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WHERE HAVE THE CLOUDS GON

POOR monsoon may have triggered off cold vibes between the NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s nodal agriculture ministry and earth sciences and technology minister Prithviraj Chavan’s domain. The developments are being seen as mirroring the covert tensions between the coalition partners in the key state, which is set to go to the polls later this year. While the India Meteorological Department(IMD), which updates the press on the progress of the rains — seminal to India’s economic growth and food security — is part of the latter, it is the former that has to bear the brunt, in consonance with state governments, of the ground-level work to minimise the adverse impact of a poor monsoon on agricultural output. That mismatch, infact, appears to be crux of the problem, with the farm ministry disapproving the latter’s decision to “rush” to update the media on the poor progress of the monsoons in end June. The second stage of monsoon forecasts, infact, confirmed what was becoming increasing apparent countrywide but was as yet to be acknowledged by the government: rainfall for the 2009 south-west monsoon season (June to September was likely to be “below normal” and not “near normal” at 96% of the Long Period Average (89 cms) as forecast in the first stage on April 17. Ironically, the second stage of monsoon forecasts have been made in end June ever since the two stage forecasts began in 2003. From 1988 to 2002, the IMD used the 16-parameter power regression and parametric models developed by noted scientist Vasant Gowariker, who hails from Maharashtra. However, the model failed to forecast the marked failure of the rains in 2002 as a result of which the gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate dipped from 5.8% in the previous year to 4%. Agriculture output fell by 8%. Following that, the IMD adopted (in 2003) a two-stage long-range forecast strategy, of eight and 10 parameters, respectively. The first forecast for the SW monsoon was issued in April, using the eight-group parameter power regression and probabilistic models. An updated forecast is issued by the end of June, using the 10-parameter models. Interestingly, however, while the first stage forecast was announced at a jam packed press conference each year, the second stage forecast was issued as a press statement, comparatively quietly, a strategy that worked well for the government especially if there was a negative mismatch between the first stage and the second stage forecasts. What appears to have irked the farm ministry intensely is that this year, the earth sciences ministry announced the bleak second stage forecast — which would impact the country’s GDP negatively — at a jam packed press conference, heightening the “adverse publicity” from the media. The farm minister’s perception, sources hold, was that with that one move, the earth sciences ministry turned strobe lights on Mr Pawar and his ministry at an eminently awkward moment, even while heightening panic over a possible countrywide drought. That came to a head on Thursday when Mr Pawar was finally forced to admit to Rajya Sabha that there was indeed a bad monsoon situation in many parts of the country. But, he stressed, he was still “hopeful,” a deliberate pointer to the ministry’s continued insistence that the IMD’s July and August rainfall forecast would turnaround the bad monsoon story. Indeed, it was the farm minister who, in his very first press conference after he took office this time (and long before the negative second stage monsoon forecast), firmly announced his decision to not allow foodgrain exports until the new rice season began in September and stock-taking had been done. The commendably sober (in retrospect) decision came despite a massive 50 million tonnes in procurement that forced the FCI and state agencies to stock twice their storage capacity. Congress sources, though, dubbed the charge against the earth sciences ministry as “baseless”. “The second stage IMD forecast has been issued in end June since 2003. Unlike other years, a media conference could not be held at the time of the first stage forecast since the Election Commission’s model code of conduct had already gone into operation, so one was held at the second conference.” Another simmering quarrel appears to be the jurisdiction under which the IMD falls. Prior to 2006, the IMD was perceived as an adjunct of the farm ministry, making coordination that much easier at the highly sensitive (both for the country and the ruling government) monsoon forecast time. However, it was in 2006 during the earlier stint of Sharad Pawar as agriculture and food minister that the Congress-led government struck to undermine his powerful standing by reorganising the ministry of ocean development into ministry of earth sciences, the new parent ministry for the IMD. With advocate and flamboyant Congress spokesperson Kapil Sibal in the saddle, the annual two stage monsoon forecast exercise was then firmly plucked out of its embrace with the farm ministry and transformed into a highly orchestrated and stylised affair compared to earlier, anchored by no less than the minister himself. IMD officials were consequently instructed to “not to speak out of turn” to the press, a tradition that has come to stay. The manoeuvres by the Congress leadership could not have gone unnoticed by the Maharashtra strongman. He took an arched dig in Parliament earlier this week, even as apprehensions mounted over a poor monsoon impact on the country’s growth, at finance minister Pranab Mukherjee refusal to acquiesce to key pre-Budget by his ministry for the development of the primary sector. Boosting investment exponentially and according sufficient incentives to the private sector to attract investment into the weak sector were some of these. Big ticket investment was imperative to the sector, he told Parliament. Officially, his officials point to some Rs 80,000 crore allocation announced in the Budget for programmes that will impact agriculture, including NREGA, RKVY, PMGSY and the Indira Awaas Yojana, mostly core programmes directly monitored by the Centre. But it clearly rankles that key issues on the anvil, including a 5% interest subvention on short term loans (only a 1% subvention was announced) and a regular mechanism for debt rescheduling, were summarily dismissed. Worst cut of all, the long pending Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme, so crucial as risk protection for farmers at times of failed or poor monsoons also failed to show up in the Budget, of which much was expected. Ironically, one of the demands made by the farm ministry was also something poor monsoons demand loudly: that larger rainfed tracts of cultivated land to come under sprinkler and other micro irrigation. With this in mind, the farm ministry had asked for duty concessions on imports and excise cuts for small agri implements. Little wonder then, that Mr Pawar archedly put the blame on finance minister Pranab Mukherjee this week in Parliament when he was asked about the plight of Vidarbha’s farmers. Determinedly putting the onus on the FM, he replied: “The Finance Minister has announced in the Union Budget that he will set up the task force on protecting such farmers (who have taken loan from private money lenders). Once this task force is set up, I will be able to give a satisfactory reply.”

