December 2023 a development monthly

YEAR-END
SPECIAL
Exclusive Interview
R Madhavan
 December 2023
Chief Editor
Volume-67
No. 12

Let noble thoughts come to us from all sides.

YOJANASince 1957 A DEVELOPMENT MONTHLY
Rig Veda
Manogyan rani pal
Editor In This Issue
Shuchita chaturvedi
INDIA's MOONSHOT
Our Representatives
Ahmedabad: JS Patel, Bengaluru: Yashwant
7 Sudheer Kumar N 16 In conversation with
Shehnai, Bhubaneswar: Itishree Singh Rathaur, R Madhavan
Chennai: Sanjay Ghosh, Guwahati: Maruf Alam,
INDIA’S GROWING STATURE
Hyderabad: Krishna Vandana P, Jalandhar: 11 A RISING POWER
Gagandeep Kaur Devgan, Kolkata: Sumita
Chakraborty, Mumbai: Sangeeta Godbole, Sujan Chinoy
Thiruvananthapuram: Sudha S Namboothiry.
Sporting Prowess
Joint Director, Production
D K C Hrudhainath
25 The year of historic wins

Redefining Mobility
34
Cover Design
Bindu Verma
Transforming Landscape
Yojana (English): Room No. 647, Soochna Bhawan, of Transport Sector
CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003.
E-mail (Editorial): sec-yojanaeng-moib@gov.in 43 INDIA’S INDUSTRY SECTOR
YOJANA, a development monthly published since
Agriculture and Rural
1957, is a theme-based journal providing in-depth
analyses and views on socio-economic issues in
52 Development: Key Initiatives
the broader framework of government policies. & Achievements
Although published by the Ministry of Information
and Broadcasting, YOJANA is not restricted to Dr Jagdeep Saxena
expressing the official point of view.
DISCLAIMER
l The views expressed in various articles are
those of the authors and they do not necessarily
reflect the views of the Government or the
organisation/s they work for.
l Maps/flags used in the articles are only indicative
and they do not reflect the political map or legal
representation of the flag of India/any other
country.
l The infographics/figures are provided by the
authors through their reliable sources and
YOJANA claims no responsibility for the same.
l Images, graphics and illustrations, wherever
used, are mostly sourced from government
channels and are indicative in nature.
l YOJANA does not own responsibility regarding
the contents of the advertisements. The readers
are requested to verify the claims made in the
advertisements regarding courses, career-
guidance books or institutions.
l YOJANA doesn't endorse or promote any brands
or private entities presented as case studies in any
of the articles.
SUBSCRIPTION/GRIEVANCES
Email: pdjucir@gmail.com
Phone: 011-24367453
(Monday-Friday, 9:30 am- 6:00 pm)
UPCOMING ISSUE
Postal Address: Abhishek Chaturvedi, Editor,
Journals Unit, Publications Division, Room No.
ease of doing business
779, Soochna Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi
Road, New Delhi-110 003.
Please note that it will take atleast eight Number of pages: 60
weeks to start your subscription. Kindly raise
your queries/grievances about non receipt of the Details of the Sales Outlets of the Publications Division on Page 40
journals only after this period. YOJANA is published in Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia,
Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.

www.publicationsdivision.nic.in @DPD_India I @YojanaJournal @publicationsdivision @dpd_india

 Inbox
sec-yojanaeng-moib@gov.in

Engaging Content Special article by Harsh Vardhan Shringla, the former

I just wanted to drop a quick line to say how Foreign Secretary, beautifully narrated the successful
much I enjoyed the latest issue of the magazine. The conduct of the G20 summit, with launch of ‘Global
G20 coverage was particularly insightful, and I found Biofuel Alliance’ and ‘IMEC’, thereby putting India
myself nodding along to Amitabh Kant’s article on on a high global pedestal. The article on legendary
‘G20 for the Planet, People, and Prosperity.’ Leena Prof MS Swaminathan was a tearful tribute to the
Nandan’s piece on ‘Green Development Pact’ was father of the Green Revolution. His comments in
also a great read. It’s clear that you guys are putting the pages of ‘Yojana’, “Modern industry is labour-
a lot of effort into making Yojana a must-read for saving, agriculture is labour-absorbing” are true even
anyone interested in what’s happening in the world. in today’s world. All other articles were informative.
Keep up the great work! – Pratap Nayak, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
– Saniya, Jharkhand
Significance of G20 Presidency
Comprehensive Explanations The esteemed contributors to Yojana’s November
The November 2023 issue of ‘Yojana’ showcased 2023 edition have rightfully highlighted the
how India’s G20 presidency has put forth the voice of significance of India’s G20 Presidency at the juncture
reform on the global stage. This has comprehensively of an evolving and new global order. The pro-
people initiatives and pro-government approaches
explained how the New Delhi Declaration marched
of the G20 towards tackling global challenges and
on to become a tool for achieving equitable and
maximising development impact for the needy and
inclusive global governance. It has also highlighted
exposed populace are eye-catching.
the discourse about balancing economic growth in
a post-pandemic world with a sustaining climate to – Sayan Karmakar, West Bengal
live on a harmonious planet. Articles on ‘Bhashini’, Inspiring Readers
’Digi Locker,’ etc., put forth India’s progress in DPI,
I am writing to express my sincere appreciation
which could be prompted to be harnessed in LMICs.
for the latest issue of Yojana magazine, which focuses
Thank you, Team Yojana; it would make it easier for
on the G20 and its important role in shaping a
readers to follow the author’s points and understand sustainable and prosperous future for all. Atul Bagai’s
the key takeaways from the Yojana article. article, “Designing a Circular Economy,” offered a
– B Avinash, Odisha compelling case for adopting a circular economy
model. Mr Tripathi’s insights on the need for inclusive
Informative Issue on G20 and accessible digital infrastructure were insightful
The November issue of ‘Yojana’ on the historic and thought-provoking. The magazine’s coverage
G20 summit in India was (information) delivered to of the G20 and its various initiatives is timely and
the readers on a platter. The lead article by Amitabh relevant, and the articles are well-written and
Kant, ‘G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration,’ under engaging. I commend the editorial team for their
‘Key Highlights’ with simple infographics and ‘L.i.F.E’ dedication to providing high-quality content that
wasvery interesting. ‘Bhashini App,’ answering informs and inspires readers.Thank you for your
queries of dignitaries in their mother tongue, continued commitment to excellence.
proved the mettle of the Indian tech revolution. – Md Wahid Sarwar, Jharkhand

