Editorial 1: ​​An operation that was also about a self-reliant India

Context

Operation Sindoor has shown that India’s 10-year effort to build strong economic and technology systems is working well.

Introduction

Over the past 10 years, India has gone through a major change in its economy, technology, and strategy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership has played a key role in this change, driven by his belief that India should be a strong economic, strategic, and technological power in the 21st century. Under his guidance, India has become a self-reliant, resilient, and globally active nation.

Path to industrial resurgence, innovation

• In 2014, the launch of “Make in India” marked a major shift in policy.
  • India decided it would no longer stay a passive part of global manufacturing.
  • The goal was to become a leading manufacturing nation.
• The policy brought in key reforms:
  • Improved ease of doing business
  • Faster approvals for projects
  • Boosted domestic and foreign investments
• Sectors like electronics, defence, and automobiles saw a rise in activity.
  • Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes helped attract more manufacturers to India.
• In 2020, the launch of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-Reliant India Mission) gave a further push.
  • It aimed to make India self-reliant and a global leader in advanced manufacturing.
  • Focus was on building efficient value chains and reducing import dependence in strategic sectors.
• The mission focused on strengthening:
  • Defence manufacturing
  • Electronics and semiconductors
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Critical minerals
  • These are not just economic areas; they are vital for national security and strategic strength.
• India has also become a hub for innovation, with the third-largest start-up ecosystem in the world.
• Indian start-ups are active in:
  • Fintech, agritech, health tech, and edtech
  • They are solving local problems and also competing globally.
• Start-ups are also entering strategic areas like:
  • Defence technology
  • Cybersecurity
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Space technology
• India’s economic rise is supported by global partnerships such as:
  • The U.S.-India TRUST initiative
  • The India-France Road Map
  • These partnerships promote joint work in AI, quantum technology, and defence tech.

Operation Sindoor: A Landmark for ‘Made in India’

• Operation Sindoor marked a turning point, showcasing India’s ability to strike with precision using indigenous defence technologies.
• It highlighted India’s shift from a dependent arms importer to a world-class defence equipment producer.
• The equipment used was largely developed under Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, reflecting a decade of focus on economic and technological resilience.

Defence Export Performance

Aspect	Details
Total exports (FY25)	₹23,622 crore
Countries reached	Nearly 80
Expected exports by 2029	₹50,000 crore
Private sector contribution (FY25)	₹15,233 crore

• The rise in exports reinforces India’s growing strength as a defence manufacturing hub.

Technology as a Strategic Asset

• In today’s world, national power is closely tied to technological leadership.
• Nations that do not lead in AI, quantum computing, biotechnology, and space technology risk long-term vulnerabilities.

Major Government Initiatives

Initiative	Purpose
National Quantum Mission	Advance research in quantum technology
India Semiconductor Mission	Develop capacity in semiconductor manufacturing
ISRO Missions	Chandrayaan & Gaganyaan reflect space capability

• 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.

Editorial 2: ​Focus on heat-resilience despite the monsoon

Context               

As climate extremes intensify, the focus must transition from reactive emergency care to preventive, equity-rooted public health.

Introduction

At a national conference on climate and health titled ‘India 2047: Building a Climate-Resilient Future’, a trade union leader highlighted the lived experiences of garment workers in sweltering factories, while a climate modeller discussed wet-bulb temperatures — two equally vital perspectives reflecting science and ground realities. The event underscored the strength of unlikely collaborations: paediatricians with architects, maternal health experts with city engineers, and academicians with policymakers.

 

Heat and Public Health Challenges in India

• The monsoon may have arrived early, but India continues to face intense heat seasons.
• The public health impact of extreme heat is significant and cannot be overlooked.
• Health risks include dehydration, heatstroke, and worsening of chronic illnesses.
• Extreme heat is pushing the health system to its capacity limits.
• Current responses are largely siloed and focus on crisis care — such as hospital beds, IV fluids, and emergency admissions.
• Instead, the approach must shift towards prevention-based strategies.
• To effectively tackle the health challenges of a warming world, India’s health system must:
  • Move from reactive care to proactive and preventive action.
  • Become interdisciplinary, integrating multiple fields and expertise.

Heat and Public Health Challenges in India

• Early Monsoon, Persistent Heat
  • Despite the early onset of the monsoon, India continues to experience severe heat seasons.
  • This trend is expected to continue, posing ongoing challenges.
• Public Health Impact of Extreme Heat
  • Heat-related health issues are severe and wide-ranging:
    • Dehydration
    • Heatstroke
    • Exacerbation of chronic illnesses
  • The strain on healthcare infrastructure is unprecedented.

Current Health System Response: Gaps and Needs

Aspect	Current Approach	Needed Shift
Focus	Crisis care (hospital beds, IV fluids, emergency admissions)	Preventive, proactive healthcare
Nature of Response	Siloed, isolated	Interdisciplinary and integrated
Timing	Reactive	Anticipatory and preventive
Outcome	Temporary relief	Long-term resilience and protection

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

Initiative	Description	Impact
Dedicated ‘Heat Corners’	Special zones in emergency departments for heat illness patients	Faster, focused care
Pre-stocking Cooling Kits	Ready availability of cooling supplies at health centres	Immediate treatment capability
Post-Discharge Follow-ups	Monitoring patients recovering from heat illnesses	Reduces complications and readmissions
Summer Drills	Regular emergency preparedness exercises	Ensures hospital readiness during peak heat

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.