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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
A strategy that can transform rural development
Of late, Rina, a farmer in Bansur, Rajasthan, has experienced something that hadn't happened for decades. She is enjoying uninterrupted sleep, without waiting for the erratic electric supply to stabilise before switching on the irrigation pump. Her crops are now watered during the day, thanks to grid-connected solar power, and she no longer uses the expensive diesel-fuelled pump. Her income has risen by up to 60%, and for the first time, she feels truly in control of her work. By guaranteeing fair compensation, the government aims to provide greater financial security and a more dignified standard of living for rural workers. (Pic for representation) Rina's story illustrates what India's rural energy transition can look like when clean power is integrated into local systems instead of installed as stand-alone equipment, like solar lights. While, India's energy transition just hit a major milestone where half the nation's installed electricity capacity now comes from non-fossil sources, as per ministry of new and renewable Energy (MNRE) data, the transition remains uneven. Paradoxically, India also surpassed the one billion tonne coal production mark this year, as per ministry of coal data, with 88% of it used by the power sector. But here's the bigger challenge: It isn't just about adding more renewables. It's about finding innovative ways to ensure this is a just transition and that rural India, home to nearly 65% of the population (according to Census 2011 and NSSO estimates), isn't left behind. Today, rural households still face unreliable electricity. Farmers often irrigate at night due to weak grids and end up using polluting diesel pumps. This increases costs, reduces productivity, and worsens climate vulnerabilities. Beyond farming, lack of stable electricity affects children's education, women's household burden, and access to public services. A well-implemented rural solarisation plan could, however, bring about widespread transformation, especially for the most vulnerable. For instance, shifting from diesel to solar pumps could significantly reduce irrigation costs for smallholder farmers, enhancing their economic resilience and promoting sustainable farming practices. These savings could be reinvested in farm inputs, education, or household needs, offering a tangible economic boost to millions of families. On a national scale, reduced fossil fuel dependency would lower import bills and support India's 2030 renewable energy targets and net-zero ambitions. States like Rajasthan show what's possible when policy, infrastructure, and people come together. Blessed with abundant solar irradiation and available land, Rajasthan went further than just capitalizing on potential – it built a system. Government support, private sector partnerships, and institutional readiness resulted in making solar energy part of everyday rural life. A research study conducted by Sambodhi in Rajasthan in early 2025 shows that grid-connected solar power is already changing lives across three levels: On farms, at home, and in communities. Farmers like Rina benefit from predictable irrigation, while women are using appliances like washing machines and mixers to ease household chores, freeing up time for education or income-generating activities. Children study longer with fewer disruptions, and new job opportunities in solar plant maintenance and operations are emerging at the village level. These are not just economic wins; they are social ones, subtly shifting power and autonomy within households and communities. Rajasthan is just one node in a growing national network of rural solar innovation. Gujarat's reforms also stand out for their systemic impact. By separating agricultural and residential feeders, the state ensured reliable power delivery and enabled the launch of the Suryashakti Kisan Yojana. This scheme allows farmers to install solar panels and sell excess electricity to the grid, improving their incomes while stabilising rural energy supply. Other states are tailoring solutions to local challenges. In Maharashtra, the Vahini Yojana is helping establish women-led solar cooperatives like the Tejaswini Solar Energy Women's Industrial Co-operative Society in Wardha. These cooperatives don't just generate electricity, they foster entrepreneurship and decentralise power generation, bringing ownership into women's hands. In Bihar, where farmers face erratic rainfall and waterlogging, hybrid solar-diesel systems offer flexibility. Chhattisgarh is using decentralised solar to electrify schools and health centres in remote tribal regions. What do these varied models have in common? All these initiatives demonstrate how adapting to local contexts like the geography, social dynamics, governance structures, and financing models is what makes them effective. By combining solar hardware with digital tools, training, and smart finance, these solutions become scalable and sustainable. Still, there's a risk. If rural solarisation becomes a one-size-fits-all exercise focused only on installing hardware, we will miss the bus. Panels and pumps are a start, but the real transformation lies in building systems that are inclusive, adaptive, and people-centred. That means reframing flagship schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) not just as providers of central subsidies, but as enablers of local ownership and energy governance, allowing farmer collectives, panchayats, and cooperatives to drive decision‑making, aligned with MNRE's vision for decentralized solar adoption. Customising implementation across agroclimatic zones, equipping DISCOMs with better tools, and expanding access to blended finance for smallholder farmers are all essential. Promoting community-owned models such as solar cooperatives, shared infrastructure, and local entrepreneurship also plays a vital role by creating long-term incentives for care, upkeep, and innovation. Such a systems' approach also aligns with India's national and global agendas – from the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement (as submitted by India to the UNFCCC) to the 2070 net-zero target and the vision for inclusive rural development. But more than that, it answers a critical question: Who benefits from the clean energy transition? India's villages cannot remain afterthoughts in the climate story. They must be at the centre. Because it's not just about generating more renewable power--it's about who gets to use it, shape it, and thrive from it. India has a chance to lead the world not just in expanding solar capacity, but in advancing rural energy justice. It must take action so that the clean energy transition reaches every household sooner rather than later. This article is authored by Stella George, senior research manager, Kezia Yonzon, deputy vice president, inclusive growth and sustainability, Sambodhi and Samit Mitra, managing director and country director, India, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP).
