M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation | Science for Sustainable Development 🌱
India
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The early years of life are a critical period for brain development, with millions of connections forming through nutrition, care, relationships, play, and everyday experiences.
In this episode of Science Simply, @doctorsoumya explains why the first few years matter so much, how maternal and child nutrition support brain development, and how simple activities like talking, reading, singing, and playing can shape a child’s learning, health, and well-being.
Listen, learn, and join the conversation!
@MinistryWCD #maternalhealth #childnutrition #earlydevelopment
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A super El Niño is on its way, and it could be the most extreme in 100 years.
The 2026/27 El Niño is expected to bring exceptional climatic conditions to India's marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems, with impacts likely to ripple across farming, fishing, and pastoral communities.
In response, 188 of India's scientists and ecologists, including researchers from MSSRF, have come together to publish a joint appeal calling on fellow researchers and field practitioners to strengthen and expand research and monitoring efforts, so we can better understand and document its effects as they unfold.
Read the full Call to Action: zenodo.org/records/22794483
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MSSRF inaugurated a 3,000-litre Water ATM at its heat study site in Perungudi, providing 20-litre cans of drinking water at just ₹5 to support easier access to safe drinking water.
The programme also brought young community voices to the forefront through a Photovoice exhibition, where participants captured how heat affects water access, food choices and everyday livelihoods.
The event featured a street play on heat exposure and nutrition security, a Silambam performance, tree planting, and prize distribution, bringing together awareness, creativity and community action.
#MSSRF #HeatAndHealth #Photovoice #CommunityVoices
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Nutrition during pregnancy and infancy can shape a child’s brain development well into the developmental years and adulthood.
In this episode of Science Simply, @doctorsoumya highlights that—alongside play, care and stimulation—a diverse, nutritious diet is essential for a child’s brain to reach its full potential.
Here’s how early childhood shapes brain development: piped.video/watch?v=359GDMIJ…
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As part of MSSRF’s Every Child a Scientist (ECAS) programme in Chennai, Grade VIII students from Chennai Secondary School, Kottur, participated in an environmental awareness workshop focused on forests and conservation.
MSSRF introduced the students to the fascinating world of mangroves, highlighting their role in protecting shorelines, supporting coastal communities and providing shelter to diverse plant and animal life.
The students explored a key question, “How can we conserve our environment?” through creative activities, making artwork that reflect their perspectives.
From planting trees and saving water to reducing plastic use and protecting forests, these young environmental stewards shared thoughtful ideas for a greener future.
@larsentoubro
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🔴 LIVE NOW | Recognising Women as Farmers: Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Act, 2026
What does formal recognition as a farmer mean for women who contribute to agriculture every day?
An online awareness webinar is underway exploring key provisions of the Act, the benefits available to women farmers, and the online process for obtaining a Women Farmer Certificate. Women farmers are also sharing their experiences and perspectives.
piped.video/live/gPVm-YQL5L4…
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More than 10,000 kg of marine debris were removed from India's coastlines through 55 beach clean-ups coordinated by MSSRF and its partners under the nationwide Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar 5.0 campaign on International Coastal Cleanup Day (#ICCD) 2026.
Supported by @incoismoes, the Ministry of Earth Sciences (@moesgoi), and the @HCL_Foundation, the initiative mobilised over 4,000 volunteers across 135 km of coastline in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, and Puducherry.
Beyond removing marine debris, the campaign demonstrated the power of collective action, bringing together communities, philanthropists, policymakers, researchers, employees, students, and government officials in a shared effort to safeguard marine ecosystems, strengthen environmental stewardship, and build more resilient coastal communities.
Read the full article to explore the scale, impact, and stories behind this movement: mssrf.org/stories-of-change/…
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इस राष्ट्रीय पोषण माह के लिए, 'साइंस सिम्पली' (Science Simply) के आने वाले एपिसोड में डॉ. सौम्या स्वामीनाथन @doctorsoumya इस बात पर ज़ोर देंगी कि बच्चे के दिमाग का विकास स्कूल में जाने से बहुत पहले ही शुरू हो जाता है।
वह जीवन के शुरुआती सालों में दिमाग की सेहत के महत्व पर ज़ोर देती हैं। अच्छा पोषण सिर्फ़ शारीरिक मज़बूती के लिए ही नहीं, बल्कि मानसिक और सोचने-समझने की क्षमता के विकास के लिए भी ज़रूरी है।
इस पोषणमाह (#PoshanMaah) में, आइए हम यह संकल्प लें कि हर बच्चे को सही पोषण और देखभाल मिले, ताकि उनकी ज़िंदगी की शुरुआत सेहतमंद हो। पूरा वीडियो यहाँ देखें
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250+ Submissions.
27 States and Union Territories Represented.
The submissions for the Mahila Krishi Shakti Puraskar, the @JSWFoundation National Award for Women in Agriculture 2026, showcase the remarkable women and women-led organisations that are strengthening agriculture, allied livelihoods, food systems, biodiversity, climate resilience, nutrition security, and rural communities across India.
