The Indian diaspora has made significant contributions to India’s space program, particularly in satellite development, space technology, and space exploration. Their involvement underscores their expertise, technological prowess, and commitment to advancing India’s capabilities in space science and technology.

Significance of Diaspora Involvement:
Technological Expertise:

Diaspora members, particularly scientists, engineers, and researchers with backgrounds in aerospace engineering, contribute to satellite design, development, and testing. Their expertise enhances the technical capabilities of India’s space missions.
Research and Development:

Collaboration with diaspora scientists and institutions facilitates joint research projects in space technology, materials science, propulsion systems, and remote sensing applications. This collaboration leads to technological innovations that benefit India’s space program.
Human Capital and Training:

Diaspora professionals provide training and mentorship to Indian scientists and engineers, transferring knowledge and skills in cutting-edge space technologies. This capacity-building strengthens India’s indigenous capabilities in space exploration and satellite manufacturing.
Global Partnerships:

The diaspora enhances India’s global partnerships in space research and exploration through collaborative initiatives with space agencies, universities, and research centers worldwide. This expands India’s access to advanced technologies and scientific expertise.
Potential for Further Collaboration:
Satellite Manufacturing and Launch Services:

Diaspora investments and partnerships can support the expansion of India’s satellite manufacturing capabilities and launch services. This includes developing miniaturized satellites, enhancing payload capacities, and improving launch vehicle technologies.
Space Exploration and Missions:

Diaspora expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence, and data analytics can contribute to India’s ambitions in space exploration, including lunar and planetary missions. Collaborations in mission planning, instrument development, and data analysis are crucial for achieving scientific objectives.
Advanced Technologies:

Collaboration with diaspora members in fields such as propulsion systems, space medicine, and space-based communication technologies can accelerate India’s technological advancements in space science and applications.
Challenges and Opportunities:
Regulatory Framework:

Addressing regulatory challenges related to technology transfer, export controls, and intellectual property rights is essential for seamless collaboration between the diaspora and India’s space agency, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation).
Infrastructure and Funding:

Enhancing infrastructure and securing adequate funding for collaborative projects are critical for scaling up joint initiatives in satellite development, space exploration, and space technology innovation.
Skill Alignment and Capacity Building:

Ensuring alignment between diaspora skills and India’s specific space program needs requires targeted training programs, skill development initiatives, and knowledge exchange platforms.
Conclusion:
The Indian diaspora’s involvement in India’s space program is pivotal for advancing the country’s capabilities in satellite development, space technology, and space exploration. By leveraging diaspora expertise, fostering collaborations, and addressing challenges, India can accelerate its progress towards becoming a leading spacefaring nation. Continued engagement and partnership between the diaspora and ISRO will contribute to India’s leadership in space science, technology innovation, and global space missions, enhancing its strategic and scientific presence in the international space community.

The Indian government has actively sought to harness the skills and expertise of the Indian diaspora for the country’s development across various sectors, including education, healthcare, and infrastructure. These efforts are aimed at leveraging the diaspora’s knowledge, resources, and networks to contribute to India’s growth and development goals.

Efforts to Harness Diaspora Skills:
Education:

Collaborative Programs: The government encourages partnerships between Indian educational institutions and diaspora academics, researchers, and professionals. This collaboration helps in curriculum development, faculty exchange programs, and setting up research centers.
Skill Development Initiatives: Programs are designed to facilitate skill transfer in areas such as technology, management, and vocational training, enhancing India’s workforce capabilities.
Healthcare:

Medical Expertise: Diaspora doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals contribute through medical camps, training programs, and sharing best practices in healthcare delivery.
Telemedicine and Consultation: Initiatives promote telemedicine services, enabling diaspora healthcare professionals to provide remote consultations and training to medical personnel in India.
Infrastructure:

Investment and Expertise: Diaspora members, particularly in engineering, construction, and urban planning, contribute to infrastructure projects through investment, knowledge sharing, and technological advancements.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): The government encourages PPP models where diaspora investors collaborate with Indian authorities to develop infrastructure projects, improving connectivity, urban amenities, and sustainable development.
Challenges in Leveraging Diaspora Talent:
Regulatory and Administrative Barriers:

Complex bureaucratic procedures and regulatory hurdles can hinder diaspora involvement in developmental projects and investments in India. Streamlining processes and improving transparency is crucial to attract more participation.
Skills Matching and Recognition:

There may be mismatches between diaspora skills and India’s specific needs or qualifications recognition. Efforts are needed to align skillsets with local requirements and ensure qualifications obtained abroad are recognized in India.
Financial and Cultural Disconnect:

Diaspora members may face challenges in navigating financial systems, tax implications, and cultural differences when engaging in India’s developmental initiatives. Providing clear guidance and support can mitigate these challenges.
Opportunities and Potential:
Knowledge Transfer and Innovation:

The diaspora brings global perspectives, innovative ideas, and advanced technologies that can accelerate India’s development in sectors like IT, renewable energy, and smart cities.
Networks and Investments:

Diaspora networks facilitate foreign direct investment (FDI), venture capital funding, and access to global markets, boosting economic growth and job creation in India.
Soft Power and Diplomatic Relations:

Engaging with the diaspora enhances India’s soft power abroad, fostering goodwill and stronger diplomatic ties with countries where the diaspora is influential.
Conclusion:
The Indian government’s efforts to harness the skills and expertise of the diaspora for India’s development in education, healthcare, and infrastructure are crucial for achieving sustainable growth and inclusive development. Addressing challenges such as regulatory barriers, skills recognition, and cultural disconnects will be essential to effectively leverage this talent pool. By creating enabling policies, fostering partnerships, and providing support mechanisms, India can maximize the diaspora’s potential as active contributors to the country’s economic and social progress.

Answer: A volcano is a rupture in the crust of the Earth where gases, ashes, and molten lava escape from a magma chamber below the crust. The process of eruption of volcanoes is called Volcanism. Global distribution of volcanoes: Volcanoes are located in a fairly defined pattern around the world, mostly associated with the weaker zones of the earth’s crust and generally overlap with zones of seismic activities like earthquakes. They also occur along coastal mountain ranges, as off-shore islands, and in the midst of the oceans, but there are few in the interiors of continents. The main volcanic belts are as under: Circum-Pacific Belt: It includes the volcanoes of the eastern and western coastal areas of the Pacific Ocean. This belt is also known as the Ring of Fire of the Pacific Ocean. Most of the high volcanic cones and volcanic mountains are found in the Circum-Pacific Belt. Examples include Cotopaxi in the Andes (the highest volcanic mountain in the world), Fujiyama (Japan) Shasta, Rainier, and Mt. St Helena (USA). Mid-Continental Belt: These are volcanoes of the Alpine mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. The volcanic eruptions are caused due to the convergence and collision of the Eurasian plate and the African and Indian plates. Examples include Stromboli, Vesuvius, Etna, etc. Mid-Atlantic Belt: It includes the volcanoes along the mid-Atlantic ridge which is the divergent plate zone. They are mainly of the fissure eruption type. Iceland is the most active volcanic area. As per the US Geological Survey, there are around 1,350 potentially active volcanoes worldwide and 75% of them are found along the Circum-Pacific Belt or the Ring of Fire. Also, about 90 percent of the world’s earthquakes occur here. The abundance of volcanoes along the Ring of Fire is caused by:

• Presence of a large number of tectonic plates: The area is along several tectonic plates including the Pacific plate, Philippine plate, Juan de Fuca plate, Cocos plate, Nazca plate, and North American plate. The movement of these plates or tectonic activity leads to abundant earthquakes and tsunamis every year.
• The amount of movement of tectonic plates in the area: Along much of the Ring of Fire, plates overlap at convergent boundaries called subduction zones. That is, the plate that is underneath, is pushed down, or subducted, by the plate above. As rock is subducted, it melts and becomes magma. The abundance of magma this close to Earth’s surface gives rise to conditions ripe for volcanic activity. For example, in the case of Tonga (January 2022 eruption), the Pacific plate was pushed down below the Indo-Australian plate and Tonga plate, causing the molten rock to rise above and form a chain of volcanoes.

