Monthly Archives: February 2011

Indian sci-fi film

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So good to hear we will have a proper sciene fiction film, after all, made in Bollywood and enhanced by Hollywood. Debutant hindi film maker Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan, who won a national award last season for his India-Pakistan themed film Lahore, is collaborating with top end Hollywood special effects master John Palmer to make what is being dubbed as this country’s first ever competent sci-fi movie. Palmer has Hollywood greats like Armageddon, Apollo 13, Species II, Star Trek, Deep Impact and The Day After Tomorrow to his credit.

The Hindi film industry’s contribution to this genre of film making has been minimal and mediocre. Reason why even a hint of sci-fi in a Hindi movie with hydra-headed plots thrills the Indian audience. It is, therefore, a novel idea to make an out-and-out science fiction. The theme has not been tried too well in India and could be a runaway success, what with most other genres — action, romance, drama et al. — done to death.

Which brings us to the question that Gauhar Raza raised in his commentary some time back: are we, as a nation, armed with enough scientific temperament to appreciate artistic endeavours in science? Do we really have the audience and a policy framework to support creators of popular science media?

The reaction to Chauhan’s much-awaited film should answer some of those questions.

Replacing HFCs

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The focus in the climate change debate has now been shifted to the hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) which were considered as alternatives to HCFCs (hydro chlorofluoro carbons) and other ozone depleting substances. The premise was that though HFCs have high global warming properties, they are not ozone depleting.

Now its time for the HFCs to go.

A new task force in India will now look at approaches to reduce the use of HFCs. The task force consists of Indian and American experts and recognises the challenges faced by the current phaseout of HCFCs (hydro chlorofluoro carbons) under the Montreal Protocol.

The task force, with representatives from governments and industry as well as experts in the science and technology of HFCs. It will consider options to discourage the use of HFCs and encourage the development and commercialization of alternatives with low global warming potential.

According to the members of the task force, which is scheduled to come out with a report later this year, the options will be designed to provide certainty to the business community about the future of applicable chemicals and technologies. The report will describe the status of HFC alternatives and examine policy aspects that support a global reduction in HFC use.

The report expects to inform a broader, regional meeting on HFCs and the 31st Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, scheduled in Bangkok this August.

Here’s hoping India finds better options to replace these harmful chemicals.

Co-op conservation

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Late last month, a regional initiative to strengthen wildlife law enforcement came into being when the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) was formally launched at an inter-governmental meeting hosted by the Royal Government of Bhutan.

The idea is to keep an eye on illegal wildlife trade, recognised as a form of trans-national organized crime that threatens many species in the region — tigers, elephants, rhinos, medicinal plants, timber, marine species, birds and reptiles. The SAWEN secretariat will be in Nepal. It will link up authorities across the region to share good practices and resources.

Inter-governmental organizations including the CITES, Interpol, WWF and TRAFFIC met to agree on joint activities, and increase communications and fundraising. Indian environment and forests minister Jairam Ramesh expressed his commitment in working together with these countries to protect natural resources from illegal pillage and plunder.

Another laudable step in South Asian conservation efforts. We will wait optimistically for this scientifically designed regional cooperation to bear fruit soon.

PhD award

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The United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) has just announced its 2012 International Fulbright Science and Technology award for oustanding foreign students. Students interested in PhD studies in science, technology, engineering or maths at leading U.S. institutions need to apply within May 1, 2011.

Approximately 40 awards will be offered worldwide for candidates who demonstrate unique aptitude and innovation in scientific fields. Eligible fields of study include Eligible fields include Aeronautics and Aeronautical Engineering, Agriculture (theoretical or research-based focus only), Astronomy/Planetary Sciences, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Sciences/Engineering, Energy, Engineering (aerospace, electrical, chemical, civil, industrial, mechanical, ocean, and petroleum), Environmental Science/Engineering (theoretical or science research-based focus only), Geology/Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Information Sciences and Systems (engineering focus only), Materials Science/Engineering, Mathematics, Neurosciences, Oceanography, Public Health (biostatistics or epidemiology) and Physics.

Three nominees from India will compete with candidates from all over the world for this fellowship.

The U.S. government will fully fund grants for up to three years under this program and will provide tuition and fees, monthly stipend, applicable allowances, medical insurance, roundtrip airfare and a J1 visa sponsorship for up to five years. Academic placement (university admission and other formalities) of the selected scholars will be handled by the International Institute of Education (IIE).

Application details and materials are available on USIEF website or at the USIEF offices in New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai.