Category Archives: Community Issues

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India on Mars: Space Missions Create Business Opportunities

In the vast expanse of the cosmos, humanity’s journey to explore the unknown has transcended national borders. India, with its ambitious space program, has made significant strides in this domain, culminating in its landmark Mars mission. Beyond the scientific and technological achievements, India’s ventures into space have also opened up a myriad of business opportunities, paving the way for innovation, collaboration, and economic growth.

Exploring Mars

India’s Mars Orbiter Mission, also known as Mangalyaan launched in November 2013, marked a historic milestone for the country’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It made India the first Asian nation to reach Mars orbit and the fourth space agency in the world to do so. This accomplishment not only showcased India’s technological prowess but also demonstrated its capability to undertake complex interplanetary missions at a fraction of the cost compared to other nations.

Technological Advancements

The success of India’s Mars mission underscored its growing expertise in space exploration, prompting increased interest from both domestic and international stakeholders. ISRO’s advancements in satellite technology, propulsion systems, and mission planning have not only bolstered its reputation but have also positioned India as a viable partner for collaborative space endeavours.

Commercial Satellite Launch Services

One of the most lucrative avenues that India’s space program has opened up is in the realm of commercial satellite launch services. ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) has gained a reputation for its reliability and cost-effectiveness, attracting customers from around the globe. By offering competitive launch prices, India has emerged as a preferred destination for countries and companies seeking to deploy satellites into orbit.

Remote Sensing and Earth Observation

India’s constellation of remote sensing satellites provides a wealth of data for applications ranging from agriculture and urban planning to disaster management and environmental monitoring. Leveraging this capability, Indian startups and enterprises have developed innovative solutions that harness satellite imagery for various commercial purposes. From precision agriculture to infrastructure development, the insights derived from these satellites have spawned a burgeoning industry with immense growth potential.

Space Tourism

With the advent of commercial space travel on the horizon, India is poised to capitalise on the burgeoning space tourism market. While the focus has primarily been on orbital and lunar tourism, the allure of venturing beyond Earth’s confines has captured the imagination of enthusiasts worldwide. India’s burgeoning private space industry is actively exploring opportunities in this sector, with plans for suborbital flights and beyond. Since The Red Planet is such a global buzz, of course we should put out marketing, publicity, media releases and public relations efforts in its direction.

International Collaboration

India’s space program has fostered extensive collaboration with other nations, facilitating technology transfer, joint missions, and shared research endeavors. Collaborative projects such as the Chandrayaan missions with NASA and ESA, as well as participation in initiatives like the International Space Station, have not only enhanced India’s capabilities but have also created avenues for commercial partnerships and knowledge exchange.

Emerging Technologies

The convergence of space technology with emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and 3D printing has spurred innovation and entrepreneurship. Indian startups are at the forefront of developing cutting-edge solutions for space exploration, satellite manufacturing, and in-situ resource utilization. As the space industry evolves, these technologies will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of space commerce.

Policy and Regulatory Framework

To harness the full potential of space exploration and commercialization, India has been actively revising its policy and regulatory framework. Initiatives such as the Draft Space Activities Bill aim to streamline licensing procedures, promote private sector participation, and ensure compliance with international obligations. By fostering a conducive environment for investment and innovation, India is poised to emerge as a key player in the global space economy.

Life on Mars? We Will Be It

It’s true that David Bowie, even post passing, has a substantial cult following in India. So it would be no harm to invoke his famous song Life on Mars when considering that Indians on Mars are a real prospect thanks to our vibrant, imaginative and courageous space agency known as the Indian Space Research Organisation which is the active program within the Department of Space. The fact is, as India’s population continues to grow fast, we need more space – and that can be expanded with a capital S to Indians need more Space. Outer, inner, under, or wider, our population is booming not just within India but around the world. We have now overtaken China as the country with the highest population. If NASA’s Rover mission needs better teeth for picking up rock samples, Indian dentists and veterinarians are best placed to ensure this robot has the finest gnashers in the universe.

Space is a Trading Post

India’s foray into space has transcended mere scientific exploration, ushering in a new era of economic opportunities and technological advancements. From satellite launches to space tourism, the country’s space program has catalyzed innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship across diverse sectors. As India continues to chart its course among the stars, the possibilities for business and growth in the final frontier are indeed limitless.

