Vol.64, Issue 4
Annual Subscription Rs.480
October 2013
Vocational Service Month
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WHAT’S INSIDE
EDITOR’S LETTER
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11 11 13 18 22 24
Editor’s Letter
24
13
In My Thoughts Towards Tomorrow Educating the Heart Nation Building through Science and Technology
22
WHAT’S INSIDE
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52
38
60 56
42 32 38 42 52 56 60
Focus Rain or Sun The Volunteers’ Voyage Igniting Hope No More Teething Trouble Grandstand of Literacy
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WHAT’S INSIDE
ADVISORY BOARD RID P.T. Prabhakar
RI Dist. 3230
PRIP Rajendra K. Saboo
RI Dist. 3080
PRIP Kalyan Banerjee
RI Dist. 3060
PRID Ashok Mahajan
RI Dist. 3140
PRID Yash Pal Das
RI Dist. 3080
PRID Shekhar Mehta
RI Dist. 3291
DG
Rabi Narayan Nanda
RI Dist. 3262
DG
Radhe Shyam Rathi
RI Dist. 3053
DG
Hari Krishna Chitipothu
RI Dist. 3150
PDG R. Badri Prasad
RI Dist. 3190
PDG Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh
RI Dist. 3261
PDG Ramesh Aggarwal
RI Dist. 3010
Rtn. T.K. Balakrishnan
RI Dist. 3230
COMMITTEES DG Vinod Bansal - Finance Committee DG Deepak Shikarpur - Editorial Committee DG Anil Agarwal - Marketing Committee DG Mohan Mulherkar - Marketing Committee
83 74 62
Editor Rtn. T.K. Balakrishnan Assistant Editors Jaishree S. Selvi Sub Editor Kiran Zehra
72 62 72 74 83
ROTARY NEWS ROTARY SAMACHAR
Final Destination Different kinds of Vegetarians Celebrating a Celestial Battle
Send all correspondence and subscriptions to ROTARY NEWS TRUST 3rd Floor, Dugar Towers, 34 Marshalls Road, Egmore, Chennai 600 008, India. Phone : 044 42145666 Fax : 044 28528818 e-mail : rotarynews@rosaonline.org
Very Briefly
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Rush Hour
D
on’t shut your eyes to the world; you might miss a miracle right in front of you. That is what many Rotarians miss when they begin the new Rotary year. Starting from July every club leader is in a state of rush. The same applies to the District Governor too. The need to induct new members or open new clubs is felt more at the beginning of the year and during the later part of the year. It is said that friends are the family we choose for ourselves. That is what membership development is all about — building friends. But, this effort needs to be sustained over the entire year and there need not be a mad rush at selected intervals. When we invite a person into a Rotary club what he or she must think is, “Your confidence in me gives me confidence in me.” The heart is where we hold our friends, like gems in a jewel box. Confidence building cannot happen overnight and there is no shortcut route for that. What every friend really tells another friend is, “Having you as my friend makes me a winner.” It is this kind of friendship that will help in building a strong membership base in an existing club and has to be developed in new clubs.
EDITOR’S LETTER
When you think of inviting friends to your club make sure that your friend thinks, “You’re such a good influence on me.” Many times, the imaginary fear of losing prevents people from joining clubs or events. When a person decides to come into the fold of Rotary, he is really telling his sponsor, “I can never fail with you in my corner. I will give it all I got because you would expect nothing less.” Things change in life. Jobs and addresses may come and go but, if we’re lucky, our friends stay with us throughout our lives, making each day better. Again, building such strong friendship base takes time and if we rush through the process, it is bound to break sooner than later. That is why people leave Rotary and clubs tend to break up. “A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination,” said Nelson Mandela. This is what is needed to make friends. Friends aren’t born, they are made. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal, which is worthwhile. Every new member will remember with clarity the first few meetings he or she attended. Do something with your gift of language. Language exerts hidden power, like the moon on the tides. Create an atmosphere they cannot wait to experience. Teach them how to accomplish more than they ever dreamed possible and how to embrace the quality of life they were meant to have. Fuel their passion for service with purpose. So, don’t rush. Building anything good takes time. Slow down and enjoy life in Rotary. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going too fast — you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.
Rtn. T.K. Balakrishnan OCTOBER 2013 ROTARY NEWS 11
Reactions LETTERS FROM READERS
President’s Praise I want you to know that I like the Rotary News publication and enjoy getting it each month. I think you are doing a very good job of covering Rotary in India. Rtn. Ron D. Burton President Rotary International (2013–14) Accolades Kindly accept our congratulations for completing another wonderful year of Rotary News. I thank you for the wonderful magazine edited by you and for providing useful information to the Rotary family. Rtn. Satyavir Jindal RC Nabha RI District 3090 I thank Ms. Selvi profusely for her appreciative review on Senior Citizen’s Guide in July issue of Rotary News. As a result, we are getting stream of requests for the copies from Rotarians all over India. We are extremely happy that our purpose to reach the Senior Citizens through this guide is well served. We are encouraged to bring out new revised edition with more useful information in the near future. Rtn. V.B. Prabhu Verlekar RC Mapusa RI District 3170 Enriching Editorials Please accept my compliments for a fantastic editorial. Your editorials have created an image for the magazine and I am sure the feeling is universal
with all those who read it. Thank you for enriching us each month through your editorials in Rotary News! Rtn. Atul Bhide RC Thane Hills RI District 3140 The Rotary News is, as usual, very wellpresented. The editorial on ‘Image of Rotary’ is truly worth-reading by every Rotarian. Charity begins at home. If we ourselves do not maintain a clean and friendly image in the society, how can our organisation hold a high esteem? Rtn. Dr. Mainak Mukherjee RC Burdwan Greater RI District 3240 Your editorial in July 2013 issue makes a perfect reading. Rotary is not a club but is a culture and I fully endorse your views. I am sure your editorial will go a long way by zeroing the ego of the Rotarians, if any. Rtn. R.K. Jain RC Rajkot Midtown RI District 3060 Council Votes The editor has clarified through his article ‘Council Votes,’ the various changes made in COL. More than 99 percent RI Districts were present for the voting, which is a very encouraging sign. Rtn. Paramesh Dev Choudhury RC Guwahati South RI District 3240
Lavish Lisbon On going through such stimulating photographs of Lisbon, I never knew Lisbon is so beautiful till I received the Rotary News (August 2013). Please publish such glimpses of places much before visits, so that Rotarians like me will not regret in future. Nevertheless thank you so much for such a wonderful coverage which I will always treasure. Rtn. Rakesh Bhatia RC Belur RI District 3291 Service beyond Life In the July issue of Rotary News, the article ‘Beyond Life’ about organ donation was very informative and an eye opener; creating awareness about this in local communities is welcomed. There can’t be a better way to Engage Rotary, Change Lives rather than donating one’s own organs to others to change their lives. Rtn R. Murali Krishna RC Berhampur RI District 3262 I found July 2013 issue very informative with interesting article, ‘Beyond Life.’ This article surely emphasises the words “Organ donors are living proof — that death can bring life.” Rtn. G. Vishwanath’s gesture of donating his body for the ideas he propagated is touching. Rtn. R. Asokan RC Komarapalayam RI District 2980
The editor welcomes brief comments on the contents of the magazine, but reserves the right to edit submissions for style and length. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or the RI leadership, nor do the editors take responsibility for errors of fact that may be expressed by the writers. Only letters that include a verifiable name, address and day and evening phone numbers can be considered for publication. Readers are our source of encouragement. Some of our esteemed patrons share their valuable feedback….
