When archaeologists excavating one of the largest urban centres of the Harappan civilisation uncovered fragile human remains at Rakhigarhi in Haryana earlier this year, the challenge extended beyond excavation. Recovering skeletons that had remained buried for nearly 4,000 years without damaging them required a highly specialised process that is rarely addressed in conventional archaeological training.

To undertake the task, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) called Tahir Hussain, a 49-year-old toolmaker from Sinauli village in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district. Although he has no formal academic training in archaeology, Hussain has developed a reputation within archaeological circles for his ability to lift ancient burials and fragile antiquities from excavation sites without compromising their integrity.

The assignment at Rakhigarhi involved several Harappan-era burials discovered during ongoing excavations. Archaeologists identified four skeletons that were sufficiently intact for preservation and scientific study. The remains were intended for transfer to the Anthropological Survey of India in Kolkata, where further analysis could contribute to understanding the origins, health, mobility and biological history of one of the world’s earliest urban civilisations.

According to excavation director Manoj Saxena, Hussain and his team were invited because of their experience handling delicate skeletal remains recovered from archaeological sites.

“We called Hussain and his team to lift the skeletons so they could be sent for further study. They have undertaken this type of work before and understand the process,” Saxena said.

The operation highlighted a lesser-known aspect of archaeological practice in India. While excavations are led by trained archaeologists and conservators, many technical challenges encountered in the field are often addressed with the assistance of craftsmen, mechanics, carpenters and local specialists whose expertise has been developed through experience rather than formal academic training.

Hussain’s four-member team reflects that model. The group combines skills in toolmaking, carpentry, metal fabrication and excavation support. Their collective experience has been built over two decades through participation in some of India’s most significant archaeological discoveries.

The Rakhigarhi excavation presented particular difficulties because of local soil conditions. Located near ancient channels of the Drishadvati River, the site contains loose and sandy deposits that offer limited structural support to buried remains. Such conditions increase the risk of damage during recovery.

Before beginning the lifting process, Hussain and his team assessed soil stability and determined the dimensions of support structures required for each burial. The exposed surfaces of the skeletons were protected using bubble sheets and reinforced with layers of Plaster of Paris. After carefully removing surrounding soil, additional support was provided using jute sacks and plaster reinforcement.

The burial blocks were then gradually elevated using mechanical jacks while stabilisation work continued underneath. Once secured, cranes lifted the reinforced structures for transportation, allowing the skeletons to remain undisturbed within their original soil matrix.

“Our objective is always to recover an antiquity without causing damage,” archaeologist Deepak Kumar said. “It is an extremely delicate process that requires patience and precision.”

For Hussain, archaeology emerged not through formal education but through personal curiosity. A graduate in English literature from Chaudhary Charan Singh University in Meerut, he grew up in a family of toolmakers in Sinauli, years before the village gained international attention for its archaeological significance.

He recalls developing an interest in excavation techniques after watching a scene in the 1993 film Jurassic Park, where scientists carefully uncovered a dinosaur skeleton using brushes. The image remained with him and encouraged a lifelong fascination with archaeology and ancient civilisations.

That interest deepened through visits to Delhi’s National Museum, where he studied artefacts from the Harappan civilisation and other ancient cultures. In 2004, when pottery fragments and skeletal remains were reportedly discovered in fields near Sinauli, Hussain immediately recognised similarities with artefacts he had previously seen in museum collections.

The discovery prompted him to alert local media and subsequently contact archaeologists. His efforts contributed to professional attention being directed toward the site. A year later, the ASI launched excavations at Sinauli under archaeologist D.V. Sharma.

During that excavation, Hussain initially worked as a labourer. However, his background in toolmaking soon attracted attention. Archaeologists requested specialised implements capable of meeting excavation requirements, and Hussain began designing custom tools for fieldwork.

The relationship evolved steadily. Over time, he developed a range of excavation instruments including scrapers, measuring scales, specialised nails and precision cutting tools. Today, ASI circles across India regularly approach him for equipment designed specifically for archaeological work.

