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India plans to buy ship to boost polar research
In what can be a major boost to India’s polar research, the Union cabinet Wednesday decided to buy a ship that can operate in Antarctic continent regions.
In what can be a major boost to India’s polar research, the Union cabinet Wednesday decided to buy a ship that can operate in Antarctic continent regions.
So far, the government used to hire vessels to send scientists and transport materials to run its two research bases in Antarctica—Maitri and Bharti.
But the new vessel, as envisaged, will not only perform its normal transportation functions but also act as a suitable research platform for other tropical sea programmes.
“In context of India’s expanding scientific presence to the Arctic as well and the country’s growing strategic interests in the polar and ocean domain, a research vessel would serve as the perfect vehicle for building up on India’s increased visibility in the ocean sector,” said a government release.
In a bid to bring uniformity in education of architecture and planning and improve its standard, the cabinet also approved the introduction of the School of Planning and Architecture Bill, 2014.
The bill, likely to be introduced during the winter session, will bring all three Schools of Planning and Architecture (SPAs) within the ambit of a single law. “The proposed Act will empower these schools. This would enable the SPA to become a centre of excellence like the IITs, NITs and help fulfil the need for quality manpower in the field of architecture,” said a press release.
