India State of Forest Report

The details of the India State of Forest Report, 2011 (ISFR) published by Dehradun –based Forest Survey of India is as follows:

• India State of Forest Report 2011 is the twelfth such report. The first report was published in 1987.

• Forest and tree cover of the country is 78.29 million hectare, which is 23.81% of the geographical area. This includes 2.76% of tree cover.

• The forest and tree cover would work out to 25.22% after exclusion of 183135 square kilometre above the altitude 4000 m from the total geographical area of the country as these areas do not support tree growth.

• In the hill and tribal districts of the country, a decrease in forest cover of 548 square kilometre and 679 square kilometre respectively has been reported as compared to the previous assessment.

• The north eastern States of the India account for one-forth of the country’s forest cover. There is a net decline of 549 square kilometre in forest cover as compared to the previous assessment.

• Mangrove cover has increased by 23.34 square kilometre during the same period.

• The total growing stock of India’s forest and tree outside forests is estimated as 6047.15 million cum which comprises 4498.73 million cum inside the forests and 1548.42 million cum outside the forests.

• The total bamboo bearing area in the country is estimated to be 13.96 million hectare.

• The total carbon stock in the country’s forests is estimated to the 6663 million tones.

As per the assessments of 2011 (data period 2008-09) as published in ISFR-2011and the assessment of ISFR-2009 (data period 2006-07) there has been a marginal decrease of 367 sq. km in the forest cover of the country. The forest cover in the northeast between these two assessments has declined by 549 sq. km.

The loss of forest cover to the extent of 549 sq km in the seven north eastern States has been primarily due to prevailing socio-cultural practice of shifting cultivation in these states. Loss in other states like Andhra Pradesh (281 sq. km) and Kerala (24 sq. km) is reported due to harvesting of short rotation plantations like Eucalyptus, Acacia mangium, rubber etc. 15 States have reported cumulative gain of 500 sq. km which is mainly due to afforestation and conservation activities undertaken in these States.

National Council for Electric Mobility (NCEM)

The NCEM adopted the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan 2020 (NEMMP 2020), which is the mission document for National Mission for Electric Mobility (NMEM). The NEMMP 2020 lays the vision, sets the targets and provides the roadmap for achieving significant penetration of efficient and environmentally friendly electric vehicle (including hybrids) technologies in India by 2020.

The Government last year had approved the NMEM and the setting up of a high level apex structure in the form of the NCEM and the National Board for Electric Mobility (NBEM) for faster adoption of electric vehicles (including hybrids) and their manufacture in India. NMEM is amongst the most significant recent initiatives taken up by the Government for the automotive sector with the potential to vastly change the automotive paradigm of the future.

The NEMMP 2020 is based on an in-depth primary data based study conducted jointly by the Government & the Industry and detailed stakeholder consultations involving all related Government Ministries, automotive industry, battery manufacturers, academia and research institutes. The NEMMP 2020 has set a target of 6-7 million units of new vehicle sales of full range of electric vehicles, along with resultant liquid fuel savings of 2.2 – 2.5 million tonnes to be achieved in 2020. This will also result in substantial lowering of vehicular emissions and decrease in carbon di-oxide emissions by 1.3% to 1.5% in 2020 as compared to a status quo scenario.

However, in view of the large barriers that currently exist, the NCEM supported the strong upfront & continued support by Government, which would be essential to realize this demand potential. The Government will provide the initial impetus through demand support measures to facilitate faster consumer acceptance of these newer technologies which have a higher cost of acquisition. In addition, Government will also facilitate automotive R&D and put in place charging infrastructure. It is estimated that the total investment required will be in the range of Rs 20,000 – Rs 23,000 crores, of which the support required to be provided by the Government will be to the tune of Rs 12,250 – Rs 13,850 Crores over the next 5-6 years. The industry will also partner the Government and make large investments for developing the products and creating the manufacturing eco-system.

The cost-benefit analysis for the initiative has also been carried out, and it is projected that in case India is able to realize the demand potential for xEV by 2020, there would be huge benefits by way of liquid fuel savings, lowering of Carbon emissions, lowering of other emissions, job creation. This Intervention will also encourage the Indian Industry to shift to newer, cleaner technologies so that it builds its future competitive advantage around environmentally sustainable products, high end technologies, and innovation, thereby helping to improve the competitiveness of domestic automotive industry. The substantial savings on account of decrease in liquid fossil fuel consumption as a result of shift to electric mobility will more than offset the support provided thereby justifying this initiative as an economically viable proposition. In addition, given the substantial mitigation of adverse impact of transportation on the environment, the NCEM was of the firm belief that supporting the faster adoption of hybrid & electric vehicles and their manufacture in India will be a wise investment that we need to make for our future generations.

The NEMMP-2020 document is planned to be formally unveiled before the nation very soon. The work for implementation of the plan is being headed by DHI with the support of NATRiP and will involve finalization and roll out of comprehensive array of interventions, schemes, policies and projects during the next few months.

V.V. Giri Memorial Award 2011

The V.V. Giri Memorial Award 2011, instituted by the V.V. Giri National Labour Institute, an autonomous body of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, was conferred by Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Hon’ble Union Labour and Employment Minister, on Prof. Utsa Patnaik, a Professor in the Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi in recognition of her outstanding contributions to labour studies. Prof. Patnaik, in her academic and policy oriented research studies, has strongly argued for the promotion of labour-intensive small-scale production, which ensures sustainable agrarian development. Besides stressing the necessity of enhancing public investment in rural development, Prof. Utsa Patnaik has also emphasized the need to provide poor households with greater access to land and other productive assets.

V.V. Giri, the former President of India who actively championed the cause of labour by leading several workers’ struggles and made significant contributions in designing labour policy and various labour laws in India.

The Government has taken a number of steps like interest subvention to those farmers who repaid their short term crop loans as per schedule, Kissan Credit Cards, revival package for short term cooperative credit structure and so on to ensure additional flow of agricultural credit to the small and marginal farmers”, the Minister said.

The role and relevance of V.V. Giri National Labour Institute assume greater significance today due to the rapid transformations taking place in the world of labour. It is important that systematic and sound research be carried out to understand the nature and characteristics of the emerging labour landscape. I sincerely hope the V.V. Giri National Labour Institute will provide the leadership to promote such labour research.

Punjab bans tobacco-based products

Sale, storage, manufacture and distribution of all types of food products containing tobacco or nicotine has been banned across the state

Punjab on Monday ordered a complete ban on the sale, storage, manufacture and distribution of tobacco-based products, gutka (tobacco-laced areca nut pieces) and pan masala in the state.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had approved the proposal of the state Health and Family Welfare Department for banning such products across the state, he said, reports IANS.

"This has been done in the larger interest of public health. The chewing of gutka, pan masala and other tobacco products was a potent health hazard and responsible for deadly disease of cancer especially of mouth and throat.

These products were earlier banned only in the districts of Amritsar, Ropar, Mohali and Mansa as these have famous religious shrines.

Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement (CAIPEEX)

Rain Enhancement Techniques Conducted in India

A multi-year research observational campaign entitled, “Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement (CAIPEEX)” was conducted by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune during the period 2009-2011 over different parts of the country.

The objectives of the program were:

(1) to understand the role of aerosols in the rainfall processes in the clouds

(2) to carry out cloud seeding experiments in research mode for rain enhancements using modern techniques.

During the period May to September 2009, the cloud and aerosol observations were conducted over different parts of country using instrumented aircraft Total 220 hrs of flying was done. In the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons of 2010 and 2011, the cloud seeding experiments were conducted over the rain-shadow areas of peninsular India from Hyderabad base. Total 200 and 250 hours of flying was done in the years 2010 and 2011 respectively.