VEDAS AND ENVIRONMENT

Human beings are never alone as a species in the Universe. They are also inter-connected with the Earth, Sun, Moon and other planets orbiting in their appointed domains. In the ultimate reality, nothing remains unconnected in the cosmos. Aligning one’s consciousness in line with the principles of natural law, he can march towards perfection and maximise his efficiency as well as effectiveness. Maintenance of natural order and pristine ecological balance is the sine qua non for ensuring human well-being.The Vedas specify four types of living beings, namely, andaja (born of eggs), jivaja (born of womb), svedaja (born of moisture) and udbhija (born of earth) and declare that these are impelled by Prajnanam (consciousness) .The Vedas deal exhaustively with the splendors of the cosmos in a wholesome manner. They unravel the mysteries of the vast and unexplored forests.The Vedas present picturesque, spectacular and diversified range of fauna and flora. They urge the human beings to protect, preserve, nurture and nourish the environment and natural habitation in its pristine glorious form.1.1 Environment managementThe Vedas attach great importance to environmental protection and purity. They insist on safeguarding the habitation, proper afforestation and non-pollution.For the welfare of all the humans and other beings, the Vedas seek a sweet and pleasant environment consisting of sweet breeze, sweet flowing rivers, sweet and beneficial herbs, sweet day and night, sweetness of earth particles, sweet fruit bearing trees, sweet and beneficial Sun and sweet bearing cows.1.1.1 HabitationThe Vedas insist that one shall protect the habitation.One should protect the habitation.There should be a fair and spacious habitation.Waters as friends of man give full protection to man's progenies.1.1.2 AfforestationThe Vedas stress the need for protection and development of forests. Human beings have to safeguard the trees. The Vedas assert that the plants and trees are verily the treasures for generations.1.1.2a Vedic quotes on afforestation1. One shall not destroy the trees.2. One shall delight in plants and waters.3. Plants are mothers and deities.4. Trees are homes and mansions.5. Gods delight themselves in plants and waters.6. Let plants be friendly to us.7. Speech is the voice of the trees, the voice that is heard in the drum, the lute and the flute.8. Trees are connected with Visnu.9. Plants and waters are treasures for generations.1.1.3 Non-PollutionThe Vedas give the clarion call for non-pollution of the environment. They condemn in unequivocal terms those who pollute and defile the environment. Waters are invoked to be friendly to humanity.1.1.3a Vedic quotes on Water1. This Universe was only water in the beginning.2. Waters and herbs should have no poison.3. Waters are to be freed from defilement.4. Waters cleanse humanity from the evil of pollution committed by it.5. Waters have satisfying savour of the honey-mixed with splendor.6. Waters bear off all defilements and cleanse people.7. Waters and plants shall be friendly to people.Vedas contain reference to a wide variety of animals and urge humanity to safeguard their well-being. Protection of animal welfare is considered important for proper human welfare. Three-fold divisions of animals are seen in the Vedas in terms of those of the air (vayavya), those of the jungle (aranya) and those of village (gramya).1.2a Vedic quotes on animals1. Let the animals of the earth and heaven, wild beasts of the forest and winged birds protect humanity from calamity.2. So many are animals, bipeds and quadrupeds.3. Prayers are offered for the welfare of animals and men.4. As haya (steed) it carries the gods, as arvan (courser) the asuras, as vajin (racer) the gandharvas and as asva (horse) the men.5. Homage is paid