4 December 2023
Editorial YOJANA
Glimpses of 2023
T he year 2023 has been a challenging one for the world with
unfathomable challenges. India, amid this tumultuous global
panorama, has emerged as a beacon of resilience and transformation,
navigating the global economic storm with timely policy initiatives. India
is well-positioned to bridge global divides. Hosting world leaders for the
G20 summit and the adoption of the catalytic and comprehensive New
Delhi Leaders’ Declaration underscore India’s diplomatic prowess. True to
the spirit of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, the New Delhi Leader’s
Declaration that came out of the G20 Summit clearly stated action points
and directives towards an affirmative resolve. This role has presented India
with opportunities to chart a path from peace and security to economic
cooperation and climate action, and it offers hope for solutions to several
urgent global issues.
The year 2023 witnessed a commendable transformation across
various sectors. This year indeed marks a milestone in India’s journey to
Kartavya Kaal—towards evolution and transformation. The successful
launch of Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1 marked a significant milestone
for India’s Space Sector. It signifies India’s commitment to advancing its
space capabilities and scientific research that showcases India’s growing prowess in space technology.
The industrial sector experienced a surge in measures aligning with ease of doing business and global
sustainability goals. While the National Logistics Policy seeks to improve efficiency in human resources and logistics
services through process simplification, regulatory framework adoption, skill development, mainstreaming logistics
in higher education, and the adoption of appropriate technologies, the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan focuses
on integrated infrastructure development. The transport sector has experienced significant expansion in terms of
network coverage and system output. The emphasis has been more on quality, leading to better speeds and all–
weather connectivity. Schemes like Bharatmala, Sagarmala, Parvatmala, UDAN, etc. aim to enhance connectivity and
accelerate economic growth. India’s first-ever indigenously designed and manufactured semi-high-speed Vande
Bharat trains have provided a modern and comfortable rail travel experience to passengers.
The Government continued to prioritise raising rural residents’ standards of living to promote more inclusive and
equitable development. Through proactive socioeconomic inclusion, integration, and empowerment of rural India,
it seeks to ‘transform lives and livelihoods.’ The launch of the PM Vishwakarma scheme and the Pradhan Mantri PVTG
Development Mission are considered important steps in this direction.
With the ongoing efforts to preserve and promote its heritage, India’s cultural wealth remains an integral part of
its identity. The journey of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, celebrating India’s 75 years of Independence, highlighted the
nation’s diverse and vibrant culture through events like Har Ghar Tiranga, Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat, and Kalanjali,
culminating with the grand Meri Maati Mera Desh initiative. The inauguration of the New Parliament Building this year
also marked a significant moment in the country’s history.
Sports was another leveller, and it gave the Indians several reasons to celebrate. The athletes across all games
brought home laurels. The 2022 Asian Games will always be remembered as a significant occasion for our country.
With 75% more gold medals than in the Asian Games 2018 and medals in 16 new sporting categories, India achieved
its highest-ever medal total of 107 in 60 years. These achievement highlights the development of a sports ecosystem
where support is provided at all levels. Further, the year ended with India's commendable performance in the Cricket
World Cup.
This year-end issue aims to encapsulate the dynamic essence of India’s journey across various sectors, providing
readers with insightful analyses and glimpses into the major developments and milestones in sectors like Industry,
Transport, Culture, Agriculture, and soft power areas like Sports and Cinema highlighting key policy initiatives. This
issue gives its readers glimpses of the year that was and the opportunities that lie ahead. 

December 2023 5
 INDIA's MOONSHOT
This year has been remarkable for Indian space research and exploration.
ISRO was an early developer of cutting-edge technologies like sensors,
inertial navigation, guidance, and control systems. The success of
extremely important missions like the Mars Orbiter Mission, Aditya-L1,
and Chandrayaan-3 can be attributed to its unparalleled capacity.

Sudheer Kumar N The author is Director, Capacity Building & Public Outreach, and PRO, ISRO, Department of Space, GoI. Email: sudheer@isro.gov.in

I
n the midst of a time when space extensive use of in-house and external resources.
agencies around the world were During the last 50 years, self-reliance has been
vying for space race, the Indian achieved in designing and manufacturing launch
space programme was developed for vehicles and satellites. The electronics for launch
scientific research and applications in the mid- vehicle avionics and satellites have always been a
1960s. Since then, the programme has expanded, challenge with imports and customisation. ISRO
with an emphasis on societal benefits and overcame these obstacles and is now well on its way
self-sufficiency. Many important technologies, to putting in place the necessary technologies and
materials, and industrial processes have been infrastructure for manufacturing, assembly, and
developed by Indian scientists, who have made testing of the sub-systems. With this, ISRO made

