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How to creatively celebrate World Pulses Day? A heartbeat of harvests: why the modest pulse is the engine of a global green revolution

A heartbeat of harvests: Why the modest pulse is the engine of a global green revolution | Tina Khatri

A heartbeat of harvests: Why the modest pulse is the engine of a global green revolution

By TINA KHATRI

The silent architecture of global food security is currently being rewritten by the smallest of draught-resistant seeds. As February begins, the international community prepares to observe World Pulses Day, highlighting a category of crops that a food policy analyst described as the "undiscovered nitrogen factories" of the planet. These legumes do not merely provide sustenance; they actively repair the earth they occupy. Experts state that pulses possess the unique biological capacity to convert atmospheric nitrogen into soil nutrients, effectively eliminating the requirement for synthetic chemical fertilisers. In a recent briefing, a sustainability coordinator noted that moving towards a pulse-centric diet could reduce the carbon footprint of food production by nearly 30 per cent.

Baked white beans with marinara

Ingredients: Cannellini or white beans, olive oil, salt, black pepper, chili flakes (optional), marinara sauce, water, lacinato kale or baby spinach (optional), parmesan or pecorino cheese, fresh mozzarella (optional), fresh basil.

• Prep: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Add 4 cups cooked cannellini or white beans (or two 14-oz cans, drained) to a 9-inch ovenproof skillet or baking dish.
• Season: Stir the beans with 1 tablespoon olive oil, ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper, and a pinch of chili flakes (optional). Add 2 cups marinara sauce and 2 tablespoons water and mix well.
• Add greens: Fold in a large handful of torn lacinato kale with thick stems removed, or substitute baby spinach if preferred.
• Top: Level the mixture, sprinkle with ¼ cup grated parmesan or pecorino, and nestle in 4–5 slices of fresh mozzarella, if using.
• Bake: Bake uncovered until bubbling and golden, 25–35 minutes. Broil briefly for a more deeply browned top, if desired.

Garnish with fresh basil and serve with crusty bread and a leafy green salad.

Topographic shadow art

An art tutor stated that the medium allows students to visualise 3D depth through simple agricultural products. The procedure involves:

• Basics: Use a single light source positioned at a low angle across a flat board.
• Sculpt: Pile darker pulses, such as black urad or brown lentils, to different heights.
• Imagery: By manipulating the piles, creators can produce lithographic portraits where the shadows reveal a human profile or geographical map.

The tutor explained that the length of the shadow is determined by the elevation of the pulse heaps, bridging the gap between agriculture and optical physics.

The Pulse Audit

Provide the single-word answer for each query.

ACROSS

1. essential macronutrient found in high quantities in lentils
4. primary culinary use for split pulses in India
6. broader botanical family to which pulses belong
8. month in which World Pulses Day is observed

DOWN

2. Indian state that is the largest producer of pulses
3. atmospheric gas fixed into the soil by pulses
5. fatty substance that pulses are notably free of
7. specific term for the dried seed of a legume
REVEAL GRID KEYS
1. PROTEIN | 2. RAJASTHAN | 3. NITROGEN | 4. DAL | 5. CHOLESTEROL | 6. LEGUMINOSAE | 7. PULSE | 8. FEBRUARY

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