India’s initiative to launch the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) is going to help the world fight the energy crisis, reduce greenhouse gases, push eco-friendly energy alternatives and boost rural economy. It seeks to foster international cooperation and accelerate the development and adoption of green fuels that are created from sources including plant and animal waste. In short, India unites different nations and leads them for the use of sustainable fuels for a brighter and promising future.

India’s initiative appears to be in accordance with ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – a Sanskrit phrase that translates to ‘The world is one family’, which India adopted as the theme during its presidency of the G20 group. “Our effort is to work for inclusive, resilient, equitable, and sustainable energy for all,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. India has received accolades for coming up with several policies and initiatives to increase ethanol production.

While major ethanol-producing countries, the US and Brazil, are part of the GBA, India took the lead and provided initial capital to set it up. The use of E20 fuel– 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol—under the GBA programme will improve energy efficiency across all sectors, from residential buildings to industrial production to transportation. Studies by Joint studies reported by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Honda R&D show that E20 fuel enhances relative efficiency by 20 per cent.

The interest shown by 19 countries and 12 major international organisations to join the GBA underscores the viability of India’s plan. India is set to save INR 450 billion in crude oil imports now, which presents a reliable and feasible example of sustainable ways of development. The ethanol is extracted from renewable sources such as sugarcane, wheat, corn, barley, and other grains, as well as animal waste. It helps reduce harmful emissions such as nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.

India’s initiative to try alternative fuel boosts its climate leadership.[3] There is support for India’s green initiative from the countries that still are not an official part of the GBA. Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry is exploring ways to become a part of the biofuel processing, markets and supply chains. “We look forward to learning from the experience and expertise of other participating countries in the Global Biofuels Alliance and to contribute to global climate action,” the ministry said.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has acknowledged India’s role in GBA formation which it said would expand and create new markets for sustainable biofuels. “The sharing of best practices, the technical support and the capacity building that the GBA would bring are welcome additions to international efforts to expand sustainable biofuel production and use,” it said. The GBA will help India as well as other countries to push their clean energy ambitions as it seeks cooperation in technology development and trade of biofuels.

Purva Jain, energy analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, said GBA reflected India’s commitment to clean fuels, which can serve as a critical knowledge and technology platform. “There are needs for technological advancements in the sector and the alliance can bring together capital and scientific resources to work on those. It can also help share learning from different countries to ensure higher uptake of biofuels globally,” she said. Moreover, the GBA has the potential to create opportunities worth USD 500 billion in the next three years as the member countries aim to triple global sustainable biofuel production by 2030.

Thus, the India-led GBA seems a monumental step towards the transition towards sustainable energy practices. The alliance will offer opportunities for farmers to earn better farm remuneration through the cultivation of crops required for ethanol production. Biofuels would certainly be beneficial for the environment. India has turned out to be a leader in the global efforts to shift to a global shift toward cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.

Source: Asian Lite

At least 13 people were killed in a gunfight between two armed groups in Leithu village of Tengnupal district in the Indian state of Manipur, bordering Myanmar. Yesterday, Monday (December 4). This gun battle took place between noon and afternoon. The security forces were at least 10 kilometers away, according to various media in Manipur. Indian media NDTV has published this news citing officials of the security forces of the state.

According to media reports, the death toll was reported on Monday (December 4) between the two groups, four days after the Central and Manipur governments signed a peace accord with the state's oldest armed group, the United National Liberation Force (UNLF). The police recovered the bodies of 13 people. However, their identity is yet to be confirmed.

However, the state police is not yet sure whether the gunfight took place between two armed groups. The police believe that this clash has nothing to do with the ethnic conflict that has been going on for the past seven months.

A section of observers believe that those killed may also be armed fighters from other states or countries.

According to police, based on initial observations, a fight between two groups was reported in Leithu village, a place called Saibol in Tengnupal. Thirteen people are believed to have died in the fighting.

A senior officer of the Manipur Police said that the place has been surrounded and a search is being conducted. It is being investigated how this incident happened.

The situation in Manipur remained peaceful on Monday night. The official also said that this incident has nothing to do with ethnic conflict.

