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Hindustan Times
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
A 19th century panopticon on gracious Seshadri Road
It has struck half-past-2025, but only just, so let us linger a tad in June, to talk about three events that happened in three long-ago Junes. One was the Indian Emergency, declared half a century ago on June 25. The second and third are connected to two individuals, specifically to their deaths; the first, English philosopher and jurist Jeremy Bentham, passed on 6 June, 1832, aged 84, and the second, Bentham's much younger Scottish secretary, collaborator and devoted acolyte, James Mill, on 23 June, 1836. The plan of Jeremy Bentham's panopticon prison was drawn by Willey Reveley in 1791. (HT photo) Let's begin with James Mill, born Milne, whose magnum opus, The History of British India (1818), is arguably the most influential colonial history of the region. A staunch advocate of utilitarianism, a branch of ethical philosophy that advocates actions which bring about the greatest good for the greatest number, Mill believed implicitly that British actions in the subcontinent were justified. In the longest essay in the book, a 10-chapter denouncement titled 'Of the Hindoos', he describes Indian society as barbaric, dismisses Indians as incapable of self-government, and declares that 'insincerity, mendacity, perfidy and (…) venality' are innate in Hindus and Muslims. Considering that he had never visited India, Mill was reaching here, but his standing as a historian ensured that his book became an instant bestseller and the primary source of the deep Indophobia that persisted until Indian Independence. It also garnered him a plum position in the East India Company (EIC), from which he was able to impact imperial policy in India, including our own city. (Mill's son, John Stuart Mill, 'the most influential English-speaking philosopher of the 19th century', also an EIC man, redressed his dad's excesses somewhat by having the grace to be conflicted about imperialism.) On to Mills' guru, Jeremy Bentham. A radical liberal and utilitarian, as woke as they came in the 18th century, he pushed for the abolition of slavery, equal rights for women, decriminalization of homosexuality, freedom of expression, and animal rights (to give him credit, Mills advocated for all these as well). But Bentham's passion was prison reform, including the abolition of capital punishment, better conditions for prisoners, and the engagement of inmates in useful and profitable work, all of this to be accomplished at the least cost to the state. Towards this end, he spent long years designing his dream prison, the Panopticon, Greek for 'all-seeing'. The Panopticon design involved a central watch tower, from which a single prison officer could observe the goings-on in the individual cell blocks that were ranged radially around the tower in a wide circle. Clearly, the officer could not watch every block all the time, but the fact that he was in an eyrie above the sightline of the prisoners meant that inmates could not tell when they were being watched. That, Bentham argued, would result in self-policing, thus reducing the cost of manpower. Unfortunately, despite Bentham's best efforts, the Panopticon prison, reviled by later thinkers as a metaphor for Big Brother totalitarianism, never got built in his home country. But it did in our city, in 1866, in the shape of the Bangalore Central Jail (now Freedom Park). Among its famous inmates during the independence movement was the second chief minister of Karnataka, Kengal Hanumanthaiah. The Panopticon as a symbol of the oppressive state was realised during the Emergency, when prominent Jan Sangh leaders like AB Vajpayee and LK Advani were put away in the Banglore Jail for months on end. More tragically, it was also where one of the first martyrs of the Emergency, activist and actress Snehalatha Reddy, who played Chandri in the National Award-winning Kannada film Samskara based on the novel by UR Ananthamurthy, was imprisoned and tortured for eight long months with no proof of guilt. (Roopa Pai is a writer who has carried on a longtime love affair with her hometown Bengaluru)
STV News
10-06-2025
- Science
- STV News
Geologists unveil UK ‘super regions' with best potential for transition projects
Geologists have unveiled 'super regions' throughout the UK with the best geological potential to host energy transition technologies, including geothermal energy, and carbon capture and storage (CCS). The findings, published by the British Geological Survey (BGS), show the UK has an incredibly diverse subsurface, which can play a key role in supporting efforts to reach the country's legally binding climate goals. Many areas have geology that is well suited to certain net zero technologies, including shallow geothermal installations or critical minerals occurrences. But BGS scientists say eight super regions contain subsurface formations and conditions that are favourable to multiple different technologies within a relatively small area. These are Northern Ireland, the Scottish Central Belt, north-east England, north-west England, the South Yorkshire and Humber region, the East Midlands and East Anglia, South Wales and south-west England. Here, the subsurfaces can provide a sustainable heat source for geothermal energy, geological formations for secure storage of energy and carbon dioxide (CO2), rocks containing important resources for mineral extraction, and suitable geological foundation conditions for onshore and offshore wind infrastructure projects, the scientists said. For example, south-west England has significant deep geothermal resources offering opportunities for sustainable heat and power generation while its sedimentary basins provide potential sites for CCS and energy storage, they added. Meanwhile, the Scottish Central Belt boasts a complex geology, including sedimentary reservoir rocks and significant igneous intrusions, abundant geothermal resources, abandoned coal mines and a legacy of subsurface data, they said. The BGS said its findings offer crucial insights and a road map for decision makers, ministers and land managers looking to maximise return on investment in the energy transition. The geologists assessed that strategic spatial planning for such technologies in these areas can help unlock an estimated £40 billion of annual investment and support the Government's target of creating 650,000 jobs through renewable energy by 2030. But they added that further investigation will be required to fully establish each of the super region's true potential, ensure safe deployment of each technology, and understand environmental impact. Michelle Bentham, BGS chief scientist for decarbonisation and resource management, said: 'The UK is incredibly diverse in its geology. 