sharpeye

Another Global Downturn By Dr Arvind Kumar Another global financial downturn is round the corner if forecasts of the IMF and World Bank are to be believed. Revising its forecast for global growth in 2012 to 3.3 percent—0.7 percentage points lower than its September 2011 forecast—and warning of outright recession in Europe, the IMF said world recovery was threatened by “intensifying strains in the euro area and fragilities elsewhere.” Growth began to decline in the fourth quarter of 2011 “as the euro crisis entered a perilous new phase.” While there had been higher than expected growth in the advanced economies, these developments were not expected to sustain significant momentum. In view of the often repeated claim that “emerging markets” will provide the basis for a new expansion of the world economy, the IMF’s comments on these regions were particularly significant. Growth in these economies, the IMF report said, had “slowed more than forecast.” It put this down to the combi...

MARTYRS’ DAY By Dr Arvind Kumar 30th January every year is observed as Martyrs’ Day to pay homage to the martyrs who suffered and died for the freedom, welfare, and progress of the country. It was on 30 January 1948 that Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated a little before the sunset when he was going to attend his evening prayers. Gandhiji was among the millions of martyrs and freedom fighters who sacrificed everything for the country’s Independence, welfare and progress. Since Gandhiji’s martyrdom on 30 January 1948, this day was declared as the Martyrs’ Day and since then every year the Nation pays homage to the Mahatma and other martyrs on this day. On Martyr’s Day, the President, the Vice President, the Prime Minister, the Defence Minister, and the three service Chiefs gather at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and lay wreaths on the Samadhi decorated with multi-colour flowers. The armed forces personnel blow the bugles sounding the Last Post. The inter-services continge...

23rd January is observed as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary. It is ironic that this day is not observed with much enthusiasm throughout the country like the birth anniversaries of other great men and women who laid down their lives at the altar of freedom. Similar national apathy is seen in the case of other great freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Chadra Shekhar Azad, Lala Lajpat Rai and others. In stead of regarding these great patriots as ‘National Heroes’, they have been relegated to the regions where they were born. There seems a political motivation behind such unhealthy moves. In the course of struggle for freedom Netaji formed Azad Hind Government and led the Indian National Army. He advocated a revolutionary and violent way to protest as opposed to non-violent approach by Mahatma Gandhi. Following the differences with Mahatma Gandhi he separated from Indian National Congress (INC) and founded his own party on 3 May 1939 in the name of “Al...

Private Sector and Climate Change By Dr Arvind Kumar There is mounting pressure at global level on the private sector to mobilise and find new technologies to cut greenhouse gas emissions. This pressure emanates from the institutional investors with a collective $26 trillion under management. Asserting that the pricing of planet-warming carbon emissions, which underscores the EU’s Emissions Trading System, Kevin Parker, global head of Deutsche Asset Management, says is “nice” but not essential. The Copenhagen Accord agreed at in the Danish capital in December 2009 included a pledge by developed countries to raise $100 billion per year by 2020 to help poor countries fight climate change and adapt to its inevitable consequences. Meeting the following year in Cancún, the 190 nations involved in the UN talks made progress on the establishment of a Green Fund to deliver climate cash to developing countries. The fund will be governed by a board of 24 members, on which developed and de...

IMD Foundation Day By Dr Arvind Kumar 15th January this year marks the 137 anniversary day of the foundation of India Meteorological Department (IMD). It was on this momentous day that Mr. H.F.Blanford took charge as the Meteorological Reporter to the Govt. of India. During the past 136 years of its existence, IMD has contributed immensely for the development of science of meteorology over the sub-continent. The department has serv ed the cause of safety and well being of Indian population against weather related hazards and to economic development of the country. IMD considers 15th January as an opportune moment to highlight its achievements and pathway for future development. “According to DG IMD Shri Dr. Ajit Tyagi, IMD is responsible for measuring rainwater and has almost 200 years of rainfall data, which is used by various planners and decision makers to make planned and informed decisions. This data is available upto district level and is available on the websit...

Makar Sankranti Makar Sankranti, denoting the transition of the Sun into Makara rashi ( Capricorn ) on its celestial path, is celebrated as a festival for countless reasons and in myriad ways depending on the climate, agricultural environment, cultural background and location. A Sanskrit word in Indian Astrology , Makar Sankranti refers to the transmigration of the Sun from one R ā shi to another. Hence there are 12 such sankrantis in all. However, the Sankranti festival usually refers to Makara Sankaranti. Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious days for the Hindus and is celebrated in almost all parts of India in myriad cultural forms, with great devotion. Millions of people take a dip in places like Ganga Sagar and Prayag and pray to the Sun God ( Surya ). It is celebrated with pomp in southern parts of India as Pongal , and in Punjab as Maghi . 14 January is celebrated as Makar Sankranti or Sakraat or KHICHDI in UP and Bihar. As in other parts of country, peop...

New Mapping Tool Reveals Thousands of Record-Breaking Extreme Weather Events in 2011 By Editor, NRDC Press Release, December 12, 2011 http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/43703 NEW YORK (December 8, 2011) — In 2011, there were at least 2,941 monthly weather records broken in communities throughout the US., as detailed in a new interactive extreme weather mapping tool and year-end review released today by the Natural Resources Defense Council. The powerful web-based tool allows Americans to draw the connections between climate change and extreme weather in the cities and towns in which they live. "From heat waves to floods to fires, 2011 was a year of extreme weather for communities throughout the United States. This alarming, yet illuminating data is indicative of what we can expect as climate change continues," said Kim Knowlton, NRDC Senior Scientist who spearheaded the development of the web-based tool. "Actions can be taken today to limit the worst effects...

Air Pollution and DNA Damage By Dr Arvind Kumar A link between exposure to certain air pollutants and an increase in DNA damage for people exposed to high levels of the pollution has been confirrmed by a recent study in the Czech Republic. The study reveals that breathing small quantities of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), called benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), caused an increase in the number of certain 'biomarkers' in DNA associated with a higher risk of diseases, including cancer. Air pollution is a major problem around the world, particularly in urban areas. In attempt to control regional air pollution levels, the EU has introduced legal limits for exposure to a variety of different airborne pollutants. For B[a]P , the EU air quality standard is 1 nanogram per metre3 (ng/m3) as an annual average that has to be attained where possible throughout the EU. To measure the risk of DNA damage and risk to health caused by exposure to chemicals, such as PAHs, researcher...