Modern techniques such as

(1) hired instrumented aircraft for measuring the atmospheric state parameters, aerosols and cloud microphysical parameters

(2) equipped for seeding by flares and salt powder,

3) radar for monitoring the potential clouds,

(4) pilot to ground connectivity and internet connectivity for real time transfer of data,

(5) half hourly INSAT satellite data, weather data from IMD sites

(6) high resolution weather models for the forecasting etc., were used in the program.

The Indian rainfall shows different types of trends over different regions and over different time periods. The studies carried out so far have suggested that there is increasing trend in the extreme rainfall events (>10cm/day) and decreasing trend in the moderate (2-5cm/day) and low rainfall events (<2cm/day) over central India. It is also established that there is approximately a natural 30-year cyclicity in the monsoon rainfall. Under such a decreasing phase of monsoon rainfall that is persisting for the recent three and half decades, a decreasing trend of monsoon rainfall is also persisting.

Additionally, the factors like global warming and increasing loading of aerosols over India have established potential to modulate the natural rainfall variability to certain extent as a part of short term variability.

First man on moon Neil Armstrong dead at 82

U.S. astronaut Neil Armstrong, who took a giant leap for mankind when he became the first person to walk on the moon, has died at the age of 82…

As commander of the Apollo 11 mission, Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the moon on July 20, 1969. As he stepped on the dusty surface, Armstrong said: "“That's one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind."

Those words endure as one of the best known quotes in the English language.

The Apollo 11 astronauts' euphoric moonwalk provided Americans with a sense of achievement in the space race with Cold War foe the Soviet Union and at a time when Washington was engaged in a bloody war with the communists in Vietnam.

Neil Alden Armstrong was 38 years old at the time and even though he had fulfilled one of mankind's age-old quests that placed him at the pinnacle of human achievement.

Cold chain projects

Ministry of Food Processing Industries has approved 28 cold chain projects worth Rs. 618.88 crore.

The Food Processing Industries Ministry implements the Scheme of Integrated Cold Chain, Value Addition & Preservation Infrastructure (part of scheme of Infrastructure Development) and under which it provides financial assistance in the form of grant-in-aid @ 50% of the total cost of plant and machinery and technical civil works in general areas, and @75% of the total cost of plant and machinery and technical civil works in difficult areas including North-Eastern states subject to a maximum of Rs. 10.00 crore for strengthening and value addition of cold chain infrastructure.

Other Government organizations like National Horticulture Mission (NHM), National Horticulture Board (NHB), Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) and State Governments also provide assistance for cold storages. The Schemes of the Ministry and other organizations are being implemented in the entire country.

After identification of ‘Creation and Management of cold chain infrastructure’ for agriculture as a thrust areas by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Planning Commission has constituted a Committee under Sr. Saumitra Chaudhuri. This Committee has made a number of recommendations for augmenting the facilities of cold chain and cold storages in the country. The Ministry has already initiated actions on various short term, mid term and long term recommendations of the committee. In order to oversee the implementation of policies and programmes for cold chain infrastructure.

Twin satellites poised for radiation belt mission

Two heavily shielded 1,400-pound satellites  fly in tandem through Earth's energetic Van Allen radiation belts in a two-year $686 million mission to probe the structure of the huge doughnut-shaped zones, how they are affected by titanic solar storms and the threat they pose to astronauts and costly spacecraft.
In so doing, the twin Radiation Belt Storm Probes are expected to shed light on fundamental physics governing the behaviour of fields and particles across the cosmos and on the more immediate impacts of space weather, which can cripple satellites, disrupt power grids, scramble communications and interfere with Global Positioning System navigation beacons.

NASA's twin Radiation Belt Storm Probe satellites will study the Van Allen radiation belts over the course of a two-year mission.

Van Allen belts were discovered in 1958 and since that time, we know something about the radiation belts but not enough. This mission is designed to really understand the whole solar interaction with the radiation belts and understand why they are excited (by the sun) and sometimes, why they're not."

The difficult thing for us to work out is why they're changing, why they change at different times to seemingly similar drivers. We know that variations in the sun create strong geomagnetic storms here at Earth. But what we don't understand is how we really, truly respond to them.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket carrying both Radiation Belt Storm Probes -- RBSP – spacecraft .

The first RBSP spacecraft will be released into its planned orbit one hour and 18 minutes after launch, followed 13 minutes later by the second.

The identical solar-powered satellites, built and operated by APL, will fly in slightly different orbits tilted 10 degrees to the equator with high points, or apogees, around 19,000 miles and low points, or perigees, around 315 miles. The spacecraft will periodically lap each other, passing as close as 100 miles and as far apart as 24,000 miles or so.

The RBSP satellites will fly through both main radiation belts, using a suite of instruments to precisely measure the fields and particles, how the belts expand and contract as solar storms pass through and how they change over time

That spatial and temporal data can be combined with data from another spacecraft ... called the Solar Dynamics Observatory, which was launched in early 2010, so that we can at one time see the solar impulse into the Earth's environment and radiation belts and then watch over time and space how those belts morph or change and respond,"

"At the same time, the spacecraft will also contribute operationally as their data will be delivered in near real time to users all over the world so that those users can protect sensitive ground-based as well as space-based assets."

Two spacecraft are needed to distinguish between local or transient events and those that are more widespread.

"If you imagine sitting on a life raft in the ocean and you suddenly go down and come up again, you don't know very much about what caused you to go down and come up,"   If you have a friend who is sitting on a life raft a little way away, you can say well, did we both go down and up at the same time? In which case it's a big-scale feature like a tsunami. Did one of us go down and then the other one? How far apart did we see that feature, did it grow, did it shrink? And you can really start to look at the global dynamics of what's happening in the radiation belts.

Discovered in 1958 by the first U.S. science satellite, Explorer 1, the Van Allen radiation belts are defined by Earth's magnetic field, which traps electrically charged particles from from deep space and the sun, which periodically blasts torrents of high-energy particles toward Earth.

Positively charged protons tend to get trapped in an inner belt that begins at the top of the atmosphere and extends out to about 4,000 miles. Negatively charged electrons populate a thicker outer belt that begins at an altitude of about 8,000 miles and extends through 26,000 miles. Powerful electric currents flow as the particles interact with the magnetic field, which can accelerate them to near light speed.

Where magnetic field lines plunge into the atmosphere near the north and south poles, particles spiraling inward can bounce back out or crash into the upper atmosphere producing spectacular auroral displays. The RBSP satellites are equipped with eight heavily shielded, state-of-the-art instruments that can precisely measure field strength and particle energies.

"We need eight (instruments) because we're measuring across this huge energy range,"  "From particles that are very, very low energy -- in our units we talk about going down to one electron volt, very low energy -- to particles that are moving near the speed of light at billions of electron volts. A huge energy range we have to cover. We're looking at protons, electrons, helium and oxygen ions.

The picture is especially complex, because "charged particles in the presence of a magnetic field have different motions. There's a gyro motion, the particle will spiral around, gyrate around a magnetic field (line). In a magnetic field geometry that's narrowing at different locations, they can bounce between these reflection points and lastly, they can drift across the field lines.

Uncounted trillions of particles are trapped in the radiation belts, "all moving in these complicated directions. "Part of our job is to (measure) the directionality. Why do we measure them? Killer electrons are space weather's villains. They are fantastic things to observe from the point of view of the physics, there's this cosmic accelerator literally above our heads that's taking these particles and bringing them near to the speed of light. But they also can inflict damage.

Along with accelerating charged particles, causing the Van Allen belts to expand and become more powerful, the electric and magnetic fields that define the belts are what cause "the radiation belts to decrease, they can cause particles to hit the atmosphere so they're lost and never come back.