'Because it's out of sight, geology gets a little bit forgotten about. 'And I don't think people realise how blessed we are in the UK, if you like, in terms of the geology that could really help us have a sustainable future. 'But you can really see the difference that geology could make to reaching Government goals in terms of net zero, energy provision, clean energy.' Ms Bentham said funding and the policy landscape may have been barriers to rolling out technologies such as CCS and geothermal energy across the UK. 'In Europe, geothermal energy is used much more widely. In the UK, we don't use it as widely and it's always been a bit of a Cinderella of clean energy technologies,' she said. 'And in the North Sea, we could potentially become a hub for carbon storage in Europe for countries that don't have the right geology who are trying to decarbonise,' she added. The BGS contributed to the consultation on the Government's upcoming land use framework, which looks at how England's finite land can meet the escalating demands of food security, clean energy, nature restoration and new homes. But the framework is focusing more on surface demands, with some scope for shallow subsurface areas such as geothermal infrastructure. Ms Bentham said strategic spatial planning for the subsurface could also help optimise the UK's resources for the energy transition. For example, it could stop decision makers from locking into one technology – such as wind farms or CCS – in one area where another could have yielded more benefits, or where multiple technologies could have been deployed. 'Like the map, it's not one technology that's going to be the answer,' she said. 'That's why we need this combination to give us flexibility.' The BGS highlighted that the data underpinning its research has been shaped by geologists' current understanding of the subsurface, adding that a few parts of the country have been less extensively surveyed than others, and more research is required to fully assess their less Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Rhyl Journal
10-06-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Geologists unveil UK ‘super regions' with best potential for transition projects
The findings, published by the British Geological Survey (BGS), show the UK has an incredibly diverse subsurface, which can play a key role in supporting efforts to reach the country's legally binding climate goals. Many areas have geology that is well suited to certain net zero technologies, including shallow geothermal installations or critical minerals occurrences. But BGS scientists say eight super regions contain subsurface formations and conditions that are favourable to multiple different technologies within a relatively small area. These are Northern Ireland, the Scottish Central Belt, north-east England, north-west England, the South Yorkshire and Humber region, the East Midlands and East Anglia, South Wales and south-west England. Here, the subsurfaces can provide a sustainable heat source for geothermal energy, geological formations for secure storage of energy and carbon dioxide (CO2), rocks containing important resources for mineral extraction, and suitable geological foundation conditions for onshore and offshore wind infrastructure projects, the scientists said. For example, south-west England has significant deep geothermal resources offering opportunities for sustainable heat and power generation while its sedimentary basins provide potential sites for CCS and energy storage, they added. Meanwhile, the Scottish Central Belt boasts a complex geology, including sedimentary reservoir rocks and significant igneous intrusions, abundant geothermal resources, abandoned coal mines and a legacy of subsurface data, they said. The BGS said its findings offer crucial insights and a road map for decision makers, ministers and land managers looking to maximise return on investment in the energy transition. The geologists assessed that strategic spatial planning for such technologies in these areas can help unlock an estimated £40 billion of annual investment and support the Government's target of creating 650,000 jobs through renewable energy by 2030. But they added that further investigation will be required to fully establish each of the super region's true potential, ensure safe deployment of each technology, and understand environmental impact. Michelle Bentham, BGS chief scientist for decarbonisation and resource management, said: 'The UK is incredibly diverse in its geology. 'Because it's out of sight, geology gets a little bit forgotten about. 'And I don't think people realise how blessed we are in the UK, if you like, in terms of the geology that could really help us have a sustainable future. 'But you can really see the difference that geology could make to reaching Government goals in terms of net zero, energy provision, clean energy.' Ms Bentham said funding and the policy landscape may have been barriers to rolling out technologies such as CCS and geothermal energy across the UK. 