Media reforms in Myanmar and Indonesia: a critical analysis of how power relations and social inequalities are reflected in, impacted by, and shape media reform processes

Southeast Asia has seen tremendous changes since the democratisation movements in the period of 1980s to the 1990s, in the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia. Political changes affect the media that experienced strict control and censorship, but at the same time, mobilised political changes in those countries. In the 2010s, a shift towards political openness began in Myanmar after decades of military rule. While these changes can be described as young or at a nascent stage, the other countries such as Indonesia, have seen remarkable developments in the area of media development and freedoms. Yet new challenges emerged even in the ‘success’ stories of democratization and press freedom. Key among them were the commercialisation of media, political divisions in society, and the rise of illiberal forces – a global phenomenon - that have pushed back some of the gains made in these societies. The opening in Myanmar that led to the election of a pro-democratic government in 2015, and lessons from Indonesia, inform this research on media reforms. Typically, with media reforms, come the negotiations between various domestic, regional, and international actors, vying control to direct the change process. Inspired by Monroe Price’s (2009) reflections of the media assistance project in Central and Eastern Europe in the 1990s, and Katrin Voltmer’s (2013) global analysis of media in transitional societies, I aim to analyse how different societies respond to, and shape media reforms, who sets the agendas for reforms and what these mean to the different actors. Central to the discussion is the role of the various elements of the state and authority that are ‘fragmented and contentious’, as proposed by Migdal (2001), in its interaction with other fields of power to such as capital and international development, which dominate the reforms process and outcomes, and the public. The thesis critically engages with theories of participation and gender in the context of democracy and development to interrogate the relationships between the actors and what lessons can be learnt from the experiences in the two countries

Improved functionality of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) calyx extract blended Kombucha, a fermented beverage

Kombucha is a fermented drink with a range of medicinal benefits prepared from sweetened tea infusion (Camellia sinensis), which is cultured symbiotically with yeast and acetic acid bacteria. In the present investigation, kombucha was prepared from sugared black tea extract blended with aqueous calyx extract of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) @15% and fermented with cultures viz., Komagataeibacter rhaeticus (NAIMCCTB-3976) and Brettanomyces bruxellensis (CAP9) at 35°C. The floating water insoluble mat of kombucha was observed under a scanning electron microscope, which revealed the cellulosic nanofibrils secreted by K. rhaeticus. The total phenolic and flavanoid content, DPPH, and ABTS activity of roselle calyx blended kombucha were significantly higher than black tea kombucha. Further, the compounds present in kombucha, when analyzed by fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, denoted the presence of carbonyl compounds, aromatic olefinic compounds, ketones, aldehydes, and esters. The different bioactive metabolites formed during fermentation were elucidated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and the major compounds excited within the retention time of 45 min with maximum peak area were 13-hexyloxacyclotridec-10-en-2-one (37.64%), palmitins such as 1,3 dipalmitin (6.42%), glycidyl palmitate (3.30%), organic acids such as undecanedioic acid, linoleic acid, acetic acid (3.88%), etc. The results proved that blending black tea extract with 15% roselle calyx extract as a substrate for kombucha fermentation was highly accepted with an organoleptic score of 95% and improved functional properties compared to black tea extract kombucha alone

Media reforms in Myanmar and Indonesia: a critical analysis of how power relations and social inequalities are reflected in, impacted by, and shape media reform processes

Southeast Asia has seen tremendous changes since the democratisation movements in the period of 1980s to the 1990s, in the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia. Political changes affect the media that experienced strict control and censorship, but at the same time, mobilised political changes in those countries. In the 2010s, a shift towards political openness began in Myanmar after decades of military rule. While these changes can be described as young or at a nascent stage, the other countries such as Indonesia, have seen remarkable developments in the area of media development and freedoms. Yet new challenges emerged even in the ‘success’ stories of democratization and press freedom. Key among them were the commercialisation of media, political divisions in society, and the rise of illiberal forces – a global phenomenon - that have pushed back some of the gains made in these societies. The opening in Myanmar that led to the election of a pro-democratic government in 2015, and lessons from Indonesia, inform this research on media reforms. Typically, with media reforms, come the negotiations between various domestic, regional, and international actors, vying control to direct the change process. Inspired by Monroe Price’s (2009) reflections of the media assistance project in Central and Eastern Europe in the 1990s, and Katrin Voltmer’s (2013) global analysis of media in transitional societies, I aim to analyse how different societies respond to, and shape media reforms, who sets the agendas for reforms and what these mean to the different actors. Central to the discussion is the role of the various elements of the state and authority that are ‘fragmented and contentious’, as proposed by Migdal (2001), in its interaction with other fields of power to such as capital and international development, which dominate the reforms process and outcomes, and the public. The thesis critically engages with theories of participation and gender in the context of democracy and development to interrogate the relationships between the actors and what lessons can be learnt from the experiences in the two countries

FTIR-assisted evaluation of xanthan gum as a biostimulant for groundnut seed priming and growth promotion

