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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Bird-flu outbreak rattles Nandurbar

Around 2.40 lakh hens culled, Nine-lakh eggs destroyed Mumbai: For the third time in 20 years, Avian Influenza has hit Navapur, in Nandurbar district, with over 2.40 lakhs birds culled in the past few days as worried farmers await compensation and effective vaccines. In some areas, all the infected birds in big and small farms have been eliminated by specialist teams, as per World Health Organisation (WHO) and central government’s guidelines. This is the third time after 2006 and 2021...

Bird-flu outbreak rattles Nandurbar

Around 2.40 lakh hens culled, Nine-lakh eggs destroyed Mumbai: For the third time in 20 years, Avian Influenza has hit Navapur, in Nandurbar district, with over 2.40 lakhs birds culled in the past few days as worried farmers await compensation and effective vaccines. In some areas, all the infected birds in big and small farms have been eliminated by specialist teams, as per World Health Organisation (WHO) and central government’s guidelines. This is the third time after 2006 and 2021 that the town – which produces 10-lakh eggs daily – has come under the attack of Avian Influenza, commonly known as ‘bird flu’, said Navapur Poultry Association (NPA) President Arief Balesaria. “We rank the biggest in production of eggs by Layer Chicken after Pune and Baramati. There are other egg producing centres in the state. The Layer Chicken are among the best laying hens. But in the past fortnight or so, our production has come to a complete stop,” a concerned Balesaria told The Perfect Voice. The 10-lakh eggs are sent to markets in Mumbai, Nashik, Jalgaon and even Surat, which will now be fed by other smaller suppliers from Maharashtra or other states, he said. The outbreak in Navapur started mysteriously on April 12, when a local farmer discovered five dead chickens in his farm. Initially it was suspected to be heatstroke and a local Veterinary prescribed medicines, but by afternoon more than four dozen birds were snuffed out. By next morning, the farmer lost more than 300 chickens even as other alarmed farmers in a three-km vicinity reported similar tragedies as the birds simply dropped dead without apparent symptoms, said Balesaria. In Balesaria’s own Wasim Poultry Farm, the situation was ditto – five days after the first incident, he found 55 birds dead and by that evening, over 130 were no more, though the chickens were eating normally and not appearing sick. After the local authorities were informed, samples were collected from three of the worst-hit farms and tested at the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal. They tested positive for the dreaded ‘Avian Influenza’, shocking the poultry farmers in Navapur. Swift Action Nandurbar Collector Dr. Mittali Sethi swung into action and declared large parts of Navapur as an ‘infected and surveillance’, spread over nearly 10 kms radius, banned all sale of poultry, bird-feed, and other related materials for three months, and local police were deployed to enforce the restrictions. Meanwhile, by Monday, the infection figures zoomed up dramatically and till May 6, over 2.40 lakhs birds have been culled, nearly 9-lakh eggs destroyed plus 210 tonnes of bird feed disposed off, said Balesaria of the sudden calamity. State and district officials have expressed apprehensions that the toll could climb much higher and have enforced strict monitoring in Navapur and also other egg-producing centres in north Maharashtra region. Culling continues with the help of 18 officers daily while over 125 veterinarians and support staff have fanned out in the affected zone. His son and third-generation independent farmer Tausif B. is grappling with his first bird-flu calamity and is worried about the future with his entire stock of 6 lakh eggs, 62,000 birds and 72-tons of feed destroyed. “This time, my farm was not affected. But according to official protocols, my 30,000 chickens were culled and over 60,000 eggs destroyed. The government has banned us from restarting or restocking for at least three months, or till July 31, when the crisis is expected to be over. Presently, we are sitting idle and helpless as the losses pile up for all the 27 NPA member-farms,” rued Balesaria. Farmers cry for better vaccines As death stalks egg farms in Navapur, distressed farmers urged the Centre to urgently permit more effective vaccines to contain the spread of Avian Influenza, as existing measures are proving inadequate. The NPA leaders claimed that the currently approved vaccines target the relatively milder H9N2 strain, while farms in the region are being devastated by the far more lethal H5N1 virus. “The government has allowed vaccines for H9N2 strain. But the Layer chickens are hit by the deadlier H5N1 strain. Vaccines for H5N1 are already in use in several countries, including China, the United States and parts of Europe. Why are we being denied access to the same protection?” asked the NPA leaders. India currently does not allow use of H5N1 vaccines, citing various concerns and relies on the traditional culling, movement restrictions and biosecurity measures in such outbreaks, though NPA alleges that Indian vaccine manufacturers are creating obstacles for getting better vaccines.

