At a recent press conference, Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, offered exciting insights into the festival’s programming. “This year, we are diving deep into the world of crime fiction, with a special focus on the genre,” said Roy. “We also continue to celebrate poetry as an integral part of the festival, alongside discussions on current geopolitics, theatre, music, and more.”

A major highlight of this year’s event will be the presentation of the Kanhaiya Lal Sethia Award for Poetry, which honors the acclaimed Hindi poet Badri Narayan. Known for his vivid folk-inspired poetry and sharp social commentary, Narayan will be recognized for his literary contributions and his role as a social scientist and public intellectual. His poetry collection Tumdi ke Shabd earned him the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2022, making this recognition particularly poignant.

The festival’s 2025 edition also promises a deeper exploration of pressing global themes under the banner “Fractured World.” Panels and discussions will address the complexities of contemporary geopolitics, the devastating impacts of war and conflict, and critical issues such as climate change, sports, and cultural expressions like cinema and dance.

Festival Co-Director and celebrated historian William Dalrymple described the festival as “a global platform bringing together some of the most influential voices from around the world.” Dalrymple further emphasized that this year’s gathering would feature Nobel laureates, Booker Prize winners, Pulitzer Prize recipients, policymakers, and a host of renowned authors, poets, and artists. Among the confirmed speakers are economist Abhijit Banerjee, diplomat Amitabh Kant, authors Andrew O’Hagan and Geetanjali Shree, actor Amol Palekar, activist Kailash Satyarthi, and many more.

The Jaipur Literature Festival has long been a symbol of intellectual vitality, and Roy acknowledged the city’s invaluable support in growing the event. “Jaipur and its residents have played a pivotal role in the success of the festival, fostering an environment of curiosity and enthusiasm,” he said.

With its dynamic programming, diverse voices, and global outlook, the 18th edition of JLF is poised to further cement its legacy as a beacon of cultural exchange, fostering dialogue and creativity across continents.

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Lizards, like many ectothermic animals, rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. This temperature dictates not only their ability to hunt for food but also the amount of energy they require to survive. In deserts, where food is already scarce and the heat can be extreme, the rising temperatures are creating a double burden.

The study suggests that desert lizards face higher energy costs due to the need for more food, while simultaneously having less time to find it because the heat often forces them to stay hidden during the hottest parts of the day. This scenario mirrors a “cost-of-living” dilemma familiar to humans: higher expenses, with fewer opportunities to work. However, for lizards, it’s a matter of more energy required for survival, and less time in which to forage.

Dr. Kristoffer Wild, the lead author of the study, explained that the impacts of warming will vary depending on whether a lizard is diurnal (active during the day) or nocturnal (active at night). Diurnal lizards face heightened energy demands while having fewer opportunities to feed, as the daytime temperatures become unbearable. In contrast, nocturnal lizards may benefit from warmer nights, which extend their hunting hours.

“It’s like diurnal lizards paying higher bills with fewer work hours, while nocturnal lizards gain extra hours to work during the warmer nights,” Dr. Wild remarked.

The study’s findings were grounded in a model that combines physics and biology, allowing the researchers to predict how climate warming will affect desert reptiles across the globe. Co-author Professor Michael Kearney noted that they were able to test their predictions against historical data, confirming that their model is accurate enough to predict future climate impacts on these animals.

This predictive ability gives researchers confidence in their forecasts, including the conclusion that regions that have already warmed the most, like parts of Africa, will face even greater challenges. African desert lizards, for instance, are expected to suffer more, needing even more food but with even less time to find it.

In addition to temperature-related challenges, climate change exacerbates other pressures on desert lizards, such as reduced food availability and increased water needs in already arid environments. The energy demands for these animals are most critical during summer and spring, coinciding with their reproductive periods, which could have dire consequences for their populations.

The researchers are now focused on incorporating factors like food and water resources into their models to better understand how these pressures affect lizard growth and reproduction. By predicting whether these species can adapt or survive, they hope to develop more tailored conservation strategies that can mitigate the impact of climate change on desert reptiles.

In conclusion, while climate change poses significant risks to desert lizards, understanding these “cost-of-living” dynamics could help in the preservation of these species, offering a roadmap for future conservation efforts in an increasingly warming world.

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Mission Mausam: Revolutionizing Weather Surveillance

The primary objective of Mission Mausam is to make India a weather-ready and climate-smart nation. The initiative will focus on enhancing the country’s weather forecasting capabilities by incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as next-generation radars, satellites, and high-performance computing systems. These advancements are expected to significantly improve the accuracy of weather predictions and the understanding of complex weather and climate processes, enabling India to better prepare for a range of weather-related events, from seasonal changes to extreme weather events.

In addition to improving weather forecasting, Mission Mausam will provide crucial data on air quality, helping to shape long-term weather management strategies. The mission is also designed to contribute to climate change mitigation, supporting India’s broader environmental goals.

A Vision for the Future: IMD Vision-2047

As part of the celebrations, PM Modi will also unveil the IMD Vision-2047 document, which sets out a comprehensive roadmap for achieving weather resilience and climate change adaptation over the next two decades. The Vision-2047 document outlines a detailed strategy for advancements in weather forecasting, as well as the adoption of cutting-edge technologies in weather management, which will enable the country to effectively combat climate-related challenges in the coming decades.

Mission Mausam’s Strategic Impact

Approved by the Union Cabinet in September 2024, Mission Mausam comes with a budget of Rs 2,000 crore for a two-year period, and it will primarily be led by key agencies such as the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), and the National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF). These institutions will collaborate to implement the mission and drive India’s vision for a climate-resilient future.

The mission’s impact is expected to be far-reaching, benefiting various sectors such as agriculture, disaster management, defence, aviation, energy, and health. It will also provide critical data to enhance urban planning, improve transport systems, and enable better environmental monitoring, supporting the creation of more sustainable, weather-aware urban landscapes across the country.

A Celebration of IMD’s Legacy

IMD’s 150th Foundation Day is a momentous occasion that not only reflects on the department’s rich history but also celebrates its ongoing contributions to India’s weather and climate services. Over the years, IMD has played a crucial role in improving weather forecasting and disaster preparedness, significantly enhancing the country’s ability to respond to natural hazards.

A series of events, workshops, and activities have been organized to commemorate this milestone, underscoring the IMD’s vital role in making India more climate-resilient. The department’s legacy in serving the nation with timely and accurate weather data has been instrumental in enhancing the country’s ability to adapt to changing climatic conditions.

Looking Ahead

With the launch of Mission Mausam, India takes a giant leap forward in its efforts to secure a sustainable, climate-smart future. The initiative’s emphasis on advanced technologies, data-driven strategies, and climate resilience will ensure that the country is better equipped to tackle the challenges posed by a rapidly changing global climate.

As PM Modi launches Mission Mausam on this historic occasion, it marks a turning point in India’s journey toward greater weather resilience, solidifying the IMD’s legacy and its commitment to safeguarding the nation against the impacts of climate change for generations to come.

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