Science and Technology for Peace Ever since the beginning of civilisation man has tried to conquer the forces of nature. Science and technology have come to man’s aid in different forms at different times. For what were the ancient weapons, whether made of stone or metal, except the means to establish man’s supremacy over his environment? Or the invention of the wheel that was to make travel and communication speedier? Man...

Inflation At present, India is faced with a host of problems of varying urgency and the problem of soaring prices is one of the most important problems that our motherland Is confronted with. The problem is two-fold : to check the rising prices and, if possible, to bring the prices down. The prices are sky-rocketing. Since June 1966, when the Government first devalued the rupee, the prices have risen more than...

Academic Reforms in India Ministry for Human Resource and Development (MHRD) has come out with various proposed changes to the existing set up of education in India. The additions and oversights in these reports seems troublesome for all Indians interested in the betterment of the people of India. There is lacking of a well-designed science based curriculum truly relevant to the Indian scene. It is believed that access to a well-planned...

Patents Rights A patent is a legal right whereby an inventor, or such other appropriate person, is entitled to prevent others from using, making, selling or importing the patented invention. The period of validity of a patent is usually limited to 20 years from the date of the filing the application for the patent. Further, a patent is a national right, which is limited to the specific nation where it has...

International Year of Rice The United Nations has launched a major international drive to increase the production of rice—the staple food for more than half the world’s population. Under the motto “Rice is Life”, the United Nations is sponsoring an international drive in 2004 to increase the production of rice, the staple food for about half the world’s people. Today, rice feeds nearly three billion people, or almost half the world’s...

Interlinking of Rivers Water is essential for human existence and propagation of all biotic life. India ranks fifth in the world after Zaire, Russia, Canada and the United States in potential water power resources. But mere possession is no reason for celebration. There are some concerns regarding presence or absence of water as floods and droughts occur at the same time in different parts of the country. There are some disputes...

Political Stability in Economic Development The relation between political conditions and economic development has been a matter of debate. Economists in the past, particularly in the initial years of industrialisation, believed that political factors did not influence development. Economic development was merely considered a function of economic factors. However, a fresh school of thought emerged, particularly after the Second World War that believed that economic development was, to a large extent,...

Mask of The New Imperialism Imperialism is back with a bang. However, unlike old imperialism that was quite visible since it was based on military power and was territorial in nature, the new imperialism is based on soft powers like democracy, globalisation, mass media, etc. Consequently, it is non-territorial in nature and invisible in its operation. It is, however, no less deadly and deplorable like its earlier avatar. In the past,...