Renewable Energy for India's Sustainable Development

Introduction - 

Renewable energies are crucial for sustainable development in India, a country facing significant environmental challenges and energy demands due to its rapid economic growth and large population. India's sustainable development depends on renewable energy since it can produce cheap, dependable, and clean power while having a minimal negative impact on the environment. It is essential to switch to renewable energy sources like biomass, solar, wind, and hydropower in order to maintain social welfare, economic stability, and long-term ecological balance.

Environmental Benefits -

Advantages for the Environment Reducing Emissions of Greenhouse Gases India ranks third globally in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. Making the switch to renewable energy can cut emissions dramatically. By 2030, for example, the National Solar Mission in India seeks to cut carbon dioxide emissions by more than 250 million tonnes yearly.  

Enhancement of Air Quality In India, air pollution is a serious issue that results in both health problems and financial losses. Air pollution from renewable energy sources is negligible or nonexistent. For instance, while in use, solar and wind energy produce no air pollutants, enhancing both public health and air quality. 

Technological Advancements and Innovation -

 Infrastructure Development Investments in renewable energy spur infrastructure development, including advanced grid systems and energy storage solutions. This modernization supports broader economic growth and technological advancement.

Research and Development the push for renewable energy encourages innovation in related fields such as energy storage, smart grids, and electric vehicles, positioning India as a leader in renewable technology.

Worldwide Dedications and Guidance Climate Promises As part of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, India has pledged to obtain 40% of its installed energy capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. This shows initiative in addressing the global climate.

 Initiatives for Global Renewable Energy , The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was founded with the goal of encouraging the use of solar energy and lowering reliance on fossil fuels. India is one of its founding members. By 2030, 1,000 GW of solar energy are expected to be deployed, according to the ISA.

Facts and Figures - 

Installed Capacity : As of 2023, India’s total installed renewable energy capacity is about 150 GW, including 45 GW of solar, 40 GW of wind, 10 GW of biomass, and 50 GW of hydro power.

Targets: India aims to achieve 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022, which includes 100 GW from solar, 60 GW from wind, 10 GW from biomass, and 5 GW from small hydro.

Investment : The renewable energy sector attracted over $75 billion in investments between 2014 and 2021. Continued investment is expected to exceed $500 billion by 2030 to meet targets.

Conclusion - 

The pursuit of renewable energy holds immense promise for India's sustainable development. By harnessing sources like solar, wind, and hydro power, India can reduce its carbon footprint, enhance energy security, create jobs, and drive economic growth. Embracing renewables not only aligns with global environmental goals but also offers a path towards a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous future for all Indians.

Film Review - Article 370

‘Article 370’ Movie Review: Unveiling Light on Kashmir's Complex dynamics. 

• Name of the film- Article 370.

• Director- Aditya Suhas Jambhale.

• Producers - Jyoti Deshpande, Aditya Dhar, and Lokesh Dhar.

• ScreenPlay- Aditya Dhar, Aditya Suhas Jambhale, Arjun Dhawan, Monal Thaakar. 

• Story by- Aditya Dhar, Monal Thaakar. 

• Cast- Yami Gautam Dhar and Priyamani, Skand Thakur, Ashwini Kaul, Vaibhav Tatwawadi, Arun Govil, and Kiran Karmarkar.

• Release date- 23rd February, 2024. 

Summary of the movie - 

Following the instability in Kashmir in 2016, Rajeshwari Swaminathan, a top-secret mission coordinator from the Prime Minister's Office, selects Zooni Haksar, a young local field agent. Their aim was taking action against terrorists and ending the billion-dollar war economy in the valley by abrogating the infamous Article 370, which would have been a difficult task and that too without a single drop of innocent blood being shed.

Review - 

The movie ‘Article 370’ mixed facts with fiction, and some convenient untruths, presents the government of the day's scrapping of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir as a masterclass in State craft. Considering the lengthy time during, most of the part of this film managed to maintain the engaging factor. This film, inspired by real events yet embellished with creative liberties, underscores the necessity of abolishing Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu & Kashmir. First half of this film worked out quite efficiently to set the stage for the plot but the intensity goes down in the climax, which leans towards overly dramatic cinematic tactics rather than realism along with some incorrect facts. ‘Article 370’ attempts to evoke a sense of nationalism, taking creative liberties along the way.

Critical Analysis - 

 Other than evoking the nationalism this movie and the release date fueled the controversy because the movie is seen by some as a "thinly veiled propaganda film" that favours India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party  in order to bring political mileage for it during the upcoming 2024 Indian general elections. casting and acting of every single actor was remarkable and this is probably the best performance by Yami Gautam Dhar in her Carrie.The movie deftly interweaves throughout the story how the “Back Channel Diplomacy” of bargaining with separatists and double agents in order to secure short-term peace in the Valley have grown antiquated. More significantly, it discusses the terrorist and conflict economy industries in order to highlight the separatist movement and the local government leadership's moral ambiguity. Although Delhi's place in this matrix is not attempted to be seen, the story gains weight from the practical approach to issue solving.

Final Verdict -

• Screenplay - 3.5/5

• Direction - 3.5/5

• Acting - 4/5

• Visual Appeal - 4/5

Environmental Steward - Sonam Wangchuk

Current situation of Ladakh and the name Sonam Wangchuk is deliberately getting discussed by everyone all over India and overseas. In present times when the deeper threat of climate change and global warming is impacting most of the lands of India , the dream destination of all bikers around the world ‘Ladakh’ and all Ladakhi are on the streets with their demands to save the land. In this current situation the name Sonam Wangchuk is being discussed again and again for his contribution towards the protest happening in Ladakh. 

In 2019 Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh were declared two separate Union Territories following the abrogation of Article 370. This verdict left them without a legislature, depriving them autonomy in governance. They are also struggling with government jobs and land rights. But now the actual concern is the development projects announced by the government in the past two years. The ruling governance declared seven hydro-electric projects in the Indus Basin and its tributaries while also commission ONGC to set up a geothermal energy power plant at Puja Valley and a hydrogen unit by NTPC. 

 Among all the chaos one name is coming out repeatedly, Sonam Wangchuk. Sonam Wangchuk is an Indian Engineer, innovator, climate activist and education reformist. He started teaching students in his college days and after that he founded SECMOL (Students Educational and Culture Movement of Ladakh) where students who failed only they can take admission. This initiative of his made the percentage of pass among students up to 75%. He always uses his new inventions for sustainable development with the goal of saving the environment. SECMOL, which was founded by Mr. Wangchuk is run by solar energy only, any other fuel is not used there. He is the first one who initiated to make an artificial glacier to solve the water storage in harvesting. There also no electrical energy used in the pipe lines. He also made a Warm Shelter for soldiers in the cooling climate in Ladakh which is running through sustainable energy sources. 

                                      

His journey of being an environmental researcher, education reformist, environmental activist , sustainable development activist kept going on. Now he is on the street of Ladakh doing his second climate fast with only salt and water for 21 days in the temperature of -10. He completed his second climate fast on 27th march with the demand of saving the land of Ladakh, promoting sustainable development, land right and Ladakh’s own Public Service Commission. He did the first climate fast on 26th jan last year to amplify Ladakhi demands. This time also he is doing every possible thing to save the land on the edge of climate change. Through his innovations and movements he is trying to promote sustainable development , trying to defeat climate change and global warming. In the edge where Ladakh might be the second North Bengal where climate change destroys lands every year he is trying to save the land from the biggest threat of earth right now.