'In Europe, geothermal energy is used much more widely. In the UK, we don't use it as widely and it's always been a bit of a Cinderella of clean energy technologies,' she said. 'And in the North Sea, we could potentially become a hub for carbon storage in Europe for countries that don't have the right geology who are trying to decarbonise,' she added. The BGS contributed to the consultation on the Government's upcoming land use framework, which looks at how England's finite land can meet the escalating demands of food security, clean energy, nature restoration and new homes. But the framework is focusing more on surface demands, with some scope for shallow subsurface areas such as geothermal infrastructure. Ms Bentham said strategic spatial planning for the subsurface could also help optimise the UK's resources for the energy transition. For example, it could stop decision makers from locking into one technology – such as wind farms or CCS – in one area where another could have yielded more benefits, or where multiple technologies could have been deployed. 'Like the map, it's not one technology that's going to be the answer,' she said. 'That's why we need this combination to give us flexibility.' The BGS highlighted that the data underpinning its research has been shaped by geologists' current understanding of the subsurface, adding that a few parts of the country have been less extensively surveyed than others, and more research is required to fully assess their potential.
South Wales Guardian
10-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Geologists unveil UK ‘super regions' with best potential for transition projects
The findings, published by the British Geological Survey (BGS), show the UK has an incredibly diverse subsurface, which can play a key role in supporting efforts to reach the country's legally binding climate goals. Many areas have geology that is well suited to certain net zero technologies, including shallow geothermal installations or critical minerals occurrences. But BGS scientists say eight super regions contain subsurface formations and conditions that are favourable to multiple different technologies within a relatively small area. These are Northern Ireland, the Scottish Central Belt, north-east England, north-west England, the South Yorkshire and Humber region, the East Midlands and East Anglia, South Wales and south-west England. Here, the subsurfaces can provide a sustainable heat source for geothermal energy, geological formations for secure storage of energy and carbon dioxide (CO2), rocks containing important resources for mineral extraction, and suitable geological foundation conditions for onshore and offshore wind infrastructure projects, the scientists said. For example, south-west England has significant deep geothermal resources offering opportunities for sustainable heat and power generation while its sedimentary basins provide potential sites for CCS and energy storage, they added. Meanwhile, the Scottish Central Belt boasts a complex geology, including sedimentary reservoir rocks and significant igneous intrusions, abundant geothermal resources, abandoned coal mines and a legacy of subsurface data, they said. The BGS said its findings offer crucial insights and a road map for decision makers, ministers and land managers looking to maximise return on investment in the energy transition. The geologists assessed that strategic spatial planning for such technologies in these areas can help unlock an estimated £40 billion of annual investment and support the Government's target of creating 650,000 jobs through renewable energy by 2030. But they added that further investigation will be required to fully establish each of the super region's true potential, ensure safe deployment of each technology, and understand environmental impact. Michelle Bentham, BGS chief scientist for decarbonisation and resource management, said: 'The UK is incredibly diverse in its geology. 'Because it's out of sight, geology gets a little bit forgotten about. 'And I don't think people realise how blessed we are in the UK, if you like, in terms of the geology that could really help us have a sustainable future. 'But you can really see the difference that geology could make to reaching Government goals in terms of net zero, energy provision, clean energy.' Ms Bentham said funding and the policy landscape may have been barriers to rolling out technologies such as CCS and geothermal energy across the UK. 'In Europe, geothermal energy is used much more widely. In the UK, we don't use it as widely and it's always been a bit of a Cinderella of clean energy technologies,' she said. 'And in the North Sea, we could potentially become a hub for carbon storage in Europe for countries that don't have the right geology who are trying to decarbonise,' she added. The BGS contributed to the consultation on the Government's upcoming land use framework, which looks at how England's finite land can meet the escalating demands of food security, clean energy, nature restoration and new homes. But the framework is focusing more on surface demands, with some scope for shallow subsurface areas such as geothermal infrastructure. Ms Bentham said strategic spatial planning for the subsurface could also help optimise the UK's resources for the energy transition. For example, it could stop decision makers from locking into one technology – such as wind farms or CCS – in one area where another could have yielded more benefits, or where multiple technologies could have been deployed. 'Like the map, it's not one technology that's going to be the answer,' she said. 'That's why we need this combination to give us flexibility.' The BGS highlighted that the data underpinning its research has been shaped by geologists' current understanding of the subsurface, adding that a few parts of the country have been less extensively surveyed than others, and more research is required to fully assess their potential.