Cloud seeding could reduce destructive power of hurricanes

Environmental scientists working to tame the hurricanes, one of the most destructive forces of nature on Earth, has proposed using cloud seeding to decrease sea surface temperatures where the storm form.

Theoretically, the team claimed the technique could reduce hurricane intensity by a category.

The team focused on the relationship between sea surface temperature and the energy associated with the destructive potential of hurricanes. Rather than seeding storm clouds or hurricanes directly, the idea is to target marine stratocumulus clouds, which cover an estimated quarter of the world’s oceans, to prevent hurricanes forming.

“Hurricanes derive their energy from the heat contained in the surface waters of the ocean. If we are able to increase the amount of sunlight reflected by clouds above the hurricane development region then there will be less energy to feed the hurricanes

Using a technique known as Marine Cloud Brightening (MCB), the researchers propose that unmanned vehicles could spray tiny seawater droplets, a good fraction of which would rise into the clouds above, increasing their droplet numbers and thereby the cloud reflectivity and duration. In this way, more sunlight is bounced back into space, thereby reducing sea surface temperature.

The team’s calculations, based on a climate ocean atmosphere coupling model (HadGEM1) suggest this could reduce the power of developing hurricanes by one category. Somewhat different cloud-seeding projects, designed to directly influence rainfall amounts, already exist around the world and were most famously used in China during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“Data shows that over the last three decades hurricane intensity has increased in the Northern Atlantic, the Indian and South-West Pacific Oceans. We simulated the impact of seeding on these three areas, with particular focus on the Atlantic hurricane months of August, September and October.

The calculations showed that when targeting clouds in identified hurricane development regions the technique could reduce an average sea surface temperature by up to a few degrees, greatly decreasing the amount of energy available to hurricane formation.

One potential drawback to the idea is the impact of cloud seeding on rainfall in neighbouring regions. The team noted concerns that seeding in the Atlantic could lead to a significant reduction of rainfall in the Amazon basin and elsewhere. However, if different patterns of seeding were used, such rainfall reductions were not found over land.

“Much more research is needed and we are clear that cloud seeding should not be deployed until we are sure there will be no adverse consequences regarding rainfall.

“However if our calculations are correct, judicious seeding of maritime clouds could be invaluable for significantly reducing the destructive power of future hurricanes.

March of the Aryans: A window back into debris of time (Book Review) (With Image) | Firstpost

March of the Aryans: A window back into debris of time (Book Review) (With Image) | Firstpost.

Common Service Centres Programme

Common Services Centres (CSCs) Scheme is the nationwide initiative of Government of India to provide support for establishing 1 lakh Common Service Centers in 6 lakh villages of India. CSCs scheme has been started in 2006 with the vision to develop these centres as a front-end delivery points for Government, private and social sector services to rural citizens of India in an integrated manner.

The objective is to develop a platform that can enable Government, private and social sector organizations to align their social and commercial goals for the benefit of the rural population in the remotest corners of the country through a combination of IT-based as well as non-IT-based services.

An estimated amount of Rs. 5742 crores, will be spent over a span of 4 years for the project.  A major portion of the total amount will be pooled from contributions made by the state and central governments, while the balance will be mobilized from the private sector. The central government would contribute Rs. 856 crores while the state government contributes an amount of Rs. 793 crores out of the total amount. The Scheme is to be implemented through a Public-Private Partnership. CSCs are the primary physical front-end for delivery of Government and private services to citizens.

The government has taken a three pronged approach for effective implementation of National egovernance plan to enable anytime anywhere delivery of government services.
CSC’s are one among the three pillars, they support the infrastructure requirements
State Wide Area Network provides the necessary support for Connectivity. This has already been approved by the Government for Rs 3334 crore

State Data Centre Scheme is useful for secure hosting of data and applications

The Common Services Centres would be designed as ICT-enabled Kiosks having a PC along with basic support equipment like Printer, Scanner, UPS, with Wireless Connectivity as the backbone and additional equipment for edutainment, telemedicine, projection systems, etc., as the case may be.

The CSC Scheme has a 3-tier implementation framework:

First (CSC) level would be the local Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE) to provide service the rural consumer in a cluster of 5-6 villages (but Tamil Nadu government has planned to set up an CSCs centre for every 3 villages)

Second/middle level would be an entity termed the Service Centre Agency (SCA) to operate, manage and build the VLE network and business. An SCA would be identified for one or more districts (one district would cover 100-200 CSCs).

Third level would be the agency designated by the State- the State Designated Agency (SDA) - to facilitate implementation of the Scheme within the State and to provide requisite policy, content and other support to the SCAs

Measures to Protect Welfare of Overseas Indian Workers

Complaints regarding non-delayed- payment of salaries, non-renewal of visa, and unsatisfactory living conditions; and refusal of  medical treatment, leave or air ticket on completion of two years period of contract from Indian emigrants are received from time to time. Whenever a complaint is received, action is initiated by the Ministry by asking the concerned Indian Mission to look into the matter. If need be, steps are taken for the suspension or cancellation of the Registration Certificate of the Recruiting Agent. If required, requisite legal action is also initiated against the concerned Recruiting Agent. Complaints filed against illegal agents are referred to the State Governments. When there is a complaint against a foreign employer, proceedings for blacklisting such an employer are initiated. Indian Missions also take up these issues with the foreign employers/local governments to protect the welfare of the workers.

      The Government has taken several initiatives to protect the welfare of Overseas Indian Workers which inter alia include:

(i)         A Nation - wide Awareness-cum-Publicity Campaign through media is carried out to educate intending emigrants about legal emigration procedures, risk of illegal migration and precautions to be taken during emigration.

(ii)      The Ministry has notified the Emigration (Amendment) Rules 2009 on 9th July, 2009 revising the eligibility criteria of Recruiting Agents (RAs) and increasing the security amount and service charges.

(iii)     The Ministry has set up the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) in all the Indian Missions for providing onsite support and financial assistance to Indian workers in distress.

(iv)     The Government has established an Overseas Workers Resource Centre (OWRC) which is a 24 hour telephone helpline in eight languages to provide authentic information to intending emigrants as well as emigrants on all aspects of emigration. 

(v)      Indian Workers’ Resource Centre (IWRC) is also functioning at Dubai for taking care of the emergency needs of Indian workers.

(vi)     India had signed Labour Agreements with Jordan and Qatar in the 1980s to protect the interests of the Indian Workers. Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) were signed with United Arab Emirates (UAE) in December, 2006, with Kuwait in April, 2007, with Oman in November 2008, with Malaysia in January 2009, and with Bahrain in June 2009.

            An Additional Protocol to the existing Labour Agreement between India and Qatar was signed in November, 2007.

          These MOUs enhance bilateral co-operation in the management of migration and protection of labour welfare. Under these MOUs Joint Working Groups (JWG) have been constituted that meet regularly in order to resolve bilateral labour issues.

(vii)    In addition, the Government has taken the following measures for protecting the safety and welfare of women workers of the ECR (Emigration Check Required) category to emigrate to 17 ECR notified countries: -

(1)      Minimum Age limit of 30 years has been made mandatory in respect of all intending women emigrants.

(2)      The employment contract must be duly attested by the Indian Missions in respect of all such women.

(3)      Women household workers are allowed to emigrate after the Indian mission has attested the identity of the foreign employer and terms and conditions of the contract.

(4)      A pre-paid mobile facility must be provided by the employer to every woman Household Worker.

(5)        The Foreign Employer recruiting a woman household worker is required to deposit a security amount of $2500 with the Indian Mission.

