By Mani Skaria, PhD Some legacies are inherited…But what really matters… is how you carry them. Chandy Oommen—A lawyer…A Supreme Court advocate…Now serving in the Kerala Legislature… representing Puthuppally. He is the son of the late Oommen Chandy…Former Chief Minister of Kerala…A man known for a lifetime of humble service. And when you listen to…
This Easter, in 2026, feels different. From Washington… to Jerusalem… to Tehran…to New Delhi…the world feels tense. Nations are uneasy.Communities are divided.Hearts are heavy.People are getting killed. But Easter was never about comfort. It was about hope in the middle of uncertainty. It was about light breaking through darkness. It was about peace in a…
What an Avocado Teaches Us About Health, Attention, and Small Decisions An avocado is more than just a fruit. It’s one of the most nutrient-rich foods we eat—filled with healthy fats, fiber, potassium, and essential vitamins that support the heart, brain, and overall well-being. What was once a simple staple has now become a premium…
By Mani Skaria, PhD ABRACADABRA People often ask me a simple question: “What is Dr. Mani’s Magic?” Some people even imagine that I must be a magician. I do not mind the thought of wearing a magician’s hat—especially now that my hair has graciously receded enough to make room for one. But the truth is…
Mani Skaria, PhD Have you ever tasted grapefruit straight from the grove? If you have, you know the difference immediately. Fresh.Vibrant.Full of natural flavor. In the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, grapefruit grows under unique geographic and climatic conditions that give it a distinctive taste and quality. For generations, this region has produced some of the finest…
Educated, Global …. Yet Food-Dependent! By Mani Skaria, PhD Kerala is a narrow strip of land, cradled between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.A long coastline.Backwaters that breathe with the tides.Monsoon-fed rivers that descend from mist-covered mountains. It is a land of coconut palms, paddy fields, tea gardens in the high ranges, and spices…
Educated, Global …. Yet Food-Dependent! By Mani Skaria, PhD Kerala is a narrow strip of land, cradled between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.A long coastline.Backwaters that breathe with the tides.Monsoon-fed rivers that descend from mist-covered mountains. It is a land of coconut palms, paddy fields, tea gardens in the high ranges, and spices…
By Mani Skaria, PhD In the last week of February 2026, I was at the University of California, Riverside, serving in an advisory capacity and speaking with a group of young scientists from across the country. They were serious, disciplined, deeply engaged in laboratory precision — mapping genes, refining biochemical pathways, advancing discovery through controlled…
World Ag Expo 2026: Where Innovation, Soil, and Legacy Converge — Intelligently By Mani Skaria, PhD After a decade, I returned to the World Ag Expo in Tulare County — this time as an invited guest. As a Professor Emeritus in Agriculture in Texas, I have observed agricultural progress over many decades. What I witnessed…
By Mani Skaria, PhD Thanks to Dr. T.R. Landford DVM, Deputy Executive Director, Texas Animal Health Commission for his insights that made this article possible. Confirmed cases of the New World screwworm have now been reported in northeastern Mexico — approximately 230 miles south of the Texas border. It has not crossed into the United…