&w=3840&q=100)
Smiling buddha to Operation Shakti
The reverberations of that test, conducted underground in arid Pokhran, and called Pokhran-I (codename Smiling Buddha), were felt around the world. With this detonation, India had become the only country outside the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – the P5, namely the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, and China – to have conducted a confirmed nuclear weapons test. China had tested its first just 10 years ago, in 1964, two years after the Indo-China war.
India termed it a 'peaceful nuclear explosion', but it was in effect a decisive and unequivocal declaration that it had nuclear capability. The country's nuclear journey gained pace in the late 1950s under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru through Project Phoenix. It was mainly to promote civilian nuclear energy, but with physicists like Homi Bhabha, the 'father of the Indian nuclear programme', laying the groundwork for weapons development. The Atomic Energy Act of 1962 gave further control to the central government over atomic energy resources. After Nehru died in 1964, the efforts shifted mostly towards peaceful goals under Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and Gandhian scientist Vikram Sarabhai.
However, with Shastri's successor, Indira Gandhi, the momentum towards weaponisation resumed. A small, secret team of scientists and engineers worked through the 1960s and early 1970s to build the necessary infrastructure and technical capabilities. The 1971 Indo-Pak war, during which the US sent warships to the Bay of Bengal, further galvanised India's resolve, culminating in Gandhi authorising the development of a nuclear test device in 1972. India had already opposed joining the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which it saw as discriminatory. In later years, while it participated in negotiations for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), it did not ratify it for the same reasons.
Pokhran-I invited strong, sharp reactions from the world. India faced immediate sanctions. Major nuclear suppliers shut their doors to it. Less than a year later, led by the US, the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) was formed to restrict and regulate the supply of nuclear material and know-how to countries that hadn't ratified the NPT. The US further tightened export controls by passing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act, 1978.
An editorial in The New York Times read: 'Such great talent of resources has been squandered on the vanity of power, while 600 million Indians slip deeper into poverty. The sixth member of the nuclear club may be passing the beggar bowl before the year is out.'
India continued with its programme through the '80s and '90s, aware that neighbouring Pakistan was also acquiring nuclear capability. Meanwhile, the original five nuclear weapons states kept a close eye on India, which had by now opened its economy to the world.
Twenty-four years after Smiling Buddha, the hot, barren Pokhran would once again witness a country's determination to exercise its sovereign right to security, despite the intense scrutiny and the threat of sanctions. It was again in the month of May, when average temperatures in Pokhran hover above 40 degrees Celsius, that India conducted its second test – a series of five nuclear tests, actually; three on May 11 and two on May 13, 1998.
Pokhran-II, codenamed Operation Shakti, with the devices named Shakti-I through Shakti-V, carried out under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, also invited intense criticism from the global community. Besides the Western world, countries in the
Asia-Pacific region, such as Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and Malaysia also reacted adversely. While India stood its ground, it made known its 'no-first-use' policy.