NZ Herald
13-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
What it's really like for a first-time ocean swimmer
So yes, I'm in. I con a friend into joining and we talk about swim training. A month goes by before we head to a shop to buy goggles, a swim cap and togs that will withstand an ocean workout as opposed to floating around the foreshore. My first swim is at Auckland's Point Erin outdoor pool and friend Rina and I are both excited and nervous. Turns out she's an ex-competitive swimmer and it all comes rushing back to her quickly. Not so much for me. One lap and I'm gasping for air. How on earth will I be able to do a 1km swim over three days? Three months, countless pool swims and two ocean swims later, we are ready. Or, ready enough. Swimming beside Olympians, Wendy pushed herself out of her comfort zone. Photo / Wendy Petrie At two hours and 26 minutes, the Air New Zealand flight to Fiji barely feels like an international journey yet the tropical warm air hits us as we walk off the plane. In no time, we're whisked away to the Sofitel Hotel in Denerau. We spend the afternoon at the pool with a pina colada trying not to overthink the next 3 days of swimming. That night more than 200 swimmers and partners gather for dinner on the lawn of the Sofitel. There's a kava drinking ceremony and a show. Dame Sophie Pascoe has come along for the first swim and I can't believe I will be swimming beside a Paralympics champion. The kids will laugh their heads off. 'How to Dad' is there too so hopefully he's a terrible swimmer and I won't look quite so bad. Wendy Petrie tackled a three-day ocean swim in Fiji despite minimal experience. Photo / Wendy Petrie Day one of our ocean swim arrives. It's an early one. By 7.45am we are at the Denarau marina pushing off for Tivua Island. It's a beautiful boat ride with the crew singing Fijian songs. We meet a few Aussies who are doing the 3km swim. In fact, there are more Australians here than Kiwis. It's also predominantly female, something organiser Scott Rice suggests is because women are far better at planning and organising a trip together. There are some excellent swimsuits that would have required some pre-planning, with one group of women from Wagawaga in pink matching sets. Back to the swim. Thankfully, the 1km swimmers are going first. The nerves are kicking in. The day is beautiful, but the wind has picked up and it's a bit choppy around the last buoy. Over 200 people took part in the three-day ocean swimming event. Photo / Wendy Petrie For some reason I stand next to Rina, who is right at the front. First wrong move. The gun goes and we are off; a mass of arms and legs churning up the ocean. I'm breathing quite hard heading to the first buoy and trying to do some backstroke. I try to relax like Liv's swim teacher used to say. Loose as a goose, fast as an eagle. The water is crystal clear with fish darting and even a couple of pretty blue starfish waving up at me from the ocean floor. By the last buoy I'm really pushing myself when the chopping water crashes over my cap and I swallow some sea water. Running under the finish line banner is a real thrill and Rina is there with water and a high five along with our new friends, the sisters. Stunning views, new friendships, and a swim medal made it unforgettable. Photo / Wendy Petrie I feel great! I did it. I came 50th out of 80 and 11th in my age group. Not bad for a newbie. We watch the 3km swimmers in wonder, especially the 70 year olds who are smashing it. The rest of the day is spent on Tivua Island eating a buffet lunch and snorkelling. Day two is a more relaxed start time with the swim off the Sofitel Hotel. I change my mindset for the second swim. I've done it, I know I can do it, now enjoy it. I start off at the back of the pack this time which means less splashing. Twenty seven minutes later I'm running under the finish line with another ocean swim under my belt. The afternoon is spent at the adults only Waitui Bar & Grill which we have access to for the day. It's lovely and by now a lot of the attendees are socialising and mixing with each other. A pina colada in the pool and another happy hour drink at the hotel bar is quite enough for day two. Day three is a trip to Malamala, a beautiful island a half hour away by quick-cat. Rina and I decide we need to warm up before our swim for once. We swing our arms like I've seen Liv (swimming daughter do) and slap our biceps, then head out for a quick 100m ocean warm up. We've also talked