In My Thoughts
Dear Fellow Rotarians, In Rotary, October is the month we set aside to remind ourselves of our second Avenue of Service: vocational service. While some Rotarians call this the “forgotten” area of service, I would disagree: In fact, vocational service is the avenue through which we serve so often, we don’t always recognise it as service. Vocational service has its roots in the second object of Rotary, which encourages all Rotarians to hold high ethical standards in our business affairs and our professions, to recognise all useful occupations as worthy of respect, and to dignify work as an opportunity to serve society. In short, the idea of vocational service is that our jobs, in themselves, are a way of serving society. Whether we are serving customers, teaching students or treating patients, whether we’re involved in commerce, research, the media, or any one of countless other fields — we take pride in doing our work with competence and integrity. Every occupation fills a need, and by doing our work well, we are contributing to our communities and our society. The role of vocational service in the club is important, even if it isn’t always prominent. By maintaining high standards individually, we earn a reputation that we share collectively. By valuing all occupations equally and by maintaining a classification system in our clubs, we ensure that our clubs reflect our communities — and can serve them well. A Rotary club of all lawyers wouldn’t be capable of nearly as much as one that also had teachers, engineers, business owners and dentists; in Rotary, our diversity is our strength. That diversity is an advantage not only to our service but to our members: It gives us all a valuable way to find the connections and opportunities that help us in our own careers. That aspect of membership is as old as Rotary. Paul Harris himself wrote often of the business advantages of Rotary membership, believing, as I do, that being a Rotarian means a person holds a certain set of values that will make him or her a good person to do business with. Today, with the world more connected than ever, Rotary membership is an honour that we should be proud to share.
Ron D. Burton President, Rotary International
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First Thought Dear Fellow Rotarians, October is vocational services month. Vocational service is the fountainhead of Rotary which helps us bring Rotary to our respective work stations. Our RI President Ron Burton has given the clarion call to engage Rotary by bringing quality into vocational service. Coined by Rotary’s Gandhi, Herbert. J. Taylor, the 4-Way Test is the guiding percept of vocational service. Of the things we think, say or do: (1) Is it the truth? (2) Is it fair to all concerned? (3) Will it build goodwill and better friendship? (4) Will it be beneficial to all concerned? It is but befitting that during October, when our nation celebrates Gandhi Jayanthi, we look back on Mahatma Gandhi’s life, draw inspiration and look ahead with hope and conviction. Indeed, Gandhiji embodied the essence of 4-Way Test. Writing in Young India in 1925, he said that politics without principles, wealth without work, commerce without morality, knowledge without character, worship without sacrifice were factors that contributed to the moral decay of society. He said that the prosperity of the nation depends on the number of men and women of enlightenment and character that it had. As Rotarians, let us set high ethical standards in our chosen vocation and uphold the principles of the 4-Way Test. Let us draw courage from the amazing recognition and respect that Gandhiji commanded and from the unprecedented success that came his way without his ever giving up any of the 4-Way Test principles. Let us rejoice in the knowledge that the 4-Way Test has been accepted worldwide and has become the conscience keeper of many. Let us take pride in the fact that this test has withstood the onslaught of time and is relevant even today. Above all, let us pray to the Almighty to give us the moral strength to nurture and cherish the 4-Way Test with passion and determination. A Chinese proverb says, “Give a man a fish and you are helping for a day. Teach him to fish and you are helping him for life time.” Keeping this in mind, I earnestly request each and every club to help shape the destiny of our youth with action and vision by organising career guidance and vocational training programmes. With the wide spectrum of classifications available in your clubs, I am confident that you will successfully exploit the tremendous potential for service that exists in this area. I would now like to share with you an interesting story. Past RI President Bill Huntley was once asked by the vocational service committee of a Rotary club to find a poor boy who could benefit from a two week career guidance programme of the club. Later the chosen boy addressed the club on his experiences. One member was so impressed with the young man that he offered him a job. The happy ending to this story came two years later when the boy was made a partner in the company! I will sign off with the following appeal to each and every one of you. In Rotary’s broad field of battle; In your chosen vocation in life; Don the leadership mantles; Be a hero in the strife !
