
Articles by M. Somasekhar
Completed Master’s in Communication and Journalism (M.C.J.) from Osmania
University.
Became a Journalist in 1983, with a reporter’s job in the Press
Trust of India.
As a Journalist with PTI covered elections, Coming to Power of NT Rama Rao
and Telugu Desam, Science Congress meetings, international conferences,
toured the State extensively. PTI also sent me to France to cover the
Centennary of the Eiffel Tower and bi-centenniary of the French Revolution in 1988-89.
Was the Secretary, Press Club of Hyderabad during 1989-92, during which time, all India cricket and indoor games tournaments for media were started.
Meets with well-known people including R.K.Laxman, Vikram Seth, O.P. Nair,
Kapil Dev and a cartoon exhibition on Political cartoons was organised.
In 1993, moved to New Delhi to join The Hindu Group, with the Business Line.
During an 8-year stint had a chance to cover the political turmoil at the Centre.
Covered Parliament proceedings, travelled extensively in North India covering major political developments. Covered the Pokhran Nuclear blasts in 1998.
In Delhi served as Secretary, Indian Science Writers Association during 1997-99.
My journalistic career has taken me to the US, Australia, China, Federal
Republic of Germany, Canada, Mauritius, France and Thailand on reporting
assignments.
In 2001, The Hindu brought me back to Hyderabad to head Business Line as
The Chief of Bureau. As the longest serving in the Post, have led a team that covered Satyam Scam, Separate Telangana agitation, Elections, the IT growth and emergence of Cyberabad.
My writings have been published in two Coffee Table books on Indian Science brought out from London. Moderated many sessions on professional topics, have been cited in communication text books etc.
Honoured by AP & Telangana Governor ESL Narasimhan in 2016 for contributions to Journalism and Press Club of Hyderabad. Have also done programmes on Radio, TV and participated in panel discussions. Recently moderated an interaction of editors with Cong(I) President, Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad. Moderated programmes on Budget, Investor Meet, Careers etc for Business Line.


Controversial uranium mining project shelved in Telangana

Otter sighting in Andhra bird sanctuary raises excitement but also questions

Decoding the mystery illness that struck Eluru

Hyderabad floods highlight the need for a disaster mitigation and climate resilience plan

New research improves understanding on dengue, but vaccine search continues
Special series
Wetland Champions
- [Commentary] India establishes the largest network of Ramsar Sites in South Asia
- [Commentary] Wetland champions: Promise from the grassroots
- The story of Jakkur lake sets an example for inclusive rejuvenation projects
- Welcome to Tsomgo lake: Please don’t litter

Environment And Health
- As heatwaves projected to worsen across India, do vulnerability assessments and heat action plans suffice?
- Assam’s North Lakhimpur treats 40 years of legacy waste in just nine months
- Varying levels of microplastics detected in sea salt produced across India
- Decline in pollinators linked to half a million premature human deaths every year, shows study

Almost Famous Species
- The gharial attempts a second comeback with help from the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary
- Understanding the role of local communities in the conservation of critically endangered rhino rays
- Citizen scientists help discover a blind catfish species hidden inside Kerala’s aquifers
- Flying is riskier for female katydids, finds India’s first insect radio telemetry study

Eco Hope
- [Interview] Conservation scientist Joli Rumi Borah on integrating traditional knowledge in research
- [Interview] Scientist Ruth DeFries on deforestation: There isn’t one driver, there’s a different context in different places
- India budgets for mangroves and wetlands
- Working with biomaterials to add to the sustainable energy mix

India's Iconic Landscapes
- Experts call for coexistence, sustainable development as tiger population is close to saturation
- Ain’t no mountain high enough: alien invasive plants increasing in higher elevations
- Unplanned, faulty buildings tremble under weather events in the fragile Himalayan regions
- Nourishing soils of Kashmir’s karewas crumble under infrastructure

Beyond Protected Areas
- The art and science of elephant whispering
- Scientists develop a toolkit to identify high conservation-value areas
- Call to save rare snake habitat follows red coral kukri sightings in Bangladesh
- Small cats in big trouble: Why we need to save these elusive endangered species

Conserving Agro-biodiversity
- How a drought-prone village in Maharashtra attained agricultural success with millets
- Thirunelly’s seed festival celebrates traditional climate-resilient seeds and farm produce
- [Explainer] Why is 2023 the International Year of Millets? What do we achieve by celebrating such years?
- Nations adopt Global Biodiversity Framework amid concerns over watered-down targets

Just Transitions
- Bauxite mining in Jharkhand is impacting soil fertility, people’s health
- Incentives to boost demand, increase in e-buses in Tamil Nadu’s latest EV policy
- Electricity transition in India’s renewable-rich states needs to accelerate, says study
- [Interview] Ajay Kumar Rastogi on leading India’s first just transition task force
