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By:

Rajendra Joshi

3 December 2024 at 3:50:26 am

Beyond Ethanol: The Bigger Story Is India's Innovation Journey

Ethanol is one of many stepping stones on the journey towards cleaner energy systems. Energy transitions are rarely linear. Every major technological shift begins as an alternative, matures through public policy and market acceptance, and is eventually challenged by newer innovation. The debate surrounding ethanol-blended petrol in India should therefore be viewed through this larger prism rather than through the narrow lens of partisan politics. Since the National Biofuel Policy was unveiled...

Beyond Ethanol: The Bigger Story Is India's Innovation Journey

Ethanol is one of many stepping stones on the journey towards cleaner energy systems. Energy transitions are rarely linear. Every major technological shift begins as an alternative, matures through public policy and market acceptance, and is eventually challenged by newer innovation. The debate surrounding ethanol-blended petrol in India should therefore be viewed through this larger prism rather than through the narrow lens of partisan politics. Since the National Biofuel Policy was unveiled in 2018, India's ethanol blending programme has expanded with little political resistance. Brazil's four decades of experience with ethanol as a transport fuel partly inspired the policy. It sought to reduce dependence on imported crude oil, improve energy security, curb vehicular emissions and provide an additional revenue stream for sugarcane farmers. Those objectives remain largely unchanged. Yet, in recent months, ethanol has unexpectedly become a subject of political confrontation. The irony is striking. At precisely the moment the country is debating the merits of one transition fuel, Indian scientists and engineers are demonstrating technologies that could redefine the next generation of clean mobility. The inauguration of India's first hydrogen-powered passenger train marks one such milestone. Flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 89-kilometre Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana, the train employs indigenous hydrogen fuel-cell technology to generate electricity, with water as the only emission. The project reduces the carbon footprint of rail transport and places India among a handful of countries experimenting with hydrogen-powered railway systems. Equipped with a 3,200-horsepower engine and ten coaches, it is also among the world's most powerful hydrogen trains. The significance of this development extends beyond railways. It signals the direction in which transport technology is headed. If July has been remarkable for clean mobility, it has been equally significant for India's space ambitions. Private space startup Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched its indigenously developed orbital launch vehicle, Vikram-1, under the mission Aagman. It marked the first successful attempt by an Indian private company to place a payload into orbit using its own launch vehicle. The achievement underlines the transformation underway in India's innovation ecosystem. Until recently, space exploration remained the exclusive domain of government agencies. Opening the sector to private enterprise has created opportunities that are already attracting international commercial interest. It is a reminder that policy reforms often create the conditions for technological breakthroughs. A similar story is unfolding in the electric vehicle sector. Bengaluru-based startup Vemag Labs has reportedly developed a technology that eliminates dependence on rare-earth permanent magnets used in electric motors. If commercialised, the innovation could reduce reliance on China's dominance of the global rare-earth supply chain—a longstanding strategic vulnerability for the automotive industry. These are not isolated success stories. They represent a broader pattern in India's technological evolution. Artificial intelligence is reshaping the global digital economy. Battery technologies continue to evolve. Hydrogen is emerging as the next frontier of clean transportation, while advanced nuclear technologies are receiving renewed attention. Scientific progress is compressing technological cycles so that today's breakthrough may become tomorrow's baseline. In this context, ethanol should be seen neither as the ultimate solution nor as a policy failure. It is a transitional technology—an important bridge between conventional fossil fuels and cleaner energy systems. It has helped lower crude oil imports, strengthened the rural economy through higher demand for agricultural feedstock and contributed to India's climate commitments. Equally, it has technological, economic and environmental limitations that future innovations may overcome. The real concern arises when scientific progress becomes captive to political narratives. Democratic scrutiny of public policy is both necessary and desirable. Governments must justify investments, evaluate costs and remain accountable for outcomes. But reducing every technological intervention to political binaries risks distracting attention from the larger national objective of building scientific capability and technological competitiveness. The trajectory of innovation suggests that tomorrow's public debate may no longer revolve around ethanol. It may centre on hydrogen-powered vehicles, synthetic fuels, next-generation batteries or technologies still confined to research laboratories. Public policy must therefore remain flexible enough to adapt to continuous scientific change rather than become entrenched in ideological positions. India's hydrogen train, its privately developed orbital rocket and advances in electric mobility together illustrate an important reality. The country's scientific ecosystem is entering a phase of rapid expansion, with innovation increasingly driven by collaboration between public institutions, private enterprise and research startups. Politics has every right to question policy. It should not, however, become an obstacle to scientific progress. History shows that societies which embrace innovation invariably lead the next wave of economic growth, while those trapped in ideological contests often find themselves catching up. The future of mobility will ultimately be determined not in television studios or political rallies, but in laboratories, research institutions and technology startups. India's challenge is not merely to participate in that future—it is to help shape it. (The writer is a senior journalist based in Kolhapur. Views personal.)