Rtn. P.T. Prabhakar RI Director, 2013–15
Regards,
P.T. Prabhakar Director Rotary International (2013–15) OCTOBER 2013
ROTARY NEWS 15
District Wise Contribution Totals to The Rotary Foundation as on August 31, 2013 (in US Dollars)
District Number
APF
2980 3000 3010 3020 3030 3040 3051 3052 3053 3060 3070 3080 3090 3100 3110 3120 3131 3132 3140 3150 3160 3170 3180 3190 3201 3202 3211 3212 3230 3240 3250 3261 3262 3291 India India Total
25,171 3,145 1,22,094 10,170 (95) 24,706 0 0 0 3,495 2,467 5,226 2,035 29,953 25,547 1,000 35,368 16,884 1,54,259 14,333 1,033 17,837 1,726 67,665 3,009 9,265 3,001 0 42,896 41,487 2,630 22,600 1,574 846
PolioPlus*
Other Restricted
3220
1,407
3271
17,010
3272
8,417
3281 3282
4,258 1,900
India 624 0 0 0 283 2,323 0 0 0 20,542 (611) 4,953 0 3,939 0 4,667 0 0 0 2,747 0 (100) 937 (1,426) 2,800 0 0 7,350 905 0 0 0 2,31,275 1,83,000 0 0 1,402 100 5 9,630 0 0 26 2,297 0 1,330 0 0 671 100 105 0 1,000 (1,500) 0 0 105 0 1,100 0 103 100 0 0 0 0 0 12,750 10,00,000 12,40,730 2,52,802 Sri Lanka 100 17,021 Pakistan 0 2,000 Pakistan & Afghanistan 0 1,463 Bangladesh 1,113 506 0 0
3,074 7,27,393 1,20,65,711
Nepal 0 8,609 12,41,943 2,82,401 85,72,303 23,59,090
3292 South Asia Total World Total
6,91,327
* Excludes Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Permanent Fund (1,900) 0 26,316 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,741 0 0 3,725 0 0 705 (1,852) 0 0 1,000 0 23,474 105 1 0 0 0
Total Contributions
53,315
23,895 3,145 1,51,016 10,170 20,447 29,048 3,939 4,667 0 6,242 2,367 4,737 4,835 37,303 26,452 1,000 4,51,384 16,884 1,55,761 27,693 1,033 20,160 3,761 65,813 3,780 9,370 3,501 0 66,475 42,692 2,834 22,600 1,574 13,596 10,00,000 22,38,174
0
18,528
3,187
22,197
0
9,880
1,000 0
6,877 1,900
0 57,502 20,94,344
11,683 23,09,239 2,50,91,448
Source: RI South Asia Office
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Tribute to PRID O.P. Vaish Past RI Director O.P. Vaish is no more. Rotarians all over India feel having been left desolate and forlorn. His mortal frame will be in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Along with that, his imperishable will also be available for Rotarians. PRID O.P. Vaish’s passing away will wake up the conscience of every Rotarian who is involved with the polio eradication movement. It will evoke a higher response from them to fulfil his dream of seeing the world polio-free. O P to his friends, clients and admirers, PRID O.P. Vaish carried on his frail shoulders, the task of uniting the people of South Asia. He made Rotary in India strong and self-reliant. He was a friend of everyone and enemy of none. PRID O.P. Vaish was loved and respected by hundreds of Rotarians. He is one of those whose influence never dies and indeed shines more and more with the passage of time. O.P. Vaish, the lonely symbol of vanishing past, is no more. Life might have gone out his body but the light in him, which is from the divine flame of Rotary and love for humanity, cannot be put out. In our hour of deep sorrow, India is proud to have given to the world of Rotary a man of imperishable renown, impeccable character and simplicity. The admiration for O.P. Vaish amongst his friends, clients and Rotarians in the Rotary world rests on recognition, mostly sub-conscious, recognition of the fact that in this time of personal animosity and competition, he was the only statesman to stand for a higher level of human relationship in every sphere. PRID O.P. Vaish was a great Indian nationalist and also a leader of international stature in Rotary. Most people in Rotary have
heard him but not studied him seriously. People who were close to him or had the opportunity to work with him on Rotary projects, have become deeply fascinated by his campaigns for The Rotary Foundation. If humanity in South Asia needs to find peace, if polio must be eradicated and if Rotary is to progress, O.P. Vaish is inescapable. He lived, thought and acted with high ethical standards. His peers and family members say that even as a young man O.P. Vaish had acquired a maturity of judgement, rare in age and unparalleled in youth. If he had strong passions, he had learned to subdue them and to be moderate and mild. If he had weaknesses, he concealed them, which is rare, and excluded them from the government of his temper and conduct, which is still rarer. If he loved fame, he never made improper compliances for what is called popularity. The fame he enjoyed in his profession and in the Rotary world is of the kind that will last forever. Appreciating the Rotary News magazine PRID O.P. Vaish once said, “I am extremely happy to hear that our magazine ranks high in the Rotary World. When top Rotary leaders of the world complimented our magazine, I was indeed proud. The way forward for the magazine is not to compromise on editorial freedom and you have to bring more news from all over the world into the magazine.� Such a person would do honour to any country and any movement with which he was associated. He was, indeed, in every sense of the words, a wise, a good, and a great man. Rtn. T.K. Balakrishnan Editor Rotary News
VOCATIONAL SERVICE
In
India, there are more than 11 million youth who have the requisite qualifications and skill sets, but no jobs. The state of the country’s economy is draining the job market dry. Since the government has no policy to intervene, the national disaster that is in the making can be slowed down only by service organisations and individuals who can make the youth see beyond the job market. Thousands of job-seekers are exasperated just by sending their CV to many companies, just to get a standard reply, ‘We are in the process of selecting and
18 ROTARY NEWS OCTOBER 2013
short listing the applicants. You will hear from us.’ Unemployment in India has gone up by two percent in the rural areas and three percent in the urban areas. The ratio of unemployment is 27 per 1,000 people. The employment statistics in India show that only 39 percent of the people are employed in a population of 1.21 billion. In USA it is 64 percent in a population of 316 million and in China which has a population of 1.35 billion, 74 percent of the population is employed. Why are jobs not being created in India? Experts say that the Indian economy is in tatters and with rupee falling, the high cost of capital and absence of big investment coupled with no expansion of capacities has left very small opening in the job market. Economists warn of de-growth in the manufacturing sector which is the biggest employer. Over 40 million people are registered with the employment exchanges. Out of this hardly 0.2 million get offers for jobs annually. The survey conducted by FICCI shows that 80 percent of the people waiting for work do not have marketable skills since the school dropout rate in India has touched 56 percent. Promoting entrepreneurship is the main way to tackle unemployment. Service organisations and individuals should encourage start-ups and infuse a measured sense of risk-taking ability amongst the people. Creation of jobs related to agriculture can be challenging but effective. It is estimated that 250 million workers will be added to the labour pool between 2005–2025. India will need 55 million jobs by 2015 to maintain the current rate of employment which is 39 percent. Trade and manufacturing sectors need to create 124 million jobs by 2020. A good news is that the number of applications being received by the Indian Intellectual Property Office for registration of trademarks has been increasing over the years. The Controller General of patents, designs,
trademarks and registrar of geographical indications has said that the Chennai region has the highest number of patents filed in India and accounts for 30 percent of the total patents filed last year. The World Intellectual Property Organisation has informed that India’s filing volume has increased and has surpassed Korea in 2011. India ranks fifth among the intellectual property offices in the world when it came to trademark applications. The new Madrid Protocol is now being popularised amongst the entrepreneurs and awareness campaigns are to be held in smaller cities and towns. However, the journey to create world-class brands in India by domestic entrepreneurs will remain extremely challenging. They need staying power in the long run which is abundant with multinational corporations. Longterm sustainable solution, according to experts, is to build India’s own intellectual property in all spheres that affect the consumers directly. This will generate employment. The future of an entrepreneur will depend on his foresight and endurance to create unique intellectual property assets.
The Chairman of ITC Ltd., Mr. Y.C. Deveshwar has pointed out that in recent times there has been an extraordinary increase in royalty payments to overseas companies. He says that a closer look reveals that even for items of daily consumption, the brands consumed by millions of people are predominantly owned by overseas organisations. The list includes baby food, baby care products, home care and personal care products, toothpastes, toothbrushes, shaving creams, razors, breakfast cereals, snack foods, tea, coffee, cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, detergents, dish cleaners, beverages, ice creams, chocolates, confectionary, pharmaceuticals, washing machines, music systems, personal computers, laptops, refrigerators, mobile phones, televisions, cameras, air conditioners, apparels and fashion accessories, stationery products, toys, games, sports and fitness equipment, luggage, diapers, sanitary napkins, burgers, pizzas, packaged drinking water and many other leading products in India are the property of foreign enterprises. He says that these foreign brands have so much been a part of the daily lives of Indians and for long most
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster: FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service; SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society; THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business and community life; FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
OCTOBER 2013
ROTARY NEWS 19
What first brought you to Rotary? In all likelihood, someone identified you as a prospective Rotarian because you are a respected member of your business or professional field — in Rotary parlance, your “classification.” Each Rotary club’s membership represents a cross-section of its community’s business and professional population, which ensures diversity in experiences and perspectives. Classification and vocational service go hand in hand. Just as Rotarians represent their vocations in Rotary, so do they represent Rotary in their vocations.
