How aerosols affect tropical rainfall

The inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ), a belt of precipitation caused by the trade winds (which blow from east to west in the north and southern hemispheres near the equator) has been shifting southwards in Central America since 1900, when the industrial revolution and associated atmospheric pollution began in real earnest.

The reason for this shift according to a new study is the cooling effect of aerosols which, produced in large quantities due to industrialisation reflect sun’s heat back into space and work in contrast to green house gases which trap atmospheric heat and cause global warming.

Cooling of the atmosphere results in less rainfall and dry conditions while warming leads to evaporation, convection and rainfall. The study found that since 1900 there has been a steady increase in rainfall in the southern tropics, in contrast to a steady decrease in the northern tropics and the ITCZ has shifted southwards in the Central American region.

The study was conducted by lead- author Dr. Harriet E. Ridley, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Durham, Durham, UK and others. The researchers analysed a stalagmite found in a cave in Belize (a Central American nation) to construct a record of rainfall patterns in the region over the past 450 years. This site is near the northernmost extent of the ITCZ, a remarkably sensitive location for reconstructing even minor variations in ITCZ position.The work was published recently in the journal Nature Geoscience.

The team measured Carbon -13 (δ13C) isotope levels over this period in the various layers of the stalagmite. Carbon isotope serves as a good proxy for rainfall as recorded in the stalagmite over the thousands of years of its formation. The authors support this view using instrumental data from the region.

Stalagmites grow incrementally as drops of water seep through the overlying rock. The growth of the stalagmite is therefore linked to the amount of water reaching it, which is in part controlled by rainfall. Furthermore, every drop of water reaching the cave has a unique chemical signature which is controlled by the prevailing climate, most often temperature and rainfall amount. This chemical signature is then incorporated into the stalagmite layers as it grows. By 'chemical signature' in this case, is meant oxygen and carbon isotopes. At the Belize cave site the carbon isotope value of each layer of the stalagmite is controlled by the amount of water dripping onto the stalagmite and therefore the amount of rainfall. As this carbon isotope values change through time one can see how rainfall has changed.

The stalagmite portions were dated by measuring Uranium-Thorium ratios over the past centuries.

U-Th dating is based on the radioactive decay of uranium-234 to thorium-230. This decay is part of a much longer decay series. In order to conduct Uranium-Thorium dating, powder samples (19 in this case) spread between the top and bottom of the stalagmite were taken.

”A key factor in the method is that uranium is soluble in water while the daughter products are non-soluble. This means that uranium is present in water which seeps into limestone caves and is incorporated into stalagmites but it's non-soluble daughter products are not. Daughter isotopes present in the sample increase through time as the uranium decays and the ratio of the uranium to the thorium is measured to provide an age estimate,” clarified Dr. Ridley in an email to this correspondent.

The study revealed that rainfall in the Northern Tropics where Belize is situated indeed declined dramatically since 1900 when the industrial revolution began.

The authors point to increased aerosol concentrations in the Northern Tropics of Central America as the likely cause. There have been drying events even before 1900, but these coincided with Northern Hemisphere volcanic eruptions which sent aerosols into the atmosphere causing cooling and therefore, dry conditions. Similarly, volcanic eruptions in the southern hemisphere resulted in temporary cooling in the southern tropics.

Time to lift the gloomy veil covering Indian #STEAM

To a large extent, the ruling dispensations are to blame, though fat pocket industries cannot be left blameless

A pall of gloom has set in the world of Indian Science, Technology, Agriculture and Medicine (STEAM) over the last two years or so. And it has nothing (not yet) to do with who runs the government. First an across-the-board cut of over 30 per cent of the allotted budget was imposed by the previous government, leading to last-minute dropping of projects and delays in existing ones. And the present government has neither restored the cut nor added anything yet. Going by indications, it might not improve significantly. We heard a decade ago that the budget for STEAM will improve from the then 0.8 per cent of GDP to over 2 per cent in a gradual manner. Yes, it did rise to almost 1 per cent but dropped back in real terms soon. Indian efforts in STEAM are fast losing steam. So is higher education.

To a large extent, the ruling dispensations are to blame, though fat pocket industries cannot be left blameless. Unlike in Europe, Japan or the US, private industries and/or industrialists here do not have foundations or similar entities that support research by others; they at best support in-house research and development. Thus, most of us have to depend entirely on the central and state governments for support. State governments support research more by lip service than lakhs of rupees.

