Churyumov–Gerasimenko

Churyumov–Gerasimenko

It is a comet on which recently lander 'philae' investigated. The philae is part of rosette mission by european space agency. The rosetta mission is aimed at investigating the comet nucleus. The comet is also known as 67P

Tibetan Plateau - Role in Indian Monsoon

Tibetan plateau has considerable importance with regard to monsoon in Asia. This along with its repeated presence in news makes it a hot topic. In the past few years there have been many research findings regarding – the elevation change in Tibetan plateau, role on Indian monsoon, the change in the glaciers of Tibetan plateau etc.

How Tibetan plateau affects monsoon?

The Tibetan plateau is a vast structure extending long and wide. The heating or cooling of such a large geophysical structure leads to change in the jet streams during summer and winter. The change is the jet streams are due to 1) tilt of the earth changing with season 2) uplift of air from the Tibetan plateau. These changes in the jet stream in winter and summer results in change in wind over the peninsular region. As you would know when wind flow from the equatorial region to the subcontinent, then rainfall will occur. The rate of heating, duration of heating of Tibetan plateau has considerable influence on Monsoon.

The role of the Tibetan plateau has been given in Savindra Singh’s Geography book .In case you have a friend with geo optional, just have a glance over it.

source:novascience.wordpress.com

The above psychedelic diagrams shows the flow of jet streams in winter. The lower arm disappears in summer. This results in monsoon flow. 

Why important?

We have been trying to predict the Indian monsoon correctly for years. One of the parameters (among several others) is the Tibetan plateau. So unless we clearly get a knowhow of this parameter, it is difficult to make accurate predictions.

News regarding Tibetan plateau 

News one (must read)

News two  (optional reading )

News three  (optional reading)

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan

It is the government of India programme aimed at rural upliftment.

How?
The coveted IITs and other institutions will create technological solutions to problems of India. The focus of the abhiyan will be on areas like water management, organic farming, infrastructure, rural livelihood, renewable energy and employment. The research knowledge will be converted to social capital through this programme. 

source:http://www.unnatbharatabhiyan.in/

Teams will be formed in the institutes which will visit villages and create projects which will directly as well as specifically solve the worries. Once this solutions are derived, then it can be adapted to other villages. The aim is to capitalise the know how of the research community and convert it into action on ground.

Who all?
The HRD ministry and institutes as well as other departments like rural development. 
You can see the details here (click here)