India launches its first nuclear-powered submarine

India launched on Sunday its first nuclear-powered submarine capable of firing ballistic missiles, completing a nuclear triad encompassing land, air and sea, officials said.

The submarine, Arihant, the first of two similar submarines to be built indigenously with technical help from Russia, will undergo sea trials before its formal induction in 2015, defence officials said.

Indian Air Force advanced light helicopters "Sarang" perform as India's national flag flutters during the inauguration ceremony of the "Aero India 2009" at Yelahanka air force station near Bangalore February 11, 2009. India launched on Sunday its first nuclear-powered submarine capable of firing ballistic missiles.


The project is part of a $2.9 billion plan to build five submarines, delayed for years due to technical problems, officials said.



The country already has fighter aircraft and missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

Experts say India is modernising its armed forces and is focusing on improving its naval fleet with new ships and submarines to counter the strategic interest of China in the region.

China is India's biggest trade partner in Asia. But India, already wary of China's growing military might, fears its giant rival wants to strategically encircle India as Beijing continues to supply weapons to India's neighbours, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Last year's Mumbai attacks in which 10 gunmen arrived by the sea to kill 166 people also exposed glaring loopholes in its sea security.

"The sea is increasingly becoming relevant in the context of India's security interests and we must re-adjust our military preparedness to this changing environment," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, said after launching the submarine for trials.

"We do not have any aggressive designs nor do we seek to threaten anyone. We seek an external environment ... conducive to our peaceful development and the protection of our value systems," Singh said at the southern port city of Vishakhapatnam.

India has 16 diesel-electric submarines of Russian and German origin, which are all 25-40 years old, defence officials said.

The 5,500 tonne nuclear-powered Arihant, when inducted, will be capable of carrying 100 sailors and a wide range of torpedoes and ballistic missiles, officials added.

Save Life, Save Earth: ACT NOW AGAINST POLLUTION

People had always altered their Environment with problems such as acid rain, desertification, food shortages and water pollution. From the catastrophic to the inconvenient, these environmental problems proved the dramatic and most visible negative effects of man’s carelessness to their environment. Although we struggle for more food, produce more potable water and plant every inch of a deserted land piece; still we must confront the issue of the neglecting and non-concern of man to their habitat.

According to the website www.chem.prenhall.com, the population growth and environment are intertwined. The increase in population leads to land clearing and habitat loss for other species, increased energy use with harmful industrial emissions, deterioration of water supply and other problems. As our resources dwindle, our mountains of garbage grow! And so was the emission of methane in the atmosphere. Truly, it is noted that methane (NH4) is a greenhouse gas- a factor contributing to the global warming problem.

There are many people in this world. And as we multiply, we consume more resources without even renewing an ounce of them, and worse, throwing our rubbish not into the trash can, but into the ground. I can relate to you some ecological problems and facts about them. You should read this between the lines, be the one to act first so everyone will follow, perform drastic measures in saving humanity’s haven- MOTHER EARTH.


Ø POLLUTION

Pollution is really part of our life. And the natural balance of Earth is now gone because of these. In some areas, the air is so bad that people become sick from breathing it, and some even die because of it.

Even before there were people, there was already air pollution. Volcanic eruptions and wildfires became events that continuously add pollutants to the atmosphere. The only main difference between air pollution problems today and in the past is that it is now difficult to get away from them.

In recent news, there is a now-dying (or totally died) river in Bulacan that belongs to the list of the World’s Top Fifty Dirtiest Rivers. It’s bad, but just up for now, we should do something to regain the life of this river and all of our water resources. Bring back the dead ones and regain marine life. We and the future generations greatly needed clean water.

We cannot totally eradicate pollution, because it is already stated in the 2nd law of thermodynamics-no process can be 100% efficient. Anyway, we can further minimize its cases by due cooperative efforts and measures.

1. Do not smoke. Its effects are generally obvious.

2. Do not burn wood, leaves and plastics. It can minimize our wastes but it can also destruct ecological balance and can also lead to asthma attacks and long-term effects in the lungs. Try segregating wastes.

So what are we waiting for? There is a small solution waiting to be administered against this problem. A small solution yet implies a big change among us.

Don't waste time. There is still time for this change. Not tomorrow but now.