India's record since has established it as a nuclear-responsible country. In 2008, it signed a civil nuclear agreement with the US, and the same year, it received a waiver from the NSG. It has since signed civil nuclear cooperation agreements with Japan, Australia, South Korea, France and Vietnam, among other countries.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
11 minutes ago
- Hans India
Study abroad: Redefining education for students
Studying abroad has transformed from a niche aspiration to a mainstream ambition for millions of Indian students in recent decades. However, in 2025, Indian students' dreams are facing the toughest test. As countries tighten immigration policies, introduce financial restrictions, and prioritize local labour markets, the once-straightforward path to a foreign degree is now a complex maze. Despite these headwinds, international education continues to thrive, but has not diminished. Shifting policies, shrinking access? Several study destinations have undergone drastic visa and policy changes over the last year, which have put students and institutions scrambling to adjust. Canada, which was the preferred destination for Indian students, was slated to introduce a study permit cap of 437,000 for 2025, while increasing the requirement for proof of financial means to CAD 20,635, an increase of over 100% from the usual upward adjustment witnessed in previous years. Furthermore, Canadian authorities have tightened the criteria of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), with higher requirements of English language proficiency being imposed: CLB 7 for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates. Whereas in the UK, the Graduate Route visa is still there, which allows international students to work for two years post-graduation (three for PhDs), the money-proof requirements were raised. Australia, well known for being a state with many privileges to students, has increased the financial requirement to AUD 29,710 and has made things hard with its English language assessments. The country is considering an enrollment cap for international students, but in parallel, it is granting extended work rights in priority sectors such as healthcare and engineering. The US, with fewer structural changes, remains good at maintaining the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, through which STEM graduates get up to 36 months of work experience. However, increased scrutiny on visas and growing concerns on the possible H-1B routes continue to shadow the long-term outlook for some students. A diversifying map of destinations Amidst the tightening grip of traditional education hubs, emerging contenders are claiming their spots. Germany, Ireland, Finland, and New Zealand are gaining attention for their student centric visa policies, high-quality education systems and increasing opportunities for post-study work. There has particularly been a 26% spike in Indian student enrollment in Germany in the past academic year alone, courtesy of no tuition fees, public universities and strong STEM reputation. The diversification of destinations is yet another example of something getting a little stranger: a change in the mindset of students. It is no longer just about a university's rank or a country's prestige has to be about long-term ROI, work rights, safety, and living costs. The rising role of education loans As financial barriers grow, the relevance of education loans has become more pronounced. According to a Shiksha study in 2024, 49% of Indian students relied on education loans to fund their international education. The average cost of studying in countries like the U.S., Canada, or Australia now ranges between INR 25 to 50 Lakh, depending on the course and institution. In 2025, that number is projected to rise further as parent's savings alone can no longer meet the steep financial requirements set by many countries. Traditional banks still hold a strong position; however, NBFCs and FinTechs have managed to enter the market by way of offering tailor-made loans without collateral and with faster turnaround times. Such institutions are critical for students of Tier-II and Tier-III cities who may not have, at least, property to offer or a strong credit history, but do have academic skills. Apart from that, the financial advice is being actively sought by students before their initiation on their roads. Platforms that offer loan comparisons, EMI calculators, and amortization simulations have slowly but surely become a relevant aspect of the actual decision-making process. Reinvention, not retreat The narrative around international education in 2025 isn't one of decline but of reinvention. Yes, there are more hoops to jump through, but those who do, arrive better informed and better financially planned. The value of an international education is still strong for individuals, communities and economies alike. For Indian students, the key lies in strategic planning, early financial preparedness, and a willingness to explore new global frontiers. And for stakeholders, governments, lenders, and universities, it is imperative to keep the system equitable and aspirational.
