With Vice Chancellor, our new academic journalism piece in today's Tribune examines Cancer Belt narrative of Bathinda and Malwa region through lens of cold statistics and critical thinking to bust it! We argue this is a case of Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy. Cancer rates in Bathinda or Malwa region (AAIR 118) are actually LOWER than Mohali, Delhi, and Kerala. Mizoram has 256 cancer AAIR yet no one calls it Cancer Belt!

Cancer incidence rates are proportional to longevity (cancer is disease of aged) and more testing (detection bias). Even Mizoram's rates are nothing compared with that of affluent countries in the world, 400+ (Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Ireland etc). The article further highlight importance of Critical Thinking. Let's stop this cancer belt narrative for science sake!

Paywall bypassed version here
https://felixbast.wordpress.com/2026/03/13/punjabs-cancer-belt-a-misplaced-crisis/

Presenting Curiosity our Science Show for April. https://youtu.be/KOD2ixad5-c let me know how you liked it!

Today's Tribune newspaper OpEd section has our article, have a look and share your comments! https://felixbast.wordpress.com/2026/04/03/the-punjab-paradox-harvesting-skills-to-cure-the-triple-threat-of-drugs-dunki-and-deliverance/

https://youtu.be/FARf21RCbDE New video on geological wonder that is Borra Caves, Andhra Pradesh. Let me know what you think about it!