The Object of Rotary is a philosophical statement of Rotary’s purpose and the responsibilities of Rotarians. The concept of vocational service is rooted in the Second Object, which calls on Rotarians to “encourage and foster”: • High ethical standards in business and professions • The recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations • The dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society As a Rotarian, how can you put these ideals into action? Consider these suggestions: • Talk about your vocation in your club, and take time to learn about fellow members’ vocations. • Use your professional skills to serve a community. • Practice your profession with integrity, and inspire others to behave ethically through your own words and actions. • Help a young person achieve his or her career aspirations. • Guide and encourage others in their professional development. If you do any of these things, you are performing vocational service. And if vocational service motivates and energises you, then you’re in the right place, because vocational service is the very essence of Rotary. It is what sets Rotary apart from other service organisations.
20 ROTARY NEWS OCTOBER 2013
people genuinely think that they are Indian brands. Every time these products are consumed, value flows out of the country. Though there are some large organisations such as Tata, Birla, Amul, Bajaj, Godrej and others, their number is limited and what is needed is creation of globally competitive brands. Creating a good product for the consumer in India can be the effective vocational service project that Rotarians in business and industry can embark upon. The mission to create a good product and help in promoting the entrepreneurship skills is probably what Rotary clubs should emphasise while conducting programmes in the vocational service area. Employment is created in countries where the domestic markets are dominated by products made in the country. South Korea and Japan are examples of this model. Industrialists such as Mr. Deveshwar call for a collective might of India’s business and professional leaders to rise to the challenge of making India globally competitive. Building world-class brands may be a gigantic task and will take time. But the youth of today who are going to shape the economy tomorrow need to have the determination to succeed against all odds. This education will probably be the valuable vocational service project. In the words of Mahatria Ra, “every vocational service project must create a tomorrow for those who receive the education.” Rotarians who want to empower the youth for tomorrow must make them understand that nobody gets something for nothing. For what they receive, they must give back something. Mahatria Ra aptly says, “They should give either their sweat or their performance and show growth and progress. Money can do little for you, but money can do great things through you. We need a new world, a new consciousness. We need a new future, a new path. We need a new man.” Vocational service can cause this new beginning. Rtn. T.K. Balakrishnan
Membership in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives RI RI Rotary No. of Women Rotaract Interact Zone District Clubs Rotarians Rotarians
5 5 4 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 6 6 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6
2980 3000 3010 3020 3030 3040 3051 3052 3053 3060 3070 3080 3090 3100 3110 3120 3131 3132 3140 3150 3160 3170 3180 3190 3201 3202 3211 3212 3220 3230 3240 3250 3261 3262 3271 3272 3281 3282 3291 3292 Total
150 88 130 65 80 93 61 62 50 79 111 82 74 87 108 65 101 70 131 90 56 127 132 86 123 97 125 81 61 123 72 86 68 67 71 83 119 80 140 84 3,658
6,207 4,008 5,507 3,084 4,233 2,169 2,552 3,244 1,793 3,396 3,293 3,367 2,218 1,972 3,475 2,433 4,286 3,079 6,951 3,402 2,082 4,847 5,256 3,547 4,660 3,859 3,809 3,549 1,660 5,675 2,576 3,080 2,144 2,438 1,262 1,804 3,487 2,220 4,055 2,724 1,35,403
120 290 575 177 381 228 180 453 157 231 245 165 106 77 180 141 537 220 859 241 75 234 200 241 259 210 162 128 178 324 237 335 121 181 139 265 319 159 568 292 10,190
44 82 42 20 31 15 29 11 9 24 35 36 9 3 37 18 30 20 79 49 4 19 33 30 42 33 4 3 45 82 33 25 6 12 24 11 135 109 37 83 1,393
248 195 155 171 163 79 114 108 29 94 105 134 27 78 36 30 140 80 326 139 37 245 340 89 70 325 54 122 178 318 102 96 88 57 15 33 40 16 89 83 4,848
RCC
183 67 80 258 120 131 328 115 89 98 55 95 122 146 59 48 62 52 132 107 80 151 138 41 43 36 111 115 93 268 105 157 40 63 13 31 59 36 500 82 4,509
As on September 3, 2013 Source: RI South Asia Office
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
To end polio, our resolve must not falter On 24 October, we mark World Polio Day. It is a time to reflect on the progress we’ve made and to strengthen our determination for the work ahead. It’s important to realise how far we’ve come. We have reduced the number of polio cases by over 99 percent, from more than 3,50,000 a year in the 1980s to 223 in 2012. But now for the road ahead: Polio is still endemic in Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan. Difficult terrain, civil unrest, remote settlements and poor sanitation are just some of the obstacles to immunisation. That’s why we, and our partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, are determined to finish our work. With the announcement of the extended fundraising partnership between Rotary International and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation at the 2013 RI Convention in Lisbon, Portugal, we have the chance to introduce millions of new dollars into the campaign. The value of this extended partnership is more than $500 million, and through it, your contributions toward polio eradication will work twice as hard. It’s more important than ever that we all take action. Talk to your government leaders, share your polio stories on your social networks, and encourage others in your community to join us in supporting this historic effort. When Rotarians combine their passion for service with our strong global network, we are unstoppable. With the backing of the Gates Foundation and you, the Rotarians around the world, we can change the face of public health forever.
Dong Kurn (D.K.) Lee Foundation Trustee Chair OCTOBER 2013
ROTARY NEWS 21
“
Receiving the cheque from Smt. Rajashree Birla; also seen, Mr. A.K. Agarwalla.
Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all,� said Aristotle. Shrimathi Rajashree Birla, the doyen of the Indian industry knows this too well. That is why her waking hours are spent in remote corners of Mumbai, in the slums and other areas in which normally a billionaire may not be seen, trying to eradicate polio and creating awareness amongst the people. What about the little time she manages to sleep? Morning dawns quickly than you would expect, for she knows that the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams! So, what is her dream? A polio-free India and 22 ROTARY NEWS OCTOBER 2013
a polio-free world. A world where every child will be able to walk, run, dance and live every moment of being a child. This is the sight that parents want to see when their children grow and who can bear the sight of a small child being crippled by polio? It is said that the mother whose child is affected by polio, cannot stop the tears in her eyes even after twenty years when the child has grown up into a man or a woman. Being a devout mother herself, Shrimathi Rajashree Birla was determined to wipe every tear from the eyes of parents and ensure that their children can grow up in a world that has rid itself of polio.
