Page 2 - Curiosity_July 2021

EDITOR IN CHIEF:
Nakul Parashar
EDITOR:
Arvind C. Ranade
PRODUCTION:
Bipro Kumar Sen
EDITORIAL:
Sumita Mukherjee
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2
Arvind C. Ranade
EDITORIAL
Science and Technology for Development
he month of June brought many good news for Science and Technology; however, two are worth mentioning, in which
Indian scientists have played a significant role. We know that development of low pressure leads to formation of depression in the oceans, which in turn creates cy- clones. The recent cyclones, namely Tauk- tae damaging Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra before hitting Gujarat on 19 May and Yass to West Bengal and Odisha coast on 25 May. Though the recent de- velopment in weather forecasting dissem- inated warning well in advance, we must remember that such predictions are large- ly based on remote sensing techniques and depend on satellite imaginaries. Detection of the cyclone is possible only after it has developed as a well-marked low-pressure system over the warm ocean surface. Now a team of scientists has devised a novel method for early detection of tropical cy- clones. The method aims to identify initial traces of pre-cyclonic eddy vortices in the atmospheric column, prior to satellite detection over ocean surface, and track
its spatio-temporal evolution. It is worth to know and understand the technique in detail and communicate such news to our young club members.
The second one is regarding renewable energy resources. Such resources reduce carbon emissions and challenge the threat of global warming and energy crisis. Other than well-known unconventional methods to generate electricity like piezoelectric, thermoelectric, and electrostatic tech- niques, a team of Indian scientists has
fabricated a simple, cost-effective, bio-compatible, transparent nano- generator that can generate electricity from vibrations all around us for use in optoelectronics, self-powered devices and other biomedical applications. Such news should reach everyone and explored more by our members. The younger generation must follow such research so that they can think about a career in such subjects.
We at Vigyan Prasar always look at the VIPNET network as a real backbone of the society. Commitment of our members to take science to the masses is commend- able; and hence we bring lot of resources through our print, electronic, social and digital media like India Science OTT chan- nel, Dream 2047, Vigyan Prasar YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and of course VIPNET Curiosity. I am sure each one of you make use of these resources for enriching your knowledge and disseminating relevant information to your fellow club members.
The Year 2021 will be exciting for all of us as it is the 75th year of Independence, and Vigyan Prasar is going to celebrate Swatantrata Ka Amrit Mahotsav with Vijnana Bharati wherein we will get to know about new dimension of our Inde- pendence Movement, i.e., India’s Inde- pendence Movement and Science. I wish you a great time ahead and remind you to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour.
Dr. Arvind C Ranade is Scientist ‘F’ and National Co-ordinator of Vigyan Prasar Network of Science Clubs. Email: rac@vigyanprasar.gov.in
July 2021