Glasgow Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Geologists unveil UK ‘super regions' with best potential for transition projects
The findings, published by the British Geological Survey (BGS), show the UK has an incredibly diverse subsurface, which can play a key role in supporting efforts to reach the country's legally binding climate goals. Many areas have geology that is well suited to certain net zero technologies, including shallow geothermal installations or critical minerals occurrences. But BGS scientists say eight super regions contain subsurface formations and conditions that are favourable to multiple different technologies within a relatively small area. These are Northern Ireland, the Scottish Central Belt, north-east England, north-west England, the South Yorkshire and Humber region, the East Midlands and East Anglia, South Wales and south-west England. Here, the subsurfaces can provide a sustainable heat source for geothermal energy, geological formations for secure storage of energy and carbon dioxide (CO2), rocks containing important resources for mineral extraction, and suitable geological foundation conditions for onshore and offshore wind infrastructure projects, the scientists said. For example, south-west England has significant deep geothermal resources offering opportunities for sustainable heat and power generation while its sedimentary basins provide potential sites for CCS and energy storage, they added. Meanwhile, the Scottish Central Belt boasts a complex geology, including sedimentary reservoir rocks and significant igneous intrusions, abundant geothermal resources, abandoned coal mines and a legacy of subsurface data, they said. The BGS said its findings offer crucial insights and a road map for decision makers, ministers and land managers looking to maximise return on investment in the energy transition. The geologists assessed that strategic spatial planning for such technologies in these areas can help unlock an estimated £40 billion of annual investment and support the Government's target of creating 650,000 jobs through renewable energy by 2030. But they added that further investigation will be required to fully establish each of the super region's true potential, ensure safe deployment of each technology, and understand environmental impact. Michelle Bentham, BGS chief scientist for decarbonisation and resource management, said: 'The UK is incredibly diverse in its geology. 'Because it's out of sight, geology gets a little bit forgotten about. 'And I don't think people realise how blessed we are in the UK, if you like, in terms of the geology that could really help us have a sustainable future. 'But you can really see the difference that geology could make to reaching Government goals in terms of net zero, energy provision, clean energy.' Ms Bentham said funding and the policy landscape may have been barriers to rolling out technologies such as CCS and geothermal energy across the UK. 'In Europe, geothermal energy is used much more widely. In the UK, we don't use it as widely and it's always been a bit of a Cinderella of clean energy technologies,' she said. 'And in the North Sea, we could potentially become a hub for carbon storage in Europe for countries that don't have the right geology who are trying to decarbonise,' she added. The BGS contributed to the consultation on the Government's upcoming land use framework, which looks at how England's finite land can meet the escalating demands of food security, clean energy, nature restoration and new homes. But the framework is focusing more on surface demands, with some scope for shallow subsurface areas such as geothermal infrastructure. Ms Bentham said strategic spatial planning for the subsurface could also help optimise the UK's resources for the energy transition. For example, it could stop decision makers from locking into one technology – such as wind farms or CCS – in one area where another could have yielded more benefits, or where multiple technologies could have been deployed. 'Like the map, it's not one technology that's going to be the answer,' she said. 'That's why we need this combination to give us flexibility.' The BGS highlighted that the data underpinning its research has been shaped by geologists' current understanding of the subsurface, adding that a few parts of the country have been less extensively surveyed than others, and more research is required to fully assess their potential.