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History of Indians in South Africa

Dreamy South Africa. The breathtaking views and changing scenery. With its history and alluring destinations, South Africa is bound to be on any travelers list. It is the southernmost country in Africa whose population is 80 percent Sub-Saharan African ancestry speaking more than a dozen different languages. One of the most developed countries in all of Africa, it is partly bordered with the open waters of the Indian and South Atlantic Ocean.

 

South Africa has the largest population of people of Indian descent in the continent. Majority of them lives in the city of Durban, many of which are great-grandchildren of the original Indian migrants from colonial India who, in 1860’s, came to South Africa. For a long time, the history of Indians in South Africa was that of shame, as the first Indians to come were indentured labourers. That is, agreeing to work for a number of years to learn a skill, for which they were paid next to nothing. Then came apartheid which didn’t make matters any better for them.

 

Now, with new available technology and more intensive research plus access to records, people can look up where they originally came from and not just stop at when the ships came to South Africa with the first Indians. They can be more than what indenture and apartheid for a long time has limited them to. They are able to learn of where they really came from and trace their heritage.

History-of-Indians-in-South-Africa

The South African Indian diaspora has changed with history. The majority of us came as indentured labourers. Colonialism was the first thing we grew as part of. When indenture was abolished, there was apartheid. So we grew with apartheid. We lived under the apartheid regime, not as a white population; we were seen as part of the black population. A lot of us still remember the time when there was no equality.

 

It’s only after Nelson Mandela was elected as president (in 1994) that South African Indians saw themselves as a diaspora that is not part of some horrible subjugation in history. – Zainab Priya Dala, speaking with Quartz

 

From this they can decide to be what they once were looking their roots up and developing to what they envision their futures to be. As bleak as their past was, South African Indians have managed to hold on to their roots, but barely. Their religion, language and their cuisine in particular have stayed true to their origins. People are developing a liking to these flavours as can be observed in most South African grocery stores, whose shelves are lined with elements and ingredients of the typical curry and other Indian specialties.

 

South Africa by large is on the upswing and it continues to be so in the foreseeable future. After all it has been through, it is undergoing a social transformation and a definite plan at creating a better future for everyone.

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The Gambling Business in India: Is it Skill or All Luck Based?

As a billion strong nation, India is a hotspot in terms of gambling businesses and related activities. For instance, sports betting on cricket events, horse race betting, and playing in casinos are among the favourite pastimes and popular gambling businesses in the country. But despite the public’s acceptance to the gambling business in India, most forms of gambling are technically against the law. Some legislations about the gambling business in India are either obsolete or unclear. Nevertheless, these betting activities attract a huge crowd which, in turn, yield substantial revenues. The recent data regarding the profits of the gambling business in India are discussed in depth when you click here.

The Gambling Business in India: Is it Skill or All Luck Based?

As mentioned earlier, there are forms of gambling in India that are prohibited by their laws and customs. Among the few gambling business in India that are authorised to operate are lotteries. There’s even a legislation — the Lotteries Act of 1998 —that guides the whole enterprise. Like any other betting activity in the country, the lotteries in India are based on luck with absolutely no skill required.

Online gambling is also highly popular among punters in India. Ironically, there are laws passed in the country which may or may not pertain to the lawfulness of online gambling. For instance, the Information Technology Act of 2000 has provisions that may be associated with online gambling, but there is no specific allusion that online gambling is indeed prohibited by the law.

An example of online gambling that involves skill is sports betting. In fact, bookies know the science of sports betting to the point that they can influence the winning odds, depending on the amount of the wager involved. Suffice to say, sports betting requires certain skills for you to win that pot.

Another gambling business in India that requires great skill is poker. It is a universal knowledge that playing poker involves skill. According to gambling laws in the country, anything that entails making a wager and is based on luck is illegal. Sports betting and poker is skills-based, so on the premise of the law, these are deemed as legal. However, due to the convoluted gambling laws in India, a law enforcer may or may not arrest you for gambling depending on how he/she interprets such law.

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Rubbish in India: Are We Becoming the Rubbish Dump of the World?

