Prime Minister Narendra Modi has won accolades and appreciation for his lobbying efforts for India to enter the NSG and rightly so for his passionate efforts beginning from the visit to the United States. From Prime Minister’s visit to the United States to the Foreign Secretary’s visit to Seoul, Indian media reported with high optimism about the potential of India breaking NSG gridlock and securing a membership into the same. Looking at the history of NSG, the members of NSG and the political dynamics with the countries who are part of the NSG, India’s intense lobbying to enter the NSG was heading to an obvious conclusion.
Why was NSG created?
The Nuclear Supplier Group is a group of nuclear supplier countries that seek to prevent nuclear proliferation by preventing the export of materials, equipment and technology which could potentially be used to manufacture nuclear weapons. NSG was found in the aftermath of India’s 1974 nuclear test, as countries felt the NPT (of which India is not a signatory of along with Pakistan, Israel, and North Sudan) had to be strengthened to ensure foolproof non-proliferation. By nature, NSG is a body which seeks to prevent proliferation and it was formed in response to India’s nuclear program.
Is NSG lobbying worth the effort?
Certainly not, given the foundations of NSG. Not only that, at a time when many countries are scaling down or abandoning Nuclear energy and looking towards solar, wind and other forms of renewable, India is merely regarded as a lucrative market for few countries with questionable technologies and designs. The question of nuclear liability is also weighed against India. India has its good share of nuclear reactors to complement other forms of energy and also has nuclear warheads as a deterrent. To get the consensus of other countries to enter NSG could put India in a situation of strategic compromise.
Kudos to the PM
There are no second thoughts about the efforts of our Prime Minister to get India into the NSG. His intense lobbying did open a few windows for India despite the doors being shut. On the effort front, Prime Minister deserves all the credit. Could the efforts have been channelised for some other purpose of India in the international stage ? Share your thoughts.
“Researchers Find 12,000 Pieces Of Microplastic Per Litre Of Arctic Ice”
“80-Kg Polythene Waste Removed From Cow’s Stomach After A Three-Hour Surgery”
“Pacific Garbage Patch Is Now Three Times The Size Of France”
These are a few news headlines from the past couple of months. No matter how much we try to deny it, over the course of time, plastic has become a part and parcel of our lives and it is destroying the environment and also endangering lives of animals.
While we have been made to believe that plastic is an indispensable part of our lives, it is destroying everything around us. According to UN Environment, about one million plastic drinking bottles are purchased every minute around the world. Also, up to 5 trillion single-use plastic bags are used worldwide every year. This means that almost half of the plastic created in the world is thrown away after a single-use.
All this plastic now ends up either in landfills or in the ocean. The marine life is heavily endangered because of plastic. Reports of aquatic animals dying of plastic pollution are increasing every day. A study from 2015 found around 44,000 incidences of animals getting entangled in plastic debris since 1960s. Plastic, that disintegrates into smaller pieces, are often eaten by smaller fish, which the ultimately ends up in our stomach. That is carcinogenic for human beings.
It is in this context that Indiabulls Home Loans has decided to do its bit and contribute to a plastic free environment. Setting the tone in its own offices, the company has decided to do away with single-use plastic bags and bottles at work.
As a special Independence Day initiatives, they have come up with a beautiful video #PlasticSeAzaadi. In the video, set against the backdrop of an Independence Day celebration at school children discuss the demerits of plastic use and how it is detrimental to the environment.
As with many important matters in life, it is children who recognize the right path and set the example. If they can, then why it is that adult can’t?
The Logical Indian appreciates Indiabulls Home Loansfor such a noble and necessary initiative to make our world a better place. We might not realize now, but the effects of excessive plastic could lead to ultimate destruction of Earth. We are ready to give up plastic, are you?
Share your thoughts..