Latest news with #ManindraAgrawal
News18
4 days ago
- Science
- News18
'Not A Magic Fix': Will Artificial Rain Wash Away Delhi's Pollution? Man Behind The Project Speaks
Last Updated: In an exclusive interview with News18, Manindra Agrawal, dean at IIT Kanpur, detailed the science, strategy, and challenges involved in using cloud seeding. A successful round of cloud seeding could bring Delhi's dangerously toxic air — which at times spikes to an AQI of 1,500 — down to 'good' or 'moderate' levels, even below 100, making the air finally breathable for its choking residents — on par with the pristine air quality often recorded in hill stations like Manali or Rishikesh. That's the ambitious goal driving the Delhi government's artificial rain project, according to Professor Manindra Agrawal, dean at IIT Kanpur and the leading force behind the project. In an exclusive interview with News18, Agrawal detailed the science, strategy, and challenges involved in using cloud seeding to clean the air in one of the world's most polluted capitals. 'We're ready for the trial but success depends entirely on weather conditions. Once the right clouds are present, we can attempt to trigger artificial rain — and with that, possibly bring down Delhi's AQI to levels that are not just livable, but clean," Professor Agrawal told News18. What Is Cloud Seeding? Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique used to enhance precipitation. The process involves dispersing chemicals — typically silver iodide, potassium iodide, or dry ice — into clouds from aircraft or ground-based generators. These particles serve as nuclei for water droplets to condense around, accelerating the formation of raindrops. The basic principle is simple: if clouds with sufficient moisture are present, cloud seeding can help 'nudge" them into raining. This rain, in turn, can wash away pollutants from the atmosphere, clearing suspended particulate matter and drastically improving air quality. 'It is a well-established scientific fact that rainfall reduces airborne pollutants. Our approach is based on that. We aim to make it rain, and let the rain clean the air," the Professor said. Meet the Man Behind the Mission Professor Manindra Agrawal is not just the dean of IIT Kanpur but also a renowned computer scientist and a recipient of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, one of India's highest scientific honours. Over the past year, Agrawal has emerged as a crucial scientific advisor to the Delhi government's pollution control efforts. He has been spearheading the design, technical framework, and implementation plan for the artificial rain project — a first-of-its-kind intervention aimed not at drought relief, but at battling urban air toxicity. 'The Delhi government approached us with this idea in 2023. Since then, we have worked on the logistics, weather modelling, chemical selection, aircraft deployment, and scientific coordination with IMD and IISc," he said. The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Delhi government, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Aircraft for the operation are already in place, and the required cloud-seeding material has been prepared. Why Now — and Why Delhi? Delhi's air quality becomes alarmingly poor during the winter months, especially from October to January. Stubble burning in neighbouring states, coupled with vehicular emissions, industrial pollutants, construction dust, and low wind speeds, often push the Air Quality Index (AQI) into the 'severe" or 'hazardous" category — sometimes even crossing 1500, far beyond the acceptable limit of 50 for healthy air. 'Every year we see emergency measures — school closures, vehicle bans, construction halts. But they offer limited relief. We need something that can directly and rapidly clean the air. Rainfall can do that. It has done that in the past — naturally. We're just trying to replicate it artificially," Agrawal said. In November 2023, the Delhi government had initially planned to begin cloud seeding operations. However, delays in getting flight clearances from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) pushed the project timeline. Now, with the arrival of the monsoon, the project is temporarily on hold again — ironically because heavy rainfall and turbulent wind conditions are not ideal for controlled trials. 'We are waiting for stable clouds — not thunderclouds or fast-moving systems. We need gentle, moisture-laden clouds to attempt successful seeding," Agrawal said. What's the Goal? The immediate target is to reduce Delhi's AQI to below 100, a level classified as 'moderate" or even 'good" according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Agrawal explained that even a single round of rainfall could help bring a dramatic short-term reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 levels. 'It won't solve pollution permanently, but it will give people a window of clean air — a few days, maybe even a week — and that can be life-saving, especially for children and elderly citizens." The experiment could also serve as a template for other cities facing similar air crises. If Delhi's artificial rain trial proves effective, the technology could be rolled out in other urban centers like Kanpur, Lucknow, Patna, Ghaziabad, and Mumbai — cities that consistently rank high on global pollution indexes. 'The scalability will depend on state governments and local weather conditions. We are ready to help wherever scientific feasibility exists," said Agrawal. Recent Delay: Project Temporarily Deferred Due to Weather Conditions While the scientific groundwork and logistical preparations for the cloud seeding trial are in place, the project has faced another deferral, this time due to unfavourable monsoon dynamics. According to Professor Agrawal, heavy and erratic rainfall, fast-moving cloud systems, and unstable atmospheric conditions have made it unsafe and scientifically unviable to conduct the trial in the current window. 