Author: Uday Kumar Varma

For five days, from February 10 to 14, the Bengaluru skies roared with supersonic booms and dazzling aerial acrobatics. The world’s most advanced warplanes sliced through the atmosphere, cutting contrails across the deep blue canvas. The city, known for its gardens and technology, became the epicentre of aviation brilliance, as over a million eyes remained skyward, mesmerised by the symphony of power, speed, and precision. Yes, this was Aero India 2025, the 15th edition of Asia’s premier aerospace and defence exhibition, bigger and more spectacular than ever before. Themed ‘The Runway to a Billion Opportunities’, the event featured over 900…

The recently concluded COP29 in Baku did not hit the head­lines as prominently as some previous COPs. Comparative­ly, it was a tame affair. And yet, it regis­tered some progress. The key outcomes of the deliberations included an agree­ment to put in place a UN-administered carbon trading framework; a structured operationalisation plan for the Loss and Damage Fund with contributions from developed countries and new donors, including private sector partnerships; and agreements on scaling investments in ecosystems, such as forests and wetlands, to sequester carbon and en­hance resilience. Wealthier nations also pledged to meet and exceed the $100 billion annual climate…

The Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years at Prayag (modern-day Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh), is universally hailed as the ‘greatest show on earth’. This unparalleled, millennia-old phenomenon of human history represents a profound synthesis of religion, spirituality, culture, tradition, and science. It transcends time and geography, harmoniously blending tradition with modernity, faith with empirical knowledge, and spiritual devotion with logistical precision. The Kumbh Mela is a living testament to humanity’s collective pursuit of transcendence, unity, and self-discovery. More than a festival, the Kumbh epitomises the essence of human existence and its eternal quest for meaning, connection, and transcendence. By integrating religion,…

Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons In today’s world, humanity faces myriad challenges—geopoliti­cal tensions, financial crises, and growing environmental emergen­cies. Yet, standing paramount is the survival of our planet amidst an ever-deepening climate crisis. The need for sustainable development has become ur­gent, creating a dual mandate: meeting the rising global energy demand while drastically reducing carbon emissions. In this race against time, nuclear power, once sidelined due to safety con­cerns, is re-emerging as a vital compo­nent in the sustainable energy transition. Nuclear energy, producing no carbon emissions during operation, offers a reli­able, scalable solution that other renew­able sources like wind and solar…

The magazine Nature, in its April 2024 issue’s editorial, flags India’s readiness towards becoming a science power­house. This is not yet a given, but it can happen, it says. Significantly, the edito­rial focuses on the yawning funding gap that obtains in S&T funding and sug­gests some measures that could bridge the same. Its main recommendation is to boost science spending by encourag­ing businesses to contribute more, as is the case for other leading economies. If policymakers and industrialists can get this right, an opportunity to put rocket boosters under the country’s im­pressive scientific achievements is there for the taking, the…

The new millennium has nearly spanned a quarter of a century, marking the transition from one era to another—or perhaps a continuum of swiftly evolving epochs. These years have brought unprecedented and dynamic changes that have irrevocably altered our lives. We must reflect on these transformations while intelligently anticipating future discoveries and their enduring impacts on our lives, values, perceptions, and future. The landscape of technology and innovation is in constant flux, relentlessly shaping our world in novel ways. Among these transformative forces, space exploration and technology stand out as crucial in addressing humanity’s most complex challenges. From deepening our…

Few issues today engage humanity’s attention with such intensity and urgency as that of our deteriorating environment. It is an existential crisis, becoming more serious by the day. Yet, this impending doom does not keep us awake at night. It distresses but does not disrupt. The unprecedented and continuing intensity of summers, or the unforeseen floods across the globe, may distress us but don’t cause sleepless nights. It’s not that people are unaware of the catastrophic consequences of inaction. In a disparate and unequal world, those who have, do not want to give up, and those who don’t, are relentlessly pursuing…

In a recent editorial dated 18 April 2024, Nature, deemed by common consensus, the world’s most respected science journal, alludes to India’s potential ascent as a science and technology powerhouse. This acknowledgment not only reflects India’s recent advancements but also hints at the vast possibilities awaiting realization. Describing India as one of the world’s most prolific countries in terms of research output, Nature underscores the nation’s readiness to step into the role of a science powerhouse. ‘This is not yet a given, but it can happen’, it says. Characteristically putative and linking the future to the outcome of the ongoing election, this appraisal…

National Science Day to be observed later this month will be a celebration of Discovery and Innovation, a celebration whose brilliance and reach is set to scale new heights. There is an air of quiet confidence and a sense of impending responsibility of bringing in a new world order. It is not just a commemoration of a historical scientific achievement but a celebration of the spirit of inquiry, exploration, and energy that continues to drive the nation’s scientific endeavours. It is a day to recognize the tireless efforts of scientists, appreciate the importance of scientific thinking in society, and inspire…

India, steeped in rich history and tradition, has forged a new identity as a global powerhouse, a prominent player in diplomacy, technology, and sustainability. Noteworthy achievements in space exploration, leadership within the G-20, and collaborative ventures such as IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor) and the GBA (Global Biofuel Alliance) underscore India’s growing global influence. This article delves into the significance of Chandrayan III, Aditya L-1, G-20 Presidency, and international partnerships, highlighting India’s unwavering commitment to global progress. Chandrayan III: A Monumental Leap in India’s Space Odyssey Throughout history, certain moments transcend time and leave an indelible mark on a nation’s…