Supporting the fight against polio, Shrimathi Rajashree Birla joined hands with The Rotary Foundation and started donating a million US Dollars every year. A few days ago, she gave another donation of US $1 million and with this her contribution to TRF for the cause of polio eradication is over US $8 million. Her generosity is matched by her hands-on work she undertakes for polio eradication. The NIDs in Maharashtra are always launched in the official residence of the State Governor, an annual event always organised by the Birla Group. During the NIDs, a team of dedicated workforce from the Birla Companies
Welcoming Smt. Rajashree Birla.
set up immunisation booths and operate them. Their volunteering effort has greatly benefitted the Rotarians who join forces with these people. For Shrimathi Rajashree Birla, family isn’t always blood relations. It
is the people in her life who want her to be their mentor, their guide and philosopher. It is the people who accept her as a caring mother and not just the philanthropy that flows through her organisation. It is the people who
have been touched by her kindness, the families, which have been educated, people who have identified her as a patron and the Rotarians who know Shrimathi Rajashree Birla have this to say, “We may come from different countries, speak different languages, but our heart beats as one when it comes to eradicating polio and saving the children of the world.” What is the aim of Shrimathi Rajashree Birla? She says, “I want to make sure that every parent administers the polio-vaccine to their children. I want them to be happy and see their children walk to school, play games and mess around their homes. I want the parents to understand that they are the cause of that happiness.” This is the education to the heart I would like to give through our organisation and The Rotary Foundation. From PRID Ashok Mahajan’s Communication
For Secured Funds (>Rs10cr), M&As, Pvt. Equity, Financial Advisory Rtn. PP. N. Mathur impactconsulting12@gmail.com Allahabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi etc, Mobile: 098410 07871 098410 10234 OCTOBER 2013
ROTARY NEWS 23
Each year an internationally eminent person in the science world is invited to address the British scientific community at the Zuckerman Lecture, named after Lord Zuckerman, a distinguished scientist who was at the heart of British science for over 60 years. In 2003, Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, the leading architect of India’s science and technology policies was invited to deliver the Lecture at the Royal Society, London. Transcript of his acclaimed address is reproduced in these pages. (Continued from the previous issue) Brain drain to brain gain Let us take the issue of brain drain in a broader context. Why does brain drain take place in the first instance? I found the answer one day. I was involved in the process of interview for the Chief Innovation Officer of National Innovation Foundation in India. I found that the individual that we were interviewing was an expert in branding a product. I said “I want to brand India. How would you do that?” He was puzzled. He had branded a soap, a refrigerator, but he wondered as to how he could brand a nation. I said, “I will make it easy for you. Let me tell you as to how other nations brand themselves. For instance, US brands itself as a land of opportunity.” He immediately replied, “I will brand India as a land of ideas.” Now here is the problem. India is a land of ideas but it is USA that is a land of opportunities. That is why young people with aspirations go to USA, which provides them an opportunity to reach their own potential. I believe that for the young people, it is not the ‘physical income’ but it is the ‘psychic income’ that matters much more. Their incentives are not just financial. The fun of creation, admiration 24 ROTARY NEWS OCTOBER 2013
received from their peers, the excitement and glory of taking part in the process of creation of something new and exciting, matters to them much more. That is why a computer engineer in India works on the challenge of the Param computer in Centre for Development of Advanced Computation (C-DAC) in India on a salary that is a small fraction of what he would get from IBM in India. That is why a space scientist in Indian Space Research Organisation works on the indigenous satellite launching vehicle GSLV rather than joining NASA. That is why I came back to India in 1976 on a princely salary equivalent to 140 British pounds per month, and so did many of my colleagues. The problem is that it is a small fraction. Brain drain is not just a developing world phenomenon. It exists in the developed world too. The Italian scientist Riccardo Giacconi, a Nobel Laureate in Physics, summed it up beautifully, when he said, “A scientist is like a painter. Michael Angelo became a great artist, because he had been given a wall to paint. My wall was given to me by the United States.” Italian, English and German scientists have also migrated to
the United States; just as the Japanese scientists have done. A recent US National Science Foundation report (2002) shows that the percentage of Japanese Ph.Ds. who remained in USA, increased from about 35 percent in 1995 to over 70 percent in 1999. However, the damage that brain drain does to the developing world is far greater than in the developed world. Let me provide an analytical perspective to this argument. Ecology of the intellectual process throws up outstanding scientists and inventors in a pyramidal and powerlaw fashion. The distribution of scientific productivity was analysed by A.J. Lotka of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in 1926. The result of Lotka’s investigation (Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences, 16, (1926) 317-323) was an inverse square law of productivity, which states that the number of people producing n papers is inversely proportional to n2. This means that for every 100 authors who produce one paper in a given period of time, there are approximately 100/22, or 25, who produce two papers. Simultaneously, there will be 100/(102) or one, who will produce ten papers,
and so on. Interestingly, the same law applies to patents too. Francis Narin and Anthony Breitzman (Research Policy, 24 (1995) 507-510) analysed the data on patents in semiconductor technology and showed that Lotka’s law is applicable here too. It certainly appears that scientific and technological creativity and productivity lies in the minds and abilities of a relatively small number of highly talented individuals. Developing world continues to lose them to the developed world. For instance, the cream of the cream from Indian IITs, which are India’s premier institutions, leaves the Indian shores, year after year. India comforted itself by saying that if it lost a small number, it did not really matter. After all, it is a country with one billion population. But India did not realise the implications of Lotka’s law, that it was these few individuals, who made a huge difference to those economies abroad. India did not realise that when
it lost one percent of its top talent, it also lost 90 percent of its intellectual energy. A recent UNDP report estimates that 1,00,000 Indian professionals leave the country every year to take up jobs in United States. It estimates the resource loss of $2 billion per year for India. However, one needs to look at the potential economic gains these exceptionally talented people could
have made in India and then one realises that the losses are even higher! Different developing nations have used different means to handle this issue of brain drain at different times in their history. For instance, the strategies in Taiwan, Korea, China and India have been distinctly different. I saw somewhere a compendium of 110 different initiatives that have been taken. Taiwan set up National Youth Commission to encourage return. Korea upgraded its research institutions and offered salaries competitive with overseas incomes. Both Korea and Taiwan succeeded. Africa set up ‘The Return of the Qualified African Nationals Programme’ run by the International Organisation for Migration. Over the past twenty years, around 100 persons per year returned. Considering the high level of brain drain in Africa, this is negligible. On the other hand, the Indian experience in recent years is striking. (Continued…)