December 2023 7
its mark on the international space arena as one of In the country and along the round paths of
the top five space agencies with full capabilities in both eastward and southward launches, ISRO has
Earth observation, communication, navigation, and its own ground systems. All EO, communication,
planetary exploration. navigation, and scientific satellites are monitored
ISRO has developed a one-of-a-kind space around-the-clock by the master control facility and
transportation system. It can now launch payloads the tracking and telemetry facility. ISRO is now going
ranging from 500 kg to 8000 kg into low, medium, into the new arena of Space Situational Awareness
or high Earth orbit using its four operational launch (SSA) that involves a comprehensive understanding
vehicles. PSLV, ISRO’s workhorse, offers exceptionally and knowledge of the space environment including
reliable and cost-effective solutions for commercial location, and behaviour of space objects such as
users worldwide to launch payloads in the 2t class. satellite, debris, and other celestial bodies and their
The turnaround time is excellent, and it can be future evolution. The infrastructure required to
set up in a number of ways to meet the needs of complete the operations is currently being planned
individual clients. PSLV’s growing popularity can be by ISRO.
attributed to its versatility; the rocket can launch ISRO has significantly expanded its
many satellites in a single flight, its upper-stage infrastructure in recent years in order to
liquid engines can be started and stopped, it can accommodate numerous critical space missions
inject orbits into a variety of different geostationary and technological developments. Some of the
orbits, and it can host research on its PS4 orbital important facilities are: Trisonic wind tunnel,
platform.
Incredibly complex missions, like as Chandrayaan
and the OneWeb commercial launches, were
successfully completed by LVM3, the most adaptable
and made-in-India launch vehicle. Since its first test
flight, it’s been the most reliable vehicle in its class.
It is another excellent choice for the worldwide
commercial markets for both LEO and GEO payloads
with capacities of 4t and 6t, respectively.
The newly inducted Small Satellite Launch
Vehicle (SSLV), which was developed in record time
to satisfy the requirements of the small satellite
launch vehicle market, is one of the demand-driven
solutions offered by ISRO to the Indian industry.
ISRO was an early developer of cutting-edge
technologies like sensors, inertial navigation,
guidance, and control systems. The success of
extremely important missions like the Mars Orbiter
Mission and Chandrayaan-3 can be attributed in
part to its unparalleled capacity. Having in-house
optics and opto-electronics expertise has allowed
for the creation of a wide range of specialised
payloads for use in earth observation and planetary
exploration.
ISRO has dedicated groups to research and
design satellites and their associated payloads.
Satellite systems, including antennas, reflectors,
and radio frequency (RF) systems, are constantly
updated to meet or surpass global standards for
technical progress.

8 December 2023
high-altitude test facilities, semi-cryo testing and significant number of EO satellites for continuous
integration facilities, Gaganyaan facilities, and the coverage. Programmes including MGNREGA,
ability to integrate and launch multiple launch PMGSY, PMKSY, AMRUT, PMFBY, SVAMITVA, and
vehicles simultaneously with little delay. Near UIDIA have benefited from and are making
India’s southernmost tip, a new launch pad is being extensive use of EO data.
constructed to give the commercial launch industry ISRO possesses a fleet of high-throughput and
unfettered access to launch privately developed conventional communication satellites to fulfil the
launch vehicles into low-Earth orbits. enormous demands of satellite communication.
The foundation was laid by NNRMS in the early The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System
1980s for the use of EO data in GIS applications at (IRNSS), with an operational name of NavIC stands
the national level, spanning all potential ministries for NAVigation with Indian Constellation. It provides
and departments. With this objective in mind, ISRO accurate real-time positioning and timing services
created the IRS programme, which included first- over India and the region, extending approximately
generation satellites. Progress has been made in 1500 km around the Indian Mainland. The variety of
a wide variety of specialised areas, as evidenced services offered by NavIC aid in different applications
by satellites like Cartosat, RISAT (Radar Imaging like vehicle tracking and fleet management,
Satellites), ResourceSat, OceanSat, and many more. location-based services integrated into mobile
High-resolution data is provided by these satellites phones, terrestrial navigation aid for travellers, time
to a wide range of users. ISRO now maintains a dissemination, disaster management, and more,
including services to our strategic users. IRNSS
consists of three segments: space, ground, and
user. The space segment consists of a base-layer
constellation of seven satellites in the GEO and
GSO planes. The constellation has been augmented
recently with the NVS-01 Satellite, which is the
first of the second-generation navigation satellite
series. NVS-01 is based on the standard I-2K
bus structure and has a mass of more than two
thousand two hundred kilograms. The NVS-01
satellite has a navigation payload working in the L1,
L5, and S frequency bands. As compared to the first-
generation satellite series, the second-generation
satellite series includes the L1 navigation band and
incorporates an indigenously developed Rubidium
atomic clock. The inclusion of the L1 navigation
band, improves the positioning, navigation, and
timing services for civilian users and also facilitates
interoperability with other GNSS services. The
indigenously developed space-based Rubidium
atomic clock designed by the Space Applications
Centre Ahmedabad is an important technology that
only a handful of countries possess. The satellite is
powered by two solar arrays, which generate power
up to 2.4 kW. The NVS-01 satellite is designed for a
mission life of about 12 years.
AstroSat, India’s first space observatory, was
launched on September 28, 2015, with a lift-off
mass of 1515 kg, by a PSLV-C30 (XL) rocket from
Satish Dhawan Space Centre Sriharikota. Almost

