Chapter- 18
Some Postdoctoral work and References
18.1 Introduction :
This chapter includes some important letters of reference showing some of the postdoctoral work done by the author as it is of permanent value and forms an interesting reading material for everyone as a part of this book.
18.2 News entitled ‘SAC Meteorology Expert invited by NASA’ which appeared in The Times of India on Sunday, 24th December 1978
The Times of India, Sunday, December 24,1978
SAC Meteorology Expert Invited by NASA
By Our Staff Reporters
AHMEDABAD, December 23. Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra of the Space Applications Centre here, has been invited by the Goddard Institute for Space Studies of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for consultation in upper atmospheric meteorology and startospheric research, according to a press releas issued by the SAC here today.
Dr. Sehra will visit the Godard Institute in New York between January 4 and 17, 1979. His trip has been sponsored by NASA. Interest in the meteorology of the upper atmosphere has been stimulated in the past few years by concerns over possible adverse effects which a large fleet of supersonic aircrafts might have on stratospheric environment due to possible depletion of ozone in the atmospheric layer between 15-50 km. and hence on the global climate.
18.3 A prestigious Invitation from NASA/USA as a Consultant and distinguished Research Scientist.
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER
INSTITUE FOR SPACE STUDIES
NEW YORK, N.Y.
MAIL ADDRESS TELEPHONE: 678-5500
INSTITUTE FOR SPACE STUDIES
2880 BROADWAY
NEW YORK. N.Y. 10025
August 21, 1978
Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra
Research Scientist
Room 013
Meteorology Division
Space Applications Centre
Jodhpur Tekra
Ahmedabad, 380 053 India
Dear Dr. Sehra :
We would like to invite you to visit GISS to consult with us on stratospheric dynamics and discuss the possibility of working with us in the future. A preferable date would be when Peter Stone is at GISS. He is scheduled to be here from September 18-19, 1978. If this date is satisfactory, we will confirm all necessary arrangements for your trip. We will pay you a small consulting fee when you are in New York and also pay your additional travel expenses after you submit a voucher when you reach here.
Reservations have been made with Pan Am Airlines for Indian Airlines flight #104 from Ahmedabad to Bombay on September 16 and on Pan Am flight # 111 from Bombay to New York. The return flight will be kep open for you so that you could work as a distinguished research scientist after your consultation here. Your airline ticket in the first class category will be sent to the Air India desk at the airport in Ahmedabad.
We have also reserved a room for you here at the Hotel Empire on sixty-sixth street and Broadway in Manhattan in New York, USA. In order to insure that we have adequate time to confirm these arrangements, please respond as soon as as possible.
We hope that it will be possible for you to visit us in September 1978 and work with us in our Project on ‘Stratospheric Dynamics related to climate Modeling’.
Sincerely,
Sd/-
(James E. Hansen)
xc: P. Stone
D. Rind
18.4 Announcement for an invited Lecture by the author at GISS/NASA, New York, USA.
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
(NASA)
GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER
(GSFC)
INSTITUTE FOR SPACE STUDIES
(GISS)
SEMINAR
on
THE RESTLESS ATMOSPHERE
by
Parmjit Singh Sehra
of
Space Applications Centre
(SAC)
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Ahmedabad-380053, India
on
Tuesday, January 9,1979 at 2:00 pm
IN THE THIRD FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
2880 BROADWAY (AT 112 STREET)
NEW YOURK, N.Y. USA.
18.5 Invitation from the Academy of Athens, Greece as a Postdoctoral Research Scientist.
Christos Zerefos
ACADEMY OF ATHENS
RESEARCH CENTRE
FOR ATMOSPHERIC PHYSICS
AND CLIMATOLOGY
3RD SEPTEMBER STR. NO. 131
ATHENS (813) – GREECE
TEL. 8832048
Athens; June 19, 1979
Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra
Meteorology Division
Room 013
Space Applications Centre
AHMEDABAD – INDIA
Dear Dr. Sehra,
We are pleased to award you a visiting appointment in the Research Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology operated by the Academy of Athens, Greece, for an open period which you are kindly requested to specify (preferably begining in the 20th August or 15th September 1979).
The purpose of the appointment would be to enable you to do research work with staff members and other visitors of the Centre and use its facilities.
In a separate letter I am explaining to you the general conditions regarding your visit. We will be glad to assist you in finding suitable living accomodations.
We are looking forward to your visit.