to the serpents on the earth, in the atmosphere in the sky, among the trees and in the wells and waters.6. Happiness is sought for quadrupeds.7. All bipeds and quadrupeds shall be free from disease.8. One shall not find fault with the animals.9. One shall increase the cattle wealth.1.3 Plant lifeThe Vedas call upon the human beings to safeguard and nourish plants and trees. The Vedas mention about plants and trees.1.3a Vedic quotes on Plant lifeThe Vedas hail the trees, the roots, the panicles, the corona, the branches, the leaves, the flowers and the fruits.Let plant and creepers grow upwards.One shall not damage the roots of the plant.Herbs have remedial powers.May fruit-bearing plants ripen.1.4 Panca bhutaThe Vedas specify the cosmic Panca bhutas ( five elements). These are akasah (space), vayuh (air), Agnih (fire), apah ( water) and Prithivi (earth).Earth, air, space, water and fire are the five great elements.The link between the Panca bhutas and men is clearly established by the following Vedic expression.From space, air.From air, fire.From fire, water.From water, earth .From earth, the herbs.From herbs, food.From food, man.1.4.1 SpaceThat which accommodates is space.Vedic quotes on Space1. Akasa is the body of the Brahman.2. This space is honey to all beings and all beings are honey to this space.1.4.2 AirThe Vedas declare that air is sweet and pleasant . It has healing powers.Vedic quotes on Air1. This air is honey to all beings and all beings are honey to this air.2. May wind blow pleasantly for us .3. Wind blows healing balm, blows all disease away.1.4.3 FireThe Vedas eulogise Agni (fire) in the form of an important cosmic force. Fire is considered to be the bestower of wealth. It is only through fire that all the oblations to the deities and forefathers are offered.Vedic quotes on Fire1. This fire is honey to all beings and all beings are honey to this fire.2. Agni is worshipped for increase in wealth and riches.3. Riches, heroes, food, progeny and longevity are sought from Agni.4. Agni is worshipped for bliss.5. Agni slays the foes.6. Agni purifies one and drives ill-fortune far away.7. One shall be victorious through the victory of Agni.8. Agni is the Brahman.1.4.4 WaterThe Vedas declare that all that is seen is water and that they are the nectar conferring happiness to all. With a social objective, they emphasise that the waters are common resources to be used by all. Water is the essence of food.Vedic quotes on water1. This water is honey to all beings and all beings are honey to this water.2. Water is mother.3. The divine water full of sweetness averts the diseases of men.4. Waters are the nectar.5. Waters are propitiated for being friendly.6. Waters are healing.7. Waters are verily bliss-conferring.8. Verily all this is water; All the created beings are waters; The vital breaths are waters; The quadrupeds are waters; Edible crops are waters; Ambrosia is water; The creator is water ; Man is water; Metres are waters; Vedic formulas are waters; Truth is water; All the desires are waters; Three worlds earth, sky and heaven are waters; Plants are waters.9. Water when drunk gets divided into three parts; The grossest ingredient is urine; The middling is blood; the subtlest is Prana.1.4.5 EarthThe Vedas glorify the earth as one’s mother and advise one not to cause injury to the earth. They proclaim that earth is the bestower of happiness, sustainer and supporter of all forms of life.Vedic quotes on Earth1. The Earth is the mother.2. The Earth makes one sharpened and brilliant3. The Earth is adorned with variegated things.4. The Earth is the giver of happiness, the sustainer of life and the supporter of all living beings5. This earth is honey to all beings and all beings are honey to this earth.6. One has to sustain the earth and injure not it.

