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The Hindu
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
First-ever artificial rain in Delhi likely from July 4 to 11: Environment Minister
The national capital is all set for its first date with artificial rain as a trial of the cloud seeding process has been scheduled between July 4 and 11, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced on Saturday. 'The initiative marks a historic step in controlling urban air pollution. Our aim is to provide Delhiites with clean air. That's why we're taking this bold step of inducing artificial rain. We are hopeful that it will bring about a meaningful change,' Mr. Sirsa told mediapersons. He added that the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, had submitted the plan for a cloud seeding trial to the India Meteorological Department for technical coordination. The premier engineering institute has been tasked with implementing the project by overseeing aircraft deployment, chemical dispersal, scientific modelling, planning, and operational logistics. The Minister said that weather conditions for the project were found to be unsuitable until July 3, but a window has been identified between July 4 and 11. The government has sent a proposal to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), requesting an alternative window in case the weather remains unfavourable during the scheduled period so that the trial could be conducted at a later date. Last year, then Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai (Aam Aadmi Party) wrote multiple letters to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, urging him to fast-track clearances for cloud seeding as an emergency measure to control air pollution. He had claimed that Mr. Yadav did not respond to the letters. War of words AAP's Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj questioned the idea behind conducting cloud seeding trials during the monsoon. 'The weather department had been saying that it might rain anytime. Suddenly, the Delhi government under [Chief Minister] Rekha Gupta makes the announcement about artificial rain. What exactly are you trying to prove by conducting artificial rain during the rainy season?' he said. The former Health Minister said the trials should have been scheduled for October-November, during which air pollution usually spikes in the city. Mr. Bharadwaj added, 'Is the announcement about helping people, is it about helping someone financially, or has it been done for cheap publicity?' In response, Mr. Sirsa said, 'We were the ones who signed the MoU first, made the payments to IIT, Kanpur, and applied for the necessary approvals because we want to bring about actual change.' 'AAP didn't do anything except talk about inducing artificial rain. Our government, on the other hand, has worked sincerely. That's why, within just four months of forming the government, we are at the stage of finalising the date for Delhi's first artificial rain,' said the Minister. How it works Under the project titled 'Technology Demonstration and Evaluation of Cloud Seeding as an Alternative for Delhi NCR Pollution Mitigation', through which the Delhi government is looking to combat air pollution and address water scarcity, five aircraft sorties will be made over north-west and outer Delhi. A total of ₹3.21 crore has been earmarked for these trials. Each sortie, lasting approximately 90 minutes, will cover around 100 square kilometres, dispersing a seeding mixture using flare-based systems on modified Cessna aircraft. The mixture, developed by the IIT, includes silver iodide nanoparticles, iodised salt, and rock salt, designed to catalyse artificial rain by accelerating droplet formation in moisture-rich clouds. Much like seeds sprayed on fertile soil, the salts are expected to interact with water droplets in the clouds, make them bigger and heavier so that they will eventually condense as rain.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
NCW seeks action in IIT-M sexual harassment case
Chennai: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of a sexual harassment case involving a 20-year-old intern at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written to DGP Shankar Jiwal urging a fair and time-bound investigation under relevant provisions of the BNS. On June 25, an intern was sexually harassed by a food court employee on campus at 9.15pm. She raised an alarm, prompting campus security personnel to intervene and detain the suspect. Police arrested Roshan Kumar, 22, a native of Maharashtra, who was employed as a contractual staff member at a food outlet on the campus. He was later remanded in judicial custody. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai In an X post, NCW said Rahatkar directed the concerned authorities to ensure the survivor receives immediate medical and psychological assistance, along with compensation under Sec 396 of BNSS. "We have gathered evidence including eyewitness accounts and campus security footage. Investigation is on," said an investigation officer.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Science
- The Hindu
IIT-Madras' Zanzibar campus launches undergraduate programme in Chemical Process Engineering
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras' Zanzibar campus has launched a new Bachelor of Science (BS) programme in Chemical Process Engineering for the academic Year 2025-26, officials said on Friday. The four-year full-time undergraduate degree programme in the Zanzibar campus is open to candidates of all nationalities, including Indians. "The programme offers a comprehensive curriculum blending core chemical engineering fundamentals with practical laboratory work, industry-aligned projects and electives that encourage interdisciplinary learning," a senior official said. The last date to apply is July 6. "It would be delivered by a distinguished faculty team from IIT Madras, IITM Zanzibar, and partner institutions, ensuring rigorous academic standards and global relevance," the official added. Preeti Aghalayam, Director-in-charge, Zanzibar campus, IIT Madras, said, "As a Chemical Engineer myself, it is such a pleasure that we are bringing this programme to IITM Zanzibar. We believe that it will be a very meaningful step forward for the campus." The other courses currently offered by the IIT-Madras' Zanzibar Campus are a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Data Science and AI, a two-year Master of Technology degree in Data Science and AI, and another in Ocean Structures.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Science
- New Indian Express
Seeds from UAS Bangalore, IIT Dharwad sent to ISS for space farming research
DHARWAD: The University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bangalore, and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Dharwad, have sent two types of seeds to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 research mission which was launched on Wednesday. The pack of 25 grams green gram and fenugreek seeds will get sprouted in space while the same quantity of seeds will be grown in the same condition at the UAS campus to assess the sprouting seeds in detail. Shubhanshu Shukla, the ISRO astronaut, will water the seeds and will bring back the sprouted seeds home. UAS Vice-Chancellor PL Patil said the research will play a vital role in developing nutritious salad vegetables for future space missions. Sprouted green gram and fenugreek are expected to help astronauts in managing issues related to immunity, bone, kidney and heart. It also helps to avoid carrying food in packets. 'Principal Investigator Ravikumar Hosamani, Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology (UAS), and Co-Investigator Sudheer Siddapureddy, Associate Professor, IIT Dharwad, have contributed to the project,' he added.
United News of India
3 days ago
- United News of India
Mangaluru man held for illegally staying and attending lecture in IIT Mumbai
Mumbai, June 26 (UNI) Mumbai Police arrested a resident of Mangaluru, Karnataka, for illegally staying in a hostel and attending lectures in Indian Institute of Technology( IIT) Mumbai, one of the leading universities of the world, police said. The accused was produced before a local court which remanded him in police custody till July 8. The accused identified as Bilal Ahmed Fayaz Ahmed Telli, a resident of Mangalore, Karnataka, was arrested from the Powai campus of the IIT after it was discovered that he had been conducting reconnaissance activities within the institute. He had reportedly come to the institute for a one-day study programme, and then stayed on the campus and began attending lectures. The investigation has now been officially handed over to the Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU) for a more in-depth probe, while the Anti-Terrorism Squad is also conducting a parallel investigation into the matter. During his stay, he occupied different hostels and managed to avoid detection for almost two weeks. His movements and presence were uncovered through campus CCTV footage, which helped police identify and track him. The police have interrogated Bilal and examined data from his seized mobile phone, along with other technical evidence. The agencies found apps like Signal and Imo on Telli's mobile phone. 'He shot multiple videos of IIT Bombay and claims that he wanted to share this on his (social media) channel," said police source. Inquiries have also been made with his family and friends. The Mangalore resident reportedly completed a six-month software development course after his 12th grade, police said. The Powai police had earlier registered a case under Sections 329(3) and 329(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). After further investigation, additional sections were added, police said. UNI AAA PRS
