No praise, no disdain: New Scientist's report on 'Science in India'

'New Scientist' Report On Indian Science In The Context Of Elections

Dear Readers,

Whenever we're speaking of reports on India in foreign media it is usually to complain about bad journalism.

For a change: The New Scientist has published reports on India in the last few weeks - which are balanced and well reasoned.

• Mind you, we're not looking for breathless praise and jingoism when it comes to covering India.

• Well reasoned, fair arguments will do - as you will see below.

First, New Scientists report on Climate Change and India. India is the world's third largest annual emitter of greenhouse gas, the report points out.

• But it also acknowledges the steps taken to rein in rising emissions and the need to address widespread energy poverty.

• Speaks about India's work in renewable energy, particularly solar energy. 15 GW solar power came online in 2023-24 alone.

• Report also says Modi's govt is 'the first Indian government to set specific national climate targets

Second report, on India's health care systems. The report points out below positives and negatives - in ways more comprehensive than Indian analysts.

• India's health care expenditure is 3% of GDP as against 6% in developing world.

• PM-JAY, world's largest public health insurance scheme covers 40% of India's population.

• 50,000 km of highways in 9 years - people can now access healthcare faster.

• Swachch Bharat: Toilet access went to 95% of Indians in 2019 from 39% in 2014.

• "In the past 10 years, PM Modi has worked to improve well-being in India' even as 'much more progress is needed".

The third report on India's computer chip industry speaks of Modi's target to make India one of the world's five biggest computer chip manufacturers by 2029.

• Opportunities: Unstable geopolitics, India's competence, and ability to attract foreign investment.

• Cites Apple's example: plans to move 25% of iPhone production from China to India.

• Need of 'an infrastructure of supporting suppliers and skilled workers, along with large and continuing investment' to achieve 'true silicon independence'.

• India's strategy: Boosting the production of 28-nanometre chips used in cars and household appliances, instead of competing with the cutting edge of the industry - how China also started.

Fourth Report is on Space Science in India, which begins with Chandrayaan III's soft landing on the moon's south pole.

• Unusal for Indian government programmes: Modi's encouragement of the private players to step into the space sector.

• India's strategy: "absorbing technologies from different countries and stitching them together to make something uniquely Indian."

These reports on climate, health, chip manufacturing, and space science do not 'eulogise' India but objectively look at the trends, leaps, and shortcomings. That is welcome.

Until tomorrow,

Anmol N Jain