The screening process has begun, and 8 winners will be shortlisted. Stay tuned!
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On International Coastal Cleanup Day (ICCD) 2026, the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) coordinated 55 beach clean-up drives across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Puducherry under the Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar 5.0 campaign.
Supported by INCOIS, the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), and HCL Foundation, the campaign united coastal communities to protect India's shores and marine ecosystems.
Together, we're building cleaner coasts and a healthier future for our oceans.
@incoismoes @HCL_Foundation @moesgoi
#seasforchange #ICCDS2026
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29 September | 3 to 4PM
Dr. Soumya Swaminathan (@doctorsoumya), Chairperson, MSSRF will deliver a lecture “From Food Security to Biohappiness – Reimagining Health, Nutrition & Sustainable Development” at Dr. Bansi Dhar Institute.
Examining the interconnected themes of food security, nutrition and health through the lens of Biohappiness, this lecture will explore how we can shape more resilient, sustainable societies.
🔗 drbansidharinstitute.org/dr-…
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This Rashtriya Poshan Maah (National Nutrition Month), let’s recognise the Anganwadi centres that help give children a strong start in life. As the backbone of the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS), they support children’s nutrition, care, learning and play—laying the foundation for healthy growth and development.
In this episode of Science Simply, Dr Soumya Swaminathan discusses child health, nutrition, and other factors that shape brain development in children.
Watch the episode to learn why the early years matter: piped.video/359GDMIJlao?si=dHVp…
#PublicHealth #PoshanMaah #RashtriyaPoshanMaah #Anganwadi @doctorsoumya
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55 Beach Cleanups | 10,000+ kg of Marine Debris Collected
As part of International Coastal Cleanup Day 2026 and Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar 5.0, the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), with the support of partners including HCL Foundation and INCOIS–MoES, successfully concluded 55 coastal cleanup activities across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Puducherry
35+ km of coastline covered
4,000+ volunteers participated
10,000+ kg of marine debris collected
The clean up drive included students, coastal communities, researchers, professionals and government stakeholders. The initiative brought these diverse groups together to strengthen collective action for cleaner and healthier coastal ecosystems.
#seasforchange #ICCD2026
@HCL_Foundation @incoismoes
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Maharashtra launches portal for Woman Farmer Certificate applications under the #WomenFarmers Empowerment Act! @AgriDeptGoM
On Thursday, Hon. Shri. Dattatray Bharane, Minister (Agriculture), Government of Maharashtra (GoM) inaugurated this online portal for Woman Farmer Certificate applications.
🔗 krishi.maharashtra.gov.in
#IYWF2026 @bharanemamaNCP @AgriGoI @CMOMaharashtra @MahaDGIPR @doctorsoumya @Vidhi_India
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The Woman Farmer Certificate intends to grant official recognition to millions of women working in farming and allied activities across Maharashtra. These women have largely remained invisible in official records; with this certificate, they can now more easily access government schemes, institutional credit and extension services.
As a partner in the Government of Maharashtra’s efforts to shape this legislation, MSSRF is proud to witness the Maharashtra Women Farmer Empowerment Act 2026 in action.
@AgriGoI #womenfarmers #IYWF2026 @MahaDGIPR @CMOMaharashtra @AgriDeptGoM
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Community Seed Banks (CSBs) can harness traditional knowledge, put power back in farmers’ hands, and steer agriculture toward a climate‑resilient future.
But there is an urgent need to strengthen equitable and inclusive governance of these local farmer-managed seed systems.
As part of the DIVERSIFARM‑India project, MSSRF and @FniNansen, hosted a multi‑stakeholder consultation in Odisha – a forerunning state with 300+ CSBs – to strengthen them.
We brought together experts in agriculture, biodiversity, farmers’ rights and policy, along with seed keepers, to address bottlenecks facing CSBs.
📍 Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar | 9 Sept
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“Odisha has a conducive policy environment for establishing enabling legislation, policies and supportive schemes for community seed banks, and is in a position to set an example for both India and the international community,” said Dr Regine Andersen, Project Leader of DIVERSIFARM‑India, Fridtjof Nansen Institute (@FniNansen), in her valedictory address.
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MSSRF and @FniNansen are drawing on these inputs to develop a roadmap, which will outline pathways to strengthen CSBs and enable their evolution into sustainable community institutions.
We look forward to publishing the roadmap under the DIVERSIFARM‑India project shortly.
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MSSRF retweeted
🌱What does it take to build a healthier, nutrition-secure society?
Watch our webinar featuring @doctorsoumya & @IshwaryaPadma, exploring nutrition science, public health, sustainable food systems & food innovation
🎥piped.video/vSXe8oyaZk8
@mssrf @GoodFoodIndia @3RakeshMishra
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