India’s Northeast: Exploring the Three Sisters

The Northeast is not just a destination—it is an emotion, an adventure and a reminder that India's greatest treasures often lie beyond the familiar tourist trails.

India’s Northeast is a land of extraordinary beauty, ancient cultures, mist-covered mountains and warm-hearted people. Among its many treasures are the three states fondly known as the “Three Sisters”—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Nagaland. Situated in India’s northeastern corner and sharing international borders with Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh, the Three Sisters offer a journey through mountains, valleys, forests and rivers, where nature and tradition live in beautiful harmony.


My journey through the Three Sisters with a wonderful group of ladies remains one of my most unforgettable travel experiences. Discovering new landscapes, enjoying local food and experiencing the warmth of the people made this trip much more than a holiday. It became a celebration of friendship, adventure and discovering one of India’s least-visited yet most fascinating regions.


Arunachal Pradesh

The largest of the northeastern states, Arunachal Pradesh is India’s easternmost state, known as the “Land of the Dawn-Lit Mountains”. Its dramatic Himalayan landscape is home to snow-capped peaks, deep valleys, rivers and dense forests.


Tawang, at an altitude of around 10,000 feet, is the state’s best-known destination and home to the magnificent Tawang Monastery, one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in India. The journey passes through Sela Pass, Sela Lake and the historic Jaswant Garh War Memorial.


Ziro Valley, with its lush rice fields and distinctive Apatani tribal culture, is another highlight. The Apatani people are known for their sustainable agricultural practices and unique traditions. The remote Mechuka Valley offers pristine scenery and an authentic glimpse into the life of the Memba community.


Arunachal Pradesh is also a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. Namdapha National Park shelters elephants, red pandas, clouded leopards, hoolock gibbons and numerous bird species. The cuisine is simple and wholesome, featuring momos, thukpa, bamboo shoot preparations, smoked meats and rice dishes.


Assam

Assam is best known for the Brahmaputra River, sprawling tea gardens and rich wildlife. It is the geographical and cultural gateway to the Northeast.


Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the finest places in India to see the one-horned rhinoceros. Jeep safaris through its grasslands and wetlands also offer sightings of elephants, wild buffaloes, swamp deer and, with luck, tigers.


Guwahati is home to the revered Kamakhya Temple, one of India’s most important Shakti Peethas. The annual Ambubachi Mela draws thousands of devotees.


The famous Assam tea gardens provide a glimpse into one of India’s best-known tea traditions, while endless green plantations create unforgettable landscapes.


Beyond the popular attractions, Majuli River Island preserves Assamese Vaishnavite traditions, Sivasagar showcases the legacy of the Ahom Kingdom through Rang Ghar, Talatal Ghar and ancient temples, while Haflong, Assam’s only hill station, offers a peaceful retreat amid rolling green hills.


The vibrant Bihu festivals, especially Rongali Bihu, celebrate agriculture, music and dance. Rice, fish, tenga, khar, pitha and bamboo shoot preparations form the heart of Assamese cuisine.


Nagaland

Bordering Myanmar, Nagaland is home to several Naga tribes, each with its own traditions, dialects and cultural identity.


The capital, Kohima, is best known for the Kohima War Cemetery, which honours those who lost their lives during the Second World War’s Battle of Kohima.


The state's biggest cultural attraction is the Hornbill Festival, held every December at Kisama Heritage Village. Often called the “Festival of Festivals”, it brings together Naga tribes through traditional dances, music, food and handicrafts.


Khonoma, widely recognised as India’s first “green village”, is celebrated for its community-led conservation and terraced fields. Dzükou Valley attracts trekkers with rolling hills and seasonal flowers, while Longwa offers the unique experience of a village where the India–Myanmar border passes through the Angh's (chief's) house.


Naga cuisine is bold and distinctive. Smoked pork, bamboo shoots, fermented soybeans, axone and the famous Naga chillies reflect the region’s rich tribal heritage and close relationship with nature.


A Memorable Journey

My Three Sisters tour with a lovely ladies’ group is one I will always cherish. Every day brought something new—the thrill of mountain roads, the serenity of monasteries, wildlife safaris, local flavours and colourful indigenous traditions.


What made the journey truly special was travelling together. We laughed, explored, supported one another and created memories that will last a lifetime. From the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh to the wildlife of Assam and the tribal culture of Nagaland, the Three Sisters revealed a side of India that is raw, beautiful and incredibly diverse.


The Northeast is not just a destination—it is an emotion, an adventure and a reminder that India’s greatest treasures often lie beyond the familiar tourist trails. The memories of travelling through the Three Sisters with my wonderful group of ladies will always hold a special place in my heart.


(The writer is a tourism professional and runs a company, Global Voyages. She could be contacted at goglobalvoyages@gmail.com. Views personal.)

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