Professor Arunabh Chatterjee’s lectures were legendary at JNU. The 58-year-old geography scholar could effortlessly sketch the entire Brahmaputra River system while explaining its geomorphological evolution. But last Tuesday, something unprecedented happened - his trusted white chalk slipped through trembling fingers for the third time that hour.
“The Thar desert occupies approximately…” he began, then froze. Two hundred expectant eyes watched as their normally eloquent professor struggled to recall what he’d taught for decades. The silence grew heavy until a brave student volunteered: “…77,000 square kilometers, sir?”
The Unfolding Mystery
1. The Failing Hands
- Dropped chalk pieces during 4 consecutive lectures
- Couldn’t steady his compass during field surveys
- His signature (once bold) now looked shaky on grade sheets
2. The Digital Influence
His PhD student noted:
“Sir started watching those ‘Organic Living’ channels last year. Now he insists only tribal-grown foods are pure enough.”
3. The Costly Experiment
- Switched to ₹800/kg “ancient red rice” from Bastar
- Drank only clay-pot filtered water
- Avoided all “chemical-laden” urban foods
4. The Body’s Rebellion
- Burning feet keeping him awake at night
- Mouth ulcers that made eating spicy food agony
- Strange fatigue after his morning yoga
The Medical Investigation
Doctor finds:
- Hb - 8.2 (very unusual)
- His red cells were unusually large (MCV 105)
- Initial Treatment: Iron and B12 supplements
But Then…
- Forgot to lead the Himalayan glacier expedition
- Mixed up latitude-longitude coordinates in his research paper
- Asked his assistant: “Where exactly is the Deccan Plateau?”
So you think… And then it hits you. You order some specific tests and BOOM! Click if you still have no idea
- Blood Arsenic Level
- Nerve Conduction Study
- Urine Toxic Metal Screen
The Final Revelation?
(Connect the clues: shaky hands + expensive rice + YouTube gurus + high MCV anemia = ?)
Last Hint: That “pure” Bastar rice grows in fields downstream from…