The Daily Mail Online reportedrubbish in India that an elephant was caught in video eating rubbish in India. In Bangalore, the once called ‘Garden City’ has deteriorated into a garbage metropolis. As a matter of fact, the residents are woken up in the middle of the night by the foul smell of the mountains of garbage on the streets. That’s how serious the trash problem in India is. This makes us think that the country is becoming the rubbish dump of the world. Truth be told, the indications of India’s rubbish crisis are everywhere. You can click here to find out about these signs.

Rubbish in India: Are We Becoming the Rubbish Dump of the World?

Did you know that Western nations and Arab countries also contribute to the tons of rubbish in India? According to news reports, tons and tons of garbage from Spain, Malaysia, Greece, and Saudi Arabia were sent to India last year. This is because shipping municipal waste to the country is four times more cost efficient than recycling these waste.

Over the past years, the government has been making an effort to resend the confiscated waste in ports back to where they came from. However, there are still companies that were able to import waste one way or another.

Dealing with Rubbish in India

The growing population in India has its pros and cons. One of the advantages is that its economy is rising. In addition, the country made its way to one of the most powerful countries in the world. But despite these drastic improvements, the government is lagging behind in terms of dealing with rubbish in India. In fact, the country is drowning in garbage.

But not everything reeks and is gray in India’s rubbish. Environmental advocates, private organisations, and the government are all looking for ways on how they can get away from the moniker as the rubbish dump of the world. For instance, Mumbai has these so-called rag pickers. These women, in spite of sweeping up the streets for low salary, are dedicated to managing the rubbish in India and segregating them for recycling.

There are also waste management services companies commissioned by the local government to tackle the growing problem of rubbish in India. But ultimately, addressing India’s garbage problem should begin in the household.

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Restrictive Indian Abortion Laws Require Reform

With the widely controversial Donald Trump Policy roller coaster both making global headlines and impacting an immediate ripple-effect if you like on women’s abortion rights worldwide, the already heated abortion debate now enters a hard-line period of conflicted exchange in many global countries, developed and undeveloped alike, including of course, the Mother of the East, India.

In 1971, abortion was made legal in India when the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act was passed with an aim to reduce illegal abortion and maternal mortality. In a society that frequently considers sexuality as taboo, the MTP act was a welcome move and a validation of a woman’s fundamental right. It also established bodily sovereignty wherein each woman has the sole right to make decisions about what happens to her body. The word ‘abortion’ has always been a sensitive topic. Throughout history, induced abortions have been a source of considerable debate and controversy. Many countries still consider it as murder, while women’s rights insist it to be a woman’s fundamental right to have control over her body.

Here are some things you should know about Abortion in India. So stay safe and well informed.

What is Abortion?

Mainstream Wikipedia defines abortion as the removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus from the uterus, resulting in, or caused by, its death. This could occur either spontaneously as a miscarriage, or be artificially induced through chemical, surgical or other means.

When can it be done?

Abortion in India is legal only up to twenty weeks of pregnancy under specific conditions and situations which are broadly defined as:

  1. The continuance of the pregnancy would involve a risk to the life of the pregnant woman or of grave injury of physical or mental health
  2. There is a substantial risk that if the child were born, it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped.

A woman has the right to abort:

  • If the woman has a serious disease and the pregnancy could endanger her physical/mental health
  • If the continuation of pregnancy could lead to substantial risk to the newborn leading to serious physical / mental handicaps
  • If the pregnancy is the result of rape
  • If the socio-economic status of the mother hampers the progress of a healthy pregnancy and the birth of a healthy child.
  • If the contraceptive device irrespective of the method used (natural methods/ barrier methods/ hormonal methods) failed

Permission/Consent:

  • If a woman is married, her own written consent is sufficient. Her husband’s consent is not required
  • If a woman is unmarried and over 18, she can provide her own written consent
  • If a woman is unmarried and under 18, she must provide written consent from her guardian
  • If a woman is mentally unstable, she must provide written consent from her guardian

Where and Who can perform the abortion:

Abortions can be performed in any medical institution that is licensed by the government to perform medically assisted terminations of pregnancy. Such institutions must display a certificate issued by the government.

