The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 27th May 2025 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Focus on heat-resilience despite the monsoon

Why is it News?

• As climate extremes become more severe, the emphasis should shift from reactive emergency care to preventive public health measures rooted in equity.

Introduction

• During a national conference on climate and health called ‘India 2047: Building a Climate-Resilient Future’, a trade union leader shared the real-life experiences of garment workers enduring extreme heat in factories. At the same time, a climate modeller discussed the concept of wet-bulb temperatures. These two perspectives, one grounded in science and the other in reality, highlighted the importance of collaboration between different fields.
• The event emphasized the power of unlikely partnerships, bringing together experts from various disciplines such as paediatricians and architects, maternal health specialists and city engineers, as well as academics and policymakers.

Heat and Public Health Challenges in India

Early Monsoon, Persistent Heat

• Despite the early arrival of the monsoon, India is still grappling with severe heat conditions, a trend that is likely to persist and pose ongoing challenges.

Public Health Impact of Extreme Heat

 The public health implications of extreme heat are profound and varied, including: 

• Dehydration
• Heatstroke
• Worsening of chronic illnesses
• The pressure on healthcare infrastructure is reaching unprecedented levels.

Current Health System Response: Gaps and Needs

Key Recommendations for India’s Health System

• Transition from Reactive to Preventive Care: Shift focus from managing heat emergencies to preventing heat-related illnesses.
• Adopt an Interdisciplinary Approach: Combine expertise across public health, urban planning, climate science, and community leadership.
• Strengthen Local Capacity and Leadership: Empower local systems to lead equity-focused heat resilience strategies.

Gaps in Current Heat-Related Healthcare Practices

• Lack of Heat Exposure Screening: Many healthcare providers do not screen for heat exposure during routine checkups. Heat stroke is often misdiagnosed or missed, especially in busy emergency settings.
• Need for Standardized Clinical Protocols: Clear protocols for diagnosing and managing heat illnesses are essential. Hospitals should conduct regular summer drills to ensure preparedness.

Simple, Effective Preventive Steps in Healthcare Settings

Multisectoral Approach for Heat Illness Prevention

• Beyond Healthcare: Reducing Exposure Preventing heat illness requires reducing exposure — not just symptom treatment. This calls for coordinated action across sectors:
• Urban Planning Rethink housing design and public spaces to reduce heat exposure.
• Water Supply Management: Ensure reliable water availability during peak summer months.
• Labour Protections: Enforce regulated outdoor working hours and other safety measures.
• Climate Science and Health Collaboration: Use data-driven, timely interventions guided by climate-health experts.

Building Networks of Excellence for Climate-Health Resilience

• Move beyond isolated ‘centres of excellence’ to networks of excellence that:
• Bring together experts in public health, climate science, urban development, labour rights, and community voices.
• Co-design solutions rooted in lived realities, such as:
• Misting shelters in slums
• Cool roofing in Anganwadi centres

Extreme Heat: A Social Injustice Multiplier

• Not Just a Weather Event: Extreme heat disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable populations:
• Informal vendors working on sizzling pavements
• Children in cramped classrooms
• Elderly living in poorly ventilated tenements
• Those with No Choice Face the Worst: People such as waste pickers without shelter and daily wagers under tin roofs suffer the most when the heat index crosses danger thresholds. The common advice to "stay indoors" is often unrealistic and highlights deep systemic inequalities.

Shifting to Preventive, Equity-Focused Public Health

• To reduce the health impacts of heat extremes, we must:
• Move from reactive emergency care to preventive, equity-rooted public health.
• Begin with mapping vulnerability beyond meteorological data, including:
• Where people live
• How they work
• What resources they lack

Life-Saving Preventive Measures

• Implement early morning health checks during red alert periods.
• Deploy mobile hydration stations in low-income zones.
• Establish subsidized cool shelters for the homeless.
• Enforce protective policies for outdoor workers.

The Science and Moral Imperative

• The scientific evidence supporting these interventions is clear.
• The moral imperative is equally strong: Climate resilience is meaningless unless it protects those most at risk.

Conclusion

•  The window for action is narrowing, yet the path ahead remains clear. As climate extremes intensify, India must seize this moment with vision and urgency. 
•  By integrating heat resilience into our public health systems, grounded in equity, science, and local leadership, we can safeguard lives and livelihoods. 
•  The time to act is not tomorrow or next year — it is now. Let India be the nation that chooses to prepare, protect, and pioneer. 

