
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
- Stubble burning is back, smothering north India with concerns for the upcoming winter
- Humans are contaminating Earth’s waterways with medicines, pharmaceutical ingredients
- Inhaling particulate matter is increasing the prevalence of anaemia among women of reproductive age
- Health effects of heat stress will intensify disproportionately without ambitious efforts

Almost Famous Species
- India garners international support to save two endangered freshwater turtles
- What protecting the slender loris could mean for forest communities in Tamil Nadu
- [Video] Hangul, the shy Kashmiri deer, is facing the threat of extinction as its habitat shrinks
- Identifying individual mugger crocodiles using drone technology to minimise conflicts

Eco Hope
- Hosur forest division runs campaign to collect illegal guns in a move to protect elephants
- How an equitable model of irrigation is changing this drought-prone Maharashtra region
- To increase fish production, Odisha turns to cage aquaculture
- Nations adopt Global Biodiversity Framework amid concerns over watered-down targets

India's Iconic Landscapes
- Nourishing soils of Kashmir’s karewas crumble under infrastructure
- Shielding hijol, a floodplain tree, from climate impacts
- [Explainer] Mass flowering and why some plants bloom and die together
- Uttar Pradesh reports an increase in rhino population since reintroduction over three decades ago

Beyond Protected Areas
- Assam loco pilots on the need for effective communication to prevent elephant-rail collision
- [Podcast] Imprints: Digging up bones with Advait Jukar
- Helping wildlife navigate road and railway infrastructure
- What’s for lunch? Elephants are picky eaters finds study in northern West Bengal

Conserving Agro-biodiversity
- Nations adopt Global Biodiversity Framework amid concerns over watered-down targets
- [Commentary] A renewed CGIAR can better support South Asia to determine its food future
- Equitable benefit sharing of digitised genetic information to span across discussions at COP15
- Making sense of rainfall changes in Karnataka’s coffee estates through old records

Just Transitions
- Helping wildlife navigate road and railway infrastructure
- Energy transition offers a ray of hope to farmers struggling in chilly winter
- With a new policy, Odisha aims at 10 GW of renewable energy by 2030
- [Commentary] The missing caste from commons: A reflection from a Telangana village