The earlier government had in place not one but two scientific advisory panels, had STEAM experts members in the Planning Commission, and these bodies did bring about some changes and plans for action. We are hoping the present government too would seek similar or better advice and counsel, but it is yet to be. They have so far extolled past achievements (real and imagined) rather than explore tomorrow’s science.

More often than not, ministers declare that they will open more IITs, IIMs, AIIMSs and Central Universities and so forth, often in rural places with little or no academic contacts with peers, as often happens in cities. Politicians are particularly enamoured with the success of some of these elite institutes, and think they can do the same within a few years by allotting hundreds of acre and promising billions of rupees, which may or may not come. But, bricks and mortar do not an IIT make. Today, over 30 such institutions have mushroomed across the country, and most remain headless, and the heads of already existing institutions are asked to nurse, nurture and mentor the newbies — a bureaucratic double-whammy solution. Getting the right people and letting them loose to experiment is the trick, but such autonomy is anathema for the rulers. Expert committees meet and recommend what they consider as the right men/women for the job, but the minister dismisses the recommendation and offers the job to the person of his/her choice — a classic example of ‘he who pays calls the tune.’ And we want excellence!

As Professor Amartya Sen said recently: “Academic governance in India remains so deeply vulnerable to the opinions of the ruling government.” So true. Oxford is not run by David Brown, nor is Harvard by Obama. Domain expertise, independence in decision making and autonomy — three conditions extolled by experts as essential for success need to be guaranteed. This was how the original 5 IITs and 5 central universities gained their name and fame. This is how the Indian Institute of Science has remained an outstanding institution for over 100 years. Politicians, please keep out of these!

It is worse when you call the tune, but not even pay. Over the last couple of years, the allocated budget of the government R &D labs, and grants for research project, has been cut by as much as 35 per cent. Some labs have had to pay salaries for their staff from internal funds. Researchers go around with letters that have sanctioned sums of money as grants for their research projects, but the promised money has not come yet.

It is a marvel that despite all these, many scientists and academicians continue to perform well. I know of at least half a dozen youngsters who have published world class research publications very recently. Almost all of these are patentable and can bring wealth. A couple of them, given timely (indeed immediate) support, can be fine-tuned to generate potential treatment for the rampant viral disease swine flu if a targeted programme is launched with urgency and funded. They need help and hand-holding. The NIH model in the U.S. screens such publications and helps the authors get patents and allow licensing. We have two brilliant scientists heading the Department of Biotechnology and the Department of Science and Technology. I request them to look into this aspect of screening potential breakthroughs and assist the author in patenting and licensing, and launch a program, just as China did (and succeeded with the SARS virus).

Independent India was founded and has developed largely by making friends with science. And in doing so, it relied on the wisdom and commitment of some scientists and economists who thought big. The government respected their views and acted on them, without any major interference. Plans were made, money was budgeted and spent, and we have progressed. This trend has been good to us, but in recent times this is being given the go by. The science academies have played positive roles and continue to do so, by mentoring young researchers, offering academic advice, discussing and debating with the relevant ministers. What we need is to continue to have spokespersons, even “lobbyists” as the U.S. term has it, academies and professional societies interacting with government assert themselves and taking on a role of advocacy. In such absence the budget for STEAM will continue to be sub-optimal. Mr Jaitley, continue to make friends with science and fund it. Mere 0.8 per cent of GDP will not do. Make it 2 per cent and make it in India. Tabee to Acche Din Aayenge.

Empowering the States

The broad contours of a cooperative federal polity where the Centre and States engage as equal partners in development is now emerging after the government on Tuesday accepted the recommendations of the Fourteenth Finance Commission. The FFC, headed by former RBI Governor Y.V. Reddy, has broken new ground by recommending a move away from scheme and grants-based support to States to a greater devolution of funds from the Centre’s divisible pool of tax revenues. Thus, it has recommended that the Centre share 42 per cent of the divisible pool with the States, which is 10 percentage points higher than what is the case now. By accepting the recommendation despite the fact that it would lead to a sharp drop in its own share of revenues at a time of fiscal pressures, the Centre has sent out an unequivocal signal of its commitment to the principle of ‘#cooperative federalism’. The phrase was first mentioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the context of his decision to replace the Planning Commission with the #NITI Aayog. Indeed, the FFC’s report, along with the setting up of the NITI Aayog and the consensus on the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax, are important components of the emerging federal landscape where the Centre confers greater freedom and responsibility on the latter by devolving greater resources to them.

