ISSN 0409-7467 CCSIRSIR NEWSNEWS Progress, Promise and Prospects

VOL 60 NO 1 & 2 JANUARY 2010

CONTENTS

Unravelling our Genetic Diversity

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize Winner

International Symposium

CSIR NEWS Wishes Appointment its Readers a Very Happy New Year 2010 website: http://www.csir.res.in R&D HIGHLIGHTS

Genetic Diversity in Indian Populations A New Door Opened Dr. P. Cheena Chawla

home to more than one billion people, India is a land of A matchless diversity in diverse ways. With scores of culturally diverse communities inhabiting the nation, each portraying a different language, religion, set of customs and cuisine, India is not only ethnically distinct that is much apparent but the human populations of this country are also distinct at the level of genes — the hereditary material that is passed on from one generation to the next — thanks to novel findings of a joint team of Indian and American Lalji Singh (left) and Kumarasamy Thangaraj — The key Indian players whose scientists, with key players from the Centre for Cellular and work unravelled the genetic distinctiveness of different Indian groups Molecular Biology (CSIR), Hyderabad, India. The US researchers are from Harvard Medical School, the Harvard reconstruct the historical origins of human populations in School of Public Health and the Broad Institute of Harvard India. It is also the region of our genetic material, which and MIT. clearly points to the many genetic variations in human beings Interestingly, if we look at our genetic material that that make select individuals at a higher risk of certain diseases biochemically comprises the DNA molecule, any two as compared to others. unrelated individuals surprisingly differ just by 0.1%, as the For this study on ascertaining genetic variability across remaining 99.9% of DNA is completely identical. What an various human populations in India, about 5.6 lakh genetic irony then that all the amazing human diversity, at the level markers were analyzed across the genomes of 132 of genes, is individuals who were selected from 25 diverse groups in housed only in India that represented 13 states comprising all six language this variable, families, traditionally upper and lower castes, as well as tribal and apparently groups. An important revelation of the new study led by tiny, portion of Lalji Singh and David Reich, published in 24th September our DNA! It 2009 issue of Nature, is that different Indian groups is this region carry genomic material from two distinct ancestral of DNA, com- populations – the ‘Ancestral North Indians’ (ANI) who prising some are related to western Eurasians, from whom the Indian three million populations have inherited 40-80% of their ancestry and base pairs, that the rest from ‘Ancestral South Indians’ (ASI) who are not is a storehouse related to any group outside India. The ANI ancestry has of clues to a rich been found to be significantly higher in Indo-European source of in- than Dravidian speakers, which suggests that formation, and populations descending from ASI may have spoken a has today helped Dravidian language before mixing with populations Housed in the nucleus of every body cell, chromosomes are vehicles of our genetic material scientists to descending from ANI.

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India Cracks the Human Genome

In a ground breaking work, CSIR spending Rs. 15 lakhs (US$ 30,000). Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan and scientists at the Institute of Genomics The IGIB scientists triumphantly China. The International Human and Integrative Biology (IGIB), New generated over 51 gigabases of data, Genome Project formally started in 1990 Delhi, have completed the first human using the most sophisticated sequencing and was completed in 2003, sequencing genome sequencing in India, setting the technology that enables massive parallel the genomes of Craig Venter, James stage for India’s entry into individual sequencing of millions of fragments of Watson and an anonymous Chinese genomics, which is poised to open new the genetic material, as small as individual. Till now, only 14 individual possibilities in disease diagnostics and comprising only 76 base pairs. These genomes have been sequenced treatment. The genome that has been small DNA fragment once sequenced, worldwide. CSIR could achieve this by sequenced is that of an anonymous are then mapped back to the reference adapting to new technologies and healthy individual from Jharkhand. While genome. This herculean task of finding effectively integrating complex the first human genome sequencing took the sequence of the entire human genetic information technology tools with over a decade, and a whopping 3 billion material, comprising three billion base analytical capabilities. US dollars to complete the task, CSIR pairs, was possible due to the CSIR The sequencing of the human has bagged the unique credit for supercomputing facility at IGIB. With genome would help us to understand the accomplishing the same in only 45 days, this achievement, India has become the variations at genetic level that make two sixth country after US, China, Korea, individuals different. More importantly, Canada and UK, to demonstrate the since there is an association between the capability of sequencing and assembling genetic variants and predisposition to a complete human genome. diseases, human genome sequencing Understandably, sequencing of the would be enormously important in human genome requires high diagnosis and management of various computational capability and diseases including cancer. Interestingly, technological know-how in handling the sequencing of the Indian genome has sophisticated machines and analyzing revealed a large number of hitherto huge volume of data. The first human unknown variations that include single genome sequencing initiative was nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as conceived as early as 1984. In addition well as many insertion/deletions in our to the United States, the ‘International genetic material. Understanding the Human Genome Project Consortium’ functional role of these variations would, comprised geneticists from United for sure, throw light on identifying the markers linked to specific diseases, which could be specifically hunted for predicting diseases before they spell disaster. Earlier this year, CSIR scientists also completed the genome sequencing of zebrafish – an organism popularly used to model human diseases – that has half the size of the human genome. With this feat, India became the first country to sequence the wild type strain of The Supercomputing Facility at IGIB (top) and The triumphant Indian team (from left): Ashok Patowary, DNA Sequencing Machine (above) Vinod Scaria, Sridhar Sivasubbu and Ramya Purkanti zebrafish.

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Another Door Opened Genetic Diversity Mapped in Asia Housing 60% of the human inhabitants that for example, may bestow the populations from the same linguistic of planet Earth, Asia – the world’s individual an advantage of better group tend to cluster together, which largest continent – is a huge melting survival in a particular environment, or means that there is considerable pot of genetic diversity. The a disease-gene marker which could be relatedness within ethnic/linguistic contributors of this exceedingly rich tracked back in time to discover the groups. It has also revealed that there human resource are the scores of human population from where that was a south-to-north migration of East unknown ancestors who migrated altered/mutated gene may have Asians, which means that the majority from different parts of the world and originated. of East Asian gene pool has been settled down in this region over In this unique attempt 1,928 derived from Southeast Asia. thousands of years. unrelated individuals representing 73 According to the study, the most recent Ancestral human populations are populations from 10 countries and common ancestors of Asians arrived believed to have originally spread out 10 linguistic lineages from mainland first in India. Later, some of them from Africa, from where they slowly China, India, Indonesia, Japan, migrated to Thailand, and also South began to adapt different parts of the Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, to Malaysia, Indonesia, and the globe due to the pressures of climate, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand Philippines. food and health conditions. The present were studied. The first group of settlers must genetic human diversity of the Asian For establishing genetic have gone very far south before they populations is all due to these best differences between two unrelated settled successfully. These included adapting individuals, who proved most individuals, scientists basically look at the Malay Negritos, Philippine fit to survive in a given place. It is the more than three million differences in Negritos, the East Indonesians, and the tracking down of the ancestry of the their genes. Variations at the level of early settlers of the Pacific Islands. human populations, through certain tell- single nucleotides, are commonly Later, one or several groups of people tale signs written in every person’s referred to as single nucleotide migrated North, mixed with previous genes, that has today empowered polymorphism (SNP). Therefore, it is settlers there resulting in various scientists to remarkably establish a link the tracking of genetic variations populations now known as between two geographically separated through human migrations that provide Austronesian, Austro-Asiatic, Tai- groups of people. clues to evolution of diseases and Kadai, Hmong-Mien, and Altaic etc. For the first time, to understand the genetic diversity. Interestingly, most of the Indian genetic history of the people living in Genotyping of more than 50,000 population showed evidence of shared Asia, over 90 scientists from the SNPs was done at eight different ancestry with European population. Human Genome Organization’s centres while the filtering of collected Signifying the essence of this (HUGO’s) Pan-Asian SNP data was centralized to maximize the work, nothing can better echo the Consortium have undertaken the standardization of results. This genetic sentiments of scientists than the words human genetic mapping of Southeast mapping of people inhabiting different of Professor Samir Brahmachari, Asian (SEA) and East Asian (EA) parts of Asia has opened the door to Director General, CSIR: “We have populations, the findings of which have understand the migratory patterns in breached political and ideological been published in the 10th December, human history as well as the genetic boundaries to show that the people 2009 issue of Science. The hallmark basis of many diseases afflicting human of Asia are linked by a unifying of this human ingenuity is nothing but populations of this region. genetic thread.” the tracing of certain ‘marker’ genes This study has today revealed that