'We're not looking for thunderstorms or intense monsoon activity — we need mild, moisture-rich clouds with stable wind patterns," he explained. As a result, the project has been temporarily put on hold until a more favorable weather window opens, most likely in the latter half of July or early August. Officials are monitoring satellite and IMD data daily to identify the right moment to launch the operation. A Tool, Not a Cure Despite the excitement, experts including Professor Agrawal caution against seeing cloud seeding as a standalone solution. 'This is not a magic fix. It's not a substitute for clean energy, better public transport, or crop stubble management," he pointed out, adding 'This is a disaster-response tool — something you can use when air quality hits an emergency threshold." Globally, cloud seeding has been successfully implemented in China, UAE, and parts of the United States. China famously used artificial rain to clear smog before the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The UAE has been investing heavily in rain enhancement to address water scarcity. India has previously attempted cloud seeding in Maharashtra and Karnataka — but primarily for agricultural purposes during drought years. Delhi's experiment is unique in that it seeks to deploy cloud seeding for urban air purification, a model that could be revolutionary if it works. Those associated with the project said once the weather conditions get favourable (for cloud seeding), the flight will be deployed from a designated airbase, targeting cloud formations over specific polluted hotspots in Delhi-NCR. Sophisticated instruments will track real-time changes in rainfall, wind speed, and pollutant levels to carry out a successful round of cloud seeding. top videos View all 'We are prepared — logistically, scientifically, and technically. All we need now is a favourable sky," said Professor Agrawal. If the artificial rain trial works, it could mark the beginning of a new chapter in India's environmental governance which may offer citizens a breath of relief. However, for now, the people of Delhi must wait — for the clouds to gather, for science to take flight, and for hope to finally fall from the sky. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : cloud seeding delhi air pollution delhi pollution Location : Lucknow, India, India First Published: July 04, 2025, 14:16 IST News india 'Not A Magic Fix': Will Artificial Rain Wash Away Delhi's Pollution? Man Behind The Project Speaks
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IIT-Kanpur set to host 58th convocation on June 23, RBI guv Sanjay Malhotra to be chief guest
Lucknow: The Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur is set to host its 58th convocation ceremony on Monday to celebrate the academic achievements of its graduating students as they begin a new phase of their journey. The momentous occasion will be graced by RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra, an IIT-Kanpur alumnus, as the chief guest. The chairperson, Board of Governors (BoG), IIT- Kanpur, and Prof. Manindra Agrawal, director, IIT-K, will preside over the ceremony. Malhotra completed his bachelor's degree in computer science and engineering from IIT-K in 1989. He began his career as a bureaucrat in 2000 and held key roles across various ministries in Rajasthan and at the national level, including international experience with UNIDO. He served as the Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Power and also served as the Chairman and MD of REC. In December 2024, he was appointed Governor of the RBI. The convocation ceremony for 2,848 students graduating this year (subject to the approval of the BOG meeting, to be held on June 22, 2025) will be held in two sessions, with the first session being conducted in the main auditorium of IIT-K, which has a capacity of 1250, awarding the high achievers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 임플란트 29만원 이벤트 임플란트 더 알아보기 Undo The second session will be the conferring of degrees by the individual departments to the students across the different Lecture Halls led by the chairperson of the Senate Post-Graduate Committee (SPGC) and the Chairperson of the Senate Under-Graduate Committee (SUGC). The ceremony is being held in two sessions to ensure that all the graduating students can participate in this celebration of their academic accomplishments. The graduating students include 269 PhD recipients, 29 from MTech-PhD (Joint Degree), 2 from MDes-PhD (Joint Degree), 2 MS (by Research)-PhD (Joint Degree), 480 MTech recipients, 874 BTech and 204 BS recipients. The ceremony will also see 194 students from MSc (2-year), 145 from MBA, 20 from MDes, 83 from MS (by Research), 40 from PGPEX-VLFM, 26 from Double Major, 93 from Dual Degree, 26 from MS-PD (MS part of the Dual Degree), and 361 from the eMasters degree programs, subject to the approval of BOG meeting, to be held on June 22, 2025. This diverse cohort of graduates reflects IITK's wide-ranging academic programs and its dedication to promoting a multidisciplinary learning environment. In keeping with the flexibility that the institute's academic programme offers, 90 students are graduating with two minors, 192 students are graduating with one minor, and 30 graduate students are graduating with three minors.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IIT-K improves in QS World Univ rankings
