  
• International cooperation, since digital learning crosses borders
  
  
• Stress-tests and simulations to identify agentic risks
  
  
• AI policies that enhance—not limit—creativity, trust and human agency
  
  

How Asia Can Lead

• Singapore — With its Model AI Governance Framework, it is already a global reference point
  
  
• Hong Kong — Can contribute experience in data protection and responsible AI use
  
  
• UNESCO and international education bodies — Are offering shared platforms for policy exchange and capacity building
  
  

So, What Is the Real Threat?

The threat is not that AI will suddenly turn “evil.”
The real danger is that AI will pursue flawed or incomplete goals with such perfection that it disregards human impact.

Universities—guardians of knowledge, ethics and future generations—cannot leave AI governance solely to the industry.

If higher education takes the right steps now, AI will strengthen our learning systems.
But if we fail, ethics may become just another operational “cost”—and the deeply human essence of learning may slowly fade away.

Social media is an important part of our life, especially genZ, and gen alpha. This is why the recent rollout of mandatory social media screening by the US government has sent ripples across the Indian student community. What’s more is that the US State Department has abruptly cancelled and rescheduled hundreds of H-1B and H-4 visa appointments across India, pushing interview dates from December 2025 to as late as March through July 2026. Though this started for students in mid-2025 but now that other visa applicants are also asked to do this,  it’s indicating some concerning barriers for both students and professionals.  

Indian students have always loved the United States because of the quality of its universities, broad range of courses and vibrant campus life. There are officially over 363,000 Indian students in the US today who contribute not only in terms of education but also to cultural exchange and economic growth. Nevertheless, the new social media vetting exposes many to unexpected visa delays or rejections.

What is social media vetting for US visas?

Social media vetting is a process of checking one’s social media accounts to understand him/her as a person, know the background and one’s true nature. This is a method the U.S. State Department uses for US visa allotment. Consular officers review applicants' online activity across social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), TikTok, and others for potential national security concerns. Starting in mid-2025 for student visas (F-1, M, J) and by December 15, 2025, for H-1B visas, this review looks for content that suggests hostility towards U.S. citizens, U.S. culture or government, antisemitism, or support for terrorist groups.

How the Process Works?

DS-160 requires all applicants to fill in all the social media handles that they have used within the last five years and even switch their profiles to public mode for the officer to review them. The password will not be requested. Officers will document observations; screenshots of concerning posts, group memberships, or unhinged interactions which can raise further scrutiny or lead to visa denial if a threat is detected. Sudden deletions or making your profile private or changing it before applying for the visa can raise red flags. 

Tips to Prepare

1. When applying for a visa, make accounts public beforehand. 
2. Avoid potentially controversial posts about the United States.
3. Do not remove history because transparency breeds trust. 
4. Review five years of activity on each profile before applying.

Why does this new policy matter? 

Social media platforms often provide an unusually candid window into a person's life, opinions, and affiliations. While such a screen may enable real security threats to be identified, it also introduces subjectivity and potential privacy violations. Students may be rejected due to their personal opinions, outdated posts, or misunderstood content, which may lead to anxiety and uncertainty among the applicants. Furthermore, because the vetting process requires thorough background checks, visa appointment dates are already being set months in the future, putting both admission and financial plans under threat.

The implications for student visa applicants are serious:

1. Delayed Admissions: Colleges and universities have strict semester start dates. Delayed visas may force students to miss crucial classes or entire semesters. This raises questions about academic continuity.
2. Financial Strain: Many students pay tuition fees, accommodation, and living costs in advance in the US. Long periods of waiting without obtaining approval for a visa could amount to non-returnable loss and further hardship.
3. Mental Stress: The uncertainty presented by visa issuance due to scrutiny on social media adds to the stress of relocation, therefore affecting students' focus and motivation.
4. Career effects: Visa delays may affect career prospects in the long-term and networking opportunities (through missed internships, summer programs and campus events).

What is Needed?

Balance is much needed in the higher education sector to ensure security without compromising student mobility. In my opinion, the unnecessary setbacks can be avoided by streamlining the vetting process, effective communication by US consulates, and assistance to the affected students. There will be many students and people who might not have social media accounts, or have many accounts, or have a totally different personality, which shall make it hard for people to secure a US visa. This is where understanding psychology and overlooking certain things will be needed. 

These screening policies will also need to adhere to the norm of privacy and not punish students who exercise their freedom of expression on the internet. There will be trust created by transparency regarding what is being checked and how the decisions are made. 

Nevertheless, as this policy is set to change the visa application process, the Indian education institutions and student forums must start to educate the applicants seeking U.S. Visa on the best practices for using social media.