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ANI and ASI ancestral populations. A Survey of India. significantly higher ANI ancestry has It has also come to light that the been found in traditionally upper castes ancestry of many groups in modern India than in middle/lower caste groups. could be traced back to a small number According to Kumarasamy Thangaraj, of founding individuals, which explains a senior research scientist at CCMB, it why these groups have remained is impossible to distinguish castes from genetically isolated from other groups for tribes using the data, which supports the thousands of years, with limited gene view that castes grew directly out of flow due to endogamy or marriages tribal-like organizations during the within the group. Such ‘founder events’, formation of Indian society. as they are popularly called, are the root The new study has also revealed cause of the exceptionally high incidence that the Andamanese – a small of some genetic diseases among only population of indigenous people of the Indians. According to Lalji Singh, former Andaman Islands – appear to be related Director of CCMB and a Bhatnagar Variations in single nucleotides of the DNA molecule, exclusively to the Ancestral South Indian Fellow whose pioneering efforts in this called SNP’s, act as excellent genetic markers lineage and completely lack Ancestral field are commendable, India is For analyzing the genetic markers, North Indian ancestry. This surely opens genetically not a single large population, which are the regions of genetic a door to the history of the Ancestral but comprises many smaller isolated variations occurring as single nucleotide South Indians who diverged from other populations that have descended from polymorphisms (SNPs), the blood Eurasians, probably tens of thousands several founder events. samples of select individuals of 25 of years ago. Just as founder events are known diverse groups of India were collected. Genetic variation studies on tribal to increase the incidence of recessive After DNA extraction from these populations, who have been locked away genetic diseases in other human samples, all DNA samples were from the modern world, is the key to populations like Finns and Ashkenazi genotyped on Affymetrix 6.0 arrays or unlock not only the mystery of our own Jews, the same could most likely be the DNA chips, and analyzed for genetic origins but is also important for case for many groups in India, where variations in 560,123 SNPs. Scientists understanding the genetic basis of inter-caste marriages are a taboo. then employed novel statistical complex diseases. Many of the According to researchers, the founder approaches for studying the genetic environmental risk factors related to effects are responsible for an even variations in these individuals of diverse modern lifestyles, such as intake of higher burden of recessive diseases in groups. Allele frequency differentiation unhealthy diet and lack of physical India than consanguinity. For confirming among the groups as well as inbreeding exercise, which are at the crux for this, the next step according to in each group were assessed using triggering many complex diseases, are researchers would be to carry out a sophisticated software. A novel toolkit usually uncommon in tribals. Therefore, systematic survey of Indian groups for has also been developed by scientists for with studies on primitive, isolated tribal identifying the communities that have understanding the relationships among populations, it would be possible to descended from the strongest founder population groups, thus tracing their differentiate genetic factors from events. This would help in pinning down history of origin. environmental risk factors for these the culprit genes responsible for causing This novel work has thus revealed, diseases. In this direction, CCMB has many devastating genetic diseases, thus through modern genomic technology, undertaken a very large project on opening the door to finding effective that almost all Indian groups, including studying the human genetic diversity in therapies and providing appropriate the traditional ‘tribes’ as well as ‘castes’, tribal and caste populations of India in clinical care to the affected individuals have descended from the mixtures of collaboration with Anthropological and those at risk.

JANUARY 2010 5 R&D HIGHLIGHTS

The history of population structure implications on the health of the Indian before they began to be mixed. in India, therefore, has its root in two populations. India, the world’s second most ancestral populations — ANI and ASI The scope of further research in this populous nation is uniquely distinct for — and it is the rampant mixture of these field would be to estimate a date when its varied diversity. Be it geographic or populations that is the hallmark of all the the mixture of these populations might climatic diversity, be it the diversity in amazing genetic variations in many have occurred. For this, a detailed study languages, religions and cultures of its Indian groups. The concepts of ancestral of the length of genetic stretches of ANI people, or be it the genetic diversity as genomic content, their mixture ancestry in Indian samples might be evident today, after all it is our very throughout India and importance of undertaken. Another area that needs to diversity that imparts strength to our founder events have assumed be explored in greater detail is the oneness. significance, for these have serious history of ANI and ASI populations

Spacer-Aided-Initiation in Solid Blasting A CIMFR Patented Method

oal production from underground mines in India has been the face and thus improving production and productivity of Cstagnating for over last three decades. Production from underground coalmines. underground coalmines has to be increased for sustainable Explosive & Explosion Laboratory of CIMFR conceived growth of Indian coal mining industry. The Bord and Pillar and filed a patent through CSIR in India (Patent Filing No. method contributes about 95% of the total underground coal 1538DEL2005, dated 10.06.2005) on a method of solid production in India. Solid blasting using P5 type permitted blasting in underground coalmines using spacer-aided-initiation explosives is the predominant method of blasting during for achieving longer pull. This method of spacer-aided- drivage of in-seam galleries in Bord and Pillar method and it initiation in solid blasting envisages distribution of explosive contributes about 60% of underground coal production (i.e. energy over longer length of shot hole by the use of plastic around 35 million tonne) in India. spacers for air decking of cartridges of suitable P5 explosives Solid blasting in Indian underground coal mines has with single priming at one end for achieving longer pull. always suffered from low productivity since its inception in Considering success of air decking of explosives in

1969, as P5 explosive is the weakest of all permitted improving blast performance in opencast mining and explosives, having limitation on its maximum charge weight tunneling, air decking of P5 explosives in longer holes in solid per holes. An average pull (i.e. advancement of face per blasting was expected to increase the pull and yield per blast round of blasting) of 1.0 - 1.2 m and yield of 12 - 18 tonnes provided unfailing detonation of receptor cartridges was per blast in solid blasting with gallery dimensions of 3.5 - 4.5 ensured by suitably selecting the explosive and the length of m width and 2.0 – 3.0 m height in different geo-mining air decks in the plastic spacers. The length of air decks should conditions have never been considered satisfactory for not exceed the maximum distance over which the detonation optimum utilization of men and machines. This is more so wave from a primed cartridge can jump to the receptor with introduction of semi-mechanization in most of the cartridges under practical usage conditions. underground coalmines in the recent past in India. There Failure of transmission of detonation wave from the has not been any innovation in the last four decades for primed cartridge to the subsequent ones in a blast hole may improving pull and yield per blast in solid blasting. cause misfire of the receptor cartridges. Misfired cartridges Improvement in performance of solid blasting is, therefore, under the action of heat and pressure generated by the necessary for optimum utilization of men and machines at detonation of other cartridges in same or adjacent holes can

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lead to their deflagration, which can be a grave hazard in toxic gases beyond permissible limits. Based on the results underground coalmines. Use of plastic spacers for providing of studies conducted by CIMFR, the Directorate General of air gaps between the cartridges should not add significantly Mines Safety (DGMS), which is the custodian of safety in to post detonation toxic fumes generated by the explosives mines in India, approved for the first time the use of spacer- so as to exceed the permissible limits. Therefore, misfire, aided-initiation in solid blasting with Pentadyne-HP in deflagration and increase in post detonation fumes were underground coalmines. apprehended hazards of using CIMFR’s patented method The field trial of Pentadyne-HP with air decking using of spacer-aided-initiation in solid blasting in underground HDPE spacers of 15 cm length in solid blasting was coalmines. conducted in GDK-5 incline of Singareni Collieries Company Under a Ministry of Coal funded S&T project titled, Ltd (SCCL), Singhali Colliery of South Eastern Coalfields Optimization of Production from Blasting off-the-Solid Limited (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) (BOS) by Achieving Longer Pull (Phase-I), Explosive & and Milupara mine of M/s Monnet Ispat & Energy Limited, Explosion Laboratory of CIMFR studied all relevant Raigarh consuming around 1400 kg of Pentadyne-HP parameters under simulated conditions in the laboratory and explosive with great success without a single occurrence of in an opencast mines of SCCL to establish safety and efficacy misfire, deflagration or increase in toxic gases beyond of using spacer-aided-initiation in solid blasting in underground permissible limits in post detonation gases. coalmines. The results of this Project revealed that any During the field trials of Pentadyne-HP with CIMFR’s apprehension of misfire, deflagration and increase of toxic patented method of spacer-aided-initiation in solid blasting gases beyond permissible limits with use of proposed in GDK-5 incline, pull up to 1.7 m with shot holes of 1.8 m innovation of spacer-aided-initiation in solid blasting for length and 2.2 m with shot holes of 2.4 m length could be achieving higher pull can be eliminated by proper selection achieved with yield ranging from 27 to 50 tonne per blast of explosive and the length of spacer. Necessity was felt to depending on the face dimensions ranging from 3.2 - 4.2 m develop a new permitted P5 explosive having width and 2.5 - 4.0 m height. Thus, an improvement in pull 15-20 cm air gap sensitivity for use with this CIMFR method. and yield by 60% to 120% were achieved using CIMFR CIMFR guided M/s Gulf Oil Corporation Limited, patented method which is quite significant considering the Hyderabad, for the development of a unique slurry explosive fact that there has not been any innovation in solid blasting namely, Pentadyne-HP (code no.: PE-5U) which met all since its inception in 1969. the statutory requirements of P5 explosive and passed Based on the outstanding performance of spacer-aided- 15 cm air gap sensitivity in open unconfined conditions. initiation in solid blasting with Pentadyne-HP, DGMS has Laboratory trials of different explosives with varying weight approved its commercial use in degree-I gassy mines. This of spacers proved that newly developed non-deflagrating method is now being tried by SCCL and CIL managements Pentadyne-HP explosive can be used for air decking up to in some of their selected mines before full-scale application 15 cm in solid blasting using high density polyethylene in all the mines. Thus, the new CIMFR patented method (HDPE) spacers, similar to that used in Blasting Gallery has a huge potential in improving the productivity and cost- panels of weight not more than 21g without exceeding the effectiveness of Indian underground coalmines.