OCTOBER 2013
ROTARY NEWS 25
What’s your idea of Peace? Express yourself through ROGEC (Rotary Global Essay Competition) by RC Pune Katraj, RI District 3131, INDIA
“There is no way to peace. Peace is the way.” Mahatma Gandhi
Rotarians world over, are synthesis of intellectuals who come together to offer their expertise and resources for doing good to the World with a motto of “Service Above Self.” Rotarians come from diverse cultures, unite for common goals through service projects, follow high ethical standards in their profession and use Rotary as a platform for advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace. Rotary Global Essay Competition (ROGEC) is a platform for Rotary family consisting of Rotarians, Anns, Annets, Rotaractors and Interactors to express themselves on a Global Canvas on range of subjects which will ultimately fulfill Rotary’s objectives and make this world a better place to live. A separate category has been reserved for 1,000+ Rotary associated schools. Three students and three teachers from these schools win trophies, certificates and prizes. A information flyer has been sent to most of the schools. ROGEC invites views and analysis from diverse and distinct cultures, fusing them together in a neatly woven bouquet. The issues like hunger, diseases, inequality, education, conflicts, etc are common across cultures and
countries, the magnitudes and perspectives however are different. ROGEC aims to provide every individual in the Rotary fraternity a global platform to convey a story about the issues, reasons and resolutions. Rotary Global Essay Competition (ROGEC) is being organised by Rotary Club of Pune Katraj (RI District 3131, India). Theme for ROGEC 2013 is “World Understanding & Peace.” ROGEC shall reward the winning entries with attractive prizes including all paid trip to India and much more. As also, all participants get eCertificates and chance to win other prizes. For details visit www.rogec.org and like www.facebook. com/rogec2013. HIGHLIGHTS of Rotary Global Essay Competition (ROGEC) • Organised by : Rotary Club Of Pune Katraj (RI District 3131, INDIA) • A Global Essay Competition • Theme for 2013 : “World Understanding & Peace” • Submissions : Started from 30th July 2013 • For more details visit : www.rogec.org • For latest updates : www.facebook.com/rogec2013
Dear DG/NCM, This is a follow up on INPPC Chairman Deepak Kapur’s letter to you about the importance of commemorating World Polio Day this year with illumination of iconic buildings and monuments across the length and breadth of our country. I have been asked by PRIP Raja Saboo to take charge of this ‘Illumination’ project, and I depend on each one of you to make this a success. I humbly request you to spread the word and commit to illuminating as many iconic buildings and monuments as possible in your District/Districts. With the network, goodwill and resources at the command of Rotary, we can definitely make this a grand success. I have heard from Chairman Deepak that all of you have already taken the initiative and some have even identified sites to carry out the plan on October 24th — ‘World Polio Day.’ It is highly admirable! Please carry on with the great work in the fight against polio; we are with you. The basic steps and procedures of organising the ‘Illuminations’ have been shared with you. So I won’t elaborate. But do please keep us posted on any development vis-à-vis the Illumination in your District. We will extend all possible support. This Illumination Campaign is directed at bringing the focus back on polio eradication and building a people’s movement in this final push to eradicate polio. Let’s make the most of the remaining few months towards regional polio-free certification by WHO. I look forward to your valuable support and expertise in making this project a grand success. With warm regards,
Rtn. Ashok Mahajan Chairman, Rotary Foundation India 2013–14 Director, Rotary International 2007–09 Trustee, The Rotary Foundation 2009–13 Member, International PolioPlus Committee 2009–13 Chair, RI Membership Development and Retention Committee 2012–13
OCTOBER 2013 ROTARY NEWS 27
Tourism Australia; James Fisher
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Do’s Sending text contributions • Provide us with the facts: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? • Use detailed descriptive language. • Emphasise the human interest element of your story. • Use anecdotes and quotes from club members, beneficiaries and others. • Lengthy articles rarely hold reader interest. So, keep articles simple and brief. • Word limit for news items: 150–250 words; Half-page features: up to 350 words and full page articles: 700 words with a couple of good photographs.
Want to send an article or news item for publishing in Rotary News and Rotary Samachar? Here are some guidelines.
• Include the name and telephone number or e-mail ID of a contact person who can provide us more information. • Send submissions by regular post, courier or e-mail. Matter should be typewritten on one side of the paper. Give double line spacing in normal lower case and use capitals only where required. • Send all communications in the club’s letterhead.
Give your club the world There are many worthwhile activities in which nearly all clubs take part. Most clubs award Paul Harris Fellows, hold installations and charter nights, sponsor new Rotary clubs, plant trees and finance scholarships. Information on these events is not likely to make it into the magazine unless there is an angle that distinctly sets them apart. As a policy, we cannot promote or endorse future events or projects. We prefer to receive news of events which have already taken place, and projects that are complete. We cannot find space to display every project done by over 3,100 clubs in the 34 districts in India. We cannot promise publication and the editor remains the final arbiter as to what is to be published. 30 ROTARY NEWS OCTOBER 2013
• Mention RI District number and club name when you are filing the report. • Send communications in English or Hindi. • Focus the articles on events rather than on personalities. • Contribute clean jokes for publication. • Send articles about outstanding projects done by Rotaract and Interact clubs. • Send articles about outstanding projects done by Rotary Community Corps. • Report innovative programmes and projects done by clubs and districts with grants from The Rotary Foundation. • Encourage Rotarians / Anns / Annets who are artists to send good cartoons for publication.
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Rotary clubs conduct a variety of activities.
WHEN TO SEND CONTRIBUTIONS?
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The Editor Rotary News Trust Dugar Towers, 3rd Floor, 34, Marshalls Road, Egmore, Chennai – 600 008, India. Phone: 91 44 42145666 Fax: 91 44 28528818 E-mail: rotarynews@rosaonline.org OCTOBER 2013
ROTARY NEWS 31
FOCUS Compiled by Kiran Zehra
RC KOMARAPALAYAM RI District 2980 Meritorious students of classes 10 and 12 from the Government Boys and Girls schools were awarded certificates, mementos and cash prizes for their excellent performance in the board exam.
RC PERAMBALUR RI District 3000 Rotractors from various colleges in the district were pooled in to collect plastic wastes from houses and roads in order to make the area plastic free. This step by the club was to create awareness and bring down plastic usage in the area. 32 ROTARY NEWS OCTOBER 2013
RC VUYYURU RI District 3020 Students of the V.R.K.M.H. School were given note books bearing the Rotary emblem and Presidential theme on the cover page. Over 1,000 notebooks were distributed and this service would instill the importance of education in the children.
RC CHANDRAPUR RI District 3030 An R.O. water treatment plant was installed at Rafi Ahmad Quidwai School. The club along with RC Cuiaba â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Taiama, RI District 4440, Brazil and TRF came together to complete this Rs. 6,60,000 worth project that would benefit 2,000 students.