December 2023 9
2,000 people from 54 different countries have orbiter. The ongoing observations have now lasted
signed up to use AstroSat data. In September for five years.
2022, more than 275 pieces for academic journals The Chandrayaan-3 mission set out to prove
and about 500 pieces for the GCN circular, the that a soft-landing and roving capabilities could
Astronomer’s Telegram, and conference papers be accomplished on the Moon. The Moon mission
were published using Astrosat data. was launched on 14 July 2023, and it made a soft
On 5 November 2013, the Mars Orbiter Mission landing near the Moon’s South Pole on 23 August
was launched, and after 300 days of travelling 2023. After touching down, the science payloads
between planets, it was placed in orbit around spent the next 14 lunar days investigating the
Mars on 24 September 2014. Over the course of immediate vicinity. The initial ChaSTE experiment
its eight-year lifetime, the mission, which carried revealed the thermal behaviour of the lunar surface
a total of five scientific payloads, made major to a depth of 10 cms. Sulphur was detected by
contributions to our understanding of the Martian LIBS on the lunar surface. Then, ILSA recorded the
atmosphere, exosphere, surface features, and so vibration caused by the rover’s movements, while
on. The Mars Orbiter Mission lost touch with Earth RAMBHA-LP measured the plasma near the surface.
in April 2022 because of a protracted eclipse after The goals of the mission have been successfully
spending nearly eight years in Martian orbit and completed.
accomplishing a wide range of scientific goals on The Aditya-L1 mission is the first in India to
Mars and the Solar corona. More than 7,200 users focus solely on solar science. When the spacecraft
have registered with the ISSDC portal in order reaches a distance of around 1.5 million kilometres
to have access to the MOM data, and these users from Earth, it will enter a halo orbit around
have downloaded over 27,000 pieces of science Lagrange point 1 (L1) in the Sun-Earth system.
data. There are almost 400 registered users that are The satellite will enter a halo orbit around the L1
located in over 50 different countries. point to ensure that its observations of the Sun are
India’s first spacecraft, Chandrayaan-1, was unaffected by occultation or eclipse. In addition,
launched on 22 July 2008, and it orbited the this will make it possible to track the effects of solar
Moon at 100 kilometres. It was equipped with activity on space weather in real time. In order to
eleven high-tech instruments. It was a spectacular investigate the photosphere, chromosphere, and
demonstration of our technological prowess, corona of the Sun, the spacecraft is outfitted with
and it forever changed the course of Indian lunar seven instruments that measure electromagnetic
exploration. The Chandrayaan-1 Orbiting Spacecraft fields, particles, and magnetic fields. From the
launched a Moon Impact Probe (MIP) designated privileged position afforded by the Lagrange point
Chandra’s Altitudinal Compositional Explorer L1, four payloads directly observe the Sun, and the
(ChACE). ChACE has a camera, altimeter, and mass remaining three payloads conduct in-situ research
spectrometer for analysing the lunar surface. The on particles and fields, allowing for crucial scientific
Man in the Moon (MIP) probe was the first artificial studies of the propagatory influence of solar
object to reach the Moon’s South Pole. With this, dynamics in the interplanetary medium.
India’s lunar programme officially got underway. ISRO has begun its XPOSAT mission of
India successfully launched their follow-up scientific research, as well as the crucial NASA-
mission, Chandrayaan-2 on 22 July 2019. This ISRO Synthetic Apparent Temperature Radar
mission consists of an Orbiter, Lander, and a Rover. (NISAR) initiative in which the two organisations
Despite the unsuccessful soft landing, the orbiter will work together. ISRO is currently moving forth
is still operational and gathering data. Multiple with a more comprehensive plan for a succession
first-of-their-kind instruments, including an L-band of lunar missions, including the man-on-the-moon
SAR operating for the first time on the Moon, a and Gaganyaan missions, which will eventually
large area X-ray spectrometer with the ability to result in the construction of a Bharat Space station.
create elemental maps with a resolution of 12.5 The requisite technologies and heavy lift launch
kilometres, and an instrument to study the global vehicles are now in the planning stages, with a
exospheric dynamics of noble gases, are aboard the short timeline to realisation. 

10 December 2023
 INDIA’S GROWING STATURE
A RISING POWER
There has been a tremendous change in India’s trajectory over the last
nine years. India has now entered the period of Kartavya Kaal, which
will provide a golden opportunity for India to achieve unprecedented
levels of scientific, technological, economic, and social progress. Today,
India has emerged as a Vishwa Mitra (global friend), a Vishwa Guru
(global teacher) and a Vishwa Vaid (global physician).

The author is a former Ambassador and is the Director-General of the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses
Sujan Chinoy and the Think20 Chair for India’s G20 Presidency. Email: dg.idsa@nic.in

A
t a time when geopolitical contestation including the Bretton Woods structures, has
and conflicts have riddled the world failed to deliver. Help and hope are scarce for the
over political, ideological, and distressed economies, especially in the Global
territorial differences, the international South, which face the multi-pronged challenge of
community yearns for a new direction beyond disruption in the availability of food, fuel, fertilisers,
the binary choices offered by competing powers. and developmental finance.
The Covid-19 pandemic struck a mortal blow to It is at a key point of inflection in geopolitical
economies around the world. The post-Covid tumult that India has set an example for the rest
recovery phase, which ought to have seen the of the world through its leadership of the G20, its
global community come together, is instead values-based approach, its emphasis on global
witnessing deep divisions. The multilateral system, cooperation, and a human-centric vision of peace

December 2023 11
 The positive outcomes reflected in the G20
New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration resonate well with
many initiatives taken by the Modi government
in recent years. Apart from the vaccine assistance
programme during the pandemic, it is pertinent
to mention the International Solar Alliance (ISA),
the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
(CDRI), the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), and
Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS). To
this list should be added the Green Grids Initiative–
One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG), which
was proposed by PM Modi at the First Assembly of
the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in 2018.
Mission LiFE and Climate Crisis
Climate change and environmental degradation
have emerged as two of the world’s greatest
challenges, with the potential to create unimaginably
adverse consequences for future generations. It
is here that India has pointed to a different path
for ameliorating the situation, beyond science,
technology, and the exploitative mercantilism that
characterises the fissures between the developed
and progress for all. India’s Presidency of the West and the distressed Global South. India has
G20 this year, despite doubts expressed by the offered a new moral compass, first expounded
perennial naysayers in India and around the world, in Glasgow by PM Modi through Mission LiFE
was a big success in building consensus on key (Lifestyle for Environment), which places individual
issues such as the UN’s Sustainable Development behaviour at the centre of the global climate
Goals (SDGs), macro-economic stability, digital action debate.
public infrastructure, climate challenge, a just
and equitable green transition, and reforms of
multilateral structures. India’s image as a credible
power, assiduously built over the past few years,
has been further consolidated as a result of the
vaccines and healthcare assistance it extended to
countries around the world at the height of the
pandemic.
Indian Leadership
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is
no longer perceived as an observer on the global
stage. It is now a key player in shaping outcomes.
One example, based on the G20 motto of ‘One
Earth One Family One Future’ and the philosophy
of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, is the inclusion of
the African Union (AU) into the G20 at the New
Delhi Summit, hinged on India’s strong advocacy
of ‘leaving none behind’. This momentous
development, which makes the G20 structure more
representative, highlights India’s role as a true friend
of the Global South.