Scientists develop eco-, user-friendly solar powered rickshaw

Weary rickshaw pullers will no longer have to toil to pedal the vehicle as scientists of CSIR's Central Mechanical and Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) have developed a solar electric rickshaw. Named Soleckshaw, the solar electric rickshaw is a pollution-free, safe and economical solution to the woes of around 50 lakh rickshaw pullers in the country. "The goal was to develop an optimally-designed, pedal-operated and motor-assisted, zero-carbon emission, urban transport vehicle," Tech Review quotes Samir K Brahmachari, Director General of CSIR as saying. The new pedicab with a seating capacity for two to three passengers and a payload of 150-200 kgs, excluding the driver, will run at a speed of 15 km per hour. It can be driven for as much as 40 kms. The new rickshaw is motor-assisted and therefore is likely to be driven easily both in the plains and the hills. "One of the main aims of Soleckshaw is to reduce the effort required to pull a rickshaw. The 36V motor has been used to 'assist' the driver in pedaling. Even though it may not relieve him of pedaling, it will definitely make the task almost effortless for him," says Project Advisor Gopal Sinha. While the driver's seat is adjustable and a suspension system ensures smooth ride, all the three wheels have brakes. The new pedicab comes with features such as a head light, a tail lamp, and indicators. A lower foot board provides easy access for children, senior citizens and the disabled. The solar battery, weighing around 15 kg, is placed under the passenger seat. One battery takes 5-6 hours to charge using solar power. It can also be charged from a domestic 15 Amp power socket. Scientists, however, say it will no longer remain a green vehicle if charged with electricity. Therefore, they want the battery to be charged only at solar charging stations. The Central Electronics Limited (CEL) has built a solar charging station in Durgapur. The Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI) is working on improving the battery. Body of the Soleckshaw, with two versions -- Mark I and Mark II, has also been customised to suit different terrains and purposes, with seven models currently on the road. A functional prototype of Mark I version, developed and prototyped by CMERI, was launched in Delhi in October 2008 for trial and test. The Mark II are being tested in Durgapur, Chandni Chowk in Delhi and Ghaziabad. The Mark I version is available in two series, 1 and 2. Series 2 is a slimmer and lighter version of Series 1, according to Amar Jyoti Banerjee, CMERI scientist and project leader (manufacturing). At present, Soleckshaws costs between Rs 30,000 and Rs 35,000. The CMERI team is working on ways to reduce the manufacturing cost. When the vehicle is mass produced the price is expected to come down to Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000.

Plan to simplify selling energy back to National Grid

Details were revealed amid claims that ministers' low-carbon strategy will put around £230 a year on the typical family's energy bill.
The government's "renewable energy strategy", to be announced on Wednesday by Ed Miliband, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary, will propose spending more than £100 billion on renewable sources by 2020 – including 7,000 wind turbines.

It is already legally bound to cut CO2 emissions by 34 per cent by 2020 and by 80 per cent by 2050. To achieve this it must increase the proportion generated from renewable sources from the current level of 2 per cent to 15 per cent in 2020.
The strategy is said to estimate that bills will have to rise by 20 per cent – which would put £230 a year on the current average household levy of £1,150 a year for electricity and gas.
However, ministers will also attempt to encourage people to manufacture their own energy through generators by simplifying the current cumbersome process of households selling excess electricity back to the grid.
At the moment, householders need to buy an export meter for around £75 and then register to sell supplies to the grid.
They must then negotiate a rate with their electricity supplier – almost always for much less money per unit than the supplier charges households.
A government source said: "At the moment the system is far too bureaucratic and can put the householder at a disadvantage. We aim to change that

Fresh blueprint for the low carbon economy

MINISTERS will this week make their third attempt in five years to map out a low-carbon future for the UK by publishing detailed proposals to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
The low carbon transition plan will outline how the country will meet the legally binding limits on emissions set in the Climate Change Act 2008. The target is a 34% carbon reduction by 2020.
The most significant proposals in the plan will be a tenfold increase in renewable energy capacity over the next decade and the creation of 400,000 “green” jobs.
The renewable energy boom will be achieved in part by forcing electricity suppliers to buy more wind, solar and other green power. The current renewables obligation scheme, which requires power companies to buy certain amounts of renewable energy, is likely to be extended for 10 years past its 2027 expiry date.