Concept of spacer-aided-initiation in solid blasting in underground coal mines

JANUARY 2010 7 S. S. BHATNAGAR PRIZE WINNER’S WORK

Studies on the Impact of Atmospheric Aerosols on Regional Climate Systems Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize winner: Prof. S. K. Satheesh

rof. S. K. Satheesh of the Centre for Atmospheric and Several studies have POceanic Sciences, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), suggested that aerosols Bangalore, has been awarded Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar may be mitigating global Prize for 2009 in the discipline Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean warming, although and Planetary Sciences for his contributions to the studies aerosol effects on climate on impact of atmospheric aerosols on regional climate are still uncertain as systems such as Indian monsoons. [CSIR News, 59 (2009), outlined in the International Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) 303]. reports. Compounding to the complexity of this problem is The major focus of Prof. Satheesh’s research work was the interaction of aerosols with clouds. It is very difficult to on the impact of atmospheric aerosols on regional climate form clouds without small aerosol particles acting as “seeds” systems such as Indian monsoons. Aerosols are tiny particles to start the formation of cloud droplets. Thus, aerosols can suspended in the atmosphere, popularly known as air control the cloud properties and alter rainfall patterns. pollution. In addition to their impact on human health, they Among the various aerosol types, black carbon aerosols have the potential to alter regional climate through different produced from automobiles and biomass burning assume mechanisms. Aerosols are of natural and man-made or great importance due to their high absorption characteristics. anthropogenic origin. On a global scale, the natural sources The most alarming fact is that black carbon aerosol may of aerosols are stronger than anthropogenic counterparts. lead to increased atmospheric warming and hence, But regionally this is not the case. Over major source regions, compliment to warming by the green house gases. such as cities, anthropogenic sources can be larger by several There are several crucial questions on aerosols that the factors compared to natural sources. In such cases, climate change community has been trying to answer. These increased abundance of aerosol can also cause serious health include, Whether aerosols warm the planet, thus accelerating problems such as respiratory diseases. the global warming? What is the impact of aerosols on cloudiness and rainfall? Can Particle Shape and State of Mixing aerosols alter natural hydrological cycle? The basic question is: why do we, the Indian scientific community, care about aerosols? Our observations over India for the last two decades show a five-fold increase in aerosol abundance. In fact, over many cities in India, pollution levels are much above than permitted. This alarming rate of Hollow Particle Hollow Particle Large Mixed increase in aerosol in just two (amplified) Particle decades is not surprising. The Scanning electron microscope pictures of hollow aerosols and ‘mixed’ aerosols number of registered vehicles has

8 CSIR NEWS S. S. BHATNAGAR PRIZE WINNER’S WORK

state is particularly important over Central india Southern Central india Southern Coast North IO the Asian region, which is unique in 7 AC-70% 50-70% 20-30% < 10% aerosol perspective as natural and 6 anthropogenic aerosols co-exist. 5 The role of aerosols on the Indian 4

3 monsoon is not yet understood well.

Aititute (km) 2 Studies done by Prof. Satheesh

1 earlier have shown that low pressure 0 regions created by aerosol warming 0.2 0.4 0.15 0.30 0.15 0.30 0.10 0.20 over Indian landmass draws in warm and moist air over the Indian sub- 0.4 5 Lower Height continent leading to the advancement 4 0.3 Ext. Coelt (at 3km) and subsequent intensification of Indian summer monsoon. That 3 0.2 means increased presence of 2 aerosols leads to more rainfall. But 0.1 1 Layer Height (km) recent investigations have shown that a large reduction of solar 0 0 CI SCI SC NIO radiation reaching the Earth’s surface by anthropogenic aerosols The altitude of aerosols relative to clouds obtained from aircraft-based measurements (a–d). Vertical distribution of aerosols at four representative locations (central India (marked as CI), southern central India (SCI), southern coast might slow down the hydrological (SC) and north Indian Ocean (NIO)) inferred using an airborne micro pulse lidar. Cloud top heights obtained from cycle. Such reduction in solar MODIS data are indicated using a cartoon symbol of cloud. Fractions of extinction coefficient contributed by radiation by aerosol is popularly aerosols above clouds (ιAC) are also marked. (e) Aerosol layer height and extinction coefficient at 3 km at four representative locations described in Figures 2a–2d and 2f. (f) Four representative locations marked in map of India. known as global dimming. Impacts of global dimming can be devastating. gone up from two million to more than 100 million during this Modeling studies indicate that serious drought over period. There was a substantial increase in industries as well, Northern Africa during 1980s, which lead to the death of which together with increase in urban population and traffic over one million people and afflicted 50 million more with has contributed to a dramatic rise in air pollution. starvation, was due to aerosol dimming effects. Thus, According to observations made by Prof. Satheesh and dimming can have a detrimental impact on the Asian his team of scientists, the clear-sky atmosphere absorbs monsoons which bring rainfall to half of the world’s more short-wave radiation than predicted by existing models. population. Decrease of crop yield, mainly rice and wheat, Several investigators have hypothesized the presence of is another major consequence of such a solar dimming due ‘unidentified’ absorber in the atmosphere, which has optical to aerosols. properties similar to that of aerosol black carbon. These The observations made by Satheesh’s group (ground- investigations have proved that these models consistently based, aircraft-based and space-borne) show that aerosol underestimate aerosol absorption. Investigations by Indian loading is highest over Indo Gangetic basin with Himalayas scientists, led by Prof. Satheesh have suggested that one of in the north. They have also found that aerosol over Indo- the possible causes of this ‘excess’ absorption could be Gangetic basin is dominated by black carbon aerosols and changes in the state of mixing of black carbon (BC) in aerosol are distributed over an altitude of up to 5 kms. Fast increase at different locations. These findings imply that the actual in aerosol abundance and its distribution to high altitudes radiative impact due to aerosols is much larger than the close to Himalayan region is a disturbing fact, as increased estimates made in the past. The treatment of aerosol in mixed warming by aerosol at higher atmospheric levels can cause

JANUARY 2010 9 S. S. BHATNAGAR PRIZE WINNER’S WORK

Biographical Sketch Dr S. K. Satheesh is currently an Associate Professor at UNEP) as well as to more than 25 international journals. the Centre for Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences, Indian Prof. Satheesh has won the following Awards: Institute of Science, Bangalore, India. He has published Associate Award 2001 by Indian Academy of Sciences around 100 articles in peer reviewed journals and his work (IAS), Bangalore, India; START Young Scientist Award is cited more than 1800 times by peers. He has lead or 2001 by START (sponsored by ESSP, IGBP, WRCP etc), participated in numerous field campaigns for measuring International START Secretariat, USA; INSA Young aerosols and radiation both in India and abroad. He has Scientist Medal 2002, Indian National Science Academy, been involved in the design and/or fabrication of India; WMO Young Scientist Award 2002, World laboratory instruments as well as satellite sensors for the Meteorological Organisation, Geneva; Swarna Jayanti measurement of aerosols and radiation locally and Fellow Award 2006, Department of Science & Technology globally. He has also developed several new methods in (DST), India; Asian Young Aerosol Scientist Award 2007, satellite remote sensing of aerosols and has been involved Asian Aerosol Research Assembly (AARA), Japan ; in simulating the impact of anthropogenic aerosols over SCOPUS Young Scientist Award in Earth Sciences, 2007, Indian region on regional climate (monsoon and ELSEVIER (UK); PRL Research Award (2007) by temperature distribution) using atmospheric general Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Dept. of Space, circulation models. Government of India; ISBRI Fellow, Indo-Swiss Bilateral Prof. S.K. Satheesh completed B.Sc. and M.Sc in Research Initiative (ISBRI), Switzerland; NASA Senior (Physics) from University of Kerala and PhD from Vikram Fellow, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, USA and Sarabhai Space Centre ( ISRO ) and University of Kerala Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize 2009. based on research conducted during 1993-97. He then Prof. Satheesh has several other recognitions to his joined Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of credit such as being a Member, “Core Science Team”, California, San Diego, USA as a Post Doctoral Fellow. In Indian Satellite for Aerosols and Gases, Small Satellite 2000, he joined the Indian Institute of Science. Program of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Prof. S.K. Satheesh is a recipient of several national He is also a Member, Scientific Advisory Committee and international awards and has many other distinctions (SAC) (2005-2007), Aryabhatta Research Institute of such as: several American Geophysical Union (AGU) Observational Sciences (ARIES), Autonomous Institute highlighted articles, three review articles, three papers cited under Department of Science and Technology, Govt of more than 100 times, total citations exceeding 1800, besides India while being the Chief Mission Scientist, National delivering numerous invited lectures in India and abroad, Aircraft Campaign, Integrated Campaign for Aerosols, and serving as reviewer to national (DST, ISRO & CSIR) Gases and Radiation Budget (ICARB, a multi-platform, and international funding agencies (NASA, NSF and multi-institutional experiment by ISRO). glaciers to melt faster. However, there Himalayas are receding faster than in coupled with a reduction of total area of is no evidence yet on this aspect. any other part of the world and if the Himalayan glaciers could endanger Another possibility is the deposition present rate continues, possibility of them water supplies for more than a billion of black carbon aerosol on glaciers disappearing by 2035 is very high”. people. In a nutshell, urgent attention is leading to a decrease in the reflectance Himalayan glaciers are the headwaters required to reduce aerosol emissions in of ice which aggravates the glacier for Asia’s nine largest rivers, crucial for order to control its distressing retreat. The International Commission more than one billion people who live consequences on the regional climate for Snow and Ice (ICSI) has stated in downstream. The alarming rate of system. their report that “Glaciers in the increasing aerosol loading over India