Consequent to the higher devolution of funds, the Centre is likely to re-evaluate several schemes that it sponsors for the States. This is a natural consequence as the Centre needs to offset its loss of revenue even as States devise their own spending programmes tailored to their needs. It is a fact that some States have been weighed down by the need to cough up their share of funds for Centrally sponsored schemes even if such schemes are not relevant to their needs. For example, for a State such as Kerala with its high literacy levels, a scheme to promote primary education is not relevant, just as one promoting power generation is not relevant to a power-surplus State such as Gujarat. The key to the success of this experiment in cooperative federalism lies in how well the States use the higher revenues and the accompanying freedom to frame their development priorities. Some of the better-developed States such as Tamil Nadu might feel aggrieved at a reduction in their share of devolved funds, ironically because of their better development metrics relative to other States. But this is federalism at work, because the resources freed up thus go to support another State that might be lagging behind on development parameters and per capita income. What is important is whether the FFC has adopted logical and fair measures while designing the allocations — which it indeed has done.

Schemes for development of sports

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has said that the details of the existing schemes of the Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports for the development of sports in the country are as follows: (i)                “Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan” (RGKA), a centrally sponsored scheme introduced in 2014-15 in place of erstwhile Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan, aims at construction of Integrated Sports Complexes in all block panchayats of the country in a phased manner and providing access to organized sports competitions at block, district, state and national levels. (ii)             Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme, introduced in 2010-11, envisages development of playfields by the State Governments through Playfield Associations, coach development programme through Central and State Governments, creation of infrastructure including laying of artificial turfs for hockey, football and athletics, and construction of multi-purpose hall. Under the Scheme, State Governments, local civic bodies, schools, colleges, universities and sports control boards are eligible for assistance. (iii)           Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs) for conduct of National Championships at Senior, Junior, Sub-Junior level for men and women, conduct of international tournaments in India, participation of sportspersons in international sports competitions, organizing coaching camps, engagement of foreign coaches, and  procurement of sports equipments.  (iv)           National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) for various activities including giving assistance to elite athletes, who are medal prospects for their customized and tailor-made training and competition exposure. (v)             Scheme of Human Resource Development in Sports focusses on developing human resources in sports sciences and sports medicine for the overall development of sports and games in the country. The scheme also provides assistance to coaches and referees / judges to upgrade  knowledge / accreditation level and assistance for participation in and conduct of seminars in India, etc. (vi)           Scheme of Special Cash Awards for Winners of medals in international sports events and their coaches. (vii)        Scheme of Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons after they retire from active sports career with the objective of providing them financial security and incentivizing sporting achievements. (viii)      Scheme of National Sports Awards, viz, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Awards, Dronacharya Awards, Dhyanchand Awards for honouring them for their achievements and contributions as sportspersons and coaches. (ix)           National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons for providing lump sum financial assistance to sportspersons now living in indigent conditions for their medical treatment etc. (x)             Scheme of Sports & Games for Persons with Disabilities for broad-basing of sports among differently-abled sportspersons by way  of conduct of training for community coaches, conduct of sports competitions and providing assistance to schools/institutes having differently-abled sportspersons on their rolls for procurement of sports equipments and engagement of coaches on contract basis. Details of the schemes of Sports Authority of India (SAI) for development of sports in the country are as under: (i) National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC): The main objective of the scheme is to identify gifted and talented sportspersons among school children in the age group of 8-14 years. (ii) Army Boys Sports Companies (ABSC) is implemented in collaboration with the   Army.  Children in the age group of 8-16 years are imparted scientific training to achieve excellence at national and international levels.  The scheme also provides job opportunities in the Indian Army.  Similar arrangements are proposed to be made in Central Para-military forces. (iii) Special Area Games (SAG): This Scheme follows an area-specific approach to scout and nurture talent for modern competitive games and sports from tribal, rural, coastal and hilly areas of the country.  The main objective of the scheme is to train talented and meritorious sportspersons in the age group of 12-18 years. (iv) SAI Training Centres (STC): Under this scheme, talented youth in the age group of 12-18  years are given the option to join the scheme on residential or non-residential basis.  (v) Centres of Excellence (COE): The main objective of this scheme is to identify and train outstanding sportspersons who are medal prospects for the country in international competitions.