RC BIKANER RI District 3053 A check-up and guidance camp for knee and hip joints replacements was organised by the Rotarians at the Rotary Hall, Sadul Ganj. The beneficiaries were 185 patients who were provided with the right advice for their surgeries.
RC BHAVNAGAR RI District 3060 The club distributed food-grain kits to more than 250 poor and needy families in 33 villages of Bhavnagar in their ongoing project. This kit helps the villagers survive hunger in times of extreme situations. OCTOBER 2013
ROTARY NEWS 33
RC UDHAMPUR RI District 3070 Under Matching Grants with RC Canton, RI District 6650, USA and TRF, 48 water filters were distributed to 30 government schools in Udhampur village. This project would help 3,000 students quench their thirst safely.
RC BHAKRA NANGAL RI District 3080 The club distributed safety kits to the street sweepers. Nearly 160 kits were distributed. The kits would help them stay hygienic in the untidy environment they work in.
RC SRI GANGANAGAR RI District 3090 A motivational and educational programme was organised by the club to make children realise the importance of education and how to avoid being victims of child labour. The children were also involved in educational activities.
RC KHURJA RI District 3100 Children up to the age 16 years were diagnosed for cardiac issues at a paediatric heart check-up camp at Dayawati Moolchand Rotary Eye Hospital. Children with chronic heart ailment were operated upon free of cost. 34 ROTARY NEWS OCTOBER 2013
RC BAREILLY METRO RI District 3110 Under its ongoing project since 2002, the club organised a medical camp this year at the neighbouring village. More than 200 patients benefitted from the camp. Medicines and vitamins were also distributed for the needy at the camp.
RC BAHRAICH RI District 3120 A bus shelter to provide protection for the commuters from sun and rain was constructed by the club. Located at Digiha, this structure would also serve as a PR initiative that would create awareness about Rotary among the public.
RC PUNE TILAK ROAD RI District 3131 The Rotarians donated medicines worth Rs. 12,500 to Apla Ghar Sanstha, Sinhgad to facilitate them to provide medical aid to villagers. The project was a joint venture of the club along with Late Umabai Bhave Health and Education Trust.
RC WAI RI District 3132 Artificial limbs were provided to poor orthopaedically challenged men to assist them in commuting from place to place. The project was executed in collaboration with RC Bombay Airport, RI District 3140. OCTOBER 2013
ROTARY NEWS 35
RC BOMBAY JUHU BEACH RI District 3140 An annual supply of sanitary napkins was distributed to underprivileged girls. This gift of hygiene will help the girls overcome the difficulties of missing school or discontinuing school because of the menstrual cycle.
RC SATTENAPALLI RI District 3150 Notebooks, plates and glasses were distributed to the students of Bhatluru Mandal Parishad Primary School. The school hosts educational needs of underprivileged students along with providing them mid day meals.
RC RAICHUR RI District 3160 Manikprabhu Academy for the Blind received cots from the club for a better and comfortable means to rest and sleep for the visually challenged children in the school. The entire project cost was Rs. 1,53,000.
RC KARWAR RI District 3170 Wheelchairs were donated to physically challenged children by the Rotarians to help them move around with ease and would lessen their burden of dependency.
36 ROTARY NEWS OCTOBER 2013
RC BELUR RI District 3180 The club adopted LPS Nettekere School to facilitate education for the children of economically weak families so that they can learn and grow in par with other children in the society.
RC CHANNAPATTANA RI District 3190 The primary schools around the rural region were presented with water filters. This step by the club will ensure safe drinking water for the small students in the campus.
RC COCHIN VYPIN ISLANDS RI District 3201 Food packets and health food were distributed to patients at the Community Health Centre at Mallipuram to improvise their morale as it enhances their feeling of security.
RC TIRUPUR WEST RI District 3202 The Noyal River in the Tirupur region was cleaned by the club in collaboration with Kaniyampoondi, Mangalam and Semmandampalayam panchayats at a total cost of Rs. 5,00,000.
OCTOBER 2013
ROTARY NEWS 37
Rain or Sun A scientific endeavour of the British in Madras has today evolved as a technological advancement in the area of astronomy. When one looks down the memory lane of Madras, the Observatory holds a good proposition of interest in its part of the history of Madras.
W
hat started off as a deep rooted interest of the East India Company in astronomy, geography and navigation resulted as the genesis of an observatory that today stands revived as The Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai. As we celebrate the history of Madras here’s a toast to one of its oldest and the first of its kind — The Madras Observatory. The history of the observatory is traced back to the 1770s when it was first established. The 38 ROTARY NEWS OCTOBER 2013
chronology of the observatory unfolds interesting events featuring metamorphosis, mystery and revival. The then Governor Sir Charles Oakeley who showed a keen interest in astronomy set the paraphernalia going at Egmore with Michael Topping’s architectural enterprise — the granite pillar. This pillar that carried the original transit instrument is still sun–dried within the campus of the Meteorological Department. The granite pillar is a 15 feet tall and 10 tonne
heavy body along with smaller ancillary pillars placed around it. The pillar has the name of its architect, Michael Topping, the year of establishment — A.D.MDCCXCII, along with Tamil, Telugu and Urdu inscriptions carved on it in order to appreciate the efforts of the originators of astronomical science advancement in India. The necessity of setting up an observatory was just a scientific endeavour; the intention was to collect data related to British territories, safe sea passages and the geographical and navigational features of India. A trigonometrical survey of the southern peninsula initiated by Brigade–Major William Lambton and assisted by Lt. George Everest after whom the Mt. Everest is named, led to the survey
Conventional weather equipment lodged within the observatory. Facing page: Initiation of a pinnacle — The Granite Pillar.