12 December 2023
 Now codified as the G20 High Level Principles
on Lifestyles for Sustainable Development, this
mission intends to propagate a global network of
individuals committed to environmentally-friendly
lifestyles based on sustainable consumption
patterns. On its part, India is the only G20 country
to have achieved its Paris Agreement Goals well
before the stipulated target of 2030. Even US
Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Change John
Kerry acknowledged that India is an indisputable
world leader in clean energy.
PM Modi has announced ambitious targets
for 2030, including installing 500 gigawatts of
renewable energy capacity and reducing the
emission intensity of its economy by 45 per cent.
India’s clean energy transition and global
climate mitigation promise to demonstrate the
commitment of its leaders at the highest level.
India expressed its intention to intensify its climate
action by presenting an updated Nationally
Determined Contributions (NDC). This update is a
step towards India’s long-term goal of reaching net-
zero emissions by 2070. will become net zero in this decade. We achieved
Clean Energy the 40 per cent energy capacity target from non-
fossil sources nine years before time”. Besides these
Similarly, at the G7 Summit in June 2022, PM multilateral commitments and proposals, India has
Modi highlighted India’s efforts towards clean also signed bilateral clean energy partnerships with
energy. He noted, “India has the world’s first fully the EU, Japan, and the US.
solar-operated airport. India’s huge railway system
India and the US have together revamped
the US-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership
(USISCEP). The partnership aims to advance
energy security and innovation, scale up emerging
clean energy technologies, and deploy technical
solutions through five key pillars:
i. Responsible Oil and Gas Pillar
ii. Power and Energy Efficiency Pillar
iii. Renewable Energy Pillar
iv. Sustainable Growth Pillar, and
v. Emerging Fuels and Technologies.
Yet another initiative is the EU and India Clean
Energy and Climate Partnership (CECP), which was
established in 2016. This aims to promote clean
energy cooperation and the implementation of the
Paris Agreement by increasing the deployment of
climate-friendly energy sources such as solar and
wind energy. Current areas of cooperation include
activities in offshore wind energy, roof-top solar
panels and solar parks, integration of renewable

December 2023 13
 April 2022, the Prime Minister said that the
Government aims to establish India as one of the key
partners in global semiconductor supply chains. He
said India has “an exceptional semiconductor design
talent pool, which makes up to 20% of the world’s
semiconductor design engineers.” Moreover, most
of the top 25 semiconductor design companies
have their design or R&D centres in our country.
The trilateral Supply Chain Resilience Initiative,
launched in collaboration with Australia and Japan,
is another significant step in addressing the supply
chain crisis. This initiative aims to coordinate and
incentivise supply chain diversification away from
China and towards the three countries and like-
minded partners. Alongside developing new
initiatives, international players must also examine
the wider implications of potential monopolies and
supply chain disruptions with regard to lithium,
cobalt, copper, nickel, and rare earths, many of
which are critical to green technologies and digital
infrastructure.
energy and storage, smart grids, biofuels, and Digital Infrastructure
energy efficiency in buildings. This partnership was
reconfirmed in the joint statement at the EU-India India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing
Summit in October 2017, and later in July 2020, the digital economies in the world. There has been
EU-India Strategic Partnership: A Roadmap to 2025 rapid digitalisation in India in the past few years.
was agreed. On 1 July 2015, the Prime Minister launched Digital
India to transform India into an empowered digital
The focus on energy is not only generic in economy. Since then, there has been a meteoric rise
nature but also specific. India will be a significant in mobile ownership across India in the last eight
benefactor of the emerging global energy trade years. Digital India aims to increase the affordability
in hydrogen, and the country might eventually and accessibility of the internet to Indian citizens
become a net energy exporter. In order to export and also to improve the digital infrastructure across
green hydrogen and establish hydrogen hubs the country.
in various locations around the nation, India can
imitate the Australian models. PM Modi has said Technology adoption by the Government has
that soon India will become a critical component ensured a remarkable increase in transparency
in the supply chain of not only green hydrogen but in governance. Today, almost all government
also other important arenas, so as to ensure safe programmes have a digital dashboard that provides
and secure alternatives to the ongoing disruptions. all the details of beneficiaries. In 2021, India
This would provide India with a quantum leap in its reported 48 billion real-time digital transactions, or
efforts to combat climate change. 40 per cent of the global total. Interestingly,
this is nearly three times higher than China and
Resilient Supply Chains seven times greater than the combined real-time
In December 2021, the Government announced payments volume of the world’s leading economies:
a nearly $10 billion production-linked incentive the US, Canada, the UK, France, and Germany. India’s
(PLI) scheme to encourage chip manufacturing in digital transformation under PM Modi has not
India. In March 2022, the Union Cabinet approved gone unnoticed. Around the world, countries have
the Semicon India programme to develop the evinced interest in the Indian model of the UIDAI,
semiconductor and display manufacturing Aadhaar and the unified payment portals that link
ecosystem. At the Semicon India Conference in India’s huge population into a seamless whole.