to the 3km winner who advises us to kick less as your legs are the biggest muscle that eats up energy. Each swim was followed by a social event or island lunch. Photo / Wendy Petrie The gun goes and we are off. It's beautiful and although I can feel a couple of bites from sea lice, they don't worry me. The view underwater is mesmerising. With 'Nothing's gonna stop us now' blaring over the loudspeaker, I finally find it - my swimming mojo! One, two, one two and I have so much energy. I barely kick my legs and my breathing is even and in control. I could swim like this all day! It's like I'm in an ocean hammock, with the tide gently cradling me as I make my way around the island. I finished in 22 minutes, my best time yet. A finisher's medal tops it off and a few dozen photos later, we are lying on loungers enjoying the day with our catered lunch. The final gathering is back on the lawn of the Sofitel, with white tablecloths and awards. Rina gets a silver medal for coming second in her age group. There are swimmers in their 60s, 70s and 80s crushing it out there. It's quite inspiring. After dinner, we hit the dance floor with our new swimming friends and reflect on our fun week. As I head into my 50's I'm keen to keep pushing myself out of my comfort zone, and that's exactly what I got. Now, what's the next challenge?
Daily Express
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Express
Help in pitch upgrades, Football Association of Malaysia urged
Published on: Friday, July 11, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 11, 2025 By: Lagatah Toyos Text Size: Rina (seated, centre) poses with participants of the seminar. TAWAU: The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has been urged to assist Sabah in upgrading the quality of football fields in the State, which are seen to be lagging despite Sabah's strong track record of producing national sports talents. State Finance Minister's Political Secretary Datuk Rina Jainal said the State currently relies heavily on funding from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, although many sporting facilities require significant expenditure. 'At the Ministry of Finance, we constantly face conflicts because many sports facilities demand high maintenance costs,' she said. She stressed that Sabah has produced many sports stars and that basic infrastructure must be well-supported by all parties to further develop sports in the State. Rina said this after officiating the 2025/2026 Sabah-level National Football Referees Annual Seminar and Fitness Test held here on Wednesday night. Commenting on the programme, which saw participation from 36 aspiring qualified referees from across Sabah, Rina said it was a proud achievement for Tawau to be selected as the host for the Sabah zonal seminar by FAM itself. She expressed confidence that FAM's presence in the region would inspire young referees to stay active and uncover more promising talent, especially in Tawau. At the same time, she noted the importance of such programmes in strengthening integrity and sporting mindset, especially given the challenging role of referees who must manage matches fairly and often face risks, including corruption. Meanwhile, FAM Referees Unit Head, Kassim Kadir Bacha, said Sabah had shown a significant increase in referee participation, with the current intake rising to 36 from just 15 previously. He emphasised that FAM continues to focus on integrity and consistent monitoring of referees through ongoing seminars while also working to produce more female and young referees from Sabah. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Review Geek
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Turkey! Time to Strike Episode 1 Preview: Release Date, Time & Where To Watch
Turkey! Time to Strike Turkey In bowling terms means getting three consecutive strikes. Well, a second-year high school student called Mai, and captain of the Ikkokukan High School bowling club, is a genius who can't win a match. Whenever she gets a Turkey, for some reason she always ends up hitting the impregnable split, Snake Eyes. There are five members of this bowling team though, and the quintet of the Ikkokukan High School – Mai, Rina, Sayuri, Nozomi, and Nanase – lose and fight until they finally win. If you've been following this anime, you may be curious to find out when the next episode is releasing. Well, wonder no more! Here is everything you need to know about episode 1 of Turkey! Time to Strike, including