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Dwelling on the Hills: Continuity of Tribal Geographies in Guwahati
No full textEssay Theme: Dwelling in Asian Cities; Imagination, Ideas, Aspiration
Changing Nature of Deterrence: The Challenge of Asymmetric Threats
Get PDFIn spite of massive reduction in the nuclear weapon holdings in recent years, both Russia and the US hold impressive quantities of nuclear arms. Other nuclear weapon (P5) countries hold relatively limited number and some of them (France and UK)have not added significant numbers. Some of the late entrants in Asia continue to increase their arsenal in significant ways. New weapon systems, geopolitics (including nature of governments, leadership and economic disparity), unsettled borders, non-state actors, technology proliferation, lack of progress in disarmament, etc., are all contributing to the erosion of deterrence and strategic stability factors. As a result, in the world today, there are many unsettling factors, which are not only impacting the nature of deterrence but are also influencing the stabilizing/destabilizing criterion
Metal Craft Heritage of Cauvery and Riverine Regions (NIAS/HUM/HSS/U/RR/02/2020)
Get PDFIndia has a rich repository of surviving crafts practices that hark back several centuries with unbroken traditions. The Cauvery basin occupies a large geographic region spanning three states across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and parts of Kerala. This region has in its own way represented an inter-linked geographic and cultural ecosystem. This rich repository of artisanal technologies is explored, particularly in the areas of metalworking and with respect to their connection to the local natural and cultural setting. These include the copper alloy image casting tradition of the Thanjavur district and Swamimalai, following the famed medieval Chola legacy of metal icons; the making of bells and lamps in Nacharkoil and the tradition of Thanjavur Swami plate repousse work. The rare craft of making mirrors of high-tin delta bronze (33% tin) in the village Aranmula, Kerala, which was also affected in the 2018 floods around the Pampa river is also discussed. Surviving blacksmithy practices in the regions around the Godavari river in Telangana and Tiruvannamali region of Tamil Nadu are touched upon which also supported traditions of high-carbon wootz crucible steel making in antiquity. Thus, some insights into the survival status and glimpses into the rich techno-cultural milieu of senior master craftspeople following various artisanal traditions are obtained
Communicating Ancient Indian Knowledge System for the Holistic Development of School Students for Their Physical, Mental and Spiritual Well-Being (NIAS Conference Report No. NIAS/NSE/SCO/U/CR/11/2020)
Get PDFEducation plays an important role in shaping students into good human beings. The modern system of education, which concentrates more on imparting professional skills and developing intellectual knowledge, ignores the holistic development. Imparting holistic education has become a challenge in modern times. The importance of psychological well-being, emotional health, of the students for the social-physical-cognitive-development, is well recognized. Various forms of ancient practices such as yoga, meditation, spiritual healing exist in our ancient knowledge system and encompass not only the development of “Anamaya Kosam” (constituting the physical body) but also for the mind, intellect, vitality and spirituality. All these together with balanced food and lifestyle as described in Ayurveda helps to nurture the body, mind, vital force and intellect of school children. A physically, mentally and spiritually advanced child will have enhanced self-esteem, confidence and respect through which the child would be able to deal with the challenges that are posed by modern-day life. This two day meeting discussed various aspects of Holistic development fo Children with an aim for their physical, mental and spiritual well-being”
Preliminary assessment of viability of molten‐salt tower technology
No full textIndia has incorporated renewable energy sources like solar and wind in its energy mix in order to achieve its ambitious plan to set up 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022 to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases. Among the solar technologies for power generation, solar photovoltaic (SPV) is considered and large SPV parks are deployed around the country. Some of the drawbacks of deploying large‐scale SPV parks are discussed in the manuscript. Because of the intermittency of SPV and wind, there is a backup resource of fossil fuel fired thermal plants that are ramped up or down to meet the electricity demand in the grid, especially the peak demand. The manuscript proposes that India has to consider solar thermal technology that can be ramped up and down, namely, the molten‐salt solar tower technology (STT). Based on the direct solar irradiance data there are about 6000 sq. km of land with 7.5 to 8.0 kWh/m2/day and about 12 000 sq. km with 7.0 to 7.5 kWh/m2/day where such STT plants can be set up. Cost analysis demonstrates that the capital cost of STT plant is roughly ₹ 389 million per MW. This is quite competitive compared to the nuclear and coal thermal technologies because these technologies have high operational costs
Towards an Asset-based Indicator of Poverty
No full textIn the debate on the measurement of poverty in India, which has sometimes bordered on the acrimonious, there has been near unanimity on the use of consumption expenditure as the primary basis for
determining the poverty line. This article points to the many limitations of using consumption as the
sole indicator of poverty, including ignoring the role of non-market state support. As an alternative, it
offers assets as a more reliable indicator of the condition of poverty. Recognizing that poverty is more
than just the lower end of the inequality of income; it builds a measure that is more sensitive to deprivation. This measure allows for a focus on differences between the poor and those who face absolute
deprivation. The article goes on to demonstrate that the relationship between this indicator and other
measures of non-market state support can be used to evaluate anti-poverty measures