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The present paper describes a detailed study on the distribution of radionuclides along Chavara -- Neendakara placer deposit, a high background radiation area (HBRA) along the Southwest coast of India (Kerala). Judged from our studies using HPGe gamma spectrometric detector, it becomes evident that Uranium (238U), Thorium (238Th) and Potassium (40K) are the major sources for radioactivity prevailing in the area. Our statistical analyses reveal the existence of a high positive correlation between 238U and 232Th, implicating that the levels of these elements are interdependent. Our SEM-EDAX analyses reveal that titanium (Ti) and zircon (Zr) are the major trace elements in the sand samples, followed by aluminum, copper, iron, ruthenium, magnesium, calcium, sulphur and lead. This is first of its kind report on the radiation hazard indices on this placer deposit. The average absorbed dose rates (9795 nGy h-1) computed from the present study is comparable with the top-ranking HBRAs in the world, thus offering the Chavara-Neendakara placer the second position, after Brazil; pertinently, this value is much higher than the World average. The perceptibly high absorbed gamma dose rates, entrained with the high annual external effective dose rates (AEED) and average annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE) values existing in this HBRA, encourage us to suggest for a candid assessment of the impact of the background radiation, if any, on the organisms that inhabit along this placer deposit. Future research could effectively address the issue of the possible impact of natural radiation on the biota inhabiting this HBRA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the increasing number of returning migrant workers to Kerala, India since the mid-1980s. Profiles of the returned migrants and their prospects for employment; Inability of the Indian government to provide assistance for rehabilitation and development; Opportunity for channelling the development potential of the returned migrants into productive investment.

Data on a total of 24 pigs belonging to different genetic groups viz., Large White Yorkshire, Desi and crossbreds were analysed from weaning to eight month of age to study the effect of genetic group on growth, feed conversion efficiency and cost of production per kg of live weight gain from weaning to eight months of age. The growth studies indicate that higher body weight was noticed in Large White Yorkshire followed by crossbred and Desi pigs in all months. Better feed conversion efficiency (2.77 ± 0.10, 3.75 ± 0.26 and 5.03 ± 0.42) was noticed at fifth month in Large White Yorkshire and crossbred pigs and at fourth month in Desi pigs respectively. The best feed conversion efficiency value was observed as 1:4.8 in Large White Yorkshire pigs, followed by 1:5.1 in crossbred pigs and 1:5.9 in Desi pigs. The production cost per kg of live body weight gain in Large White Yorkshire, crossbred and Desi pigs was found to be Rs. 47.04, Rs. 49.15 and Rs. 56.85 respectively from weaning to eight months of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]