10 CSIR NEWS CONFERENCES/SYMPOSIUMS

Annual Conference of Indian Association for Angiosperm Taxonomy (IAAT) & International Symposium on Angiosperm Systematics & Phylogeny: Retrospects & Prospects

three-day Annual of changing climatic A Conference of Indian conditions over a period of Association for Angiosperm time. He said that due to Taxonomy (IAAT) and excessive exploitation and International Symposium on mismanagement of ‘Angiosperm Systematics & biodiversity, a lot of plant Phylogeny: Retrospects & species have become extinct Prospects’ was organized by or are at the verge of National Botanical Research extinction. Therefore, he Institute (NBRI), Lucknow, disinclined to have an entirely in association with IAAT, market-oriented research. Calicut, during 12-14 For the progress of science November 2009. About 350 and humanity, both basic and delegates from universities, applied researches are colleges and research essential, he empha-sized. institutions, mostly from India Top: Prof. H. Y. Mohan Ram delivering the Inaugural Address, He also felt the need to and some from abroad Above (from left): Dr Rakesh Tuli delivering Welcome Address, Dr S.K. Jain sensitize the policy makers participated in this important delivering the Felicitation Address, and Dr Tariq Husain proposing the Vote of Thanks for tackling the problem of event. biodiversity and conservation The symposium provided a unique materialized; the first being the Linnaeus by inducting trained experts in National opportunity for plant taxonomists and work, second was the publication of The Biodiversity Board. He called upon the conservation biologists to discuss and Origin of Species and the third one is delegates not to imitate science but make debate on the key issues and challenges the Human Genome Project, which innovative attempts to ward off the in systematic study and documentation, reflect that how closely the organisms challenges faced by our country. conservation and prospection of plant including plant species are interrelated Earlier, Dr Rakesh Tuli, Director, biodiversity in India and the neighbouring and interdependent on each other. He NBRI, while welcoming the Chief Guest countries. Prof. H.Y. Mohan Ram, further said that biology was an and the participants said that INSA Hon. Scientist was the Chief exceptional branch of science in the angiosperms with high adaptability and Guest at the Inaugural function held on sense that its evolutionary aspect is great diversity offer immense 12 November 2009 at Ganna Sansthan, unique. He also dwelt upon the modern opportunities for research. Dr Tuli Dalibagh, Lucknow. areas like application of RNA sequences further said that for understanding the Prof. Mohan Ram, in his Address, for studying phylogenetic relationship. evolutionary relationship among enlightened the audience on the He advised to apply a balanced approach different species their stability and importance of plant species for the well for phylogenetic studies comprising both adaptability are fundamental to analyzing being of humanity. In the backdrop of morphological and molecular data. the observations and studies in some of this Symposium, he mentioned that during Narrating the importance of the most competitive areas of plant the period of evolution of angiosperm herbarium, Prof. Mohan Ram said that science. He also briefed about the taxonomy, three main issues herbarium species were the indicators various aspects of plant research being

JANUARY 2010 11 CONFERENCES/SYMPOSIUMS

carried out at NBRI. Dr. Tuli elaborated The first day started with two Medal Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, on upon the evaluation of biodiversity Award Lectures by Dr.T. S. Nayar (Y. Biodiversity Conservation. studies, taxonomic revisions, D. Tiagi Medal Award) and Dr. D. The sessions started with conservation biology, molecular Narshimhan (V.V. Shivarajan Medal competition presentations for the six taxonomy and barcoding being carried Award). The session of the Conference awards. The presentations for K. S. out at NBRI. With the depleting plant and Symposium was started with two Manilal Award, T. R. Sahu Award, Rolla resources and growing population, there lead lectures by Prof. S. N. Raina, Retd. S. Rao Award were held parallely in is an urgent need for classical Prof., Delhi University, and Prof. different halls. The poster presentations taxonomists to take the additional Magnus Liden, Uppsala University for S. R.Yadav Award was also held responsibilities of applied systematics, he Botanic Gardens, Uppsala, Sweden. simultaneously. added. Three parallel sessions were held on The afternoon sessions started with Prof. M. Sabu, Secretary, IAAT, Biodiversity along with poster session Fr. Anthony Mukkut K.S Manilal Award gave an overview and evolution of the on the same theme. During this session, presentations in one hall and in other two IAAT. He informed that presently there 46 oral presentations and 54 posters halls session II on Bioprospection and are 500 members of IAAT in India, with were presented. session III on Phytogeography, Prof. A. P. Das as the President of the The second day started with lead Endemism, Conservation, Association. One of the main aims of lectures by Prof. Magnus Liden on Phytodiversity and Response to IAAT is to promote angiosperm Fumariaceae, Prof. S. R. Yadav, Shivaji Climate Change were held in parallel. taxonomy in India while providing University, Kolhapur on Conservation For Bioprospection 20 oral papers were common forum for this specialized Aspects, Prof. David Leonardo Dilchar, presented and for Phytogeography, branch of Plant Sciences. Florida Field Museum of Natural History, Endemism, etc.,17 oral papers were Dr S. K. Jain, INSA Hon. Scientist USA, on Major Steps in Angiosperm presented. Fortynine posters were and former Director of BSI, India, in his Evolution and Prof. Wazahat Husain, presented in the Bioprospection session. felicitation address said that the presence of such a huge gathering of taxonomists was a testimony in itself of the progress of angiosperm taxonomy in the country. He said that taxonomical studies have helped to decipher our natural resources. The information gathered on various plant species and the established herbarium in the country are valuable source for unfolding the species susceptible to the changing environment owing to climate change. Prof. A. P. Das, felt proud of the growth of the IAAT which helped in disseminating the taxonomical work in the country. On this occasion, the taxonomic and biodiversity databases on lower and higher plants christened as ‘PADAP’ and NBRI-LWG-virtual herbarium developed by NBRI were launched by Prof. Mohan Ram. Visitors at one of the poster sessions

12 CSIR NEWS CONFERENCES/SYMPOSIUMS

On third day, lead lectures were taxonomists should reach all the environmentalists, climatologists, given by Prof. T.R. Sahu, stakeholders including the public. To paleontologists, and ecologists need Dr H. S. Gaur, Sagar University, on facilitate this it has been envisaged to be developed for assessing the Indigenous Knowledge of Biological to digitize all the information already impact of climate change on plant recourses; Prof. A.K. Pandey, Delhi available and make it accessible to species and ecosystems and for University, on the Changing Concepts the public. In this regard, NBRI has formulating appropriate mitigation of Compositae Systematics and Prof. already made efforts and launched measures. The important role played M. K. Janarthanam, Goa University, on two plant databases, namely PADAP by taxonomists and taxonomic data Endemic Plants and Climate Change. (www.nbri.res.in/padap) and LWG- in understanding climate change and Dr A . K. Goel, Secretary, Outstation, virtual herbarium (www.nbri.res.in/ plant responses is crucial in this IAAT, welcomed the delegates during herbarium). Software developed by context. the valedictory function. The awards NBRI may be made available to • NBRI expressed willingness to were distributed to the awardees for interested groups and NBRI may accept herbarium specimens for different categories. Valedictory organize workshops to train deposit in LWG. For those Institutions Address was given by Dr S. K. Jain, researchers in developing digitized or individuals who do not have and Presidential Address by Prof. A.P. plant databases. adequate resources to process Das. Prof. G. H. Dar, Head, Department • Group specific revisionary and herbarium specimens, NBRI offers of Botany, Kashmir University, gave his monographic studies supported with to extend training and facilities for views regarding the event. Prof. M. K. molecular approaches have been them and they are encouraged to Janarthanam read the recommendations identified as major thrust areas for deposit one set of specimens in NBRI made by IAAT. understanding the diversity within Herbarium (LWG). Dr. Tariq Husain, Organising and among the species of different • NBRI offers to organize training Secretary of IAAT Conference and plant groups across various International Symposium proposed the workshops in molecular techniques / geographical and climatological molecular systematics at the Institute Vote of Thanks. regimes of the country. Following recommendations for interested groups and institutions. emerged after intensive discussion and • Plant systematic studies have been • Networking and exchange of live deliberations among the experts and recognized as essential requisite for plants among institutions and experts participants: identifying useful traits and genes so to be promoted to enrich plant • Inventorying of plant diversity has that they can be used in various repositories such as botanic gardens, been recognized as an important task breeding and biotechnological arboreta, gene banks, etc. ahead of plant taxonomists of the applications in agriculture, health, • IAAT website may be upgraded with country. To achieve this, training of environment, energy, etc. information of and possible e-links manpower through targeted • Intensive studies for assessing and with major institutions with taxonomic workshops for providing necessary monitoring of endemic and rare, expertise and the programmes and skills and mobilizing required support endangered and threatened (RET) resources available at these are basic necessities. Formulation of plant species have been recognized institutes. This may foster developing appropriate policies, coordinated as one of the most urgent tasks networks of interested institutions programmes and financial assistance requiring attention of plant and developing coordinated from various funding agencies taxonomists, policy makers and research projects in important towards implementing these have funding agencies. thematic areas in taxonomy and been recommended. • Coordinated long-term programmes related disciplines. • The information generated by the involving taxonomists,

