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What You Must Know: Trade, Screen, Soil’s Future

Published On: July 21, 2025
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India is navigating a dynamic landscape, from modernizing its defense capabilities with Artificial Intelligence to strengthening diplomatic bonds, tackling public health crises like screen addiction, and addressing the fundamental issue of soil health for national nutrition.

Indian Army Embraces AI for Future Warfare

The Indian Army is rapidly integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Big Data Analytics into its operations. A detailed roadmap aims to deploy these technologies by 2026-27, transforming how battles are fought and information is managed.

Immediate priorities include enhancing battlefield awareness through AI tools that quickly process vast amounts of data. This involves text summarizers, AI-powered chatbots, voice-to-text systems, and facial recognition to detect unusual patterns and threats. These advancements are being fast-tracked, drawing lessons from recent operations like “Operation Sindoor.”

The roadmap outlines broader applications, from decision support systems for counter-intelligence and surveillance to logistics, supply chain management, and analyzing open-source intelligence. AI will also be vital for optimizing equipment positioning, predictive maintenance, and navigation in GPS-denied environments.

To ensure long-term integration, AI features will be embedded into the technical specifications for all new defense equipment. An AI task force under the Directorate General of Information Systems (DGIS) is being established, complete with a new AI lab to develop and test models, fostering collaboration with the Navy and Air Force, as well as industry and academia.

  • AI tools will enhance battlefield awareness, processing vast information for quicker decision-making.
  • Applications include decision support for intelligence, logistics, surveillance, and predictive maintenance.
  • The Army is establishing an AI task force and lab, fast-tracking implementation post-“Operation Sindoor.”

India Strengthens Global Partnerships

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the United Kingdom and Maldives highlights India’s focus on key international relationships. In the UK, the primary objective was the formal signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), a culmination of three years of negotiations.

This FTA is expected to significantly benefit Indian exports, with 99% potentially enjoying tariff-free access. For the UK, it will ease exports of goods like whiskey and cars to India, boosting overall trade. This marks PM Modi’s first visit since UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer took office, signaling renewed diplomatic vigor.

Following the UK visit, PM Modi traveled to Maldives as the guest of honor for their 60th Independence Day celebrations. This visit aims to mend and advance ties with the maritime neighbor, especially after earlier diplomatic strains. It underscores India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy and “Vision MAHASAGAR,” emphasizing regional maritime security and economic collaboration.

The Growing Challenge of Screen Addiction Among Youth

Excessive screen time is emerging as a significant public health concern, especially among young adults in India. Educators and mental health professionals are observing worrying trends, including declining academic performance, social withdrawal, and increased aggression in students.

The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has exacerbated this issue, further increasing smartphone usage among students. International studies have found a direct link between high and increasing addictive screen use and negative mental health outcomes, including suicidal thoughts among adolescents.

In response, judicial bodies like the Delhi High Court have issued directives, urging schools to regulate smartphone use without imposing outright bans. Schools are now tasked with drafting policies, with some considering allowing only basic keypad phones for emergencies. This highlights the complex balance required between leveraging technology for learning and mitigating its detrimental effects on youth well-being.

Nourishing the Nation: The Health of Our Soil

While India has achieved remarkable food security, providing ample calories for its vast population, a critical challenge remains: nutritional security. Despite large food grain stocks and declining extreme poverty, a significant portion of Indian children still suffer from stunting, being underweight, or wasted, as per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS 5).

A key, often overlooked, factor contributing to this nutritional gap is the deteriorating health of the soil. When soils lack essential micronutrients, the crops grown on them also become nutrient-deficient. This leads to a pervasive form of malnutrition in humans, where even seemingly sufficient food doesn’t provide adequate vitamins and minerals.

For instance, zinc deficiency in soils directly translates to low zinc content in staple cereals like wheat and rice, which is linked to childhood stunting. Beyond micronutrients, issues like low soil organic carbon (SOC) and deficiencies in sulphur, iron, and boron are widespread. Experts warn that many parts of Indian soil require immediate intervention to restore their health and ensure sustainable, nutritious food production for the future.

Khushboo Yadav

Khushboo Yadav is a careers and education researcher focused on making life-changing knowledge accessible. With a Master’s in Education and 7+ years in content design for EdTech platforms, she translates complex ideas into actionable insights. She has developed learning material for both public-sector programs and private institutions. Her writing empowers students, professionals, and educators to navigate their next move with clarity and confidence.

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