Kanpur: IIT Kanpur achieved the highest-ever position at 222 in QS World University ranking, advancing 41 places from its previous rank of 263. This unprecedented achievement delighted IIT-K director Prof. Manindra Agrawal attributed this unprecedented achievement to the institute's dedication towards academic excellence, research, and global innovation. IIT Delhi emerged as the country's leading institution at rank 123, while IIT Bombay secured the second position at 129. IIT Madras and IIT Kharagpur followed at ranks 180 and 215, respectively. The rankings, announced on Thursday in London, showed IIT Kanpur's remarkable improvement with an overall score of 53.7 points, up from 39.3 points last year. The institute's performance metrics revealed scores of 84.1 in citations per faculty, 49.4 in academic reputation, 16.1 in faculty-student ratio, and 82.7 in employer reputation. Additional scores included 47.6 in employment outcomes, 1.4 in international student ratio, 42.1 in research network, 3.1 in faculty ratio, and 5.8 in student diversity. The sustainability score stood at 74.7, while employer reputation showed significant improvement with 82.7 points, marking a 25.8-point increase from the previous year. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thị trường có dấu hiệu suy thoái không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The QS World University Rankings, recognised as a leading global higher education assessment, based its 2026 edition on extensive data analysis of over 16 million academic papers, incorporating feedback from more than 151,000 academics and 100,000 employers. The evaluation framework includes various parameters including faculty credentials, research capabilities, institutional partnerships, and student achievements.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
IIT-K signs MoU for advance innovation in clean energy, AI
Lucknow: To address global challenges and promote sustainable development, the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur has signed an MoU with NMexus™, a New Mexico-based non-profit Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), to enhance bilateral collaboration in the areas of clean and sustainable energy, aerospace, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, quantum computing, robotic and advanced manufacturing. This expanded partnership aims to strengthen cooperation between academic institutions, research laboratories, and industry stakeholders across India and the United States. Through this MoU, IIT-K and NMexus™ will jointly pursue research, innovation, and technology commercialization efforts. Manindra Agrawal, director of IIT-Kanpur , said: "By working closely with academic institutions, research labs, and industry in New Mexico, we aim to co-develop technologies that address key global challenges across clean energy, AI, aerospace, cybersecurity, medtech and advanced manufacturing. We see this as a practical step toward building scalable and sustainable solutions." Highlighting the significance of the partnership, Amar Vakil, executive director of the NMexus* Centre, said, "Linking New Mexico's growing innovation ecosystem with world-class talent and research from India, we are catalyzing opportunities that will benefit communities on both sides of the globe." ReplyReply allForward Add reaction
Entrepreneur
05-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
IIT Kanpur's SIIC and SBI Foundation Launch 'Startup Innovations for Social Good' Initiative
The program will support 30 startups—24 in the early stage and six in the growth stage—across three crucial sectors: agritech, healthcare, and cleantech. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur's Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), in collaboration with the SBI Foundation, has launched the 'Startup Innovations for Social Good' initiative under the SBIF Innovators for Bharat program. The initiative, supported by SBI DFHI Limited and SBI Ventures, aims to nurture impact-driven startups that address some of India's most pressing societal challenges. The program will support 30 startups—24 in the early stage and six in the growth stage—across three crucial sectors: agritech, healthcare, and cleantech. Over a span of 18 months, selected startups will receive structured incubation support, expert mentoring, and performance monitoring to ensure sustainable and scalable impact. Prof Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur, said, "SIIC/FIRST IIT Kanpur has always had a solution-oriented and future-ready approach to strengthen India's startup ecosystem. This program, supported by the SBI Foundation, is a uniquely-curated collaborative initiative that will help enhance the impact of the startups, empowering communities and ultimately contributing to economic growth and societal well-being." The initiative also promises startups opportunities for networking and follow-on investments through curated workshops and roadshows, promoting indigenous innovation to meet critical unmet needs. Prof Deepu Philip, Professor-in-charge of Innovation and Incubation, SIIC-FIRST, IIT Kanpur, added, "This collaboration focuses on developing transformative capabilities across AgriTech, Healthcare, and CleanTech to achieve a wider impact. FIRST IIT Kanpur has a proven record with over 400 incubated startups, and this joint initiative adds to our legacy of nurturing innovation." SBI Foundation, the CSR arm of State Bank of India, is driving the program under its broader Innovators for Bharat initiative. Sanjay Prakash, Managing Director, SBI Foundation, stated, "This initiative will be a cornerstone in identifying, funding, and nurturing startups that will lead the next wave of Agritech, Healthcare, and Cleantech innovations. Our partnership with SIIC, one of India's top incubators, reflects our commitment to social progress through innovation." The initiative was officially launched at IIT Kanpur in the presence of several dignitaries including Prof Amey Karkare, Sanjay Prakash, Kapil Kaul, and others who reaffirmed their commitment to fostering innovation for social good. This partnership sets a significant precedent in leveraging academic and corporate collaboration to fuel India's journey toward sustainable development and inclusive growth.