The entire Pacific Ring of Fire has active volcanoes except at some gaps in the Ring such as at the San Andreas Transform plate boundary, where the Pacific plate and the North American plate move sideways. This type of boundary generates a large number of shallow earthquakes as tension in the Earth’s crust builds up and is released, but sufficient magma is not formed to create volcanic eruptions.

Answer: A drought is a period of time when an area or region experiences below-normal precipitation. The lack of adequate precipitation, either rain or snow, can cause reduced soil moisture or groundwater, diminished stream flow, crop damage, and a general water shortage. It is interplay between demand that people place on natural supply of water and natural events that provide the water in a given geographical region. The more the imbalance in supply the higher the drought. Risks posed by droughts

• Water supply and quality: Reduced stream and river flows can increase the concentration of pollutants in water and cause stagnation. These levels can affect fish and other aquatic life and water quality. Moreover, communities may have limited access to water for household use, including drinking, cooking as well as hygiene and sanitation.
• Agriculture and livestock: Drought can limit the growing season and create conditions that encourage insect and disease infestation in certain crops. Low crop yields can result in rising food prices and shortages, potentially leading to malnutrition. Drought can also affect the health of livestock raised for food.
• Air quality and Health: The dusty, dry conditions and wildfires that often accompany drought can harm health. Fire and dry soil and vegetation increase the number of particles that are suspended in the air, such as pollen, smoke, and fluorocarbons which can cause chronic respiratory infections.
• Energy: Droughts can raise concerns about the reliability of electricity production from plants that require cooling water to maintain safe operations.

Risk reduction measures to combat droughts

• Public awareness and education: If the community is aware of the do’s and don’ts, then half of the problem is solved. Awareness regarding availability of safe drinking water, water conservation techniques, agricultural drought management strategies etc. can be generated through media.
• Drought monitoring: It includes continuous observation of the rainfall situation, availability of water in the reservoirs, lakes, rivers etc. and comparing with the existing water needs in various sectors of the society.
• Water harvesting: By either allowing the runoff water from all the fields to a common point or allowing it to infiltrate into the soil where it has fallen helps increase water availability for sustained agricultural production.
• Expansion of irrigation facilities: It reduces the drought vulnerability. Land use based on its capability helps in optimum use of land and water and can avoid the undue demand created due to their misuse.
• Livelihood planning: It includes identifying those livelihoods which are least affected by the drought such as off-farm employment opportunities, collection of non-timber forest produce from the community forests, raising goats, carpentry etc.
• Drought planning: It would help in effective coordination among state and national agencies, establishing a specialist team for drought situations, providing crop insurance schemes, creating drought emergency plans etc.
• Deploying alternative systems: It includes deploying green infrastructure for storm-water management, increasing energy efficiency in buildings and using renewable energy like solar that isn’t reliant on water.

With a growing population globally, water will become scarce and drought management and taking preventive measures to mitigate the conditions which force droughts from present time will lead to sustainability.  Answer: A drought is a period of time when an area or region experiences below-normal precipitation. The lack of adequate precipitation, either rain or snow, can cause reduced soil moisture or groundwater, diminished stream flow, crop damage, and a general water shortage. It is interplay between demand that people place on natural supply of water and natural events that provide the water in a given geographical region. The more the imbalance in supply the higher the drought. Risks posed by droughts

• Water supply and quality: Reduced stream and river flows can increase the concentration of pollutants in water and cause stagnation. These levels can affect fish and other aquatic life and water quality. Moreover, communities may have limited access to water for household use, including drinking, cooking as well as hygiene and sanitation.
• Agriculture and livestock: Drought can limit the growing season and create conditions that encourage insect and disease infestation in certain crops. Low crop yields can result in rising food prices and shortages, potentially leading to malnutrition. Drought can also affect the health of livestock raised for food.
• Air quality and Health: The dusty, dry conditions and wildfires that often accompany drought can harm health. Fire and dry soil and vegetation increase the number of particles that are suspended in the air, such as pollen, smoke, and fluorocarbons which can cause chronic respiratory infections.
• Energy: Droughts can raise concerns about the reliability of electricity production from plants that require cooling water to maintain safe operations.