JANUARY 2010 13 CONVENTION & CONGRESS

Joint International Convention (JIC) of 8th IAHS Scientific Assembly and 37th IAH Congress

he National Geophysical an Inaugural Lecture by TResearch Institute Prof. Ghislan de Marsily, (NGRI), Hyderabad, along Emeritus Professor, with the Association of University of Paris VI, Hydrologists of India (AHI) France on, ‘Freshwater hosted the Joint International Stocks on Earth as Ice, Convention (JIC) of 8th Surface Water, Ground Scientific Assembly of the Water: Are We Losing International Association of Water?” This special Hydrological Sciences function was presided over (IAHS) and 37th Congress of by Prof. V. V. J. Sharma, the International Association Seen on the dais (from left) are: Dr. S. N. Rai, Dr. Shaminder Puri, President of the Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) at Dr. Willi Struckmeier, Dr. V. P. Dimri, Smt. Daggubati Purandeswari, of Hydrologists of India. Hyderabad International Dr. Arthur Askew, Prof. Pierre Hubert and Prof. P. Rajendra Prasad Prof. P. Rajendra Prasad, Convention Centre (HICC) another Convener of JIC and during 6-12 September 2009. The focal surface and ground water, which are Vice President of IAHS proposed the theme of the JIC was, Water: A Vital unevenly distributed in time and space Vote of Thanks. Resource Under Stress: How Science domains. She touched upon the water There was a special lecture Can Help. quality problems that are being faced delivered by Prof. Stephen Foster, World The Seminar was inaugurated by worldwide and more so in developing Bank, GW-MATE Director and IAH Smt Daggubati Purandeswari, Hon’ble countries. She made special reference Past President on, ‘Hard-Rock Minister of State of Human Resource to the issue of water pricing and stressed Aquifers in Tropical Regions – Using Development (Higher Education), the need for the protection of basic right Science to Inform Development and Government of India and was presided for the availability of quality water to all Management.’ On this occasion Mr over by Dr V. P. Dimri, Director, NGRI. the habitants. Popatrao Pawar, the Chief of Village Dr Arthur Askew, President of IAHS In her concluding remarks she Council of Hivre Bazar, a small village and Dr Willi Struckmeier, President of hoped that the international community in drought-prone area of Maharastra, IAH addressed the delegates after together with the national hydrological was presented “IAH Distinguished releasing five volumes of prepublished experts would be able to work out Award” by Dr Willi Struckmeier for his seminar proceedings in the form of amicable solutions to the persisting global community-based water resources IAHS red books. Prof. Pierre Hubert water problems in general as well as management schemes, which have and Dr Shaminder Puri, the Secretary regional and local problems in particular. brought an all-round progress in his General’s of IAHS and IAH, Dr S. N. Rai, Vice President of IAH village. Dr Struckmeier presented the respectively, presented reports on the and Convener of JIC highlighted the IAH President Award to Dr Peter worldwide activities of their significance of JIC in Indian context and Dhillon and Honorary Membership to Associations. proposed the Vote of Thanks to all the Prof. Jiri Krasny. Smt Purandeswari, in her Inaugural key persons responsible for the JIC was structured into 22 symposia Address dwelt on the need for proper organization of the Seminar. dealing with almost all topics of management of water resources, both Inaugural Function was followed by hydrological sciences such as

14 CSIR NEWS WORKSHOPS

ecohydrology, hydroinformatics, basins, precipitation variability and water (MAR) was organized on September ground water sustainability in highly resources, new statistics in hydrology, 10. More than 510 delegates from stressed aquifers, integrated water Ground water development and 62 countries attended the Joint resources management, interaction management in hard rock region, ground Convention and presented more than between surface and ground water, water pollution, socio-economic issues 680 research papers as oral or poster transboundary water management, relevant to ground water etc. presentations. JIC was concluded isotope hydrology, high mount snow A field tour to the Himayat sagar with a well attended Valedictory and ice hydrology, sediment and Osman sagar was organized in the Function on 11th September which was management in Asian river, flood risk forenoon of 9th September. A Workshop presided over by Prof H. K. Gupta, Vice management, prediction in ungauged on ‘Managed Aquifer Recharge’ President, IUGG.

Seminar-cum-Workshop on Gas Phase Mass Spectrometry

one-day Seminar-cum-Workshop on ‘Gas Phase Mass Delivering his address, Dr M. Hazarika, expressed his A Spectrometry (GC-MS)’ was held at North East happiness to be associated with the Workshop and suggested Institute of Science & Technology, (NEIST), Jorhat, on that GC-MS analysis should keep pace with the changing 13 November 2009. The Workshop was sponsored by and latest developments. The technique was initially Thermo Fisher Scientific Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai, a brand service introduced in the early 20th century to unravel the unknown provider company. Dr R. C. Baruah, Director In-charge, facts and the developments in chemical science which have NEIST presided over the Inaugural Function of the gone a long way in different areas of research, he said. He Workshop. Dr M. Hazarika, Director, TRA, Tocklai, was further encouraged the participating candidates to inculcate the Chief Guest. the nature of quest for more knowledge so as to keep A total of 64 participants from different institutes and themselves abreast with the changing environment and in universities of North-East Region namely Guwahati choosing the right equipment for their research work. He University, Tezpur University, Assam Agriculture University, also appreciated the organizing committee for holding such Central Muga Eri Research & Training Institute, Jorhat; a seminar which was first in its case and wished the National Research Institute on Mithun, Nagaland; programme a grand success. Numaligarh Refinery Ltd, Numaligarh; etc. attended the Dr Baruah, apprised of the need and importance of workshop, besides the NEIST scientific community. Shri mass spectra in identifying the structure of any unknown A. K. Hazarika, Scientist & Head, Analytical Chemistry compound and said that there is no research without GC- Division of NEIST and Seminar Coordinator while delivering MS. The function concluded with the Vote of Thanks by the Welcome Address said that GC-MS is the most powerful Shri Manas Bera, Area Service Manager, Thermo Fisher tool in Analytical Chemistry work and the objective of the Scientific. Seminar was to enhance the techniques more deeply. The Technical Session of the Workshop covered funda- Shri Ajay Kar, Regional Sales Head, Thermo Fisher mentals of GC-MS, its applications, introduction of India’s Scientific Pvt. Ltd, apprised of the purpose behind the first Indigenous GC-MS and Hands on experiment on GC- Seminar and said that the Seminar is meant to be a platform MS. Dr Swapan Kr. Dutta, Joint Director, Directorate of for the exchange of ideas and views. Understanding the Forensic Science, Assam, delivered the technical lecture on, nature of problems in day to day analysis can actually help ‘GC-MS applications’. It is hoped that the Workshop would in improving the status of the tool, he said. He also spoke bring the awareness among the end users about the perfect about the company which provides recent and latest choice and rightful selection of these expensive and impor- analytical tools to the developing industries. tant analytical tools vis-à-vis the service provider of such tools.