Abortions must be performed by a doctor with one of the following qualifications:

  • A registered medical practitioner who has performed at least 25 medically assisted terminations of pregnancy
  • A surgeon who has six months’ experience in obstetrics and gynaecology
  • A person who has a diploma or degree in obstetrics and gynaecology
  • A doctor who was registered before the 1971 Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act and who has three years’ experience in obstetrics and gynaecology
  • A doctor who registered after 1971 and has been practising in obstetrics and gynaecology for at least a year

Types of Abortion treatment:

There are two types of abortion treatment, ‘Medical’ and ‘Surgical’ abortion:

Medical abortion: A type of non-surgical abortion which involves taking medication to cause an early miscarriage. Abortifacient pharmaceutical drugs made by combination of two medications, mifepristone and misoprostol is an option for women who are 10 weeks pregnant or less.

Abortion pill from 10 weeks up to 24 weeks: Involves taking medication to cause the womb to contract and push out the pregnancy.

Surgical abortion: Surgical abortion is a procedure that ends a pregnancy by removing the fetus and placenta from the mother’s womb and involves a quick, minor operation. There are two types of surgical abortion:

Vacuum aspiration ( first trimester) which removes the pregnancy by gentle suction with local anaesthetic.

Dilation and evacuation is done when an abortion occurs in (second trimester) of pregnancy. It usually includes a combination of vacuum aspiration, dilation and curettage and the use of surgical instruments (such as forceps) to clear the uterus of fetal and placental tissue.

Evolution of the MTP Act

To understand the issues surrounding abortion in India, it is necessary to contextualise the evolution of the MTP Act, which liberalised abortion laws in India. The MTP was enacted two years before the landmark judgement of the US Supreme Court in Roe v Wade – which held that laws which criminalise all abortions, except those required to save a mother’s life, were unconstitutional and violated the right to privacy of a pregnant woman. But this right should be balanced against the right of the state’s legitimate interest in protecting both the pregnant woman’s health and the potentiality of human life at various stages of pregnancy.

The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 needs to be amended to better address the varying concerns of Indian women be they rape survivors, married women or sexually active single women.

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Waste Management in India: Opportunities in Rubbish

It is quite apparent that India has mountains of garbage, and the cities are drowning in sewage. Is there any hope?

It’s not like the government has not been taking actions to handle India’s waste crisis. However, there is more that can be definitely done. The Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) was a massive city-modernisation scheme launched by the Government of India under Ministry of Urban Development. It aims to create ‘economically productive, efficient, equitable and responsive Cities’ by a strategy of upgrading the social and economic infrastructure in cities. However, aside from that, there has been no national level effort found to address the problem.

This basically means that municipal corporations got their hands full and will not be able to deliver solutions right away. It should be noted that for about eight years, officials of Hyderabad’s municipal corporation have been conducting interviews with locals and were quite unsuccessful with their efforts. This can be attributed to the track record of dumpsite operations and maintenance in India making the task of finding new landfills in and around cities is nearly impossible along with the Not in My Backyard (NIMBY) phenomenon. What corporations can do however is to take measures in their own hands by reducing landfill fires and open burning, and control pollution which is the result of leachate and odor and vector nuisance. This in turn, provides the needed relief to adjacent communities and allows corporations some time to plan better. Working closely with the community is also of utmost importance as they navigate through this sensitive issue. This is made possible by increasing clarity and transparency over such issue.

Indeed, waste management is a shared effort and should not be handled by the government and corporations by themselves. The community needs to join with the cause by practicing proper waste management procedures in an effort to reduce waste. Of course, waste will not go away overnight but such activities will make sure that this lessens over time.

Waste management goes under different category that needs to be separated from each other. This in turn makes recycling much easier and more efficient than before.  For instance, BMW of Bio-medical Waste means any waste generated in health care processes like diagnosis, treatment or immunisation of human beings or animals. BWM needs to be handled in a timely manner not it causing any adverse effect to human health and environment. It also needs to be segregated in containers at point of generation and handled and disposed off in accordance with prescribed standards.

Another popular waste product that is used on a regular basis is the batteries. It should be noted that batteries that are not disposed properly can end up to leak with used lead acid batteries and their components which can be very dangerous. As such, the community is advised to deposit used batteries with dealer, manufacturer, importer, assembler, recycler, re-conditioner or designated collection centres instead of throwing them away. Cleaners services of plastic waste also needs to be handled effectively especially since plastic takes a very long time for them to decompose compared to other types of waste. Finding the nearest recycling center is able to make waste management activity much easier to handle. We can only hope for the best with India’s waste management problem.

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