The state government lifted the ban on mobile internet services from vast areas of Manipur from last Sunday. After about seven long months, the ban was almost completely lifted. However, this ban remained in place in the hilly areas.

More than 175 people have lost their lives in Manipur since May 3 this year in continuous ethnic clashes. Thousands of people are still in relief camps after losing their homes. At least 60,000 people lost their homes during the violence. After a long six months of conflict, this state of northeast India has been relatively calm for the past one month.

Local newspapers were writing that peace was returning permanently to the state. Through dialogue between the majority on one side and the hill tribes on the other. At such a time, suddenly there was news of violence.

Chennai, India is experiencing heavy rains due to the impact of Cyclone 'Migjaum' in the Bay of Bengal. It submerged many residential areas in the state and the runway of one of the country's busiest airports. Indian media NDTV has already reported the death of five people.

According to media reports, the cyclone is expected to hit the coast of Andhra Pradesh in the early hours of Tuesday (December 5). Five people died in Chennai yesterday (December 4) due to rain.

Two of them died due to electrocution. One died after being buried under a tree. Two more bodies were found in Chennai city, local police said. However, it is not certain whether they died in the storm or not.

Authorities in both states have taken precautionary measures to minimize damage. Because of this, thousands of people living in coastal areas have been evacuated. Apart from this, state officials said that fishermen have been warned not to go into the sea.

Schools, colleges, offices and banks have been ordered to keep closed on Monday and Tuesday in at least four districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, due to the weather, a government notification said.

Parts of Andhra Pradesh are likely to receive more than 200 millimeters (8 inches) of rain in the next 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department said.

At least 47 people have been killed in floods and landslides caused by heavy rains in northern Tanzania, officials from the country's meteorological agency said. Another 80 people were injured in this incident. The incident happened near the slopes of Hanang mountain in the country.

The British media BBC reported this information in a report on Monday (December 4).

According to the report, President Samia Hasan deployed the National Security Forces to deal with the situation and assist in rescue efforts. Houses and infrastructure in the area have also been damaged due to adverse weather conditions.

The BBC also reported that flooding is the biggest natural hazard in the East African country of Tanzania. Hundreds of thousands of people are affected by floods in the country every year. Mainly East African countries are heavily affected by floods and landslides in 2023. And that is partly due to El Nino weather.

It is to be noted that the above-normal rainfall in the country last month resulted in loss of life and destruction of many properties in the capital Darussalam and Kigoma, Kagera, Geita and Unguja areas. Crops in some parts of the country were also washed away and people's livelihoods were affected. Meanwhile, the Tanzania Meteorological Agency has warned that this rain will continue this month.

Israel launched intense airstrikes on Khan Yunus in southern Gaza. Residents of Khan Yunus described it as the heaviest bombardment since the start of the war. The Israeli military told people in the eastern part of the city to move further south.

On Sunday (December 3), British media reported this information.

Israel believes some Hamas leaders are in the city, where many civilians fleeing the north are taking refuge, the report said.

Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry said at least 193 people have been killed in the latest Israeli attack.

On Friday the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a renewed offensive against Hamas in Gaza in response to the October 7 attack on Israel.

The Hamas-run health ministry said the death toll in Gaza has now exceeded 15,200.

Israel's bombardment of Gaza has resumed after a temporary ceasefire ended on Friday. The IDF said it hit more than 400 Hamas "terrorist targets" on the first day of the new operation.

Rockets have been fired regularly from Gaza into Israel since the fighting resumed on Saturday evening, with a barrage targeting areas around Tel Aviv and central Israel.

Following the attack, Israel's ambulance service said it treated a 22-year-old man for "minor injuries" to the head in Holon, a town just south of Tel Aviv.

In a briefing Saturday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue Israeli military operations to eliminate Hamas and secure the release of hostages.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have sought refuge in the area after being told to flee the northern part of the territory, Israel's main target in the early stages of the war.

The IDF's Arabic-language spokesman posted maps on social media indicating which areas civilians should leave, ordering people in areas east of Khan Yunus to move further south to the Rafahite shelter. A ground attack may be imminent in this area.

UNICEF spokesman James Elder, who was in Khan Younis on Saturday, told the BBC hospitals were already "saturated" with casualties before the strike resumed.