JANUARY 2010 15 WORKSHOPS/FOUNDATION DAY CELEBRATIONS

Indo-US Workshop on Nanotechnology: Applications & Implications

ndo-US Workshop on Nanotechnology: Technology (THSTI), New Delhi, and of the full impact of miniature IApplications & Implications was former Director General, ICMR who quantities of nano materials on the organized by the Indian Institute of said that useful applications of human body was a big challenge for Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, nanotechnology have been proved in the scientists in this field. during 10-12 November 2009. It was animal Studies though much was The three-day Workshop brought co-sponsored by Asian office of required before this technology biologists, chemists, physical Aerospace Research and becomes useful in human scientists and engineers on a single Development, Japan, Tuskegee healthcare. This technology finds platform to discuss nanomaterial University, USA and the Indian numerous applications in various synthesis, nanomaterial character-ization, Nanoscience Society, India. About 175 branches of biosciences, engineering nanomaterial devices, electronic and students, academicians and and technology as well. Prof. Ganguly composites nanomaterial applications/ researchers attended the Workshop, also emphasized on the importance uses and nanomaterial toxicology. which comprised three sessions with of safety and toxicity assessment of Informative presentations followed by 23 invited lectures, 43 oral and 23 nanomaterials before being used for discussions proved to be very useful poster presentations. human health. Director, IICT, who for the young scholars and provided The Workshop was inaugurated presided over the function, said that a platform to the researchers for by Prof. N. K. Ganguly, a distinguished the applications of nanotechnology mutual interaction and exchange of Biotechnology Fellow; Advisor, were facing a big challenge in the knowledge on various aspects of this Translation Health Science & form of toxicity testing. Evaluation specialized discipline. NAL Celebrates its Foundation Day he National Aerospace Research Council, NAL and the then indigenous technologies was the only TLaboratories (NAL), Bangalore, Chairman, ISRO and Secretary, DOS, way to overcome technology denials, celebrated its Foundation Day on 14 Dr. A. R. Upadhya, Director, NAL, Dr. which generally come at crucial times, November 2009. This was a three times Nayak, Adviser(M&A), Mr. he cautioned. The strength from memorable day for NAL as it marked Chidananda, Head, CCADD and Dr. knowledge and innovation could propel three major events – NAL Foundation Ranjan Moodithaya, Head, ATF & India to be a major economic and Day, Curtains down for the year long KTMD. technological power, – the India of Golden Jubilee Celebrations and Shri. Prithviraj Chavan, in his Nehru’s dreams. S&T innovations, as Inauguration of the splendid golden Address, congratulated NAL on being declared by the Hon’ble President of jubilee Aircraft Hangar at NAL, Belur a front-ranking member of the CSIR India Mrs. Prathibha Patil, should touch campus. Shri Prithviraj Chavan, family, and on its five decades of the lives of a million common Indians Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent dedicated service to the nation in the and help better their quality of life. Charge) for Science & Technology and advanced and strategic area of Shri. Prithviraj Chavan, also released the Earth Sciences, and Vice President, aerospace. He lauded the efforts of NAL Annual Report for the year CSIR, was the Chief Guest on the NAL in setting up state of art, world 2008-09. occasion. The other dignitaries present class wind tunnels and other testing Dr Madhavan Nair, in his address, on the occasion were: Dr. G. facilities, and contributions to nation’s commended NAL’s S&T contributions, Madhavan Nair, Vikram Sarabhai, S&T, civil, military and space and the timely support given by NAL to Distinguished Professor, Chairman, programmes. Full preparedness with most of the space programmes,

16 CSIR NEWS FOUNDATION DAY CELEBRATIONS

company in India to develop defense electronic equipments and special purpose computers. He said that it was indeed a matter of pride that the Hon’ble Minister had chosen NAL as one of the first CSIR labs to visit after he took over as the Minister of especially the aerodynamic Open days and aerofests were conducted State (IC) for Science and Technology. configuration testing of the Chandrayan to create awareness in students which Completing 50 years of fruitful and prior to its launch. He wished CSIR- included mobile exhibitions, workshops, meaningful existence was a great NAL a bright future. aeroquiz and glider flying to name a few. milestone in the road map of any Speaking on the occasion, Mr. He further said that this day was also Institution, he expressed. This was Chidananda gave an overview of NAL’s marked by the inauguration of the classic made possible by the vision of the first civil aviation programme and the supersonic test section in the existing Director of NAL, Late Dr. P. Nilakantan background to the modern aircraft 0.6 m wind tunnel to enhance the and the planning and hard work of all hangar which will accommodate three aerodynamic testing capability from the subsequent Directors of NAL. The SARAS class aircraft. After the transonic to supersonic Mach numbers coincidence of this eventful day with the unfortunate accident to SARAS PT- II, upto 4.0 at NTAF, NAL, Bangalore. birthday of Late Prime Minister Pandit efforts are on to speedily complete the NTAF and L&T, Mumbai, have Jawahar Lal Nehru was a tribute to his third prototype with decreased weight executed the project funded by the dream of an S&T led India which led to using composite wing and empennage, CSIR, ISRO and DRDO. The Variable the establishment of several R&D labs he informed. The hangar is proposed to Mach Number Flexible Nozzle in different areas of science, including be used to produce the first two (VMFN) was designed and developed CSIR. aircrafts of the initial 15 required by the by L&T, Mumbai, according to the On the occasion, the achievements IAF as part and production by HAL. specifications of NTAF. For the first of the scientists of NAL during He also mentioned that the Indian time in India, a VMFN which allows 2008-09 were acknowledged by way of Postal Department has shown interest continuous on-line change of Mach awards such as NAL Technology Shield in using SARAS for light cargo and number from Mach for Outstanding Group Achievement, courier service across India. It was also 1 to 4 has been designed, manufactured, Best Woman Scientist, Excellence in encouraging to note the progress in the installed and commissioned. The first Research, Excellence in Design, first Public-Private partnership with supersonic blow down was inaugurated Development and Project Execution and Mahindra for the production of NM-5, by the Hon’ble Minister in the presence a one-time Special Award for a 5-seat General Aviation Aircraft, he of Dr. G. Madhavan Nair and Dr. A.R. Disseminating the Technologies of expressed. Upadhya. NAL to common man through Media Speaking regarding the celebrations Earlier, Dr. Upadhya, in his and Publicity. Awards were also during Golden Jubilee year, Dr. M. R. Welcome Address, introduced the distributed to the children of employees Nayak informed the August gathering, Chief Guest, Shri. Prithviraj Chavan. for excellence in academics, sports that two international conferences, three who is an alumni of BITS, Pilani and and extra / co-curricular activities. international workshops, 17 national holds a Masters degree in engineering The Vote of Thanks was proposed events including seminars in Hindi and from the University of California, by Dr. Ranjan Moodithaya, Head ATF Kannada and the first ever SC-ST Berkeley, and is presently a Visiting and KTMD. conference in the country were held. Professor at BITS and Founder of a

JANUARY 2010 17 FOUNDATION DAY CELEBRATIONS

NGRI Celebrates the Foundation Day he National Geophysical Research micro fossils in appreciating sequence Guest to the distinguished gathering. TInstitute (NGRI), Hyderabad, stratigraphy, sedimentation patterns, The Annual Report 2008-09 was celebrated its Foundation Day on 12 depositional characteristics and tectonics of released and mementos were distributed October 2009. Dr Naresh C. Mehrotra, different petroliferous basins of India to the employees who had successfully Director, Birbal Sahni Institute of focusing on the relevance of micro- completed 25 years of service at NGRI. Palaeobotany, Lucknow, who was the paleontology in petroleum exploration. Prizes were awarded to the winners of Chief Guest on the occasion delivered a Earlier, Dr V.P. Dimri, Director, Quiz competition, which was conducted talk on ‘High Impact Micropalaeobotany NGRI, gave a presentation highlighting for staff members including project in Hydrocarbon Exploration in Indian the achievements of the Institute during assistants. Petroliferous Basins’. Dr Mehrotra, in the recent past. Dr Dipankar Sarkar, Dr T.R.K. Chetty, Scientist, NGRI, his talk, highlighted the significance of Scientist, NGRI, introduced the Chief proposed a Vote of Thanks.

NEIST Celebrates CSIR Foundation Day

he North East Institute of Science role in the socio-economic development the society’s benefit. This can be T& Technology (NEIST), Jorhat, of the hilly states of NE. He further said achieved by pooling our resources together celebrated CSIR Foundation Day on 12 that the scientific community needs to and multi-institutional collaboration. October 2009, this year, due to Puja develop professionalism by which he Dr. Rao, in his Address thanked Holidays, unlike every year when it is meant the ability or the capacity to Prof. Sharma for giving direction to the celebrated on 26 September. The continuously work without supervision Institute and showing the right path for Foundation Day celebration function was and to complete the task assigned or future. He said the CSIR is a premier held at NEIST auditorium. Dr. P. G. Rao, taken up by oneself. To complete the organization which had made significant Director, NEIST, Prof. G. D. Sharma, task, clarity of the task and integrity are contribution in various fields like baby Pro-vice Chancellor, Assam University, essential, , he said. Though India is food, drug development, transport, Silchar, was the Chief Guest at the function. having the second largest pool of the aircraft development etc., but has Dr. P. C. Neog, Scientist, NEIST, scientists but when compared to the remained behind the screen for so long while welcoming the distinguished nation’s population, it is insignificant. because other organizations got wider audience and guests said that CSIR, a Instead of one scientist per 100 people publicity than itself. He concluded by centre of excellence in research is one which is the requirement of the day, at saying that we should pool our strengths, of the world’s largest public funded present, we have one scientist per 1000 focus on research and take up mega projects. organizations with strong global people. He apprised that NEIST is the The Chief Guest and the Director, academic and research linkages only organization which has been NEIST, also released some publications. The Chief Guest, Dr Sharma, in his identified by Department of Science & These included Hindi version of the Address, said that we are preparing Technology, New Delhi, to undertake 60 NEIST News, a bimonthly newsletter of ourselves to compete and become a part undergraduate colleges under its wing the Institute, and a brochure highlighting of the global scientific community. The to oversee their development with the the activities and achievements of the North East India is unique, significant aim to develop scientific human Institute published for the first time in and holds a strategic position in our nation resources. He informed that 54% of the laboratory. Other publication included with security as the topmost priority. Indian population is young, all we need English and Assamese version of a Talking about CSIR-NEIST, he said is to create such environment and brochure entitled, ‘Hazards-Minimizing that the Institute has become visible in attitude that they will tend to innovate Risk, Maximizing Awareness’. Dr L. Nath, the last five years and has played a major and develop need based technology for Scientist, NEIST, proposed a Vote of Thanks.