3D (Dreams, Dystopia, Destiny)

Anandajit Goswami stands among the most compelling contemporary voices in Indian literature today. Known for his genre-defying imagination and intellectual depth, Goswami has carved a distinct niche in science fiction, sustainability literature, and speculative narratives for both young readers and adults. His critically acclaimed Lucy series has been recognised by Indian Literary Review as one of the most original contributions to children’s science fiction.


Goswami’s works have been widely covered by leading media houses, earning him multiple Best Fiction Author awards. His scholarship and sustained engagement with ecological consciousness have also led to his recognition by prestigious platforms such as the Manorama Lit Fest and Green Lit Fest. In a recent in-depth conversation with Shiv Sethi, the author spoke about his evolving creative universe. Excerpts…


Literature seems to occupy a deeply personal space in your life. How do you define literature?

Literature, for me, is not a static product but an ongoing process of observing, shaping, and reshaping the reality that surrounds us. While engaging with reality, the human heart simultaneously dreams of alternative worlds. Literature is born from this tension between what exists and what could exist. It becomes a bridge between the real and the imagined, the present and the futuristic, the known and the unknown. Through literature, multiple worlds intersect, converse, and sometimes collide, enabling us to reimagine humanity and our collective future.


Your body of work spans multiple genres. Could you tell us about your books and recurring themes?

My writing moves across diverse genres and emotional landscapes—science fiction, dystopia, sustainability, climate fiction, court drama, violence, culture, identity, and crime thrillers. Rather than writing isolated narratives, I create what I call a “matrix of narratives.” Within this matrix, characters such as Lucy, Hema, Madhyam, Shopno, Siddharth, Esha, Rasul, Jacob, and Dr. Ghosh are born and reborn across texts.


The Lucy Series, comprising three English and two Bengali books—from Lucy and the Train to Lucy and the Rise of Parabola—explores dystopian realities shaped by environmental collapse, survival instincts, and socio-political violence. These characters inhabit fragile worlds such as Pink Gender Extended, where fate, chance, magic, and catastrophe intersect. As the narratives progress, the characters evolve from beings driven by survival into seekers of meaning and self-realisation, particularly in The Rise of the Club of Central Tendency and Siddharth – The Soul Seeker. Future works will further expand this matrix, offering new perspectives on interconnected realities.


Your latest book Siddharth – The Soul Seeker is receiving wide acclaim. What is the essence of this book?

Siddharth – The Soul Seeker is fundamentally a journey—across time, space, and consciousness. It traces the life of an individual navigating a rapidly transforming society while negotiating the complexities of his inner psycho-social world. The narrative unfolds through episodic drama, interwoven with moments of introspection and lived experience.


The protagonist’s journey is marked by love and loss, violence and compassion, hatred and healing. Through these experiences, Siddharth seeks an identity that transcends social labels and historical constraints. What begins as an ordinary life gradually transforms into something extraordinary, as the individual rises to stand for humanity itself. Ultimately, the book suggests that personal salvation is inseparable from historical memory and collective revival.


Many authors explore similar themes. How do your books differ?

My books are not limited to plots, characters, or themes—they move beyond conventional narrative structures. In many ways, they function as a mirror and a catharsis for the reader. Each narrative invites multiple interpretations, encouraging readers to explore their own inner selves.


Rather than offering definitive answers, my books open philosophical pathways. They allow readers to confront different versions of reality, truth, and possibility. Characters and chapters do not merely tell a story; they reveal layered truths—some comforting, others unsettling—gently yet persistently pushing readers to engage with life’s ambiguities.


You are also an accomplished musician. How does music influence your creative life?

Music has been an inseparable part of my life since the age of four. Melodies, notes, and sounds come to me instinctively and help me understand aspects of myself that words alone cannot express. My nearly forty musical compositions, available across various streaming platforms, influence the rhythm, emotional tone, and flow of my writing. For me, literature and music are not separate arts; they are parallel expressions of the same inner search.

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