14 December 2023
Yoga and Ayurveda declared the International Year of Millets (IYoM-
India has traditionally excelled at contributing 2023). This proposal garnered support from
to the global good, as evident during the Covid-19 72 countries, and on 5 March 2021, the United
pandemic, when it provided free vaccines to nearly Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially
100 countries and sent food aid and humanitarian declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
assistance to Afghanistan, Ukraine, and several This is a primary food crop in semi-arid tropical
African countries. India has supported prevention regions, where conventional food crops struggle to
over cure not only by exporting vaccines but also thrive due to limited rainfall and poor soil quality.
by promoting healthy living habits. The western Millets also boast superior nutritional content in
notion of disease and medicine differs from comparison to major cereal crops, contributing
the eastern version. India believes in food and to food security and dietary health. They are
traditional practices like yoga as part of medicine particularly resilient to drought and extreme
that can stimulate the holistic development of an weather conditions, making them naturally adapted
individual. to such challenging environments.
As early as in his UNGA speech in 2014, his With increasing concern about lifestyle diseases
sought to promote this while proposing the like diabetes and the prevalence of refined diets,
International Day of Yoga. Sharing the great Indian modern consumers are gradually turning to gluten-
legacy of Yoga with the world was personal gift free millets as a viable substitute for staples like
to humankind. Today, countries around the world wheat and rice. The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated
see merit in the holistic health practices offered by this shift, with both urban and rural populations
India’s ancient civilisation, transcending ideological embracing millets to boost their nutritional intake
and religious barriers. Until India offered to share its and enhance their immunity. The health benefits
patrimony through such a path-breaking initiative, of millets received a huge boost during India’s
Yoga was practised overseas in expensive studios G20 presidency. Scores of dishes made of millets
and also subjected to idiosyncratic interpretations, were offered to thousands of foreign and Indian
even being made part of sporting competitions! participants at the hundreds of G20 events held in
This initiative revived the true practice of Yoga in India. As the Think20 Chair of India’s G20 Presidency,
its purest form, making it available to the masses this writer is proud to state that millets featured
around the world. prominently at each of the events organised by the
Think20 engagement group.
During Covid, the Government promoted
Ayurvedic medicine or simple home remedies Conclusion
to boost natural immunity. It is not an alternative There has been a tremendous change in India’s
to allopathic medicine, but a complement to it. trajectory over the last nine years. India has now
The Indian initiatives were leading the discussion entered the period of Kartavya Kaal, which will
at the WHO regarding delaying the intellectual provide a golden opportunity for India to achieve
property of vaccines. India exported medicines unprecedented levels of scientific, technological,
and other equipment to help various countries and economic, and social progress. When India marks
became the first respondent in the Indian Ocean the centenary of its Independence in 2047, it will
region. Vaccine Maitri helped deliver vaccines to be a responsible global power. It will achieve this
101 countries. In addition, India has provided open- dream on behalf of all the Indian people, particularly
source apps like CoWIN and Arogya Setu to other the youth. India will rise to the pinnacle of glory
developing countries. The government proclaimed because it is today willing to assume a leadership
these as Digital Public Good, which 50 countries role in diverse areas and contribute to the greater
have utilised for their vaccination drives. good. Today, India has emerged as a Vishwa Mitra
International Year of Millets (global friend), a Vishwa Guru (global teacher), and
a Vishwa Vaid (global physician) in sharp contrast
On the food security front, recognising the
to many others embroiled in trade, military, or
potential of millets to meet domestic and global
ideological confrontation. 
nutritional needs, the Government of India
proposed to the United Nations that 2023 be (Views expressed are personal)

December 2023 15
 In conversation with R Madhavan
Ranganathan Madhavan has donned many hats during his illustrious
career of over 30 years. Starting in the early 1990s, with the newly-
booming satellite TV, Madhavan worked in around 1800 episodes of
serials before getting his first break into films in the year 2000, with
Mani Ratnam’s Tamil film Alaipayuthey. Since then, he has been an
unstoppable force, leaving his mark in different forms, languages, and
genres of cinema. Madhavan is a versatile actor who has given memorable
performances in films like Rang De Basanti, 3 Idiots, Guru, and several
others. He has recently received a National Film Award for his directorial
debut, ‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’. This year, he has also taken up the
role of the Chairman, the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).
He comes across as a person with a wide horizon, depth, and wisdom
that is equally motivating and enriching like his wide array of cinematic
achievements. This publication’s Editor, Shuchita Chaturvedi, had an
engaging conversation with Actor-Director as well as the Chairman
of FTII, R Madhavan, where he delved into various subjects at length
including his cinematic journey, the role of training in filmmaking,
global cinema landscape, technology as an enabler, and his
engagement with the youth. A few excerpts:

Technology may come and go but The

art of storytelling is here to stay.

SC: Congratulations on receiving the National On introspection, I find several things that
Film Award and this new responsibility of FTII. You may have contributed. All the qualities and
have come a long way from being an engineer, opportunities that were useful to me then are
with a defence background, a communication available to the students of today as well—leaving
professional, an actor, an award-winning your comfort zone to try new things, exploring
filmmaker, and now the Chairman of FTII. How are experiences for you as well as for others around,
your intent and motivation reflected in your work or the way you respect the people around and
and vision for the Institute? treat them as equals. I will not talk about the
RM: This is a very good question and thank you for philosophical aspects of this but I would like to
the intended compliment as well. I am trying to discuss the tangible outcomes. When I joined
revisit my journey to assess what brought me here. the television industry way back in 1994, there
What was so special about my attitude, training, were no casting directors to present the artists,
and conditioning that a boy from a small town like no magazines to write about us, nor were people
Jamshedpur made it so far? within the industry endorsing and recommending

