Amit's Musings

Singapore's Liquid Gold from the Sea Singapore, a small island nation at the crossroads of global trade, faces a unique geographical paradox: abundant rainfall but limited land to capture and store it. This inherent water scarcity, coupled with a rapidly growing population and economy, has compelled Singapore to adopt one of the world's most innovative and resilient water management strategies. At the heart of this strategy, dubbed the "Four National Taps," lies desalination, a technological marvel that transforms the seemingly endless ocean into a vital source of potable water. Singapore, a model of urban water management, has ingeniously tackled its water scarcity through a multi-pronged strategy known as the "Four National Taps": local catchment, imported water, NEWater (reclaimed water), and desalinated water. Over the past two decades, desalination has rapidly ascended in prominence, evolving from a nascent technology to a critical component, curren...

The Double-Edged Sword: How Military Spending and Limited Wars Shape Economies and Societies – A Disproportionate Divide The conventional wisdom often views war as inherently destructive. However, a compelling, albeit controversial, argument suggests that limited regular wars and the robust military-industrial complex (MIC) can act as powerful economic stimulants. This note explores how focused production and research in defense sectors drive innovation, job creation, and export opportunities, particularly for a few dominant economies in the Global North. We will also delve into the "good things" that emerge from this dynamic, such as technological advancements that "spin off" into civilian life, improving our daily existence. Crucially, this analysis illuminates the stark disproportionate outcomes, where the Global North disproportionately reaps the economic benefits while the Global South often bears the brunt of the human, economic, and developmental costs. Whi...

Chennai's Lifeline from the Sea: A Deep Dive into Desalination's Role in Quenching a Thirsty Metropolis Chennai, a major coastal city in India, has increasingly turned to seawater desalination as a critical solution to its perennial water scarcity. With an arid climate and inconsistent monsoon rains, traditional water sources often fall short. Currently, two major operational desalination plants at Minjur and Nemmeli, with a combined capacity of 350 Million Litres per Day (MLD), provide a significant portion of the city's potable water, catering to an estimated 20-25% of its daily supply. Over the last two decades, this dependency has grown from conceptual plans to tangible infrastructure, significantly augmenting Chennai's water security. While offering a "drought-proof" supply, desalination comes with a hefty price tag in terms of both capital and operational costs, making it considerably more expensive than conventional sources. Environmental concerns, pr...