There are expected to be additional incentives for building offshore wind farms. There will also be incentives for homeowners, including an assistance package to pay for energy efficiency improvements such as insulation, and new “feed-in” tariffs that will encourage the sale of energy from household solar panels and wind turbines to the national grid.
Ministers want to use the transition plan to shore up investor confidence in the sector and stimulate investment.
Several large energy groups, including BP and Royal Dutch Shell, have pulled back from putting money into wind and solar power because of uncertainties over likely returns.
There are already doubts about whether the government’s ambitious targets can be met. Britain has a patchy record for sticking to environmental targets. In 1999 Labour announced plans for a 20% emissions reduction and 10% renewables mix by 2010, both of which are likely to be missed.
One concern is that the UK will roll back on a recommendation by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), an independent body that advises the government. It has said the UK should achieve a near zero-carbon power sector by 2030. Greenpeace, the environmental campaign group, which has seen a draft of the new energy strategy, said the report instead “envisages a 50% emissions cut by 2025”.
This week’s plan will be followed by an energy bill, which will be included in the next Queen’s speech.
David Kennedy, who heads the CCC, said a separate plan to boost investment in clean coal and nuclear power would follow next year.
The CCC will submit a report to parliament in October outlining a number of additional “low carbon funding options”.
These will include a carbon tax on power generation, which would exempt nuclear and renewable energy; a low carbon obligation scheme, akin to the renewables obligation, which would include nuclear and clean coal; and a guaranteed government tender for low carbon power generation to provide security of demand and entice investors. The government is obligated to respond to the CCC report early next year.
Sir David King, the government’s former chief scientific adviser, is urging ministers to come up with a plan and stick to it.
“You can’t keep adjusting the energy policy,” said King. “Businesses need a clear signal that any investments they make now in low carbon technology and infrastructure in the UK will pay off in the future.”
Bringing more renewables online is critical if Britain is to fill the gap left by decommissioned coal and nuclear plants. Mark Spelman of Accenture, the business adviser, estimates a total loss of 15.5 GW of capacity by 2016 will need to be replaced by gas and wind. The current wind power capacity is only 2.4 GW.
“The government strategy must signal a big expansion of wind and transparency on true costs as well as investment in more gas plants,” said Spelman.
“A lot hangs on the new plan,” said Robert Bell of AEA, an energy and climate change consultancy. “We have to make deep emissions cuts soon, and even deeper ones later. So the plan needs to signpost a radically different world, but one that at the same time brings the opportunity for the creation of new jobs, and new wealth.”
Key points
- Jobs for 400,000 in new green industries
-Electricity suppliers forced to buy more power from renewable resources
-A new financing package to help to improve home energy efficiency
-Increased incentives for offshore wind farms
-“Feed-in” tariffs to encourage householders to sell energy they produce from solar panels or wind turbines back to the grid

Stadtwerke Munchen and RWE Innogy realise a parabolic trough power plant in Spain in conjunction with MAN Ferrostaal, RheinEnergie and Solar Millenniu

