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Towards Uncertain Future By Dr Arvind Kumar Technological revolution has spawned augmentation in new demands on resource consumption. Undoubtedly, human industiral civilization on the verge of collapse, yet humankind is not tired of telling itself that it is exempt from the laws of physics and nature - that infinite growth is possible on a finite planet. On the other hand, unprecedented expansion of human population has culminated in accelerating the pace depletion of finite resources. Expectations of human beings have increased manifold and technology is expected to overturn the laws of physics, chemistry and especially thermodynamics/energy. Heightened expectations spur aspirations that may not be fulfilled within the finite human limits. Scramble for modern gadgets and luxuries are pushing humanity away from spiritual values. Today we are awash in technology and we are also dying. We are, in fact, killing ourselves with it. We make better weapons. We make better devices t...

Eco-Friendly Diwali By Dr Arvind Kumar Small diyas or earthen lamps lit on the moonless Diwali night signify the end of darkness of ignorance and the beginning of light that enlightens all. On this auspicious occasion, it is equally important to know the ill-effects of the boisterous celebrations of Diwali on our environment. On this festive occasion, people buy new items and throw away old ones. It is worth remebering that all man-made items are made out of materials that come from Nature; be it plastic, metal, paper or cloth - all of these raw materials come directly from nature. A noteworthy question to ponder at this stage is as to where do all the things we throw away go finally. Solid waste created by human beings which is non-biodegradable is generally filled into holes dug up in the ground. These 'landfills' may exist for centuries without completely getting integrated into the soil. The plastic toys that are thrown away today may exist in a landfill even several...

No to Fire Crackers By Dr. Arvind Kumar Many people, particularly children, rejoice in lighting of firecrackers around Diwali. Brighter the sparkles, louder the noise the greater the thrill! In fact to many of us, these aesthetic forms of light seem so appropriate and most essential when celebrating the 'Festival of Lights'. However, in our increasingly populated and polluted cities people seldom realize that the transitory joy of watching the firecrackers is soon replaced by the intense air pollution caused by burning. The toxic substances used in the firecrackers release toxic gases that are harmful to the health of all living beings. The high level of noise generated by the crackers causes immense suffering to birds and animals. Besides, Diwali crackers are dreaded by the sick and the ailing. Unhappily, people don’t realise that the firecrackers used on Diwali are mostly made by very young children. Since the substances being handled are extremely toxic many of these c...

Safeguarding Public Space By Dr Arvind Kumar In order to prepare India for a competitive and global future, it is essential to devise mechanism for individual empowerment and better governance in the new millennium, where civil society is on par with government; and in which tough yet flexible individuals can participate in and expand public forums on their own initiative and thus help to create a society that addresses pioneering challenges, and is more creative and imaginative. Such an assumption entails a spirit of self-help and empathy that presupposes ‘a dynamic public space’ as its incubator. What is meant is obviously a metaphoric space; a sphere in which the public good is collectively and openly negotiated. But it is equally apparent that such empowerment requires ‘real’ public spaces like parks, squares, promenades or other venues that support rich public cultures and nurture active individuals. An open society requires space for people to assemble, to come in contact w...

Asia’s Water Woes By Dr Arvind Kumar Water is a vital ingredient for life and human civilization. Yet recently, there have been new warnings about an imminent water crisis. John Beddington, a British scientist, has recently warned that water shortages would be the world's most pressing problem in the next decade, compounded by population growth; rapid urbanization; rising demand for food, energy and other water-intensive goods and services; and climate change. By 2025, about 52 countries containing two-thirds of the global population are expected to be short of water. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), China and India alone are forecast to have a combined supply shortfall of 1 trillion cubic meters in 2030. Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines and Vietnam are other countries near water stress conditions. In early October this year, a conference organised by ADB was told that Asia faced ‘unprecedented stress’ in water supply and that Asia neede...

Water Scarcity in Yemen By Dr Arvind Kumar Yemen is confronted with an increasingly violent secessionist movement in the south, a recurring insurgency in the north, and regular attacks against the government by the local Al-Qaeda affiliate. While these crises hog headlines and attract the attention of Western policymakers, social conflict over scarce resources may represent a more subtle long-term threat to the country. According to Yemen’s Ministry of Interior, much of social violence takes place in rural areas where the central government holds little sway, and claims the lives of over 4,000 people per year. Yemen's lack of water is potentially the most crippling crisis facing the country. Annual water availability per person is just 2 percent of the global average, and Sanaa is expected to be the first capital city in the world to run out of water. According to Gerhard Lichtenthaeler, a consultant with the German Technical Corporation (GTZ), the root of modern conflict ove...

Religion and Public Diplomacy Dr Arvind Kumar Religion is potent dource of peace, righteousness; and virtues. Religion can play positive role in nation-building, ending conflicts between nations, and prove humanitarian assistance for all whose lives are negatively impacted by war, poverty, illiteracy, human rights violations, natural disasters and religious extremism. Religious leaders should guide their followers in right earnest. Religious leaders must exercise their leadership, and engage in partnership with diplomatic initiatives, to bring about a cessation of violence against humanity, to work to confront and end religious extremism in all its forms, the domination of one religion over another and the domination of one nation over another. The religious leaders are resourceful in moulding public opinion on vital social issues. Hence they must be actively involved with stakeholders and decision-makers in the global community. And religious leaders must be seen as equal part...