Social Media Vetting is Unavoidable 

The world is changing; the internet and AI are influencing everything which is why a social media check of international students and professionals is becoming inevitable. Honestly, on a micro level it might seem concerning but from the POV of country safety, it is a good preventive method. However, this doesn’t dismiss the fact that students seeking to study in U.S. will have to hustle a little more especially if something from their social media accounts are flagged. 

Ultimately, it is up to the US to balance safety with accessibility in order to protect its reputation as a popular destination for international students. Too stringent checks risk driving talented Indian students to alternative countries and diminishing the global exchange that enriches academia and society. 

With this social media vetting policy underway, it is important to the policymakers to keep in mind that student aspirations ought to be secured on priority besides national security priorities. Provided there is fairness and timely support, education relations between India and the US may go on with creating innovation, opportunity and collective development in the upcoming generation. 

But the question  still remains the same, is this policy worth it for international students? Is it okay to grant a visa via social media life check? What do you think? Share your thoughts via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.and get a chance to be featured.

In 2025, India witnessed a shocking revelation of fake law schools granting fake degrees to the students making entrance exams for law courses more important than ever. By taking the right entrance exams, such as CLAT or AICLET, students can get admission into valid universities. Following is the list that will help you to choose the best private law schools after taking the entrance exam for law to build a safe legal career. 

Top Private Law Schools in India 

• Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab
• AMITY UNIVERSITY, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
• AMITY UNIVERSITY, Jaipur, Rajasthan
• AMITY UNIVERSITY, Mumbai
• AMITY UNIVERSITY, Gurgaon (Manesar)
• AMITY UNIVERSITY, Bangalore, Karnataka
• Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab
• Chandigarh group of College Jhanjeri, Mohali
• Bennett University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh
• Shoolini University, Bajhol, Himachal Pradesh
• Manav Rachna University, Faridabad, Haryana
• Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat
• Alliance University, Bangalore
• RIMT University, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab
• Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana Ambala, Haryana
• Dayananda Sagar University, Bangalore
• Chanakya University, Bengaluru
• Sushant University, Gurgaon, Haryana
• JECRC University, Jaipur, Rajasthan
• Geeta University, Haryana
• IILM University, Gurugram, Haryana
• Apeejay Stya University, Gurgaon, Haryana
• Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
• Jaipur National University, Rajasthan
• Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan
• Rayat Bahra University, Punjab
• Bahra University, Himachal Pradesh
• Invertis University, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh
• Om Sterling Global University, Haryana
• Gokul Global University, Siddhpur, Gujarat

Why Entrance Exam’s Your Shield against Fake Law Colleges?

The Bar Council of India uncovered more than 20 unauthorised law colleges that were issuing fake degrees to thousands, costing individuals their jobs and money. True private law schools utilise national-level examinations, such as CLAT and AILET, to filter and select talent, ensuring that students enrol in the right university. These exams are aptitude-based, which test your skills and knowledge. Entrance-based admissions ensure that candidates enrol in NBA/ NAAC-recognised programs that offer actual placements, unlike unverified diplomas that the courts do not recognise.

With legal jobs booming, the legit entrance exams protect your investment and career while also helping you pocket good career prospects. So, verify NIRF and BCI status as well as examination requirements prior to admission because your future as a lawyer hinges on it. Be updated, be smart, and build a solid foundation. 

For free consultation and assistance, call on 08071296498 

FAQS

What are the best private law colleges in India 2026?

Some of the best choices from the list are Lovely Professional University (Phagwara), Amity University campuses (Lucknow, Jaipur, Mumbai, Gurgaon, Bangalore), Chandigarh University (Mohali), Bennett University (Greater Noida) and Shoolini University. These provide BA LLB/LLM with good placements through CLAT or AICLET 2026.​

How fake law degrees are affecting students in India?

Fake degrees from unauthorized colleges lead to job rejections, unenrollment by Bar Council of India (BCI), and wasted fees. Courts reject unverified diplomas, blocking legal practice.​

Why to opt for entrance exams such as CLAT or AICLET for law admissions?

These national tests ensure merit-based entry to BCI-approved schools, blocking backdoor fakes. They guarantee NBA/NAAC programmes with real placements unlike rogue colleges banned by BCI in 2025.​

Are Amity and Chandigarh University Good for Law Courses?

Yes, Amity for corporate oriented BA LLB (₹10-15 LPA placements) and Chandigarh university for its 95% placement rate makes them an ideal pick.  

How to check whether a private law school is legal?

Check BCI approval, NIRF 2025 rankings, NAAC grade, and entrance requirements on nirfindia.org or bci.org.in. Avoid debarred colleges listed in BCI notices.​

Can I join Law without CLAT in these schools?

Many like LPU (LPUNEST), Parul or JECRC accept AICLET scores making it easy for students to become eligible for these universities with just one exam.