Agricultural Technology Information Centres (ATICs)

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has established 44 Agricultural Technology Information Centres (ATICs) in 28 Agricultural Universities and 16 ICAR Institutes in the country. The ICAR has also created a network of 630 Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in the country to facilitate farmers’ access to agricultural technology generated by National Agricultural Research System.

The Department of Agriculture & Cooperation is implementing Kisan Call Centre (KCC) programme under which Agriculture related information is provided to the farmers in 22 regional languages through a countrywide common toll free number 1800-180-1551 covering all the States and Union Territory of India. The KCCs established at 13 locations in the country operate from 6.00AM to 10.00 PM on all 365 days in a year. The Kisan Call Centre located in Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh caters to all the farmers of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Double Decker Train Between Delhi and Jaipur

AC Double Decker Train Between Delhi Sarai Rohilla and Jaipur Flagged Off

The Minister of Railways, flagged off the AC Double Decker train between Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Jaipur from Delhi Sarai Rohilla station. The first AC Double Decker train was introduced between Howrah-Dhanbad in 2011 which was found to be satisfactory.The AC Double Decker coach which has been designed in-house and manufactured at Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, a Production Unit of Indian Railways is a noteworthy achievement.

The design of the Double Decker coaches was a mighty challenge for the Railways as the entire Rail network and coach designs need to meet standard dimensions in length, breadth and height as per bridges, overhead electricity wire, tunnels, etc. It is not feasible to either enhance the width of the coach or increase its height. In keeping with these limitations, the railway officials worked out the design to enable accommodation of 120 passengers in the new coaches instead of 78 passengers in the existing chair cars of Shatabdi type. This makes the air-conditioned Double Decker production a major achievement. More Passengers can thus travel at most reasonable costs with the comfort of air-conditioned travel. Shri Roy said that the coaches of this AC Double Decker are made of stainless steel, which reduces the weight of the coaches. In keeping with the safety of the services, the coaches are designed with anti-climbing technology and have crash-worthy shells. Through the air springs in these coaches, passengers can derive greater ease and comfortable in travel.

The departure time of this daily AC Double Decker train (no. 12986) from Delhi Sarai Rohilla is 5.35 P.M. and arrival time at Jaipur is 10.05 P.M. From Jaipur this train (no. 12985) will depart at 6.00 A.M. and arrive at Delhi Sarai Rohilla at 10.30 A.M. This AC Double Decker train will have two stops on its way namely Delhi Cantt. and Gurgaon Railway Station.

Static Sensors Project of Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN)

The Static Sensors Project of Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN) of the Coast Guard at Mumbai and Porbandar is launched in August  2012. The Chain of Static Sensors project being steered by the Indian Coast Guard, finds its origin in the recommendations made by the Group of Ministers (GoM) on reforming the National Security System, post-Kargil conflict. After detailed Inter-Ministerial deliberations, it was decided that the Indian Coast Guard would implement this ambitious project. The project implementation on the mainland and the island territories is envisaged to be completed by September 2012 and March 2013 respectively.

Post-26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, there was an emergent need to strengthen our Coastal Security apparatus. Accordingly, this project was progressed on a fast track. Considering the strategic nature of the Project and with an aim to develop indigenous capabilities in the field, it was decided to implement this project through M/s Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The contract for this turnkey project was concluded with M/s BEL, Bangalore in Sep 2011 at a cost of over Rs.600 Crores with an implementation schedule of 12 months and 18 months for the mainland and the island sites, respectively.

In order to define the project requirement for the Phase-I of the project, a detailed vulnerability Gap analysis and feasibility study was undertaken by the Indian Coast Guard along with other stake holders, viz. Director General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL), Indian Navy, concerned state Governments etc. Accordingly, the Phase-I was conceptualized to provide real time surveillance cover upto 25 nautical miles around the areas of high sensitivity and traffic density along our coast line.

The project envisages fitment of high end surveillance gadgets viz. Frequency Diversity Radar, Electro Optic sensors (Charge Coupled Device (CCD) Day Camera, Low Light TV (LLTV) Night Camera and Long Range Thermal Imagers) VHF sets and Met equipment on lighthouses and masts erected on DGLL Land. In the Phase-I of the project, 46 Remote Radar sites (36 locations in mainland, 06 locations in Lakshadweep & Minicoy Islands and 04 in Andaman & Nicobar Islands) would be established at various lighthouses located along the coast line. These sites have been strategically located to provide electronic surveillance of areas of high sensitivity and high traffic density along our coastline. The system is designed to promote surveillance cover upto the 25 nautical miles from the coast line around each Radar sites. It is presently capable of positive identification of vessels carrying class ‘A’ and ‘B’ Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders.

The data generated by the Static Sensors will flow over a robust hierarchical network architecture, connecting Coast Guard District Headquarters (Regional Operating Stations) and Regional Headquarters (Remote Operating Centers) to Coast Guard Headquarters (Control Center) at New Delhi. The sensor data generated from this network would be further supplemented with the AIS data from the National AIS Chain of DGLL/Ministry of Shipping and interfaced with the Vessel Traffic Management Systems (VTMS) of the major ports, Fishing Vessel Monitoring System, Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) and National Command Communication Control and intelligence Network (NC3I) of Indian Navy.

The project of Chain of Static Sensors aims at preventing undetected intrusion by monitoring the movement of vessels plying along our coastline. The project would also aid in enhancing the efficacy of Search and Rescue (SAR) operations coordinated by the Coast Guard. The sensor data generated by the Coastal Surveillance Network would also be shared with other maritime agencies via the NC3I network to generate a comprehensive Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA).

The project is the first of its kind both in terms of expanse and strategic implications. Despite the inherent complexities of the project, involving multi agency coordination at all levels, the project is nearing completion within the stipulated time line. This project, when implemented completely, would provide the much needed electronic eye to our maritime agencies and provide the envisaged impetus to the overall coastal security apparatus.

Upon completion of the Phase-I, it is planned to take up Phase-II of the project, wherein, 38 additional Remote Radar sites would be established. 21 sites of the VTMS Gulf of Kutch and Gulf of Khambhat would also be integrated during the Phase-II. During the Phase-II, the Static Radar Chain is also proposed to be supplemented by 08 Mobile Surveillance Systems.

National Institute of Biotic Stress Management

Approval of new institute of "National Institute of Biotic Stress Management" Scheme during the XII Plan (2012-17)

The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal of Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Research and Education for the establishment of the National Institute of Biotic Stress Management (NIBSM) at Raipur (Chhattisgarh) during the 12th Five Year Plan at a cost of Rs.121.10 crore.

The National Institute of Biotic Stress Management (NIBSM) at Raipur (Chhattisgarh) is proposed to be established as a deemed University with the following schools:

School I - Crop Health Management Research

School II - Crop Health Biology Research (CHBR)

School III - Crop Resistance System Research (CRSR)

School IV- Crop Health Policy-Support Research (CHPR)

The mandate of the Institute would be

(i) to enhance the productivity of crops by creating novel mitigation measures to biotic stresses in agriculture;

(ii) carry out research on the multiple causes that causes biotic stresses, and develop technologies that would effectively deal with prentices pestilence;

(iii) provide scholastic leadership in frontier areas of research in the field of biotic stresses, by developing curricula for agricultural universities and other institutions in India;

(iv) to build capacity for state of the art research in the area of biotic stress by awarding Post Graduate Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Degrees

(v) develop policy support for research in biotic stress management.

Background:

There is growing demand for food, fodder and feed. A healthy growth in the GDP is likely to further boost domestic demand for food. About 53 per cent of the food demand escalation is expected to occur due to growth in population and the rest due to improved per capita consumption. The current production and the projected demand by the year 2020, are 245 and 284 million tonnes of food grain, 138 and 160 million tonnes of vegetables, 74 and 97 million tonnes of fruits, and 32 and 69 million tonnes of oilseeds respectively. As the net cultivable area of 142 million hectares is not likely to increase, the gain in food production will have to be met by increasing productivity. There is need, therefore, for a renewed and vigorous effort to increase productivity and production through the "Second Green Revolution".