According to Hussain, requests have come from ASI offices in Hyderabad, Nagpur, Kolkata and Aurangabad, while academic institutions including Banaras Hindu University and Deccan College have also sought his assistance. He has additionally supplied equipment used in underwater archaeological explorations associated with investigations around Dwarka.

His reputation expanded significantly following renewed excavations at Sinauli in 2018. Those excavations yielded high-profile discoveries including burials, copper artefacts, coffins and chariot-like vehicles dating to the second millennium BCE.

Once again, Hussain’s team was tasked with recovering fragile burials. Archaeologists involved in the project described the lifting process as unprecedented because of the need to preserve entire burial structures rather than dismantle them in situ.

Archaeologist Sanjay Manjul later noted that innovative reinforcement techniques were developed to stabilise the burials before removal. The operation established procedures that would subsequently be applied at other excavation sites.

Recognition followed. In 2018, archaeologists Sanjay Manjul and V.N. Prabhakar issued a formal letter of appreciation acknowledging Hussain’s contribution to archaeological fieldwork and tool development. The letter praised both the quality of his equipment and his ability to modify tools according to excavation requirements.

His workshop in Baraut has since become a destination for archaeologists and historians interested in understanding the practical side of excavation work. Scholars including historians Nayanjot Lahiri and Upinder Singh have visited the facility to learn more about the intersection between craftsmanship and archaeology.

Despite growing recognition, Hussain continues to operate from the same workshop where he manufactures tools and prepares for new assignments. Shortly before leaving Rakhigarhi, he received another request linked to a separate Harappan site.

His role underscores the often-overlooked contribution of local expertise to archaeological research. While archaeologists interpret discoveries and reconstruct ancient histories, specialists such as Hussain help ensure that fragile evidence survives long enough to be studied.

As excavations continue across India’s major archaeological sites, the recovery of ancient human remains increasingly depends on the combination of scientific methods and practical craftsmanship. In that intersection, a toolmaker from western Uttar Pradesh has become an indispensable figure in preserving some of the country’s oldest archaeological records.

The ministry said India successfully met a peak power demand of 270.82 gigawatts (GW) on Thursday, marking the fourth straight day of all-time high electricity consumption as soaring temperatures across large parts of the country drove increased use of cooling appliances.

“Although we are prepared to supply electricity as required, due to the intense summer, let us all try to use electricity wisely and judiciously,” the ministry said in a statement, while noting that rising demand appeared to be linked to greater usage of air conditioners, coolers and other cooling equipment.

The warning comes as large parts of northern and central India continue to endure severe heat conditions. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the highest temperature recorded on Thursday was 47.6 degrees Celsius in Banda district of Uttar Pradesh, while New Delhi registered temperatures of around 43 degrees Celsius on Friday.

The heatwave has also pushed nighttime temperatures to unusually elevated levels, limiting relief for residents and increasing electricity consumption around the clock. One of New Delhi’s principal weather stations recorded a minimum temperature of 31.9 degrees Celsius on Thursday, the highest May overnight temperature in the capital in 14 years, IMD data showed.

India’s electricity generation mix remained dominated by thermal power, primarily coal-fired plants, which accounted for 62% of output on Thursday. Solar energy contributed 22%, while wind and hydropower each represented about 5% of generation, according to official data.

Despite the ministry’s assertion that demand was being met, some users reported localized outages on social media platform X. Industry analysts note that extreme heat can strain aging distribution infrastructure, including transformers and local transmission networks, leading to isolated power disruptions even when overall generation capacity remains adequate.

The prolonged heat has also affected water bodies and ecosystems. In New Delhi, municipal workers were seen removing dead fish from Sanjay Park lake after shrinking water levels and high temperatures reduced oxygen concentrations in the water.

India, the world’s most populous nation and the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070 but continues to rely heavily on coal to meet growing energy demand.
Meteorologists have warned that minimum temperatures across the country are likely to remain above normal through May.

