Reflections on the Retirement of Dr. Saroja Viswamitra DHR Health, Edinburg/McAllen By Mani Skaria, PhD On February 12, 2026, in McAllen, Texas, nearly 450 people gathered to honor the retirement of Dr. Saroja Viswamitra — Chief Medical Officer, physician, builder, and community healer. The room was filled with physicians, professionals, civic leaders, and friends. They…
By Mani Skaria, PhD Texas froze again. So did large parts of America. Whenever this happens, the same questions return: Why did some plants survive while others died? Why did protection work in one place and fail in another? Is it the cold itself that kills plants? The real answer lies inside a single plant…
By Mani Skaria, PhD I was truly fortunate to witness the 11th Indian Horticultural Congress (IHC 2025), held from November 6–9 at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru. Built around the theme “Horticulture for Inclusive, Equitable, and Sustainable Growth,” the Congress highlighted India’s vision for a resilient and farmer-centered horticultural future. Organized under the leadership…
Insight No. 29 Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D. (the Silly Goose Grandpa)Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–Kingsville During my recent travels in Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Karnataka, and Rajasthan, one sight kept repeating itself — a biryani shop on nearly every corner. From roadside stalls to fine restaurants, the word biryani glowed everywhere like a shared cultural…
by Mani Skaria, Ph.D. Ancient Greeks described stars in the sky that were visible to the human eye. They found the stars moved; the Greeks described them as wandering objects. In Greek language, the term for wanderer is planetes. Ancient Greeks identified five naked-eye planets — Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. The names in…
by Mani Skaria, Ph.D. In the sun-kissed breeze of the Caribbean isle, Where trade winds whispered through citrus groves with style, A fruit was born in golden light— A citrus gem, both bold and bright. From pomelo’s depth and orange’s grace, Came grapefruit’s flesh with a bittersweet face. Barbados, the cradle of this tale, Launched…
The Texas A&I Citrus Center opened in 1947 in Weslaco under the leadership of Dr. P.W. Rohrbaugh. In 1964, Dr. Richard Hensz became the second director, contributing significantly to the Center’s national reputation. The Center launched an ambitious research and education program, accommodating students, WWII veterans, and teachers, with faculty from Kingsville supporting academic teaching…
by Mani Skaria, PhD Let us examine the production of biochar, drawing inspiration from Qualterra Inc., a pioneering company based in Spokane, Washington, which specializes in transforming agricultural residues into high-quality biochar. The script explores the definition of biochar, its origins, and its growing importance in sustainable horticulture and agriculture. Particular attention is given to…
by Mani Skaria, Ph.D. The following is a presentation I gave to the graduating class of a local high school: Video Script: Twelve Seeds for a Flourishing Future: Cultivating Dreams and Wisdom “Hello, everyone! Today is a super special day. We are here to celebrate the achievements of our amazing graduates from Edinburg, Texas. These…
Today, I invite you to explore an innovative and sustainable approach to citrus cultivation—one that harnesses the natural power of Vetiver grass. Our journey will emphasize our time’s pressing need for sustainable agricultural practices. In this presentation, we will delve into the unique properties of Vetiver, the Latin name Chrysopogon zizaniodes. We will discuss its introduction…