The power plant was developed by Erlangen-based Solar Millennium AG. Stadtwerke München has a 48.9% share in the project company Marquesado Solar S.L. RWE Innogy and RheinEnergie jointly hold 25.1% of the shares in this project via an investment holding company (RWE Innogy: 51%, RheinEnergie: 49%). The remaining 26% of the project company continue to be owned by an investment holding company of MAN Ferrostaal and Solar Millennium. Construction of the power plant has already commenced. The solar thermal power plant is expected to start operation in 2011 with an output of approximately 50 megawatts, and will be jointly operated by the project partners. * One of the largest solar thermal power plants in the world* Planned commissioning scheduled for 2011* Project development and solar technology from Solar Millennium GroupDr. Kurt Mühlhäuser, Chairman of the Executive Board of Stadtwerke München (SWM) emphasised: “We have an ambitious objective: Munich will be the first city in Germany where all private households can be supplied with electricity generated from renewable sources in SWM’s own power plants. We currently use hydroelectric power, wind energy, biomass and photovoltaic cells. With our investment in the Andasol 3 project, we have chosen another ground-breaking technology. The parabolic trough power plant in the south of Spain will bring us a great deal closer to our objective.”Prof. Fritz Vahrenholt, Chairman of the Executive Board of RWE Innogy said: “Parabolic trough technology sets new benchmarks for solar electricity generation. It can be deployed on a large scale and generates electricity in a reliable and power grid-friendly way even after sunset thanks to a huge molten salt thermal storage system. This allows the plant to generate electricity for almost twice the amount of hours as a solar power plant without the storage system. For us, this investment is therefore a further important step toward a sustainable and safe method of providing energy on the basis of renewable energies.”Christian Beltle, Chairman of the Executive Board of Solar Millennium said: “As a result of our early entry into the market, we have extensive expertise in the development and realisation of solar thermal power plants. We have supplied the solar technology for the first parabolic trough power plants in both Spain and Egypt. The fact that we are now joining forces with four leading German companies is a wonderful acknowledgement of our work to date.”Dr. Dieter Steinkamp, Chairman of the Executive Board of RheinEnergie said: “In the Rhine region, we have a responsibility towards around 2.5 million people. It is intended in the future that the basis for our own energy generation should increasingly come from renewable energy sources alongside the environmentally friendly combined heat and power generation. Just a few days ago we took over 19 wind farms across the country with an output of over 100 MW. With Andasol 3, we are now focusing on the future technology of solar energy.”Dr. Rainer Kistner, Head of Solar Power of MAN Ferrostaal, is excited about the new partnership for Andasol 3. “Solar thermal power plants have enormous future potential. They are environmentally friendly, reliable and predictable, since they are independent of fluctuating oil and gas prices. They ensure long-term security of energy supplies which, for us, is the most important argument to be involved in the project as an investor and as plant constructor. As a constructor of power plants and in conjunction with our technology partner Solar Millennium, we have created the best conditions for making the project a success.”With an electrical output of approximately 50 megawatts, Andasol 3 is the third solar thermal power plant that has been installed in the Spanish province of Granada by Solar Millennium. The neighbouring projects Andasol 1 and Andasol 2, which each have an electrical output of around 50 megawatts, are already connected to the grid or in the test phase. Andasol 1 was officially inaugurated a few days ago. The power plants, which are almost identical in their construction, will have a collector surface area of over 1.5 million square metres – equal to the surface area of approximately 210 football fields – thus making it the largest solar energy site in Europe. The expected gross energy production for each power plant is approximately 170 gigawatt hours a year. This means the power plants can collectively supply electricity to around half a million people each year and avoid the production of approximately 450,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide .Upon completion of the Andasol 3 power plant, around 210,000 parabolic mirrors will capture the sunlight. These gigantic, arched mirrors concentrate the sun’s rays. The heat generated by doing this is transferred to a heat transfer fluid. Trough heat exchanging devices the thermal energy is transferred the thermal energy to a water/steam circuit. As in a conventional power station, this steam drives a turbine. The generator, which is attached to it, generates electricity. By means of a thermal storage system, electricity can be provided in a planned way. This thermal storage system comprises 28,500 tonnes of a special salt mixture; its capacity can run the turbine for 7.5 hours at full load. Andasol 3 is therefore able to reliably generate electricity even after the sun has set.The construction of Andasol 3 is already at an advanced stage: the early works has been completed as far as possible. The foundations for the collector mountings in the solar park are currently being cast. The assembly of the collectors and their subsequent incorporation into the solar park will begin shortly. The construction of the Andasol 3 power plant is the responsibility of a joint venture company involving Solar Millennium and MAN Ferrostaal, as well as the Spanish company Duro Felguera S.A. Solar Millennium’s subsidiary, Flagsol, is providing the technology for the solar park – just as it did for the sister projects Andasol 1 and 2.###