Government's 100,000 MV Solar Energy Plan, Discuss

The world is facing a grave crisis of climate change caused by the excessive
emission of green house gases due to human activities. In tropical countries like
India, the manifestation of climate change has been in form of deadly heat waves,
drought, flash floods unseasonal rains and so on which claims hundreds of lives
each year. It is the poor farmers, labourers, construction workers and homeless who
suffer the most. About 30% of this green house gases are emitted by power plants.
In the Indian culture we consider Sun as a God and we have turned towards him to
help us to mitigate the problem of climate change to an extent. The Government of
India aims to install 100000 MW capacity of solar power by the year 2022. This will
provide us with clean energy without any green house gas emissions. However, the
question in front of us is that can India achieve such an ambitious target of
installing 100000 MW of solar power in seven years? This question must be
answered. This is because if this feat is achieved then it will be a great boost
towards our goal of energy security. It will also help us reduce air pollution and
green house gas emissions and mitigate climate change. The poor farmers whose
crops are being destroyed due to erratic behavior of the weather will get some
respite. Finally, it will make India a leader on the world stage in terms of solar
energy just as Germany is in terms of wind energy. However, if we fail, then it will
only lead to wastage of resources which otherwise could have been invested in
research and development to search for other solutions to our problems. Although
the goal is very challenging, it is achievable provided we are able to meet some of
the challenges which stand in our way.

Geography of India is such that it is perfect for solar power production. Being in the
tropical and subtropical region, it receives about 320 W/m2 of energy equivalent to
about 5000 trillion units annually. States like Rajasthan, Gujrat, Telangana,
Karnataka and so on which have barren lands, which cannot be used for agriculture,
are well suited for setting up solar power plants.

The policy scenario in India is extremely conducive to solar power production. The
government is providing tax incentives for investors setting up solar power plant
and lower custom duties for import of solar power equipments. The procedures for
setting up solar power plants have been greatly simplified and the clearances are
obtained smoothly to reduce the delays.

The support for solar industry is not only coming from Indian government but also
from foreign countries that recognize the threat of climate change, thanks to the
IPCC reports. The UN has devised various mechanisms like Kyoto protocol using
which the countries can provide support for solar industry in India to mitigate the
effects of climate change. Very recently there was Renewable Energy Conference
organized in India where solar power got lot of investment promises from
companies like SunEdison and Adani power.

However, as mentioned earlier, the task ahead of us is very daunting. The current
installed capacity of solar power in India is about 3000 MW. Taking it to 100000 MW
in 7 years will be a feat in itself. The technology for solar power is still expensive
and the cost of power comes out to be minimum Rs 7 compared to thermal power
which costs Rs 3-4 per unit. Indian lower and middle class may not agree to pay
high rates. The solar power will be available during the day while peak demands in
India is during the night. The technology for storing electricity is expensive and may
add to the cost. The Grid in India is very unstable and weak and might not be able
to absorb the solar power generated.

The problems listed above mainly have to do with expensive technology and
infrastructure weakness. These problems are complex but solvable. India can use
funding from Green Climate Fund and loans from World Bank and newly opened
New Development Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to strengthen the
power grid and remove other infrastructural bottlenecks. Platforms like UNFCCC can
be used to get solar technologies from developing countries at lower costs under
the principles of CBDR which will lead to lower cost of solar power.

The development of solar energy is imperative for India. It can be used to partly
solve the problem of climate change which affects all but most severely the poor
and vulnerable. If the government adopts the right plan and executes it well
utilizing the global partnership for action against climate change, India will definitely
reach its goal of 100000 MW of solar power by 2022 and the sun of solar energy will
shine brightly in India.