the release date, time, and where you can watch this. Where Can I Watch Turkey! Time to Strike? Turkey! Time to Strike is airing in Japan on Nippon TV, BS NTV and TSB. For everyone else though, this one is also available to stream on Crunchyroll worldwide. Turkey! Time to Strike Episode 1 Release Date Turkey! Time to Strike episode 1 will release on Wednesday 9th July in Japan at approximately 1:30am (JST). Of course, this means that for most of the world, this one will debut on Tuesday 8th July at approximately 4.30pm (GMT) /9.30am (PT). Turkey! Time to Strike's episodes will drop in the native Japanese language with subtitles. Dubbing may well arrive later on down the line, but will largely be dependent on how popular this anime will be. How Many Episodes Will Turkey! Time to Strike Have? It has been officially announced that Turkey! Time to Strike will drop with a 12 episode season order, which is consistent with the other seasons. One episode will be releasing a week, while each chapter will run for around 23 minutes long. So with that in mind, we've got 11 more episodes left after this week's chapter. Is There A Trailer For Turkey! Time to Strike? Yes! You can find a trailer for Turkey! Time to Strike below: What do you hope to see as the series progresses? What's been your favourite moment of Turkey! Time to Strike so far? Let us know in the comments below!
Khaleej Times
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Food Review: Dubai's China Tang offers a new take on old-school Cantonese
I'll be honest. Chinese cuisine has never topped my list. Too often, it's a roulette wheel of gloopy sauces and mystery meats. But today, ladies and gentlemen, something rather unexpected happened. Upon arrival at China Tang, we were greeted with the sort of warmth and polished efficiency that would make even the Swiss blush. Nadine showed us to our table, delivered a flawless briefing on the restaurant's philosophy, and managed to make us feel like visiting royalty without a hint of pretension. The Lana Promenade itself surprised me. It's been some time since I ventured to this neck of the woods, but what I found was a rather splendid scene — gleaming buildings, a pristine marina, and this little jewel of a restaurant tucked elegantly into its surroundings. Inside, the décor is exactly what you hope for: tasteful, spacious, with light streaming in through vast floor-to-ceiling windows. The sort of place where you could linger far longer than you intended. Our server, Rina, took command of the culinary journey, explaining that this was elevated Chinese cuisine — a modern, creative take. A bold claim. But as it turned out, entirely justified. We kicked off proceedings with the vegetarian Sir David's hot and sour soup — quite frankly, a masterclass in balance and depth. Then came the crispy duck salad, prepared at the table with surgical precision, reminiscent of how we used to prepare Caesar salad back in my hotel school days, albeit far more artfully executed. Next arrived a flurry of small plates — spinach dressed in sesame and peanut (utterly addictive), Lamb shaomai that were little flavour bombs, and some exquisitely crafted vegetable dumplings. Each dish arrived with such elegance that I almost felt guilty destroying their visual perfection. Almost. Then came the main event. Half-braised black cod with pickled cabbage — served differently to any black cod I've had before, moist in its broth, rich, and utterly magnificent. Braised lamb in red sauce arrived like a heavyweight boxer: bold, intense, and impossible to ignore. A sizzling stone platter of green beans offered a punchy, spicy kick, while the grilled radish with black truffle was, frankly, a revelation. Who knew radish could be like this? I'm still thinking about it. By this stage, stomach capacity was running dangerously low. Yet, Rina, with a glint in her eye, persuaded us to sample a few desserts. The chilled sichuan jelly and the mango pomelo sago were both beautifully presented, delicately balanced, and precisely served at just the right temperature. Though, like many acquired tastes, your mileage may vary. China Tang has performed the near impossible: it has changed my perception of Chinese cuisine. Exceptional food, pitch-perfect service, and a setting that invites you to stay far longer than you should. Highly recommended. Hero dish: I'm always torn… If forced to choose, black cod — 10/10 VIBES: Lunchtime was quiet. I would like to try dining here in the evening — 9/10