Plant protection has been one of the crucial farm production strategies that have been pursued over the last few decades to enhance crop production. Garnering the genetic potential of the crop species requires reducing the potential to yield gap. Major research efforts in the past have largely focused on deriving crop resistance to biotic stresses through conventional breeding approaches, with a view to selecting the most pest resistant varieties. However, organisms which cause biotic stress also adopt to selection pressures, making it more and more difficult to find pest resistant varieties through convention breeding approaches.

Consequently, there is a need to focus research efforts on the larger issue of pest biology and ecological management and the inter-relationships between the host plant, the pest and the agricultural ecology. In other words, a larger and more holistic approach to understanding the issue of biotic stresses is required, as conventional breeding approaches while being very useful, have their limitations.

As our agricultural ecology comes under increasing pressure, including from the impacts of climate change, there will be a need for more scientists to study and research the issue of biotic stresses. Therefore, there is also a need for specialized capacity building in this area of frontier research, by undertaking specialized Post Graduate, Doctoral and Post-doctoral programmes.

Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology

Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology

Approval of New Institute of "Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology" Scheme during the XII Plan

The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal of Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Research and Education for the establishment of Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology at Ranchi (Jharkhand) at a cost of Rs. 287.50 crore during the 12th Five year plan.

The Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology (IIAB) at Ranchi (Jharkhand) will be established as a deemed University with the following schools:

School-I School of Genomics

School-II School of Bioinformatics

School-III School of Genetic Engineering

School-IV Nano Biotechnology, Diagnostics and Prophylactics

School-V School of Basic and Social Sciences and Commercialization

The mandate of the Institute would be

(i) to undertake multi-disciplinary basic and strategic research with a view to future developing crops for traits such as increased yield, or increased tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress;

(ii) to design and start academic programmes to develop the highly trained manpower required for fundamental research in agricultural biotechnology, and award post graduate doctoral and post-doctoral degrees;

(iii) to provide its research output to breeders and developers in agricultural universities and other institutions, to develop the germplasm, vaccines etc. that would enhance productivity and reduce losses due to biotic and abiotic stress;

(iv) act as a mother institute that would provide both curricula and course material to India's agricultural universities and other institutions who are running or trying to establish successful agricultural biotechnology graduate and post graduate programmes.

Background:

There is growing demand for food, fodder and feed. A healthy growth in the GDP is likely to further boost domestic demand for food. About 53 per cent of the food demand escalation is expected to occur due to growth in population and the rest due to improve per capita consumption. The current production and the projected demand by the year 2020, are 245 and 284 million tonnes of food grain, 138 and 160 million tonnes of vegetables, 74 and 97 million tonnes of fruits, and 32 and 69 million tonnes of oilseeds respectively. As the net cultivable area of 142 million hectares is not likely to increase, the gain in food production will have to be met by increasing productivity. There is need, therefore, for a renewed and vigorous effort to increase productivity and production through the "Second Green Revolution".

Genetic engineering tools allow the transfer of useful genes across species. This offers opportunities for improvement in virtually every domain. Biotechnological interventions that have already made global impact and offer scope for revolutionizing agricultural production and farmer's income include,

(i) molecular breeding for accelerated improvement of specific traits using genes available in the germplasm of that plant, livestock or fish species;

(ii) molecular diagnostics and vaccines for effective control of livestock diseases;

(iii) genetically modified organisms incorporating foreign genes of interest into a target organism; and

(iv) nano-biotechnology for biosensor and delivery devices for precision farming. Genomics, aided by bioinformatics, is the new engine for developing stress resistant and higher productivity plants, on the one hand, and state of the art diagnostics and vaccines, on the other. India needs to be abreast, even ahead, of global leaders namely, the Americas, Europe and China in harnessing the benefits of biotechnology for enhancing both food security and farmers' incomes.

In fact, there is a shortage of even highly trained scientific manpower in the area of biotechnology, specially agricultural biotechnology. A need is therefore felt for both a focused centre of research for agricultural biotechnology, and for capacity building in this frontier area of research.

Microsoft rolls out first new logo in 25 years

Microsoft Corp unveiled its first new logo in 25 years on as it looks to unify its branding ahead of a clutch of new product releases this year.

The world's largest software company is introducing a dash of color in its first logo redesign since 1987, using a new multi-colored square next to a plain rendering of its name, replacing its well-worn italic style logo.

Microsoft is rolling out its new Windows 8 operating system along with new Office and phone software this autumn, and is hoping the new logo unifies customers' experience of the company, much like rival Apple Inc's distinctive logo has for its consumers.

"It's been 25 years since we've updated the Microsoft logo and now is the perfect time for a change," said Jeff Hansen, general manager of Microsoft's brand strategy, in a blog on Microsoft's website. "This wave of new releases is not only a reimagining of our most popular products, but also represents a new era for Microsoft, so our logo should evolve to visually accentuate this new beginning."

The new design, which resembles the existing logo for Windows, its most important product, is already in use on Microsoft's website and is being unveiled at its latest store opening in Boston on Thursday.

No Easy Day

A member of the special U.S. military team that killed terrorist leader Osama bin Laden has written a book about the mission

U.S. publisher Dutton says the book was written by a Navy SEAL member writing under the fictitious name of Mark Owen, in collaboration with journalist Kevin Maurer.  The author issued a statement through Dutton saying it was time to "set the record straight" about last year's raid on the Pakistani compound that killed the leader of the al-Qaida terrorist group, which carried out the 2001 terrorist attacks on Washington and New York.

​​But spokespersons for both the Pentagon and the CIA said their agencies had not reviewed the book to ensure no classified material is revealed. Former military and intelligence personnel are required to submit any writings to their agencies before the work is published. 

The book's release comes as the Obama administration is being criticized for leaking classified details about the bin Laden raid for what some say are political reasons.

Dutton says the book was reviewed by a former special operations attorney.  The CIA or the Pentagon can take legal steps against the author or attempt to stop publication.

"No Easy Day: The First hand Account of the Mission that Killed Osama bin Laden," will be released on September 11, the 11th anniversary of the deadly terrorist attacks on Washington and New York.  The publisher says the author will donate proceeds to charities that support families of slain Navy SEALS.

Police vehicles to have radiation detection system

The Centre has decided to install the system in 800 police vehicles across the country to detect presence of radioactive materials in public domain

The government has decided to install mobile radiation detection systems in police vehicles in selected cities in the country.

The Radiation Detection Systems installed in a mobile platform will have the capability to search and detect gamma emitting radio nuclides.

More than 800 police stations will be provided the vehicles having the radiation detection system.

Technical support from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has been taken in this connection.

The aim is to help the police forces to detect any inadvertent presence of radioactivity in public domain. It will also act as a deterrent for unauthorised usage of radioactive materials.

Four new hydropower plants to come up in UP

These plants, with a combined capacity of 3,400 KW, would be set up in Kutubpur, Meerut, Jhanshi and Bulandshahar districts in the next three years

Four hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 3,400 KW will be set up in Uttar Pradesh in three years.

An empowered committee headed by Infrastructure & Industrial Development Commissioner Anil K Gupta approved the successful bidders for setting up the new small hydropower projects (SHPs).

The projects will be constructed through the public-private partnership (PPP) mode,

The SHPs will be in

Kutubpur (550 KW) and Dhakauli (300 KW) in Meerut,

Betwa-1 (1800 KW) in Jhansi

Akbarpur (750 KW) in Bulandshahar.