Risk reduction measures to combat droughts

• Public awareness and education: If the community is aware of the do’s and don’ts, then half of the problem is solved. Awareness regarding availability of safe drinking water, water conservation techniques, agricultural drought management strategies etc. can be generated through media.
• Drought monitoring: It includes continuous observation of the rainfall situation, availability of water in the reservoirs, lakes, rivers etc. and comparing with the existing water needs in various sectors of the society.
• Water harvesting: By either allowing the runoff water from all the fields to a common point or allowing it to infiltrate into the soil where it has fallen helps increase water availability for sustained agricultural production.
• Expansion of irrigation facilities: It reduces the drought vulnerability. Land use based on its capability helps in optimum use of land and water and can avoid the undue demand created due to their misuse.
• Livelihood planning: It includes identifying those livelihoods which are least affected by the drought such as off-farm employment opportunities, collection of non-timber forest produce from the community forests, raising goats, carpentry etc.
• Drought planning: It would help in effective coordination among state and national agencies, establishing a specialist team for drought situations, providing crop insurance schemes, creating drought emergency plans etc.
• Deploying alternative systems: It includes deploying green infrastructure for storm-water management, increasing energy efficiency in buildings and using renewable energy like solar that isn’t reliant on water.

With a growing population globally, water will become scarce and drought management and taking preventive measures to mitigate the conditions which force droughts from present time will lead to sustainability.

Answer: Prejudice is an unjustified or incorrect belief (usually negative) towards an individual based solely on the individual’s membership in a social group while discrimination is when someone acts on his/her prejudiced beliefs. For example, if it is believed that people born in one’s own country or community are superior to others, it is a prejudice. When this belief becomes the basis for the denial of certain rights to people originating from other countries or communities, it becomes discrimination. Prejudice based upon factors such as age, ethnicity, race, religion, sex, gender, etc. can ultimately become the basis of discrimination causing a social cleavage, which if left unaddressed can lead to various issues in society, such as:

• Violation of rights: It leads to violation of civil and political rights as well as economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCRs). For instance, prejudice based on social hierarchy has led to discrimination of lower castes, which alienates them in society.
• Unrealized societal potential: Discrimination derived from prejudices invariably leads to exclusion. On the societal level, when discrimination is allowed or tolerated in a society, it deprives people of exercising their potential for themselves and for society. For example, during the colonial rule in India, the political, economic, social, and cultural rights of the Indian population were severely suppressed by the British, which led to a long struggle for freedom from the British.
• Stereotyping: Prejudice, when not addressed through a concerted effort at an early time, is hard to get rid of as stereotyping tendencies are created, which linger for a long time. For example, the secessionist movement, which acquired a violent turn in the erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) was precipitated by the stereotyping of the Bengalis and the consequent denial of their socio-cultural and political rights by the West Pakistani elite.
• Disturbs harmony: The belief that a particular ‘outgroup’ poses a threat to one’s own (sometimes dominant or majority) ‘ingroup’ results in perceived threats. When not resolved in a timely manner, it often leads to violence. For instance, during the COVID-19 outbreak, discrimination and violence against East Asians witnessed a spike in some Western countries. Due to the established prejudice, all of them were grouped into the same category, and discrimination against them reached a high.

Thus, prejudice and discrimination should be addressed at the earliest. For this, certain ethical values like universal brotherhood, equality, empowerment of right holders, accountability, sensitivity training, participative decision-making, stakeholder engagement, raising awareness about threats posed by prejudice, etc. should be inculcated in society.