18 CSIR NEWS FLOWER SHOWS

NBRI Organizes Chrysanthemum and Coleus Show he National Botanical A total of 311 (107 TResearch Institute, First, 90 Second and 114 (NBRI), Lucknow, Commendation) prizes in organized the Annual addition to 23 running Chrysanthemum and challenge cups, shields and Coleus show on 6-7 trophies were awarded to December 2009. The main the successful competitors. objective to organize the On this occasion, His flower show is to promote Excellency Shri B.L. Joshi, floriculture industry and to Governer of U.P, who was develop awareness about the Chief Guest distributed the floriculture. The show the prizes/shields/cups to provided an opportunity to the winners. public to devlop interest and His Excellency Shri B.L. Joshi, Governer of U.P. addressing the public This year entries knowledge on the received from Assistant cultivation practices of chrysanthemum and coleus and to Engineer, U.P. Power Corporation Ltd, Ashok Marg, witness the entire diversity of flower colours, types, shapes. Lucknow, won a maximum of five trophies/running challenge A total of 123 exhibitors from Lucknow and outside, with cup, shields viz. Nabi Mohd. Running Challenge Cup for 903 entries participated in the show. the highest score in specimen pots of chrysanthemum in NBRI is maintaining more than 250 germplasm Class-A (A-1 to A-3), M.Y. Khan Running Challenge Trophy collections of chrysanthemum comprising almost all colours for the highest score in chrysanthemum cut-flowers in Class- and types. The various R&D activities on chrysanthemum A (A-7 to A-9), Mehboob Ali Memorial Running Challenge and coleus undertaken by NBRI were explained to the Trophy in Class-E, Section E-8 for a collection of six pots of visitors. New varieties developed through different traditional different varieties of incurved type large flowered and modern methods were displayed. Public got a unique opportunity to interact with scientists of NBRI working on chrysanthemum and got the first hand information to generate knowledge on agro-technology, techno-economics, commercial cut flower varieties and many other cultivation practices. The show was organized at the Central Lawn of the Institute, amidst the swing blooms of vast array of chrysanthemum and splendid varieties of coleus with scattering colour and joy in the atmosphere. The fresh and dainty coleus displayed multi-coloured foliages. Besides this, cut flowers and special flower arrangements were also organized in a huge enclosure. The panaromic sight of different varieties of flowers elated the His Excellency Shri B.L. Joshi, Governer of U.P. being taken round the show by visitors comprising every age group. Dr. Rakesh Tuli, Director, NBRI, and being explained about the Gerbera cultivation at NBRI

JANUARY 2010 19 FLOWER SHOWS

chrysanthemum, Devi Shankar Sinha Memorial Running Challenge Trophy for the best artistic group of large flowered chrysanthemum in Class G-1 and Vikramajit Singh Running Cup for the Highest Score in the Show. Shri Uma Shankar Sahu of Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, secured the second position by winning four trophies/cups/shields viz. Mohammad Mullick Memorial Running Challenge Trophy in Class-C, Section C-2 for six pots of six different varieties of large flowered chrysanthemum, Quazi Syed Masood Hasan Running Challenge Trophy for ‘Prince Prize winning entries: Queen of the show, Flower of the year, King of the show and Prince of the show of the Show’ for a specimen pot of spider bearing single bloom in Section E-4, Smt. Krishna Devi Memorial Running Trophy for a collection of four pots of different varieties of Spider type large flowered chrysanthemum in Section E-7 and Syed Shaheer Hasan Memorial Running Challenge Cup for the best specimen pot of a reflex type large flowered chrysanthemum in Section E-9. Headquarter, Central Command, Lucknow, bagged the third position by winning three trophies/cups/shield viz. Indian Explosives Ltd, (Fertilizer Division) Running Trophy for the highest score in the specimen pots of chrysanthemum (D-1 to D-24), Percy- A view of the chrysanthemum and coleus show Lancaster Challenge Cup for a collection of nine pots of different varieties of Korean type chrysanthemum in Section E-1 and Smt. Madhuri Rai Challenge Shield for a set of two specimen pots of chrysanthemum large and small flowered type trained in one each of attractive styles in Section E-5. Shri Ashok Kumar Singh, DRM, North Eastern Railway, Lucknow, won two trophies viz. Shri Govind Prasad Memorial Challenge Trophy in Class C-4 for 12 pots of 12 different varieties of small flowered chrysanthemum and Smt. Ranjit Singh Memorial Trophy for ‘Queen of the Show’ in Section E-3. Lt. General J.K. Mohanty, Kasturiba Marg, Lucknow, lifted the Mini varieties of chrysanthemum developed by NBRI displayed in the flower show G.O.C-in-C. Central Command Running

20 CSIR NEWS FLOWER SHOWS

Challenge Cup for the highest score in Hindalco Industries Ltd, Ranukoot, address, said that beauty of flowers has specimen coleus plants (D-42 to D-50) Sonabhadra, Uttar Pradesh, bagged the captivated people of all classes and and Smt. Kumud Rastogi Memorial Begum Saeeda Khatoon Running generations. They are being used in Running Challenge Trophy for the best Challenge Trophy in Class-D (D-25 to various stages of life from cradle to specimen coleus pot plant of the Show D-31) for the highest score in cut blooms grave. Flowers emit fragrance and make in Class E, Section E-10. Shri S.K. in large flowered chrysanthemum and others happy. This signifies a message Sharma, Seiko Cables of India, Aishbagh, Shri Dinesh Chandra Mishra of for human beings to selflessly devote the Lucknow, lifted the Ranjit Singh Husainganj, Lucknow, was successful life for the happiness of others. He said Memorial Trophy for ‘King of the Show’ in lifting the Qazi Syed Hasan Memorial that flowers were symbolic and the in Section E-2 and Ram Kishore Sharma Running Challenge Trophy for the beauty of flowers has found expression Memorial Trophy for the ‘Flower of the highest score in Class-F Coloured in many songs and literature. He year – Pink Clout’ for a specimen pot photographs of chrysanthemum. appreciated the efforts of NBRI of large flowered chrysanthemum with Besides the above winners, scientists in bringing life to flowers in single plant bearing single bloom in Assistant Engineer, U.P. Power the form of releasing lot of varieties for Section E-6. Corporation Ltd, Ashok Marg, Lucknow, the benefit of public. Director, Central Institute of bagged the first place by winning a total Earlier, Dr. Rakesh Tuli, Director, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, of 30 prizes (14 First, NBRI, while welcoming the Chief Guest, Lucknow, was recipient of two Running 7 Second and 9 Consolation), invited dignitories and general public, said trophies/Cups i.e. Mahfooz Ali Memorial Headquarter, Central Command, that significance of holding flower shows Running Challenge Trophy for the best Lucknow, occupied the second position was not only popularizing floriculture but artistic group of small flowered by winning a total of 18 prizes (5 First, 7 to demonstrate the R&D efforts made chrysanthemum in Class G-2 and R. V. Second and 6 Consolation) and by NBRI in developing novel varieties. Sitholey Memorial Running Challenge Superintendent, Rajkiya Udyan, The contribution of India in global trade Cup for the best artistic group of coleus Alambagh, Lucknow, secured the third of floriculture is very insignificant. He in Class G-3. Shri Sashank, Aliganj, position by winning a total of 16 prizes urged the necessity of developing novel Lucknow, bagged the Savitri Devi (6 First, 4 Second and 6 Consolation). flower varieties that have demand in Memorial Challenge Trophy in Class His Excellency Shri B. L. Joshi, international market and contribute to C-1 for 12 pots of different varieties of Governer of Uttar Pradesh, who was global commerce in floriculture. large flowered chrysanthemum, the Chief Guest on the occasion, in his

King of the Show Shri S.K. Sharma, SEIKO Cables of India, Aish Bagh, Lucknow (Ranjit Singh Memorial Trophy)

Queen of the show Shri Ashok Kumar Singh, DRM, North Eastern Railway, Luckno (Smt Ranjit Singh Memorial Trophy)

Prince of the show Shri Uma Shankar Sahu, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow (Quazi Syed Masood Hasan Running Challenge Trophy)

Flower of the year Shri S.K. Sharma, SEIKO Cables of India, Aish Bagh, Lucknow (Ram Kishore Sharma Memorial Trophy)

Best Specimen Coleus Lt. Gen. J.K. Mohanty, GOC in C, Central Command, Lucknow (Smt. Kumud Rastogi Memorial Runnning Challenge Trophy)

Syed Saheer Hasan Memorial Running Challenge Trophy Shri Uma Shankar Sahu, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow

JANUARY 2010 21 VISITS/HONOURS

Shri Prithviraj Chavan, visits C-MMACS and IFCAP

hri Prithviraj Chavan, Hon’ble and sustainability, geo-hazard modelling, observation and analysis to enable India Minister for Science & Technology CO flux and industrial flow; the to face the challenge of climate change S 2 and Earth Sciences (Independent structure and power of C-MMACS through reliable and quantitative regional Charge), Government of India, and Vice computing platform and research related analysis and modelling. He also President, CSIR, visited CSIR Centre to network security were also emphasized the need to keep for Mathematical Modelling & Computer highlighted. The Hon’ble Minister was applications of research results in focus, Simulation (C-MMACS), Bangalore, also briefed on the significant on-going and suggested exploration of and Integrated Facility for Carbon Fiber efforts to develop a mathematical productization of the findings. The and Prepregs (IFCAP) on 14 November modelling enabled CSIR through Hon’ble Minister in his concluding 2009. networking of CSIR laboratories through remark congratulated the C-MMACS To provide a quick but C-MMACS. scientists for employing the growing comprehensive view of the major Shri Chavan also addressed the power of High Performance Computing research activities at C-MMACS, a scientists and the staff of C-MMACS, to real-world applications. poster display of about 30 posters was and expressed his appreciation of the The Hon’ble Minister also visited the organized. These posters highlighted the spectrum and depth of research carried Integrated Facility for Carbon Fiber and main research programmes, major out at C-MMACS. He emphasized the Prepregs (IFCAP) and showed keen projects and significant results of C- criticality of research on climate change, interest in the carbon fibres, acrylic fibres MMACS research. In terms of specific and especially climate modelling, and and polymers developed in the facility. results, the Hon’ble Minister was expressed his satisfaction at the He was briefed about the technical apprised of the multi-institutional project comprehensive effort by C-MMACS in know-how transfer of carbon Fibre on climate modelling with focus on this area; he called for a concerted and technology to M/s Kemrock Industries integrated analysis for impact, mitigation critical effort combing modelling of Baroda.

A Befitting Honour to Dr. B. D. Kulkarni on his 60th birthday

ndustrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, a peer-reviewed semi-monthly scientific journal Ipublished by the American Chemical Society has brought out Issue No. 21, Volume 48 dated November 4, 2009 as a Festschrift to recognize and honour Dr. B. D. Kulkarni’s contributions to Chemical Engineering Science. This is indeed a great honour to National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune, in particular, and CSIR in general. B. D. (as he is called affectionately) is an erudite scholar whose accomplishments have received global acclaim. The fact that his entire career has been spent at NCL / CSIR is a testimony to the fact that NCL and CSIR nurture and sustain exceptional talent, where, the best minds can work and grow without inhibitions or road blocks. Dr. Kulkarni joined as a senior research fellow of CSIR at NCL in 1973 after completing his Bachelors and Masters in chemical engineering in 1970 and 1973, respectively from Laxminarayan Institute of Technology, Nagpur. He received his doctoral degree under the supervision of Dr. LK Doraiswamy in 1978 at NCL and joined as Scientist in September, 1979. Dr. Kulkarni’s contribution to chemical engineering has resulted in over 270 invited and research papers in peer-reviewed journals, 7 books and 21 national / international patents. He has mentored the PhD thesis of over 65 students. The problems that B.D. has handled over the years have embraced all levels - macroscopic, mesoscopic, and

22 CSIR NEWS HONOURS & AWARDS

microscopic - as well as artificial and rigor of digital computations; functional form from measured intelligence (AI)-based evolutionary • Rigorous fluidized-bed reactor data; and formalisms. Some of these models have model using initial value formalism; • Microemulsions (synthesis of broken new ground and have led to nanoparticles, electrochemical considerably improved fundamental • Multiplicity, instability, and bifurcation behavior of chemical reactions, organic biotransformation, understanding of the reacting/reactor etc.). systems. More specifically, his reactions and reactors using normal form theory; application of nonlinear systems Dr. Kulkarni is recipient of the dynamics theory to reactor/ reacting • Optimization and control of prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar systems has revealed several insights on unknown systems (ANNs and Prize for Engineering Sciences & bifurcation and stability characteristics, evolutionary algorithms); Technology. He is an elected Fellow of leading to novel design and control. • New techniques of model building all the academies of science and from measured data, including engineering in India, namely, Indian His work has lead to the evolution surrogate analysis, phase space National Science Academy, New Delhi, of many novel concepts which include: reconstruction, wavelets, proper Indian Academy of Sciences, orthogonal decomposition, and Bangalore, National Academy of • A new rate law model called stochastic estimation; Sciences, Allahabad, Indian National “Encillator”, which is a model • Soft sensors developed using AI Academy of Engineering, New Delhi. reaction system involving He is also an elected Fellow of the Third exponential autocatalysis to explain tools are commercially exploited by large polymer industries; World Academy of Sciences, Trieste, variety of reaction behavior; Italy. He is even the recipient of J.C. • An arithmetic-analytical approach to • Cleaning and separation of Bose Fellowship of the Department of solutions of model equations, which measured signal without any a Science and Technology, Government of is a novel approach that combines priori information; India. the elegance of analytical solutions • Formulation of exact or near-exact INSA Medal for Young Scientists (2009) NSA Medal for Young Scientists For his wide-ranging studies on Institute of Genomics and IAward, considered to be the highest halogen bonding and crystal engi- Integrative Biology, CSIR, Delhi. recognition of promise, creativity and ex- neering of inositols. For insightful work on neuro de- cellence in a young scientist, carries a • Dr Amol Arvindrao Kulkarni generative disorders. medal, a certificate and a cash prize of (b.03.12.1976), PhD, Scientist, Dr K.V. Ramesh (b.12.07.1975), Rs 25000/-. In the year 2009, 28 young Chemical Engineering Division, PhD, Scientist, CSIR Centre for Math- research workers were honoured with National Chemical Laboratory, ematical Modelling and Computer Simu- INSA Medal for Young Scientists that Dr Homi Bhabha Road, Pune. lation, Bangalore. comprised the following four scientists For Designing of microreactors For his significant contributions from CSIR. for continuous flow synthesis and in understanding air-sea interactions • Dr Rajesh Ghanshyam Gonnade microdevices for carrying out on intraseasonal time scale over the (b.21.03.1974), PhD, Scientist C, exothermic reactions. Indian monsoon region using global Centre for Materials Characteriza- • Dr Beena R. Pillai (b.09.12.1974), general circulation model and new tion, National Chemical Laboratory, PhD, Scientist, Comparative oceanic data. Dr Homi Bhabha Road, Pune. Genomics and Gene Expression,

JANUARY 2010 23 APPOINTMENTS/HONOURS & AWARDS

Prof. Ramesh Chandra Budhani Takes Over as Director, NPL Prof. Ramesh Chandra Budhani has Scientist at the Letters, Applied Physics Letters, taken over as Director of National Brookhaven Physical review B etc., many of which Physical Laboratory (NPL), New Delhi, National are extensively cited. Prof. Budhani has w.e.f 11 December 2009. Laboratory, New been invited to deliver talks on his Prof. Budhani is an experimental York from 1988 research at several universities/research condensed matter physicist with to 1994 and a laboratories abroad, has organized research interests in superconductivity Professor at the international conferences and symposia and magnetism in a broad class of Department of and has mentored a large number of materials including thin epitaxial films Physics, Indian Institute of Technology, students at IIT Kanpur and overseas. and heterostructures, self-assembled Kanpur, during 1994-2009. He has been He is a member, of the editorial board and patterned nanostructures, and other a Visiting Professor at the Center for of Pramana and also the DST - low dimensional systems. Superconductivity Research University INSPIRE Panel of the National Prof. Budhani received his Master’s of Maryland, a Guest Scientist at Academies, and has also served as a degree in Physics from the Allahabad CRISMAT Laboratory, Caen, France member of the Science Education Panel University in 1976 and Ph D in and Brookhaven Lab, and Joliot Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences. Condensed Matter Physics from the of the Laboratoire de Physique du Solide, Prof. Budhani is a Fellow of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), ESPCI, Paris, France. American Physical Society, the Indian Delhi. He has been a Research Scientist Prof Budhani has published about Academy of Sciences, the National at the University of California - Los 150 papers in high impact factor journals Academy of Sciences and the Indian Angeles during 1983-1987, a Staff such as Science, Physical Review National Science Academy .

Dr. A.K. Bandyopadhyay gets APMP Technical Award ñ 2009 Dr. A. K. Bandyopadhyay, Scientist G and Head, Physico Mechanical Standards, National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New Delhi, has been awarded APMP Technical Award – 2009 for his outstanding contributions to the field of Mass and Related Quantities. This Award was handed over to him at the General Assembly (GA) of the Asia Pacific Metrology Program (APMP), which was held at the National Metrology Center (NMC), SIRIM, Malaysia during 17-18 December 2009.

Dr A.K. Bandyopadhyay receiving APMP Technical Award - 2009 W

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