The IMD said average minimum temperatures in April were 0.78 degrees Celsius higher than the long-term average nationwide.

Scientific studies have linked the increasing frequency, duration and intensity of heatwaves globally to climate change, with India experiencing a series of increasingly severe summer heat events in recent years.

The country’s highest officially recorded temperature remains 51 degrees Celsius, measured in Phalodi, Rajasthan, in 2016.

.The unrest, now in its fourth day, has disrupted activity in one of Asia’s largest planned industrial townships, where thousands of manufacturing units operate. Protesters, many employed in small factories, have been demanding higher wages and improved labour conditions amid rising living costs linked to global supply disruptions.

Workers said their grievances include long working hours, unpaid overtime and lack of adherence to government labour guidelines. Vinay Mahoti, a worker from Bihar employed in a hosiery unit, said demonstrations that began within factory premises spread to the streets as employees from multiple companies joined in.

Visuals showed protesters marching, chanting slogans and clashing with security personnel, with some overturning vehicles and setting them on fire while others hurled stones at barricades.

Local police said they were attempting to restore order using limited force. “Senior police and administrative officials are making persistent efforts to counsel the workers and urge them to maintain peace and restraint,” the Gautam Budh Nagar police said in a statement.

Narendra Kashyap called on demonstrators to engage in dialogue with authorities, urging a peaceful resolution to the dispute.The protests follow similar labour unrest in the neighbouring state of Haryana last week, where the government responded to worker demands by ordering a 35% increase in minimum wages.

Rising inflation and cost pressures, partly driven by global energy disruptions linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict, have intensified economic strain on industrial workers, contributing to growing unrest in key manufacturing regions.

At a crowded platform in Anand Vihar railway station in Delhi, 35-year-old Raju Prasad and his family prepare to leave the capital after months of struggling to secure basic necessities. Having migrated from Uttar Pradesh less than a year ago in search of work, Prasad now says the rising cost of food and an acute shortage of cooking fuel have made it impossible for his family to survive in the city.

Prasad, who worked as a ragpicker alongside his wife, said the family earned about 500 rupees per day through long hours of manual labour. However, the depletion of their cooking gas supply nearly two weeks ago marked a turning point. With no access to affordable replacements and limited alternatives, their savings were quickly exhausted. He said the family initially resorted to collecting firewood, but even that option has since run out, forcing them to return to their village in Gorakhpur.

The situation reflects a broader trend unfolding across urban centres in India, where supply disruptions linked to the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have driven up fuel prices and reduced availability. The shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), widely used for cooking in urban households and small businesses, has had cascading effects on food access and affordability, particularly among migrant workers and low-income groups.

In the same railway station, 25-year-old Sarfaraz, a construction worker from Bihar, waits for funds from his family to purchase a ticket home. Employed at the construction site of the Jewar Noida International Airport, he said his daily wage of around 550 rupees was no longer sufficient to cover rising living costs. His gas supply ran out nearly 20 days ago, and he has been unable to secure a replacement due to both shortages and sharply inflated prices in informal markets.

Sarfaraz said the cost of a gas cylinder has increased from approximately 900 rupees to as high as 4,500 rupees in the black market, placing it beyond reach for most daily wage earners. He added that food prices outside have also doubled, limiting access to even basic meals. “I’ve not had proper food for the past two days,” he said, noting that his savings had been depleted.

Urban food systems in cities such as Delhi rely heavily on a dense network of small eateries, roadside vendors, and informal food services that depend on LPG for daily operations. The shortage has disrupted these networks, leading to closures, reduced menus, and higher prices. This has disproportionately affected migrant workers, students, and other low-income residents who depend on inexpensive prepared food rather than home cooking.Restaurant owners report significant operational challenges.

Anil, who has managed a small restaurant in Nehru Place for three decades, said he has never experienced a similar disruption. He confirmed that rising input costs have forced him to increase menu prices while removing several items. He has also reverted to traditional cooking methods using a chulha, or open-fire stove, which is slower and less efficient.

