Events

What if a simple water sample could tell us whether harmful pesticide residues are present—right at the site of testing? In this episode of Ask Our Experts, we explore Aqua SURAKSHA, an innovative field-portable biosensor developed by C-DAC Kolkata in collaboration with ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore, to detect organophosphate pesticide residues in water. From rivers and ponds to aquaculture and rural water sources, pesticide contamination can pose serious risks to human health, aquatic ecosystems and livelihoods. Conventional laboratory testing, while highly accurate, can be time-consuming and require specialised infrastructure. Aqua SURAKSHA aims to bridge this gap with rapid, portable and technology-enabled water safety monitoring. The episode also explores an important question: Can innovations like Aqua SURAKSHA help us detect hidden water pollution before it becomes a larger threat to people, livelihoods and ecosystems? Watch the full episode and discover how Indian R&D is turning a complex laboratory process into a portable solution for safer water. https://www.youtube.com/live/w3UMC7W220o?si=b-DEtuy9AhB-cwWK