The government is keen to augment power availability from all resources available, including hydropower.

Inclusion of Saryu Nahar Pariyojana of Uttar Pradesh in the scheme of National Projects

Jharkhand unveils new Industrial Policy

The new policy aims to encourage investments in Information Technology, IT enabled services, auto-parts manufacturing and agro-based industries 

The Jharkhand Government unveiled the state’s new Industrial Policy -2012, envisaging special thrust on four sectors including information technology, agro and food processing, auto components manufacturing and textiles.

The new policy would replace the outlived one, which was notified in 2001 and continuing on extensions till March 2011.

In keeping with the objective of job generation without putting pressure on environment, the new policy has proposed various incentives including offering land to the investors on subsidised cost in industrial areas and special cash benefits to IT and IT enabled Services (ITeS) till five year of their operation.

“Mega IT industries would be exempted from electricity duty for five years and units investing upto Rs 50 crore would be entitled for a comprehensive project investment subsidy.

Several other incentives would be doled out to IT companies. Besides, preferential treatment would be extended to biotechnology units, including setting up of venture capital funds.

To promote investments in food processing sector, the State government would be extending cash incentives to the tune of 25 per cent of the capital cost, upto a maximum of Rs 50 lakh. This apart, projects approved by the Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises would get 10 per cent of the project cost.

To take the advantage of the State’s competitive edge in automobile and auto parts making, the new industrial policy has chalked out steps to make Jharkhand an auto hub of the country.

Automobile vendor parks, proposed to be set up by the auto majors in PPP or private mode, would get the same benefits from the government, as envisaged for industrial parks.

As per the new policy, the State Government will bear half of the cost on providing skill development training for local youths on industrial operation. Auto majors can also set up new it is or adopt the existing it is for training on relevant trade. Besides, they would also be entitled for VAT concession for one year and extra per training activity.

With a view to promote textile industries, the new policy has proposed interest rate subvention (subsidy on interest) of 2 per cent to the working capital to weavers, reelers, spinners and artisans. Finished products of all existing and new units of Khadi, village, cottage and handicraft units’ would be exempted from sales tax, if sold at authorized sales outlets.

Jharkhand amends Naxal Surrender Policy

Jharkhand bans gutkha & pan masala

Non-Emergency Number

The Government of India has undertaken a nationwide mobile-governance initiative that is aimed towards improved access to government/public services by citizens especially the poorest and the most disadvantaged sections of the society.

The Government has approved “Category-I” 3-digit short code 166 as a single nationally available phone number for all non-emergency public services.

Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) has currently approached the concerned stakeholders in the Government as well as the Industry for arriving at a uniform, transparent, and affordable tariff for usage over the short-code.

Once all the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) open the short code 166 at a uniform rate, these services would also be made operational. This short code would be made operational by January 2013.

Provisions in Laws for the Protection of Children

Provisions exist in laws for the protection of children both within and outside schools.

These include:

(i) The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009: Section 17 of the Act provides that no child shall be subjected to physical punishment or mental harassment and whoever contravenes the provision shall be liable to disciplinary action. The States have notified Government orders prohibiting corporal punishment in schools. The National Commission for Protection of Children (NCPCR) has also issued guidelines on corporal punishment in August 2007 and again in May 2009 and March 2012. NCPCR also takes up complaints of violations of children’s right to protection in schools and outside the schools with the concerned authorities of the State Governments and UT Administrations from time to time for remedial measures.

(ii) The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000: Section 23 of the Act provides that whoever, having the actual charge of or control over, a child, assaults, abandons, exposes or willfully neglects the child or causes or procures him to be assaulted, abandoned, exposed or neglected in a manner likely to cause such child unnecessary mental or physical suffering shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may be extended to six months, or fine or with both.

(iii) The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences, 2012: The Act penalizes management or staff of an educational institution with higher punishment for committing sexual offences against children. The law helps in prevention of an offence, thereby protecting a child from sexual abuse.

(iv) The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, prescribes norms and standards for a school. As per the latest figures available under the District Information System for Education (DISE) 2010-11, 80.87% schools have separate toilets for girls.

PSTOL1

Scientists have pinpointed a gene that enables rice plants to produce around 20% more grain by increasing uptake of phosphorus, an important, but limited, plant nutrient.

The discovery unlocks the potential to improve the food security of rice farmers with the lowest value phosphorus-deficient land allowing them to grow more rice to add to global production, and earn more.

Close-up of roots that can power increased grain production by taking up more phosphorus thanks to the PSTOL1 gene discovery.

The gene – called PSTOL1 which stands for Phosphorus Starvation Tolerance – helps rice grow a larger, better root system and thereby access more phosphorus. Farmers can apply phosphorus fertilizers to increase productivity but on problem soils phosphorus is often locked in the soil and unavailable to plants.

Also, phosphorus fertilizer is often unaffordable to poor farmers. Adding to the problem is that phosphorus is a non-renewable natural resource and rock phosphate reserves – the source of most phosphorus fertilizers – are running out.

“For many years we have searched for genes that improve phosphorus uptake,” said Dr. Sigrid Heuer senior scientist at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and leader of the team that published the discovery in Nature

“We’ve known for a long time that the traditional rice variety Kasalath from India has a set of genes that helps rice grow well in soils low in phosphorus,” she added.

Kasalath’s superior performance under phosphorus deficiency was initially discovered by Dr. Matthias Wissuwa from the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences.  He then started collaborating with IRRI and shared the DNA information of Kasalath.

“We have now hit the jackpot and found PSTOL1, the major gene responsible for improved phosphorus uptake and understand how it works.. 

Dr. Sigrid Heuer and the team of researchers involved in the PSTOL1 discovery.

According to Dr. Wricha Tyagi at the School of Crop Improvement at the Central Agricultural University in the Indian state of Meghalaya  knowledge of the exact gene will be critical for future breeding programs suited to Eastern and North-Eastern – parts of India where rice productivity is less than 40% of the national average due to acidic soil and poor availability of phosphorus.

The discovery of the PSTOL1 gene means that rice breeders will be able to breed new rice varieties faster and more easily, and with 100% certainty their new rice will have the gene.

“In field tests in Indonesia and the Philippines, rice with the PSTOL1 gene produced about 20% more grain than rice without the gene.

when we use soil that is really low in phosphorus, we see yield increases of 60% and more, suggesting it will be very effective in soils low in phosphorus such as in upland rice fields that are not irrigated and where farmers are often very poor.” 

The PSTOL1 gene is also being tested in rice varieties for the more productive irrigated rice-growing areas and initial results show that the plants grow a better root system and have higher production too. This means it could help farmers in these areas reduce their fertilizer use and expenditure without compromising productivity. 

The discovery also demonstrates the importance of conserving the genetic diversity of traditional crop varieties such as Kasalath. IRRI conserves more than 114,000 different types of rice in the International Rice Gene bank

The two rice plant rows on the left are bigger and growing much better – they have the PSTOL1 gene.

The group of rice (the aus-type) that Kasalath is part of is also the source of the submergence tolerance gene, which IRRI has used to breed submergence-tolerant (Sub1) rice varieties that are being widely adopted across Asia. 

New rice varieties with the enhanced capacity to take up phosphorus may be available within a few years to farmers. 

International Rice Gene bank

Pokkali Rice

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is an international NGO Its headquarters are in Los Baños, Laguna Philippines and it has offices in sixteen countries. The main goal of IRRI is to find sustainable ways to improve the well-being of poor rice farmers and consumers, as well as the environment. The institute is one of 15 agricultural research centers around the world that form the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). It is Asia's largest non-profit agricultural research center

IRRI develops new rice varieties and rice crop management techniques that help rice farmers improve the yield and quality of their rice in an environmentally sustainable way. We work with our public and private sector partners in national agricultural research and extension systems in major rice-growing countries to do research, training, and knowledge transfer. Our social and economic research also informs governments to help them formulate policy to improve the equitable supply of rice.