Anil added that declining customer footfall and higher operational costs are putting pressure on his business and workforce. With around 10 employees dependent on the establishment, he said prolonged disruption could lead to job losses if conditions do not improve.

Government representatives acknowledge supply constraints but maintain that efforts are underway to stabilize distribution. Praveen Shankar Kapoor, spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party in Delhi, said authorities are working to address shortages in both domestic and commercial LPG supply chains. He stated that while consumers using formal booking systems are receiving cylinders, smaller users particularly those relying on 5kg cylinders are facing greater challenges.

Kapoor noted that migrant workers and students often fall outside the formal distribution framework, as they are typically not registered under domestic gas consumer schemes. This has left them dependent on informal markets where prices have surged.Students have also reported significant disruption.

At Jamia Millia Islamia, many students from low-income backgrounds depend on shared accommodation and affordable canteen services.

Farheen Naaz, a media student from West Bengal, said she has not had access to cooking gas for 10 days and has been skipping meals as a result. She added that several university canteens have shut down, while those still operating have raised prices.

Naaz said the situation is affecting the health of students, particularly those living in shared housing arrangements. In her accommodation, which houses around 50 women, residents are facing similar constraints due to both fuel shortages and rising food costs.

The shortage has also affected markets for alternative cooking solutions. Retailers report a sharp increase in demand for electric appliances such as induction cooktops and rice cookers. Ahmad, a wholesale trader at ZamZam Crockery, said prices for induction stoves have risen from around 1,300 rupees to 5,000 rupees. He attributed the increase to upstream supply constraints and higher input costs, adding that prices for many electrical cooking appliances have risen significantly.

The convergence of fuel shortages, rising food prices, and limited access to affordable alternatives has triggered a reverse migration pattern in urban centres. Migrant workers, who form a substantial portion of the informal workforce in cities like Delhi, are increasingly returning to their home villages where food access is relatively more secure and traditional cooking methods remain viable.

At railway stations, scenes of families departing with limited belongings have become more frequent. For many, the decision to leave reflects not only economic strain but also the breakdown of essential urban support systems that sustain daily life for low-income populations.

As Sarfaraz continues to wait for funds to complete his journey home, he checks his phone repeatedly, hoping to join others boarding trains out of the city. His situation underscores the immediate pressures faced by migrant workers, whose livelihoods are closely tied to volatile urban conditions and limited social safety nets.

Rising costs for key inputs such as plastic bottles, caps, labels and cardboard packaging have begun to squeeze margins, with some packaged water manufacturers already increasing prices.

Rahul Kumar, deputy chief executive at SLMG Beverages, said the company would consider price adjustments depending on competitive dynamics and consumer response.“If the war continues, the packaging material cost may continue to move up,” Kumar said, noting that broad-based price increases remain constrained in a highly competitive market.

India’s soft drinks market has intensified following the re-entry of Reliance Industries into the segment with its revival of the Campa cola brand in 2023. The move has triggered aggressive pricing and expanded distribution, limiting the ability of incumbents to pass on higher costs.

Kumar said SLMG Beverages had not implemented a portfolio-wide price increase in the past seven to eight years, reflecting price sensitivity among consumers and the presence of multiple national and regional competitors.

Despite cost pressures, the company is pressing ahead with capacity expansion to capture rising demand in India’s non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages market, which consultancy Redseer estimates could double to about $40 billion by 2030.SLMG Beverages plans to invest between 10 billion and 12 billion rupees in each of four new plants over the next five years.

The bottler, which accounts for more than 22% of Coca-Cola’s India volumes, is targeting net revenue of 100 billion rupees by 2026–27.The expansion will focus on populous states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where consumption levels remain relatively low but incomes are rising.

The company reported strong growth in the last fiscal year, with sales rising 49% to 67.73 billion rupees and net profit increasing 76% to 2.06 billion rupees, according to data from Tofler.

The developments underscore how the Middle East conflict is feeding into global supply chains, pushing up input costs for consumer-facing industries even in markets geographically distant from the conflict zone.