INDIA'S NUCLEAR ENERGY CHALLENGES

India has announced an ambitious plan to expand its nuclear energy program by nearly 15 fold in the next 20 years, from the current 4,500 MW to about 62,000 MW by 2032.

The challenges faced at current nuclear plants and further challenges are:

Financing- Nuclear reactors being built today are almost 300% more expensive, than before.

Manufacturing Risks- Presence of foreign materials in parts, defects in steam generator tubing or weld material not meeting specifications, are all examples of things that could go wrong in the process of production.

Nuclear Waste- India does not have a long term waste disposal policy. Although the amount of nuclear waste (often referred to as radio-waste) is relatively small, much of it is highly radioactive and must therefore be carefully managed as hazardous waste or else the scope for damage is enormous.

Not prepared for emergency- Most nuclear power plants are situated near the border between two states. In case of an emergency, there are no relevant preparation plans for the neighbouring state. In case of the need for evacuation, The evacuation plans cover only a 16 km distance, whereas, the effects of radiation do not confine to only this distance.

Lack of public access to details- The public has no access to the details of even the routine releases from nuclear power plants. There is no independent agency in the country which can look into the safety records of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). Under the secrecy provisions of the Atomic Energy Act 1962, the Govt refuses to give the public access to critical information.

Conclusion-These nuclear power plant criticalities will become a major issue, if not addressed soon and adequately. The govt must step in forthwith, if it wishes to develop clean, abundant, reliable, and safe energy.

CURRENT NATIONAL PROBLEMS

Corruption     

One of the biggest problem being faced by our country today is corruption. Because of corruption, we are not able to execute our developmental programmes. Following steps need to be taken to obliterate corruption:- 

1. Implementation of RTI. 
2. Appointment of an Effective Lokpal. 
3. Expedite the slow delivery mechanism of our judiciary. 
4. Bring reforms in police and investigating agencies like CBI. 
5. The discretionary powers of the ministers should be taken away. 
6. Curb the nexus between politicians and bureaucrats.

Intelligence failure- Friends, today we have a fragmented and obsolete intelligence gathering and dissemination system. Let us merge & strengthen all the int agencies into one central agency with modern infrastructure.

Naxalism- 222 districts out of 636 districts in the country are badly affected by naxalism,. This is hindering our economic development. However, we must understand the root cause of the problem and solve it. Employment, better education, health and infrastructure are the solutions and not alone the arms.

Lack of Infrastructure- is another problem which is hindering our progress. We definitely need better roads, rail, power and better storage capacities. Better infrastructure would provide basic facilities to citizens and also bring more investors in the country.

Lack of Energy- is forcing the nation to procure approx 40,000 barrels of oil from foreign countries. However it is heartening to see that our country is going all out to seek renewable source of energy like solar energy. We are also building a No. of nuclear plants for energy production. We have taken steps and yet the problem persists.

International Equation- Friends, we aspire to become a super power in the coming decade, but it can’t be achieved without reaching out and seeking help of outside world. We cannot remain embroiled with our internal problems alone. We have started reaching out and the results are obvious in the case of Pakistan and Bhutan, wherein America and Japan respectively are helping us.

DRONES

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) commonly known as a drone is an aircraft, without a human pilot aboard. Its flight is controlled either remotely or autonomously.

USES OF DRONES:

1. Military- Drones are used in situations where manned flight is considered risky or difficult. They deliver precision strikes; carry out aerial reconnaissance etc, without the need of intrusive military action. 
2. Farming - Farmers can use it to monitor irrigation, plant growth; they can even see if any of the plants are sick, by using infrared technology. This can also enable farmers to make critical decisions about where and when to fertilize, plant or water. 
3. Movie Making- Drones enables creators to achieve the effects easily that would otherwise require lot of wires, spider cam cranes, and crane operators. 
4. Covering the news- In what may become the next trend in journalism; some reporters have already begun using UAVs to capture the news. 
5. Putting out wildfires- Drones are becoming an incredibly useful tool for fire-fighters. 
6. Protecting endangered species- Scientists have been using drones to keep track of a population of endangered animals and finding out ways to increase their number. 
7. Monitoring pollution level- NASA is even using drones to test the makeup of the ozone. In Italy, drones have been used to monitor illegal dumping for years. 
8. Helping in disaster relief-  Drones are used to drop food and medical aid in places where roads become impassable in rainy seasons, or where they might not exist at all. UAVs can prove to be an asset in time-critical situations, such as ski patrollers using beacons on small drones to search for buried avalanche victims. 
9. Sports- Drones are being used to develop everything from game strategy to analyzing athlete performance. Drones have even made an appearance at the Olympics, where they were used to film ski and snowboarding events in Sochi. 
10. Fighting crime- Police and FBI departments in various countries use drones for surveillance and other protection-related activities.

ASEAN

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a political and economic organization of 10 Southeastern countries i.e Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, & Vietnam. 2.It was formed on 8 August 1967, its chairman is Mr. Najib Rajak, headquarter is in Jakarta, Indonesia.

It aims to accelerate the growth, social progress, and socio-cultural evolution in the region. In 2015, ASEAN’s combined nominal G.D.P had grown to more than US$ 2.6 trillion. The next steps by the ASEAN are to create:- 

1. Single market and production base. 
2. Competitive economic region. 
3. Region of equitable economic development. 
4. Region fully integrated into the global economy.