An operation that was also about a self-reliant India

 Introduction 

India has undergone a significant transformation over the past decade, becoming a more robust and self-reliant nation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This change has been driven by a vision of making India a strong player in global economy, technology, and strategic affairs in the 21st century. The recent success of Operation Sindoor is a testament to the progress made in building a resilient economic and technological foundation.

Let's explore the key developments that have contributed to this transformation.

 Path to Industrial Resurgence and Innovation 

 1. Make in India (2014) 

• The launch of “Make in India” in 2014 marked a significant shift in India’s approach to global manufacturing.
• The policy aimed to enhance the ease of doing business, expedite project approvals, and attract both domestic and foreign investments.
• Sectors such as electronics, defence, and automobiles experienced increased activity and investment.

 2. Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes 

• The PLI schemes were introduced to further attract manufacturers to India by offering financial incentives.
• These schemes have been instrumental in boosting production across various sectors.

 3. Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (2020) 

• The Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, launched in 2020, aimed to make India self-reliant and a global leader in advanced manufacturing.
• The focus was on building efficient value chains and reducing import dependence in strategic sectors such as defence, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals.
• These sectors are not only crucial for the economy but also for national security and strategic strength.

 4. Innovation and Start-up Ecosystem 

• India has emerged as a hub for innovation, boasting the third-largest start-up ecosystem in the world.
• Indian start-ups are actively involved in sectors such as fintech, agritech, health tech, and edtech, addressing local challenges while competing globally.
• Additionally, start-ups are venturing into strategic areas like defence technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and space technology.

 5. Global Partnerships 

• India’s economic rise is supported by global partnerships such as the U.S.-India TRUST initiative and the India-France Road Map.
• These collaborations foster joint efforts in emerging technologies like AI, quantum technology, and defence technology.

 Operation Sindoor: A Milestone for 'Made in India' 

• Operation Sindoor represented a significant milestone, demonstrating India’s capability to execute precise strikes using indigenous defence technologies.
• This operation underscored India’s transition from being a reliant arms importer to a producer of world-class defence equipment.
• The success of the operation was made possible by equipment developed under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, reflecting years of focus on economic and technological resilience.

 Defence Export Performance 

 Technology as a Strategic Asset 

• In the contemporary world, a nation’s power is closely linked to its leadership in technology.
• Countries that lag in areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, and space technology may face long-term vulnerabilities.

Major Government Initiatives

These initiatives aim to position India as a global tech leader, but full success requires nationwide participation.

Role of Indian Industry

• Indian industry is actively building hi-tech capabilities across key sectors:
• Semiconductors, clean tech, next-gen mobility, defence, and electronics
• Contributions to space missions via satellite components and launch systems
• Boosting defence manufacturing with innovations in missiles, drones, and combat platforms
• In the field of AI, industry is:
• Supporting Bhashini for real-time translation in 22 languages
• Partnering with FutureSkills Prime to create a skilled tech workforce

Strategic Priorities for the Future

• The private sector must:
• Ramp up R&D investments
• Forge international partnerships to enhance India’s technological edge
• Collaborate closely with academia and public research institutions

These collaborations should:

• Drive cutting-edge innovation
• Build a pipeline of industry-ready engineers, scientists, and technicians
• Strengthen India’s position in global value chains

With continued commitment, Indian industry can help shape a secure, self-reliant, and globally respected India in the field of advanced technologies.

A lead role for India

India is at a turning point, marked by strong economic resilience, growing manufacturing capacity, innovation-driven growth, and a clear global vision. The country is no longer trying to catch up with others — it is actively shaping the future. Under the Prime Minister’s leadership, a strong foundation has been built for this transformation. The journey toward Viksit Bharat (Developed India) will now require active and large-scale participation from the industry. As the Prime Minister said, "Self-reliance has not only become India’s policy, but also our passion." The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is committed to fueling this passion and supporting India’s rise to greater heights in the coming years.

Conclusion

India must now strive to lead the next wave of global innovation by embedding technological ambition across its industrial, academic, and strategic sectors. The path forward demands a deep integration of cutting-edge technology, forward-thinking research, and a resilient policy ecosystem. The overarching vision is one of a strong, secure, self-reliant, and globally respected India, capable of setting benchmarks in innovation and shaping the future of the global economy.