Hans India
11 minutes ago
- Hans India
Listening to Indian ragas can boost mental stability: IIT Mandi study
Listening to Raga Darbari - known for its soothing and uplifting qualities - before exams or important meetings may improve focus, while Raga Jogiya - a melancholic melody - could help manage emotional overwhelm or grief. The shifts observed in neural activity were not random. The data showed repeatable, consistent transitions after exposure to the ragas, suggesting Indian classical music can serve as a powerful tool for mental wellness. The EEG data consistently showed how music exposure, compared to silence, shifted the brain into more stable and functional patterns. EEG microstates offer a window into how the brain operates moment, attention, mind-wandering, or emotional engagement. What we found was that Ragas don't just evoke feelings, they actually reprogramme the brain in real time, it is remarkable to see how these ancient melodies consistently guide the brain into more stable and focused patterns Amid rising mental health challenges such as stress, burnout, and attention deficits, a new study by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi showed that Indian classical ragas can potentially enhance levels of attention, emotional regulation, and mental stability. The study, conducted in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, provides scientific validation for music as a therapeutic tool: one that is culturally resonant and non-invasive. The research, which involved 40 participants exposed to the ragas, utilised advanced electroencephalogram (EEG) microstate analysis - a real-time brain-mapping technique that captures momentary yet significant patterns of neural activity. The findings, published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, suggests that listening to Raga Darbari - known for its soothing and uplifting qualities -- before exams or important meetings may improve focus, while Raga Jogiya - a melancholic melody - could help manage emotional overwhelm or grief. The shifts observed in neural activity were not random, said first author Dr. Ashish Gupta, Assistant Professor, IIT Mandi. 'The data showed repeatable, consistent transitions after exposure to the ragas, suggesting Indian classical music can serve as a powerful tool for mental wellness. The EEG data consistently showed how music exposure, compared to silence, shifted the brain into more stable and functional patterns,' added Gupta. The EEG test employed small metal electrodes, known as 'microstates', which often last only a few milliseconds and represent the brain's transient modes of operation, such as attention, emotional engagement, or mind-wandering. Brain cells communicate through electrical impulses, and this activity is represented as wavy lines on an EEG recording. The research revealed that Raga Darbari and Raga Jogiya can fundamentally alter EEG microstates, and show fleeting but powerful neural patterns that reflect attention, emotion, and cognitive processing. 'EEG microstates offer a window into how the brain operates moment, attention, mind-wandering, or emotional engagement. What we found was that Ragas don't just evoke feelings, they actually reprogramme the brain in real time, it is remarkable to see how these ancient melodies consistently guide the brain into more stable and focused patterns,' said Prof Laxmidhar Behera, Director, IIT Mandi. The study also observed an overall increase in brain stability across participants, with microstates becoming longer and more grounded, indicating a calmer, more focused mind.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
13 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Meeting held under pressure: Jairam Ramesh attacks ECI over INDIA bloc meet
A day after Election Commission of India (ECI) met with the delegation of 11 parties to discuss its decision of conducting "electoral" revision ahead of the Bihar elections, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh slammed ECI stating that the meeting "ultimately" took place "under pressure". The Congress leader noted that the Election Commission earlier refused a meeting, however, later only allowed two leaders from a party, due to which some leaders could not even meet with the officials of the ECI. "Yesterday evening, the delegation of the INDIA bloc met with the Election Commission regarding the special voter intensive revision ("SIR") in Bihar. Initially, the Commission had refused to meet, but ultimately, under pressure, the delegation was called. The Commission arbitrarily allowed only two representatives from each party, due to which many of us could not meet with the Commission. I myself sat in the waiting room for almost two hours", Jairam Ramesh said in his 'X' post. The Congress MP stated that the ECI's attitude "weakens" the "basic structure" of the Indian democracy. He asserted that ECI is a government body and it can't refuse the opposition's request for hearings. "Over the past six months, the Commission's attitude has consistently been such that it weakens the basic structure of our democracy. The Election Commission is a constitutional body. It cannot regularly reject requests for hearings from the opposition. The Commission must work in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution and its provisions", Jairam Ramesh's 'X' post said. The Congress leader emphasised that the ECI cannot impose "arbitrary rules" for engaging with political parties. "Most importantly, the Election Commission cannot make arbitrary rules for engaging with political parties--such as the number of representatives, their positions, or deciding who is authorized and who is not", the Congress leader said. Claiming that when the opposition called the rules from the ECI "arbitrary and misleading", the body replied, "This is the new Commission." Ramesh said that this answer from the ECI, the concern of the opposition has deepened as they feel that what will be the next step of the electoral body. "When the delegation called these rules arbitrary and misleading, the Commission responded: "This is the new Commission." Hearing this, the concern deepens--what will be the next move of this "new" Commission? And how many more "masterstrokes" are yet to be seen? Just as the "demonetization" of November 2016 dealt a severe blow to our economy, similarly, this "voter suppression", which is emerging in the form of SIR in Bihar and other states--will destroy our democracy", Jairam Ramesh said in his 'X' post.