Origins

IRRI was established in 1960 with the support of the Ford Foundation Rockefeller Foundation and the Government of the Philippines.

Impact

IRRI is well known for its contribution to the "Green Revolution” movement in Asia during the late 1960s and 70s which involved the breeding of "semi dwarf" varieties of rice that were less likely to lodge (fall over). The varieties developed at IRRI, known as IR varieties, are well accepted in many Asian countries. In 2005, it was estimated that 60% of the world's rice area was planted to IRRI-bred rice varieties or their progenies.

Our mission

To reduce poverty and hunger, improve the health of rice farmers and consumers, and ensure environmental sustainability through collaborative research, partnerships, and the strengthening of national agricultural research and extension systems.

Our goals

• Reduce poverty through improved and diversified rice-based systems.
• Ensure that rice production is sustainable and stable, has minimal negative environmental impact, and can cope with climate change.
• Improve the nutrition and health of poor rice consumers and rice farmers.
• Provide equitable access to information and knowledge on rice and help develop the next generation of rice scientists.
• Provide rice scientists and producers with the genetic information and material they need to develop improved technologies and enhance rice production.

IRRI's goals contribute to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger and ensure environmental sustainability. They are also aligned with the objectives of the Global Rice Science Partnership that help deliver internationally coordinated research effectively and efficiently with our partners.

International Rice Gene bank

Pokkali Rice

Related Article:

•  School drop-out helps preserve traditional paddy seeds

International Rice Gene bank

The International Rice Gene bank, maintained by IRRI, holds more than 113,000 types of  rice, including modern and traditional varieties, and wild relatives of rice. It is the biggest collection of rice genetic diversity in the world. Countries from all over the world sent their rice to IRRI for safe keeping,  and for sharing for the common public good.

Traditional varieties and the wild species of rice are being lost through genetic erosion. Farmers adopt new varieties, and cease growing the varieties that they have nurtured for generations and eventually lose these varieties.

Wild species are threatened with extinction as their habitats are destroyed by human disturbance. Future crop improvement needs the genetic variation from traditional varieties and related wild species to cope with the many biotic and abiotic stresses that challenge rice production around the world. 

IRRI works to ensure the long-term preservation of rice biodiversity as a part of the global strategy for the conservation of rice genetic resources in partnership with national programs and regional and international organizations worldwide, including through the International Rice Gene bank. 

Different species of rice

The species of rice conserved in the International Rice Gene bank include: 

• Oryza sativa or Asian rice, which is the most commonly grown and eaten rice. It probably had its origin between the Himalayas and Indochina and contains two groups of rice: indica and japonica (including temperate and tropical japonica) 

• Oryza glaberrima or African rice originated in West Africa. It is not widely cultivated but has been used to breed other types of rice grown in Africa.

• Twenty-two wild species of rice that are found in Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas. Only a few are closely related to Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima

Storing rice seed

Each type of rice in the International Rice Gene bank is stored in both the base (-20 degrees Celsius, long-term storage) and active ( 2-4 degrees Celsius, for distribution) collections. We continually assess our management procedures to ensure that we are doing our best to conserve this vital genetic resource for future generations. 

Sharing rice seed

Following extensive negotiation among all the contributing countries, IRRI now manages the rice collection stored in the International Rice Gene bank under the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. We supply free samples of different types of rice seed to any prospective user on request, according to the conditions of the Treaty. 

Genetic information

With access to the world’s largest collection of rice, we have a unique opportunity to study the diversity of rice. IRRI characterizes rice for its traits and genetic makeup to find useful versions of genes.  

We work with the International Network for Genetic Evaluation of Rice (INGER), a global model for the exchange, evaluation, release, and use of genetic resources. The data of all the rice conserved at IRRI are efficiently managed and maintained by an information system known as The International Rice Gene bank Collection Information System (IRGCIS)

Aceclofenac is newest vulture killer drug in town

While the ban on veterinary painkiller Diclofenac and vulture breeding efforts are catching up, a new threat to the raptors is looming on the horizon in the form of a new painkiller, Aceclofenac, being used on livestock. According to experts, it is equally dangerous to vultures, since it ultimately gets metabolised into Diclofenac.

This latest threat has been brought out in a research paper titled “Aceclofenac as a Potential Threat to Critically Endangered Vultures in India:

It is important to understand the metabolic profile of veterinary painkillers.” Studies need to be conducted demonstrating in vivo (within the cell) conversion of Aceclofenac into Diclofenac in cattle. Once proven this will establish the exposure of vultures to Diclofenac.

Aceclofenac, the new entrant in the category of cattle painkillers, bears close structural and pharmacological resemblance to Diclofenac. It has been found that Aceclofenac is a new derivative of Diclofenac and gets metabolised into the latter.

The need for a comprehensive environmental evaluation of veterinary drugs before granting licences. All other veterinary drugs, which we do not know much about, must be subjected to safety testing. Further unauthorised vets should not be allowed particularly in rural parts of the country, who prescribe medicines without realising or understanding the consequences on environment.

Noted ornithologist and director of Bombay Natural History Society emphasised on prioritising the ban on unsafe drugs and safety testing of other potentially toxic drugs in order to create a safe natural environment for vultures.

The Governments of four vulture range nations in South Asia — Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and India — had agreed in the Delhi symposium in May this year on the importance of identifying and preventing the veterinary use of other unsafe veterinary drugs with similar toxicity as Diclofenac, if the vultures are to be saved.

The Gyps species of vultures in South Asia — White-backed, Long-billed and Slender-billed — have suffered a major decline of about 99 per cent over the past decade due to the use of Diclofenac in cattle. The drug causes deaths of these raptors when they consume the carcass of such cattle.

However, with the joint efforts of BNHS and RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), three vulture conservation breeding centres are running in the States of Haryana, West Bengal and Assam for revival of the vulture population.

International Centre for Human Development to be Set up in India

Agreement Signed between IIAS and UNDP

An International Centre for Human Development to be set up in India will support efforts by governments of the South to integrate human development approaches to ensure improved development outcomes for poor and marginalized people. As Governments of the South are increasingly dealing with the multiple challenges of changing aspirations of citizens, rapidly globalizing economy, environmental sustainability, and rising inequality, this Center is designed to provide new approaches and solutions.

An Agreement to this effect was signed by Shri Peter R deSouza, Director, Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) and Ms. Lise Grande, United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, India.

The Centre aims to provide policy advisory services based on national and international evidence to ensure that human development concerns become integral to planning processes and policy making. The Centre also proposes to focus on moving from human development analysis to action and on adaptation of good practices to local contexts. It will also provide a range of capacity development tools and services with a special emphasis on monitoring and evaluation of human development processes and outcomes.

“The Centre will provide a range of services to national governments and will be guided by the objective of translating the analysis of human development reporting to policy inputs and practices that can help advance human development” said Shri Peter R deSouza. These include – research and analysis support on the policy dimensions of a human development approach including trade-offs of various people-centered policy measures; policy advisory services that can help translate the human development concept into policies aimed at improving human development at national, sub-national and local levels; developing capacity of national governments, parliamentarians, CSOs and academia to undertake human development-oriented policymaking and advocacy; and monitoring and evaluation support to develop and support decentralized and community level monitoring tools.