China's refusal to aid Nepal due to

Indian Military Presence in Nepal, is it
justified?
It has always been a matter of fact that most of the times even a natural cause of humanitarian crisis
are taken on the grounds of political advantage or motive. The similar instance happened in Nepal,
which was shook by the disastrous earthquake that took place on April 25th. Amid such wide spread
impact on the lives of people, killing more than 8000 and injuring above 20,000 with scores of bodies
still to be recovered.
The Indian government was the first to active its synapses and get involved in the rescue
operation within six hours of the impact. India was followed by China which also endeavored a brisk
attempt to the rescue effort. This is when controversies have been raised when China claimed and at
the meantime showed reluctance to aid Nepal just because of Indias military presence. It is true
that Indo-Chinese relationship for decades is not on the right track. And over the past few months
being hassled by border disputes and other engagement related issues over the Indian Ocean and
the subcontinent.
China has always had an eye on Nepal for its own advantage. In 2014 China overtook India as the
biggest foreign direct investor in Nepal in a very unconventional and unfriendly way intensifying the
speculations about Chinas unfriendly nature. Many countries all over the world have sought help
to Nepal and they very well accomplished their jobs. China should also have focused on that point
rather than dragging implicitly all the disputes with India on the grounds of Nepal, making it more
victimized where the toll kept on rising every single day.
The question of ethics and humanity is raised over here is that-Does China always endeavors a
motive of political gain or profit irrespective of the conditions of any country? Indian military was in
Nepal not to challenge China but to help out its residents in every way possible. How come China
was having problem from this? It is really very saddening that China, one of the leading growing
economies in Asia is ready to compete with India, that too on the grounds of Nepal which was shortly
eradicated with all types of developmental aspects. This could never be justified for China or any
other country showing such apathy towards humanity. Humanity should prevail over every other
priority and that is what China ought to have forgotten.
India and China have a glorious history and similarly Nepal is amalgamated with majority of two
religions that is Hinduism and Buddhism, making it a sister country of both. Aspects related to
development should always be there in every country but when a country is facing such severe crisis
like Nepal at present. The superior ones should always lend a helping hand to them irrespective of
any profit motive. There are several prospects which the government of every nation should follow.
These are they should all possess the capability to learn from their histories both bad and good and
to rectify the former in the future. The principle of humanity should be clear to all and should be

prevailing over every other priority. All should maintain friendliness, cooperation, peaceful
movements and competition for development in a bona fide way. Great leaders have always spoken
that humanity is greater than religion and it should encapsulate all.

"To what shall it profit a man, by gaining the whole world, but losing his own soul."
This benevolent and an omnipotent phrase from the 'Bible' can be rightfully placed
here, in this case, as some tyranny happens to be in the air.
Nepal, as we all know, was a very successful country in all terms be it heritage,
military, geography and what not, making a true mark in this 'cosmos'. Today, when
a massive natural outbreak has occurred in this historic country, there seems to be
envious feelings flowing across its border, particularly from China in the north.
China, who always considered Nepal as its integral part and had always been a
great pillar of strength for them, seems to be annoyed with India. Is it just because
of the Indian military presence in Nepal? I say and wholeheartedly believe that a
country who wishes the true development of its own and its neighbours, must
bestow upon only love amongst them and not envy. The current atmosphere makes
both the countries at loggerheads, defying the mutual respect they had for each
other. It definitely isn't justified as to why China has taken such an extreme and
indecent step. The presence of Indian military in Nepal is there to protect and help
those who have lost millions and suffered tons. Having said this, humanity is seen
and should be as a benevolent force that drives faith, honesty and binds true love
amongst all. Thus, the mere presence of Indian military shouldn't be a reason for
the Government of China in not intervening into Nepal. Like history mentions,
although the Indo-China relations have never been a good one, this shouldn't be an
atrocious step towards a down falling attitude towards humanity. It's high time for
both, India and China, to bury the hatchet. A feeling of hatred amongst its
neighbours affects all and leaves none. So china must realize its contribution in the
past as well as its need today in the worst-hit Nepal.
We all need to do our bit in helping Nepal. They are no less than our family. In them,
we see a great neighbour. In their country lies, the incarnation of Buddhism, which
has spread love and peace amongst humanity. We all are proud of having a
neighbour with a rich cultural heritage, since time immemorial. Why, in that case,
should China, who is a superpower in Asia and an emerging one, in the world, step
behind? We all require a potent nation like china, in this time of great need. When
countries such as the USA, UK, France and many others have come forward to help
Nepal, China also must not leave any stone unturned now, to be able to garner a
good relationship in decades to come. All the help that China offered Nepal in the
past, speaks volumes of its interest in seeking Nepal as an integral part of their
family. Just because of the Indian military presence in Nepal, China cannot withdraw.
Even if there seems to be a concern so serious, it needs to be solved out through
mutual talks, in a quick manner. We must understand here, that India and China

happen to be very potential countries, which the others respect too. They are Asia's
pride and continue to be good leaders, pulling all other nations into mutual
harmony. To be a superpower in a continent, is a matter of pride and leadership.
Both, China and India, must continue to be good leaders and must offer Nepal a
great helping hand in this dire need. Resolving differences will result into happiness
and satisfaction and eliminate the ego and hatred between the two governments.
'United we stand, Divided we fall.' Nepal must not be let down after suffering such a
voluminous defeat at the hands of this natural calamity. Humans are here to stay,
countries to bind and we all are very sure that Nepal will surely recover and see the
light of a prosperous day very soon.