of the subcontinent to map it ‘that was a monumental scientific endeavour.’ It was called The Great Trigonometrical Survey of India. Had the longitude of Madras been wrongly recorded the entire accuracy of Indian map would have been erroneous. So this left the correspondence of the entire map of India to the geographical position of the Madras Observatory. Significant events marked the advent of meteorology at the observatory that was shifted from Egmore to a Garden House in Nungambakkam after a bid to upgrade the observatory was accepted by the British Government. Earliest recorded events were the determination of the latitude and longitude of many stations in India. A manuscript of these records is still
preserved. Mr. J. Goldingham, Mr. Thomas Glanville Taylor, Captain W. S. Jacob, W. K. Worster, General J.F Tennant and Mr. N. R. Paogson served as astronomers at the observatory. A mysterious element of the observatory is the ‘Bhooth Bangla’ that is said to have existed in the Garden House premises. Astonishingly the location of this building is unfound and remains a topic that evokes curiosity about its disappearance. The observatory played the role of an Astronomical and subsequently a Meteorological Observatory as well. In 1899 the Madras Observatory turned dormant and was used only for transit observation to determine time after the observatory was shifted to Kodaikanal. A solar observatory was established
in Kodaikanal and all astronomical readings and events were recorded therewith. In the later years the Madras Observatory was reduced to an ordinary pilot balloon station and embarked the Madras Daily Weather Report. A part time meteorologist was hired to take down the readings and in 19th century a full time meteorologist was appointed. The Second World War blew the breath of evolution into the Madras Observatory. At this point there was an amplification of the meteorological departments by decentralising them and dissecting them to regions. Madras evolved as the regional headquarters for the southern province of India. The observatory evolved as regional headquarters from just a small chapter of Indian Meteorological OCTOBER 2013
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Atmospheric Automation Well acknowledged and accepted today the AWS (Automatic Weather Station) has its own tale to tell. Lodged in the Meteorological Department once was a set of conventional instruments used to measure surface meteorological parameters. Rain, wind, humidity and temperature were all calculated using simple machines that needed manual nourishment to sustain and ascertain the readings that went public and often remained an antecedent of farce for its predictions. This could be referred to as the slow motion period of the Meteorological Department. The rain gauge for instance was just a plastic case that stored drops of rain in a jar that was enclosed within the case and later measured using a measuring jar within a 24 hour window period with manual checks every 3 hours. The Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge was its descendent. Air, humidity and pressure remained loured in Stephenson’s Screen — a wooden case that stationed thermometers and barometers to measure temperature and humidity. The Wind Vane was the only means to understand wind speed and direction. While other nations in the world were tailoring to the trends of automation our meteorologists iterated manual readings and acclimatised to the torrent of jokes around them. The next phase at the IMD saw the replacement of conventional instruments by the installation of Autographical Instruments. The Self Recording Rain Gauge recouped the rain gauge. The Hydrograph, Barograph and Thermograph were sheltered next in Stephenson’s Screen to read humidity, atmospheric pressure and air temperature. Dunes Pressure Tube (DPT) Anemogram replenished the wind vane. The only manual help that was required by the autographical instruments was to key it and change the chart that would ferry the graphical readings. The urgent need for modern technology in the area of rainfall registration and real time data for effective use, as rainfall remains a highly variable parameter, reasoned out for the parturition of the Automatic Rain Gauge (ARG) stations. Since rainfall is important for agricultural operations, water Innards of the Conventional Rain Gauge. Right: Dr. S.R. Ramanan, Meteorological Scientist.
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resource and climatic calamities 1,350 ARGs were set up in the first stage of automation. The ARG is set up on a 2.5 metre mast with a rain gauge, radiation sensor and antenna that is powered by a solar panel battery and an enclosure for the data logger and transmitter. Data transmitted by the ARG is inferred by a geostationary satellite which will re-transmit the data to the receiving earth station at Pune. This form of networking is best suited for regions where manual readings is not possible because Advanced and of the huge nature of technologically sound AWS. rainfall. Today the IMD stands at the threshold of public interest in meteorology. Each of the equipment from the past was an initiation of the pinnacle that stands in form of the Automatic Weather Station today. A wind, humidity, radiation and rain sensor paired with a rain gauge, soil moisture sensor — all of this connected to an enclosure that houses the data logger that works on solar panel battery standing at a 10 metre tall mast is an insight of the automated world at the IMD Chennai. The data sent and received by the Transmitting Antenna to the satellite GN INSAT 3A gives out the most accurate weather articulation in the city. Dr. S.R. Ramanan has evolved as the weather hero, updating Chennai city from time to time about its weather forecast. Currently Chennai has 10 ARGs and 3 AWS. Ironically validation of the meteorological parameters is recapitulated by the conventional instruments that are maintained in good condition at the IMD even today.
Extreme Weather
In 2012, the United States endured 11 weather and climate disasters that caused $1 billion or more in damage. Adjusted for inflation, 144 “billion-dollar events ” have occurred in the country since 1980, 77 of them in this century. The National Hurricane Centre reports that, calculated in 2010 dollars, 19 of the 32 costliest hurricanes on record in the United States took place since 1992; 13 of them happened between 2001 and 2012. Last September, 63 percent of the contiguous United States suffered moderate to exceptional drought. The National Climatic Data Centre reported in 2012 that the country was experiencing its most expansive drought since December 1956. The extended drought of the 1930s, known as the Dust Bowl, is considered the worst in U.S. history. In April 2011, officials in the Swiss canton of Zurich said they were facing their worst drought since 1864. A 2010 study by the European Commission found that drought conditions had cost Europe’s economy 100 billion over the last 30 years; the drought of 2003 alone caused 12 billion in damage. The World Meteorological Organisation recognises the highest temperature in history as 56.7 degrees Celsius (134 degrees Fahrenheit), recorded in Death Valley, Calif., USA, on 10 July 1913. The lowest temperature on record was — 89.2 degrees Celsius (-128.5 degrees Fahrenheit) at Vostok, Antarctica, on 21 July 1983.
Society. Through its journey of evolution it created, commissioned and started various meteorological endeavours each one preceding the other in a more technologically sound fashion. The name Madras Observatory also buttoned up the change and become the Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai and has now expansions at the Airport Meteorological Office, Meenambakkam which serves
Globally, 2012 was the ninth-warmest year on record. The 10 warmest years on record have occurred since 1998. In the United States, last year was the warmest since the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration began keeping records in 1895; three-quarters of the lower 48 states recognised it as their first-, second-, or third-hottest year on record. Global precipitation in 2012 was near average, following the two wettest years on record, 2010 and 2011. Research published earlier this year in the journal Science shows that glacial ice in the world’s largest tropical ice sheet, the Quelccaya ice cap in Peru, took at least 1,600 years to form but only 25 years to melt. The maximum extent of the Arctic Ocean’s ice cover this year was measured at 5.82 million square miles, a decrease of nearly 1,45,000 square miles from the average over the last 30 years. Of the 10 lowest recorded measurements of its maximum ice cover, nine have been taken during the last 10 years. Last September, at the end of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, the ice cover shrank to its lowest extent on record. According to NASA, 97 percent of climate scientists agree that warming trends over the last century are likely due to human activities. A 2009 statement by 18 scientific associations concurred. Paul Engleman Reproduced from The Rotarian
as a watch office for flight navigation within the region. To add to its cadre are the Cyclone Detection Radar at the Port Trust Building and Port Meteorological Office. The Meteorological centre is now equipped with Cyclone Warning and Public Weather Services (PWS), Agrometeorological Services, Aviation Meteorological Services, Radar Weather Surveillance and Cyclone eAtlas. The Madras
Observatory is a tale of heritage and is unexpectedly overlooked by the dwellers of the city. A visit to the Meteorological Department will leave one with awe and wonder as to how a ‘granite pillar’ could read time, weather, latitudes and longitudes. The granite pillar at the Meteorological Department is a revisit to the black and white period of life and technology. Kiran Zehra OCTOBER 2013
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