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of biostimulant-based seed priming on the germination and seedling vigour of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) seeds. Seeds with 75 % initial germination and 9 % moisture content were primed using xanthan gum, carrageenan, gellan gum, chitosan and gelatin at five concentrations (0.1 %-0.5 %), two soaking volumes (equal and double volume) and three soaking durations (1-3 hr). Seed quality parameters were assessed under both normal and stress conditions. The results indicated that seeds primed with 0.2 % xanthan gum (double volume, 1 hr) showed the highest germination (100 %), root length (16.20 cm), shoot length (8.00 cm) and vigour index (2420). These results were statistically similar to the 0.3 % xanthan gum treatment (double volume, 2 hours). The next best performance was observed with 0.3 % gellan gum (double volume, 1 hr), resulting in 100 % germination, 15 cm root length, 8.30 cm shoot length and a vigour index of 2335. In contrast, untreated control seeds displayed lower performance. The top five priming treatments were further evaluated under water stress conditions (60 %, 70 %, 80 % and 100 % water-holding capacity of sand). Seeds primed with 0.2 % xanthan gum (double volume, 1 hour) achieved the highest germination rates under all stress levels (60 %-100 %), whereas control seeds recorded lowest values. FTIR analysis of xanthan and gellan gum identified key functional groups associated with improved nutrient uptake, stress resistance and enhanced metabolic processes-factors contributing to increased plant growth in primed seeds. Biostimulant seed priming, particularly with xanthan and gellan gum, significantly enhances seed germination, vigour and stress tolerance in groundnut, suggesting a promising pre-sowing treatment for improved productivity in both irrigated and rainfed conditions

Augmenting brinjal productivity through foliar biostimulant application of symbiotic co-culture of acetic acid bacteria and yeast fermented cashew apple juice: A sustainable approach

The study evaluated the efficacy of Symbiotic Co-culture of Bacteria and Yeast (SCOBY), primarily Komagataeibacter rhaeticus and Brettanomyces bruxellensis as a biostimulant to enhance brinjal (Solanum melongena) growth and productivity. In India, ~90 % of cashew apples are discarded during cashew nut production. This study utilized SCOBY cultured in cashew apple waste as biostimulant foliar spray in a field experiment conducted in Semberi village, Cuddalore district (2023 - 2024), using the traditional Semberi brinjal variety in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. Eight different foliar treatment combinations, involving cell-free extracts of SCOBY cultured in cashew apple juice were applied at 30, 45 and 60 Days After Transplanting (DAT). Growth and yield parameters were recorded throughout the season. Among the treatments, a 50:50 ratio of 1 % cashew apple juice-fermented SCOBY and 1 % Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs (PPFM) (T8) produced a significant amount of growth-promoting phytohormones, with 26.81 µg/mL of Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) and 87.4 µg/mL of Gibberellic Acid (GA3), which enhanced root development, stem elongation and flowering in brinjal. T8-treated plants recorded a maximum height (163.02 cm), leaf area (88.27 cm²) and the highest chlorophyll content (35.90). These plants recorded earlier flowering (50 % flowering in 41 days), produced more flowers (47 flowers/ plant) and yielded more and larger fruits (14 fruits/ plant, with a length of 20 cm and girth of 7.1 cm), resulting in a maximum yield of 3.1 kg/ plant, compared to the control (1.8 kg/ plant). Additionally, nutrient uptake was higher in T8-treated plants (95.81 kg/ha N, 25.23 kg/ha P and 99.56 kg/ha K). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) confirmed a strong correlation between T8 treatment and improved yield parameters. This study highlights cashew apple juice-fermented SCOBY as a sustainable, eco-friendly biostimulant that enhances brinjal productivity, recycles agricultural waste and supports regenerative agriculture

Impact of a liquid consortium of plant growth-promoting bacteria on biometrics and yield attributes in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Sesame is an important oilseed crop with great commercial and medicinal value and is used extensively in culinary and cosmetic applications. Meeting the demand for sesame requires the development cultivars with high yield and balanced nutrition. The introduction of bioinoculants into the crop rhizosphere is beneficial for sustaining both productivity and soil health and the co-application of inorganic nutrients and bioinoculants in the crop rhizosphere increases sesame production. Therefore, a study has been done to evaluate the effect of individual bioinoculant and liquid consortium on different parameters of sesame (var. TMV-7). Three year field experiments was conducted (2019 to 2022) at the Oilseed Research Station (TNAU), Tindivanam, Villupuram district (India). The trial was composed of nine treatments comprising individual inoculant and a consortium of Azospirillum, Bacillus megaterium var. phosphaticum, Paenibacillus mucilaginosus (KRB-9) and pink pigmented facultative methylotrophs (PPFM) and their combination with 100% NPK as recommended dose of fertilizer, 2% KCl and PPFM spray individually and in combination. Their synergistic effects on bacterization were studied using a randomized block design with three replications, in sesame grown under rainfed conditions with zero irrigation. The results indicated that applcation of a bioinoculant consortium in combination with inorganic fertilizers, PPFM and KCl spray, resulted in the highest biomass production, biometrics, physiological parameters, grain yield and seed quality and tuned the cost-benefit ratio to 2.39

Spicing up with changing times: A study with special reference to Dindigul Thalapakatti Restaurant

Food provides the required nutrients for every human being. Good and healthy food provides the essential energy for proper growth and development of the human body. It will also help to maintain a proper immune system. Tasty food will treat the taste buds and good food is considered to be a joy forever. Biriyani is supposed to be the most delicious non vegetarian food item. It is the most sought after dish among the foodies. Though, the dish has its origin from the Mughals, it has been prepared and served across the world under different flavours. Although there are many restaurants serving Biriyani, Dindigul Thalapakatti brand has attained widespread popularity across the globe. The sixty four year old restaurant chain was started as a small outlet in Dindigul in Tamilnadu by Mr.Nagasamy Naidu under the name Anandha Vilas Biriyani Hotel. The founder used to wear a turban called “Thalapa” which became synonymous with his brand and cooking style by earning him a nick name “Thalappakatti Naidu” which eventually became the name of their brand. This paper attempts to reconnoiter the journey of Dindigul Thalalpakatti in spicing up with the changing times.</jats:p