Corruption in Public Life has Ruined the

Country Beyond Limit
Every democracy of the world stands on the pillars of the concept of democracy. India is
no different. The pillars of the Indian Democracy are its judiciary, legislature, executive
and the media. Democratic environment cannot be expected or displayed by the citizens
of India until they wholly trust these pillars. It is hence increasingly important for these
pillars to be transparent, just and most importantly, trustworthy.
A sudden spate of newspaper reports, CAG audits and RTI replies have revealed massive
corruption amongst the public servants of India. Apart from blemishing Indias
reputation internationally, this revelation has led to superlative anger internally,
especially in the mind of the common man of India. He is hurt and appalled because the
pride he carried along his shoulders of living in a democratic India has been severely
injured. Such is his anger that he finds himself leaving his job and work to go to the
streets and participate in nationwide protests and rallies against the Government. How

terrible is this situation! When citizens of a democracy try to take on the Government of
a nation, it results in nothing else except chaos, because in such cases, all the pillars of
democracy are severely affected: The judiciary finds itself scrutinizing its own judges
and advocates or solving corruption cases; the legislature cannot sit in the houses of
democracy and debate on new issues as it finds itself embroiled in image-tainting
charges; the executive is unable to focus on the nation as it is immersed in protecting the
image of its party for the next elections; the media sources forget issues of larger
importance like murders, robberies and female assaults and report only about the newly
found (though not proved) charges against any minister. No common sense or logic of
the world can hence stop the common man from getting frustrated and coming out to
the streets. Public harassment may endanger his morals, but corruption invariably
endangers the morals of the nation he dwells in.
Todays India finds itself in such an unpleasant state of corruption that the rights of its
people are being bartered for promises of office. Corruption is not a sudden
phenomenon in India; it traces its origin back to the days of post-Independence, though
it was not much of a problem then as the nation was facing much tougher difficulties.
But while the nation progressed in terms of technology, infrastructure and education, it
also progressed in terms of unemployment, overpopulation and corruption. It is painful
to note that the first ever scandal of India (Jeep Purchase Scandal of 1948) cost us Rs.
80 Lakh, while the latest scandal (Coal mining 2012) cost us Rs. 200,000 crore. Quite
certainly, no Indian wants to progress this way. During the 70s and 80s, the citizens of
India may have entered a period of complacency and closed their eyes to the public
misuse of democracy, but that is acceptable no more. Today citizens are much more
aware of the ruined state of India because of corruption and they wouldnt let it exist any
longer without a full-fledged uprising.
It is understandable that in any democracy, some amount of corruption is obvious and
unavoidable. But Indias corruption has stooped to alarmingly low levels. Indian babus
have lost all morality and conscience in their dealings. Today the stench of corruption in
India is widely spread right from getting into schools or colleges to getting jobs,
promotions or even passports. An already financially burdened common Indian cannot
bear such extra costs and usually finds himself bumping from one Government premise

to another, eventually ending his life due to suicide or over-intake of alcohol. He has
nowhere to go, because the public servants of India are too busy to take their minds off
their own comforts and profits.
As individuals, we keep wondering what we can do to make India a cleaner place. This is
where Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam informs us, If a country is to be corruption free and
become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members
who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher. If we want
tomorrows India to be free of dark patches, we of course need to mold tomorrows
Indians and this is where the key role of elders, as mentioned by Dr. Kalam, comes in.
Right from primary and nursery classrooms to colleges and household talks, the youth
of today needs to be well-informed about the destruction that corruption can cause.
Selflessness needs to be engraved in every Indian childs mind so that tomorrow he
works for the greater good and not for increasing his bank balances. Moreover,
intelligent and intellectual children need to be taught that it is public servants and not
engineers or doctors who have the ability to change the world, so that they choose to
become politicians and bureaucrats and take the nation to greater heights when they
grow up. The media, being one of the pillars of democracy, needs to understand that
they have the responsibility to keep the masses positively informed even in the worst
situations. Their opinions must be separated from their reports so that people can easily
demarcate the line between the fact and the journalists viewpoint on the fact.
A healthy India will not be a product of merely its motivated people, or honest public
servants, or just judicial system, it will be a product of an amalgamation of all of these.
Corruption or disturbance in the functioning of any of the above will ruin the nation to
immeasurable extents. United we stand, divided we fall.