December 2023 17
our work. Casting was done merely with word of SC: Today, OTT has turned into an equaliser
mouth. Reaching out to people to seek roles was a where movies are made and released in multiple
tedious process and it used to happen out of sheer languages simultaneously and can be consumed
luck. It was a time when cable channels had just at the ease of our respective homes. It is breaking
started and there was a notable need for artists. the barriers in terms of regions and languages.
When I got my first role in a television serial— How do you see this power of streaming platforms
Yule Love Story, where I played the role of a convict, and what they have to offer to institutes like FTII
it was because of the short haircut that I had, and filmmaking in general?
being from a defence background. This is how my RM: I would give credit to myself for identifying the
story started. During those years, when I had no power and potential of OTT at a stage when others
connections in the industry, I used to spend a lot shied away from it. At its nascent stage, senior actors
of time having tea with the spot boys and light did not want to give it a shot. In fact, reviewers too
men as they were mostly from Bihar and felt a avoided it to safeguard their professional standing.
connection with me because I understood their But in those days, I chose to do a series, ‘Breathe’,
dialect well. I don’t know if this was intentional, which got an immense response that eventually
but it was these men who endorsed my work and changed the entire perspective towards these
recommended my name to various producers by platforms.
highlighting my multilingual background. I would
give credit to them for the initial breaks that I got OTT is certainly a level-playing field but it
in my early career. By the time I got my first film comes with its challenges. It was assumed that
with Mani Ratnam, I had already done almost 1800 films that couldn’t get a good deal with producers
episodes equivalent to about 300 films. I wish to often landed on OTT platforms. These platforms
share with my students in FTII the wisdom that are a different ballgame altogether. It involves a
I got out of these experiences. different approach, science, and process, for an

18 December 2023
actor, cinematographer, and especially for script the FTII students. OTT has a longer commitment
and screenplay writers. An actor needs to assess the and has intricate plotting spread in long episodes.
script to fit it into a certain format and treatment The training needs to be done accordingly with
that would best suit the storytelling, and deciding an emphasis on understanding the nature and
whether it deserves to be an OTT film, a series, or challenges of different fields and mediums to equip
a cinema. If there is an error of judgment at this the students better.
stage, then the project might get doomed. The SC: With the advent of new technology and AI,
Railway Men (Madhavan’s latest series) could not every field is evolving. Newer roles are being
be a cinema as it needed a format and storytelling created while some of the roles and tasks are
spread across four episodes to justify the subject. becoming less useful. How can we ensure up-
The hard work involved for the technical team, skilling and reinventing in these changing times?
scriptwriters, and dialogue writers is way more
than the efforts involved for an actor. Every series RM: This is a very good question but, I must say that
has a series arc, an episodic arc, and it involves a the art of storytelling will continue to exist. There
science that needs expertise. The experts in the might be some changes in terms of its pacing and
field are required to train the professionals. In fact, format. Some people know how to tell a story while
I had heard somewhere that in the West, there are some fail terribly on this front. Since this technology
courses spanning six weeks that teach professionals is available to all, common people, today, are using
how to read a script and take non-tangibles out of their mobiles and devices to create good content.
it. The description that should not be shown on There are creators who are developing low-cost
screen is non-tangible. One needs to add only those but extremely engaging and byte-sized content
elements in a script that can be tangibly shown on such as reels. They are able to connect with their
the screen. The acumen needed to understand and viewers, and evoke high-level emotions, in such a
address these challenges will go a long way for short duration of time, which a filmmaker achieves

December 2023 19
 RM: FTII, I think, is one of the premier institutes in
the world. With its facilities, campus, and equipment
fully utilised, I think one will be prepared to create
content from anywhere in the world. If people came
to know merely about the selection process of FTII,
they would understand the calibre these students
have. And there is a greater need of such educated
and technically-sound people in our industry.
When we induct people from IITs and IIMs and
give them jobs with huge salaries, we do not make
them CEOs directly. We give them a training period
so that they understand their mistakes, correct
them, and by giving them the right guidance,
we can fully harness their capabilities after a few
years. But our industry does not have this scope.
For example, if you become a cinematographer,
it means you are directly at the CEO level from
the first day itself. You don’t have an intermediate
through a full-fledged film. With such content freely period. Our students need to understand that you
available, the filmmakers need to make engaging can be completely equipped with what is required
films. Cinema was once considered larger-than-life to be a full-fledged DoP (Director of Photography),
and seen with awe and respect in theaters. But, with but you have to start with baby steps. You have
technology and easy accessibility, the viewers have to prove that you are an asset to the unit, and can
a lot of choices. Filmmakers need to recondition withstand the stress of making cinema or content.
themselves for the changing times. Technology Also, someone might not have the requisite talent
will always provide a basic platform that will in terms of technicality in a group, but that person
continue to get higher in standards. AI is available could be the life of the group. If I see that quality, I
to all screenplay writers, but what sets apart is its would want to have them on my team. I don’t mind
effective use for storytelling. This depends on one’s having a lesser technician on board. The same thing
talent and training. A tale of Ghatotkach can be as happens as a filmmaker. As producers, we want to
engaging and exciting as that of Hulk with the art see how many students are team players. So, these
of storytelling. are the interpersonal skills and abilities that any
SC: How can we ensure better quality in content on artist or technician should have to be able to lead
social media while promoting more local talent? that department. If the students of FTII or the hiring
Do FTII-like institutes offer some short-term teams understand this, then I think amalgamation
courses that equip the content creators better? will become much smoother and clearer.
RM: Yes, of course, this is a very good question SC: So, is it important to inculcate these soft skills
and we have been working on it. In fact, there are as well?
several short courses in FTII that are conducted not RM: This is extremely important in every
only in Pune but also in different cities and states, organisation. In filmmaking, you get only one
right up to Jammu & Kashmir. chance to make a mistake. No one will spare you for
We have also been conducting 75 short courses making a mistake in your first film as it may entirely
completely free of cost for the learners from fall apart, which is a risk that nobody would want
Scheduled Tribes. Since 2017, on our open-learning to take. There is no second chance, that’s the thing.
platform, we have had 15,000 plus learners. SC: If we talk about global cinema, there is a sea
SC: Filmmaking is a collaborative field. What are change. Good content is everywhere and it is a
the efforts being made to bridge the gap between level-playing field now. How can Indian content
academia and industry and to help talent find a stand out and find the place it deserves in this
suitable place in the industry? global market?

