7) Space technology has great potential to help social and economic development, especially in parts of the developing world such as South Asia, however, the potential remains untapped. Analyze.(250 words)

Topic– India and its neighbourhood relations.

7) Space technology has great potential to help social and economic development, especially in parts of the developing world such as South Asia, however, the potential remains untapped. Analyze.(250 words)

Reference

Why this question

We have seen in case of India that space technology has benefited us immensely especially when it comes to fields such as agriculture etc. This would have enabled south Asia to collectively resolve many of the problems related to development that the region faces. However due to reasons, as discussed in the article, we have been unable to tap this potential. Hence this question

Key demand of the question

The question first expects us to bring out the potential that space technology has for South Asia. Thereafter, we need to bring out the reasons why this potential remains untapped. Finally, we need to discuss how the status quo can be reversed.

Directive word

Analyze – When asked to analyze, you  have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.

Structure of the answer

Introduction – Explain that South Asia is a region with several developmental challenges and space technology could have played a role in dealing with those challenges.

Body

• Discuss how space technology would have helped south Asia –
  • South Asia is a region with uneven development and serious social, economic, and developmental challenges.
  • Space technology capabilities are also unevenly spread with China and India as established space players in the region but with more new entrants in the field. Countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Maldives have a clear requirement for space capabilities for a number of different utilities such as dealing with natural disasters and communication. The region has remained prone to many weather-related calamities on a fairly frequent basis, making disaster warning and mitigation important drivers for pursuing an outer space agenda.
  • Strengthening connectivity, communication, and broadband internet across rural and remote areas of the region too should be strong imperatives.
• Discuss the reasons why potential remains untapped
  • Availability of resources and lack of visionary leadership in the region are important factors, but so are international insecurity and conflict.
• Discuss how the situation can be corrected
  • confidence building measures (CBMs) can help promote space development in South Asia
  • Using alternatives to SAARC such as BIMSTEC etc

Conclusion – Give your view and discuss way forward.