Opinion
Water resource management: new approach vital
17 Apr 2000 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| TERI Newswire VI(8)
Several parts of India are currently in the grip of a severe drought, with widespread misery for several millions of people in the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Orissa. The country has also been experiencing record temperatures, hardly ever experienced in the month of April. President Clinton during his visit to India made it a point to remind us that the six hottest years in recorded history throughout the world occurred during the 1990s.
Against the tide: do not foreclose big dam options
11 Apr 2000 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| The Times of India
The World Water Forum held in the Hague last month attracted participants from all over the world, including government officials, international bureaucrats, water resource specialists, NGOs and corporate executives. The Indian presence was very visible on the occasion - and noticeably vocal - with activists like Medha Patkar and her recently acquired compatriot, Arundhati Roy. It is reported that much heated debate took place between a minister from Gujarat on the one hand and Medha Patkar and Arundhati Roy on the other.
Why waste the wastes?
06 Apr 2000 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| The Indian Express
With every nook and corner of the city laced, with garbage, muck and waste, there's no denying the fact that Delhi has failed miserably in managing waste disposal in an economically-viable way. Little wonder then that 8,000 metric tonnes of solid wastes, contributed by the callousness of the citizens and the authorities alike, continue to lie untreated in the city. What really makes the situation worse is that concerned agencies, namely Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), have the capacity to treat only 5,000 metric tonnes of waste. This still leaves us grappling with a grim reality of 3,000 metric tonnes of untreated wastes per day.
Harnessing the power of information technology for sustainable development: challenges ahead
02 Apr 2000 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| TERI Newswire VI(7)
The stock market in New York has, in the past few days, exhibited several unexpected changes which have had a worldwide impact in the stock exchanges in major countries. In India too, technology stocks have reflected the changes in the NASDAQ index in New York.
Clear the air: unprepared India and pushy US jeopardise an initiative on climate change
28 Mar 2000 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| India Today
President Bill Clinton's visit may see a joint statement with Prime Minister A B Vajpayee in two key areas: climate change and renewable energy. Clearly, the threat of climate change requires solid understanding and partnership between countries of the north and south. Given the fact that the US has historically been, and is, the largest contributor of emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), its actions to limit these emissions are of considerable importance. India is important as it is a leading voice among the Group of 77, which has taken fairly uniform positions in negotiations on climate change.
Restructuring Indo-US relations: urgent action essential
17 Mar 2000 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| TERI Newswire VI(6)
President Clinton's visit to India is being seen by several observers as a watershed in Indo-US relations. The political implications of the visit apart, what does have a great deal of significance for India in particular is the prospect of a much stronger economic content in the relationship between the two countries. While there were very few heavyweight industry leaders in President Clinton's delegation, this should not be seen as a significant omission, given the fact in the past few years several major US companies have established a major presence in India, particularly in the field of information technology. President Clinton's own assessment of the dynamism of Indian society and the strength of the country's democratic institutions would provide a very powerful feedback to the captains of industry and political leaders in the US.
Crippled by fiat!
16 Mar 2000 |
Mr S Sundar
| The Economic Times
The promulgation of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Ordinance, 2000 has been hailed as a positive step towards strengthening the telecom regulator. It must be said to the credit of the ordinance that for the first time, the objectives of the legislation have been clearly spelt out. Furthermore, for the first time, the ordinance recognises the growing convergence of technologies, and has rightly included broadcasting services within the meaning of telecommunication services.
Decision-making processes in India: quality inputs essential
02 Mar 2000 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| TERI Newswire VI(5)
The Delhi scene is currently buzzing with activity in preparation for President Bill Clinton's visit to India. Over the past few weeks, several teams of officials from the US have been doing the rounds of Delhi and other cities which were regarded as possible destinations for the Clinton visit, and the contours of the President's itinerary are now fairly clear. Even though President Clinton would be completing his term of office in less than a year, the fact that a US President is visiting India after a gap of 22 years is a significant development. Undoubtedly, at the political level there have been hectic preparations for the discussions that would take place between the US President and the Indian Prime Minister as well as between senior officials from both sides, but it is not clear whether India has prepared adequately to define a common agenda in the fields of science and technology, climate change, environment, and energy.
"Managing transition vital"
01 Mar 2000 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| The Financial Times
TERI is a premier research organization focusing on energy and environmental issues. In a freewheeling interview with Nitin Chittal of FE-Thinktank, TERI director, Dr R K Pachauri spoke extensively on the ongoing reforms process in the power sector.
"Remove poverty beforetackling environmental problems"
25 Feb 2000 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| The Indian Express
The capital hosted one of the biggest gatherings of recent years with world leaders and academicians coming for the conference on 'Global Sustainable development in the 21st century: Directions for innovation and change'. The occasion was TERI's 25th birthday. The conference had 400 delegates from 25 countries and those from corporates like Shell, Indian Aluminium Company and Unilever. They rubbed shoulders with representatives from World Bank, UNEP and ex-premiers from Japan, Sweden and Nepal. Dr R K Pachauri, TERI Director, spoke to Sonu Jain.