20 December 2023
RM: For this, you have to become a world-class SC: You have not taken any professional training
storyteller. You have to break your conditioning. in films. In fact, you were an engineer like
Whatever you have been taught earlier has to Farhan (Madhavan’s character in 3 Idiots) who
be unlearned and you have to make yourself ultimately became an artist. So, in today’s time,
completely vulnerable to learning new ways in the how important are technical know-how and
changing times. We have seen, how, in recent times, professional training in this field?
K-pop culture has become so popular in India due RM: In a nutshell, if I had known that I had to
to their content that teenagers and even adults are join the film industry, and if I had this technical
learning the Korean language to keep themselves training, then I think that the work that I have been
abreast with this culture. able to do in 18-20 years, I could have done it in
SC: So, where are we in creating such content for six years. That makes all the difference. But at that
our children? time, there was a lot of forgiving factor. You could
RM: Exactly what I am trying to convey. We afford making mistakes and learn at the cost of
also have that technology to make our content the producer. Like I said at the beginning of the
international. I think people are watching them interview, I have done 1800 episodes on TV. So,
(Korean drama) because their performance I remember, when I was doing my first film with
is very realistic, their screenplay is faster, and Mani Ratnam, PC Sreeram was the cameraman. He
people can relate to their philosophy. This is the was surprised to find how well-versed I was with
opportunity that is available to us as well. You the nuances of the camera and frames. So, that
create such progressive content and utilise a was out of sheer experience. Until he mentioned
higher level of skilled technicians and actors. If that, I didn’t even realise I have this skill. But when
you continue to only believe in stardom then you he mentioned it, I understood that if I had been
will limit your films to a certain level. Sometimes taught this earlier, then this journey would have
money can ruin a project. You have to know the become much shorter.
right budget for a project to keep the integrity But, in any case, the hard work cannot be
of the people involved in the project correct. reduced. The amount of hard work you have to put in
That’s also a skill. to get that experience is extremely important. I think

December 2023 21
 ‘Maddy’ I am as a person. Then little by little, I get to
know of their profession. Whether they are architects,
hydroponic farmers, organic farmers, whatever
professions they have, they start opening up and
talking to me. When this knowledge and experience
gained from them is successfully incorporated into
our films is where we become relevant. When I was
doing Rocketry (The Nambi Effect), I met so many
people. Initially, I was not confident in directing. But
I learned so much about liquid-fuel engines from
professionals, I met, that I realised only I could tell this
story. This is the kind of confidence that knowledge
gives you.
if I had actually gone and trained, I would have been SC: The readership of Yojana comprises a large
much more successful in a much shorter period. number of students who take various competitive
SC: What is your content consumption pattern? exams, which is often a long journey. What would
What do you read? What do you watch? you like to tell them to help find a deeper purpose
in life and to pave a new path to success?
RM: I read very little. I cannot read for some
reason. However, I have made efforts to acquire a RM: Recently I watched a film in which there was
lot of knowledge because I understood from the a dialogue, ‘Ae burey waqt, adab se pesh aa kyunki
beginning that if I merely stayed in the comfort waqt badalne mein waqt nahi lagta.’ (O unfavourable
zone of the industry, I wouldn’t be able to grow as I time, behave yourself for it doesn’t take much time
find the people in the film industry often having the to change the time). I liked that line. For all those
same kind of conversation. who put everything on the line in a moment, it is
important to know that when everything is done,
SC: This might apply everywhere if we limit
there is still another moment. Because whatever
ourselves to a profession...
they are preparing for at the competitive level,
RM: Absolutely. Especially in the film industry, whatever they think is their goal, whatever their
because the moment you enter the industry, the ambition is, many people get it in the first attempt,
knowledge about the outside world decreases. while some don’t. But, how can your full credibility,
You need to stay connected with the world you your achievement, and your capability are judged
are showing in your films. If you do not know what in a few hours? It is possible that on that day, your
the fares are for an auto rickshaw ride then you preparation could not be adequate, or that day
have lost that connection. It might not be the case something else came up bothering you. That does
for other industries. If you are an engineer and you not define, in my opinion, the ability of a student or
are spending time with engineers talking about of a professional. In golf, they say, if you hit the ball
engineering, it will not affect your work. But in the with full strength, it does not go that far and accurate.
film industry, where you want to make a story for You have to hit the shots at 80% so that you can
your audience, it is important to know where society play the game well and maintain your consistency.
is going. So to acquire this knowledge, I take breaks There are many philosophies in this principle of
from my profession from time to time. I have done 80%. Do everything in a manner so that you don’t
only 3-4 films in the last 14 years. Many changes get affected by the outcome. If you hit 100% and
took place during this period. After social media, don’t get the desired results, you will feel that you
people have enhanced their knowledge and the are not worth it despite putting your best efforts. Do
way they perceive things. To be aware of all these not take the burden of your life completely on your
developments, we need to devote some time. I watch shoulders on the day of examination as if your life
a lot of videos. And it is more important that I spend is defined by just that moment of your life. It is not
time with different professionals. It takes a little time worth it. Competitiveness will increase. But I can say
for them to come out of the influence and awe they with confidence that every person has a skill that
usually have for a ‘star’ and to interact with the real makes them one in a million. Find your strength. 

22 December 2023