Long Term Strategy to meet Shortage of Petroleum Products

The Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply today that the Government is aware of the expected shortage of petroleum products in the country and has taken a number of steps to enhance availability in consultation with experts. The following important steps, amongst others, have been taken by the Government to enhance domestic production and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels: ·        New pricing guidelines for domestically produced natural gas approved to incentivize exploration and production of natural gas in the country.  ·        Project for re-assessment of hydrocarbon resources in all sedimentary basins of India taken up. ·        Appraisal of unappraised areas of all sedimentary basins of India taken up. ·        Policy on non-exclusive multi-client speculative survey for assessment of unexplored sedimentary basins adopted. ·        Improved Oil Recovery (IOR) / Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) implemented by Exploration and Production (E&P) companies for enhancing oil recovery from fields. ·        Policy for exploration and production of CBM and also shale oil & gas are being implemented. ·        Policy framework for early monetisation of hydrocarbon discoveries under PSC regime approved. ·        Policy for exploration in Mining Lease Areas approved. ·        Conservation measures to curtail waste of scarce energy adopted. ·        New and renewable energy applications being promoted.

#CentralArmedPoliceForces (Assistant Commandants) Examination, 2014 - Final Result Regarding

Based  on  the  results of the Central  Armed  Police  Forces  (Assistant Commandants) Examination, 2014 held  by UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION on  July 13, 2014 and the interviews for   Personality  Test  held  in February, 2015, the following is the list,   in  order  of  merit, of candidates who have been recommended for appointment to the posts  of Assistant Commandants (Group A) in the Central Armed Police Forces viz. Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF),  Sashastra  Seema Bal (SSB) & Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). A total number of 105 candidates have been recommended for appointment as per the following break-up:- GENERAL OBC SC ST Total 50 31 16 08 105 Appointments to the various services shall be made by the Government according to the number of vacancies available and subject to the candidates fulfilling all the prescribed eligibility conditions/provisions contained in the Rules for the Examination and verifications, wherever due, being completed satisfactorily. Allotment to various services     shall be made according to the merit obtained and preference of services given  by  the  candidates. The  number  of  vacancies  reported  by  the Govt. to  be  filled are  as  under:- Name of Service Number  of  Vacancies General OBC SC ST Total B.S.F 15 07 04 02 28 C.R.P.F. 14 08 04 02 28 C.I.S.F. 22 10 05 03 40 S.S.B. 15 06 03 01 25 TOTAL 66 31 16 08 121 result: http://pib.nic.in/archieve/others/2015/feb/d2015022504.pdf

Status of Muslim Women

A High Level Committee, constituted under the Chairmanship of Justice (Retd.) Rajinder Sachar, in its report has indicated that the Muslim Community (as a whole) lags behind the mainstream in social, economic and educational sectors. As per Sachar Committee Report, the literacy level of Muslim females as compared to others are - Female (Urban) – 2001 All Hindus Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes Muslims All Others 73 74 58 63 78 Female (Rural) – 2001 All Hindus Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes Muslims All Others 46 46 36 43 52 (Source: Sachar Committee Report based on 2001 Census) Religion-wise data of Census 2011 is not available. As per Sachar Committee report, about 38 % of Muslims in urban areas and 27 % in rural areas live below the poverty level. Poverty level separately for Muslim women is not available.              The Government has taken following initiatives for the educational development of Minority girls including Muslims. -Under all the scholarship schemes of Ministry of Minority Affairs namely, Pre-matric, Post-matric, Merit-cum-Means based scholarships, 30% of the scholarships are earmarked for girl students. -30% of the fellowships are earmarked for female scholars under Maulana Azad National Fellowship scheme. -Under Free coaching and Allied Scheme, 30% of the number sanctioned for coaching/ training is earmarked for girl students/ candidates. -Maulana Azad Education Foundation, under the administrative control of the Ministry of Minority Affairs implements a scholarship scheme for meritorious girls students belonging to notified minority communities. -To facilitate and motivate education amongst girls of minority communities, free bicycles are given to the eligible minority girl students of class 9th  under Multi-secotral Development Programme (MsDP). -Under ‘Seekho Aur Kamao’ scheme for upgrading the skills of minority youths in various modern / traditional vocations and linked them with market in order to ensure employment/ jobs, minimum 33% of seats are earmarked for minority girls. -Under Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for welfare of minorities, 555 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) have been sanctioned since 2006-07 in the minority concentrated areas and all are operational.  Department of School Education and Literacy has also issued instructions that as KGBV schools are part of the regular upper primary school system of the State, the State Government / Union Territory’s particular policy for instruction in Urdu medium should be adopted for the KGBV schools. The Urdu teachers available in the system should be deployed for the purpose. -The University Grants Commission (UGC) pays special attention to setting up of women’s hostels in higher education institutions in Muslim concentration areas. UGC has sanctioned 285 Women’s Hostels during 11th Plan in 90 Minority Concentration Districts. During the 12th Plan upto 2014-15 (upto September, 2014), 133 women’s hostels have been sanctioned in Minority Concentrated Districts.