How thorium fuelled Travancore’s bid for independence

Express Research

EXPRESS RESEARCH

Dear reader,   The recent release on OTT platform Sony Pix, ‘Rocket Boys’ tells the story of the atomic age in India. While focusing on the lives of scientists Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai, the historical drama also narrates the happenings of the Nehruvian era of post-independent India. One particular scene, involving the last Maharaja of Travancore, Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, is intriguing in that it provides a glimpse into the challenges faced by the new government of independent India in bringing together the 500-odd princely states. The case of Travancore was particularly interesting in that regard since its dewan was the first among the princely states’ officials to declare independence after the end of British paramountcy in 1947. Amidst the many political and economic negotiations being carried out to convince the Dewan of Travancore to join India, there was an important role that the rare earth deposit thorium played.    Our story this week looks at how Travancore’s thorium resources were crucial in its bid for independence. Interestingly, the thorium resource was also important for powering India’s atomic ambitions. Consequently, it was imperative for Nehru and scientists like Bhabha and Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar to convince Travancore to allow access to its mineral resources.    Our other story this week is in keeping with the mood of love and romance as we close in on Valentines Day. Author and filmmaker Nilosree Biswas writes on the expression of marital romance and conjugality as it appeared in four of Satyajit Ray’s films- Apur Sansar (The World Of Apu), Devi (The Goddess), Kanchanjangha and Mahanagar (The Big City).    Read the stories: How a rare earth deposit fuelled Travancore’s dreams of Independence and later powered India’s atomic plans   Conjugality in Satyajit Ray’s Film – romancing the humane way Sincerely,   Adrija Roychowdhury

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Conjugality in Satyajit Ray's Film – romancing the humane way   How a rare earth deposit fuelled Travancore's dreams of Independence and later powered India's atomic plans   From Ray to Rituparno: A long history of politics in Bengali cinema   Valentine's Day special: Rekhti, Urdu odes to lesbian love that were suppressed in Awadh

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