ASEAN is a part of India’s, “Act East Policy” and Myanmar is its launching pad in the region. India is 6th largest investor of FDI in ASEAN with an increase of 48% in the last 5 years. India imports oil and natural gas from ASEAN and exports automobiles and electronic machines to them. India has got a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with ASEAN, which is operational since 2011. The 30th ASEAN summit took place in Manila, Philippines on 29 Apr 2017, in which the ASEAN leaders underscored the importance of India`s cooperation in implementing the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER).

AGRICULTURE IN INDIA

India is an agricultural country, where about 65% of the population are engaged in this sector, but its contribution to the GDP is only 17.9%. This sector remained under developed for a long time. But the Green Revolution changed India into self sufficiency & into an agricultural exporting nation. Now India ranks first in the world in the production of tea and groundnuts. It ranks second in the world in the production of rice, sugarcane, jute and oil seeds. This achievement has been acquired despite the fact that only 30% of the total agricultural land has assured water facility, the balance 70% are based on rains. If the balance of the land also gets adequate water, we will be able to be the No. 1 in the world. 

There are No. Of challenges being faced by agricultural sector, which are:-

1. Lack of Water:  Guaranteed irrigation facility is not available to 70% of agricultural land, without which growth is low. The Supreme Court of India has ordered Interconnectivity of Rivers in Feb ’12. On the completion of the work, India will be able to guarantee food to the World.
2. Soil erosion is eroding away the most fertile top layer of the soil. This could be prevented using suitable methods like afforestation, checking overgrazing and creating scientific drainage.
3. Poor Transportation: Villages are poorly connected by roads. This is resulting in delay in reaching the products to the market.
4. Capital Availability at High Rate. The main suppliers of money to farmers are the money lenders, traders and commission agents; they charge high rates of interest from the farmers and purchase their agricultural produce at very low price.
5. Poor storage facilities at village level are compelling farmers to sell their product immediately after the harvest at the prevailing low market prices. Almost 75% of our vegetables and fruits do not reach the market and perish at village level.

Steps that can be taken by government to improve agriculture

1. Connect the rivers in a phased manner as has been done by Gujarat and MP.
2. Connect the villages by road.
3. Set up chain of research centres for producing high yielding varieties of seeds.
4. Educate farmers by setting up adequate Agriculture colleges and universities.
5. Electrify villages and set up agro based industries so that cash flow to farmers is enhanced.
6. Modernise FCI & State Warehousing Corporation.
7. Ensure efficient crop insurance and Bank loan facility.
8. Provide a very high reliable weather bulletins for farmers.

GLOBAL WARMING

Global Warming is the increase of Earth's surface temperature, due to effect of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide emissions. This happens due to burning of fossil fuels or from deforestation. This traps heat giving rise to the earth’s surface temperature.

Greenhouse Effect brings a Number of changes like:-

1. Change in rainfall pattern, drought and fire in some areas & flooding in others.
2. Natural calamities such as flood & hurricane.
3. Melting of the ice caps which results in loss of habitat near the poles. Polar bears and many other species are being considered endangered. 
4. Melting glaciers - significant melting of old glaciers is already observed.The amount of oxygen dissolved in the oceans may decline, with adverse effect on  ocean life.

Some of the suggested Steps to Reduce Global Warming are:-

1. Switching over to cleaner energy e.g. Nuclear Energy.
2. Worldwide Plantation of trees.
3. Follow the environmental policy of ‘Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle’.
4. Use of fuel-efficient vehicles to reduce emissions of harmful gases.
5. By walking and cycling for short distance & vehicle pooling for long distances.
6. Using public transport.
7. Switching over to LED bulbs which uses two-thirds less energy and emits 70 percent less heat.

America, which causes global warming the most, has walked out of its commitment of reducing it. Therefore, it is all the more important for the entire world to ensure that the Global Warming is taken care of.

RENEWABLE ENERGY IN INDIA

India’s renewable energy market is showing the first signs of revival as the installed capacity jumped by 12.9% in past 1 year. 

India has the fifth largest power generation portfolio worldwide. The country transitioned from being the world's seventh-largest energy consumer in 2000 to fourth largest one within a decade. 

The Government of India had set targets which will take the total renewable capacity to almost 175 GW by the end of 2022. This includes 60 GW from wind power, 100 GW from solar power, 10 GW from biomass power and 5 GW from small hydro power.

Growth Drivers

1. India is the fourth largest importer of oil and the 15th largest importer of petroleum products and LNG globally. The increased use of indigenous renewable resources is expected to reduce India’s dependence on expensive imported fossil fuels.
2. Wind energy equipment prices have fallen dramatically due to technological innovation, increasing manufacturing scale and experience curve gains.
3. Renewable energy is becoming increasingly cost-competitive compared to fossil fuel-based generation.

INCENTIVES OFFERED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOLAR ENERGY SECTOR INCLUDE:

1. Exemption from excise duties and concession on import duties on components and equipment required to set up a solar plant.
2. A 10-year tax holiday for solar power projects.
3. Wheeling, banking and third party sales, buyback facility by states.

SOME OF THE ACTIONS COMPLETED BY THE GOVERNMENT SO FAR FOR EASE OF DOING BUSINESS ARE:

1. Real-time registration
2. Payments through 56 accredited banks
3. Online application process for environmental and forest clearances.
4. 14 government services delivered via eBiz, a single-window online portal.