Policy for Induction of Women in Armed Forces

The policy regarding induction of women in Armed Forces  which has been issued after considering the policy paper submitted by a High Level Tri-Service Committee with the approval of Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC), keeping in view role and responsibility of the Armed Forces in defending the nation and protecting the territorial integrity of the country. As per ibid Government letter, women are inducted as Short Service Commissioned Officers (SSCOs) in the following Branches of the three Services:

ARMY:

(i)    Signals;

(ii)    Engineers;

(iii)    Army Aviation;

(iv)    Army Air Defence;

(v)    Electronics & Mechanical Engineers;

(vi)   Army Service Corps;

(vii)    Army Ordnance Corps;

(viii)    Intelligence;

(ix)    Army Education Corps;

(x)    Judge Advocate General.

NAVY:   
 (i)    JAG;

(ii)    Logistics;

(iii)    Observer;

(iv)    Air Traffic Controller;

(v)    Naval Constructor;

(vi)    Education.

AIR FORCE:

In all branches and Streams except Fighter Stream of flying branch.

The number of women officers in Army, Navy and Air Force (excluding medical streams) are 1214,302 and 1079 respectively. There is no separate fixed sanctioned strength for women officers in the Armed Forces and they are recruited within the overall authorized strength of officers' cadre of respective Service.

Filling up of vacancies of officers (from eligible women and men candidates) is an on going process and is done on merit on all India basis

Natural gas pipelines of India

India had 38 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of proven natural gas reserves as of January 2007.The total gas production in India was about 31,400 mcm in 2002-03 compared with 2,358 mcm in 1980-81. At this production level, India's reserves are likely to last for around 29 years; that is significantly longer than the 19 years estimated for oil reserves. Almost 70% of India�s natural gas reserves are found in the Bombay High basin and in Gujarat.

Offshore gas reserves are also located in Andhra Pradesh coast (Krishna Godavari Basin) and Tamil Nadu coast (Cauvery Basin).

Onshore reserves are located in Gujarat and the North Eastern states (Assam and Tripura).

India is currently implementing about 14,000 km of natural gas pipelines projects, which is in addition to over 11,000 km of existing cross-country pipelines. Another 14,000 km of pipelines infrastructure is under various stages of implementation,.

The development of pipeline infrastructure is an on going process which will progress with increase in demand of natural gas. The government has initiated multi-pronged measures to increase availability of natural gas in the country including intensifying domestic exploration and expeditious production of coal bed methane (CBM).

What is Natural Gas?

Natural gas is a vital component of the world's supply of energy. It is one of the cleanest, safest, and most useful of all energy sources. Despite its importance, however, there are many misconceptions about natural gas. For instance, the word 'gas' itself has a variety of different uses, and meanings. When we fuel our car, we put 'gas' in it. However, the gasoline that goes into your vehicle, while a fossil fuel itself, is very different from natural gas. The 'gas' in the common barbecue is actually propane, which, while closely associated and commonly found in natural gas, is not really natural gas itself. While commonly grouped in with other fossil fuels and sources of energy, there are many characteristics of natural gas that make it unique. Below is a bit of background information about natural gas, what it is exactly, how it is formed, and how it is found in nature.

Natural gas, in itself, might be considered an uninteresting gas - it is colourless, shapeless, and odourless in its pure form. Quite uninteresting - except that natural gas is combustible, abundant in the United States and when burned it gives off a great deal of energy and few emissions. Unlike other fossil fuels, natural gas is clean burning and emits lower levels of potentially harmful by products into the air. We require energy constantly, to heat our homes, cook our food, and generate our electricity. It is this need for energy that has elevated natural gas to such a level of importance in our society, and in our lives.

Natural gas is a combustible mixture of hydrocarbon gases. While natural gas is formed primarily of methane, it can also include ethane, propane, butane and pentane. The composition of natural gas can vary widely, but below is a chart outlining the typical makeup of natural gas before it is refined.

Typical Composition of Natural Gas

Methane	CH4	70-90%
Ethane	C2H6	0-20%
Propane	C3H8
Butane	C4H10
Carbon Dioxide	CO2	0-8%
Oxygen	O2	0-0.2%
Nitrogen	N2	0-5%
Hydrogen sulphide	H2S	0-5%
Rare gases	A, He, Ne, Xe	trace

In its purest form, such as the natural gas that is delivered to your home, it is almost pure methane. Methane is a molecule made up of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms, and is referred to as CH4.  The distinctive “rotten egg” smell that we often associate with natural gas is actually an odorant called mercaptan that is added to the gas before it is delivered to the end-user.  Mercaptan aids in detecting any leaks.

Natural gas is considered 'dry' when it is almost pure methane, having had most of the other commonly associated hydrocarbons removed. When other hydrocarbons are present, the natural gas is 'wet'.

Found in reservoirs underneath the earth, natural gas is often associated with oil deposits. Production companies search for evidence of these reservoirs by using sophisticated technology that helps to find the location of the natural gas, and drill wells in the earth where it is likely to be found.

Once brought from underground, the natural gas is refined to remove impurities such as water, other gases, sand, and other compounds. Some hydrocarbons are removed and sold separately, including propane and butane. Other impurities are also removed, such as hydrogen sulphide (the refining of which can produce sulphur, which is then also sold separately). After refining, the clean natural gas is transmitted through a network of pipelines, thousands of miles of which exist in the India alone. From these pipelines, natural gas is delivered to its point of use.

The Formation of Natural Gas

Natural gas is a fossil fuel. Like oil and coal, this means that it is, essentially, the remains of plants and animals and microorganisms that lived millions and millions of years ago. But how do these once living organisms become an inanimate mixture of gases?

There are many different theories as to the origins of fossil fuels. The most widely accepted theory says that fossil fuels are formed when organic matter (such as the remains of a plant or animal) is compressed under the earth, at very high pressure for a very long time. This is referred to as thermo genic methane. Similar to the formation of oil, thermo genic methane is formed from organic particles that are covered in mud and other sediment. Over time, more and more sediment and mud and other debris are piled on top of the organic matter. This sediment and debris puts a great deal of pressure on the organic matter, which compresses it. This compression, combined with high temperatures found deep underneath the earth, breaks down the carbon bonds in the organic matter. As one gets deeper and deeper under the earth’s crust, the temperature gets higher and higher. At low temperatures (shallower deposits), more oil is produced relative to natural gas. At higher temperatures, however, more natural gas is created, as opposed to oil. That is why natural gas is usually associated with oil in deposits that are 1 to 2 miles below the earth's crust. Deeper deposits, very far underground, usually contain primarily natural gas, and in many cases, pure methane

How Natural Gas is  Measured?

Natural gas can be measured in a number of different ways. As a gas, it can be measured by the volume it takes up at normal temperatures and pressures, commonly expressed in cubic feet. Production and distribution companies commonly measure natural gas in thousands of cubic feet (Mcf), millions of cubic feet (MMcf), or trillions of cubic feet (Tcf). While measuring by volume is useful, natural gas can also be measured as a source of energy. Like other forms of energy, natural gas is commonly measured and expressed in British thermal units (Btu).

What is British thermal units (Btu)?

One Btu is the amount of natural gas that will produce enough energy to heat one pound of water by one degree at normal pressure. To give an idea, one cubic foot of natural gas contains about 1,027 Btus. When natural gas is delivered to a residence, it is measured by the gas utility in 'therms' for billing purposes. A therm is equivalent to 100,000 Btu, or just over 97 cubic feet, of natural gas.

Problems with Natural Gas

• Not a renewable source of energy.
• India has only limited reserves of natural gas, though further discoveries are being made from recent explorations
• Owing to the high percentage of methane in natural gas, it is highly combustible
• The process of extraction of natural gas involves making large cavities in the ground. Natural gas requires highly complex treatment plants and pipelines for its delivery.
• Natural gas occupies four times the space of a gasoline-equivalent energy

Unconventional Natural Gas Resources