Sincerely yours
Sd/-
Christos Zerefos
Director
18.6 The IAEA/UNESCO Invitation from the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy as a Postdoctoral Fellow and visiting Scientist to visit Sebha, Libya
INTERNATIONS ATOMICS ENERGY AGENCY
(IAEA)
UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION
(UNESCO)
INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR THEORETICAL PHYSICS
(ICTP)
34100 TRIESTE (ITALY) – P.O.B. 586 – MIRAMARE –STRADA COSTIERA 11 – TELEPHONES : 224281/2/3/4/5/6
CABLE : CENTRATOM – TELEX 460392 I
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
This is to certify that Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra (Indian Space Research organisation, Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad, INDIA) has participated in the activity of the International Centre for Theoretical Physics held here on the dates given below :
Autumn Course on the Physics of Flow in Oceans, Atmosphere and Deserts
(Title and dates of activity)
(30 September – 28 November 1980)
and that he is expected to take part in the related visit to Sebha, Libya, scheduled from 30 November to 5 December 1980 after which he will also be doing some postdoctoral research work here at the ICTP under IAEA/UNESCO.
A.M. HAMENDE
Administrative and Scientific
Information Officer
Trieste, 28 November 1980.
18.07 Letter of Reference from the Chairman, Department of Meteorology, Faculty of Science, Al-Fateh University, Tripoli, Libya
EXPRESS LEGAL TRANSLATION SERVICE
TRIPOLI OFFICE
Translation from Arabic Text
1st Sept Street/ In front of Wahda Bank
P.O Box 1807, Green Square Tripoli, Libya.
Telephone : 35606
Date : 20 July 1991
Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
People’s Committee of Higher Education
A1-Fateh University
Tripoli, Libya.
To whom it may concern
The Meteorology Department of the Faculty of Science, A1-Fateh University hereby certifies that Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra of Indian Nationality was one of the Teaching Staff Members in this Department from 15th February 1982 to 31st August 1991.
Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra worked in this Department dedicatedly right from its inception, and he has been teaching various courses of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science to the students of Bachelor Degree Program at all levels. In addition to teaching, he has also participated in various research projects leading to the publication of many research papers in reputed International Scientific Journals and Conferences.
During his tenure here, he has been very sincere, honest, diligent and hard-working, and he devoted all his efforts to his academic duties for which he gained the entire esteem and respectfulness of all his colleagues, Teaching Staff Members as well as the students of this Department here.
In view of the A1-Fateh University’s plan regarding “Arabization” of the Teaching Staff Members here, the University decided to replace all the non-Arab Teaching Staff Members by Arab nationals and accordingly did not renew their contracts due to which Dr. Sehra had to leave our Meterology Department against our own wishes.
At the time of his leaving this Department, we take this opportunity to thank Dr. Sehra for his excellent performance here and for his sincere efforts which he exerted with us in establishing and building up this Department here and also in developing its various academic Programs. We wish him all success in his future career.
Signed By : Dr. A1-Taher Ahmed Sharif
Chairman, Department of Meteorology
Faculty of Science
A1-Fateh University
Tripoli, Libya.
Stamped with: Official Seal of the above
Department of Meteorology.
Copy to : 1. The Dean, Faculty of Science
A1-Fateh University, Tripoli, Libya.
2. Personal File.
No. 1741, Date 12/8/1991
Verified true translation of the
Original Certificate Document
Sd/-
Authorised Signatures
&
Official Seal : Embassy of India
Tripoli, Libya.
18.8 Letter of Appointment and Terms of Reference from the world Meteorological Organization (WMO), United Nations Organization (UNO), Geneva, Switzerland, as WMO/UN Expert
ORGANISATION METEOROLOGIQUE MONDIALE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANISATION
Telephone : National (022) 7308111 41, Giuseppe-Motta
International +41 22 7308111 Case postale No 2300
Telegrammes: METEOMOND GENEVE CH – 1211, Geneve 2
Switxerland.
Telex : 41 41 99 OMM CH SECRETARIAT
Facsimile : 41 22 734 23 26 GENEVE - Suisse
No. 23493/T/EXP GENEVA, 4 November 1991
Annex : 1
CONFIDENTIAL
Dear Dr. Sehra,
I wish to extend you my greetings as you start your assignment as Instructor in Meteorology within the FINNIDA/SATCC/WMO Meteorology Project in Harare, Zimbabwe.
As a WMO Expert, you will be attached to the National Meteorological Service of Zimbabwe and will be based in Harare. Under the overall supervision of the FINIDA/SATCC/WMO Meteorology Project, with a close co-ordination with the Director of the Zimbabwe Meteorological Service and with the national counterpart personnel, you will be expected to perform the following specific duties:
- Develop, together with counterpart staff, specialized course programme for WMO Class III and II meteorological personnel ;
- Participate in the teaching of courses in the programme;
- Prepare didactic materials for use in the training programme;
- Develop, together with national counterpart staff, suitable in-service meteorological courses;
- Undertake any other duties within your competence.
In discharging the above duties, you will work in close collaboration with the Project Co-ordinator based in Maputo, Moxambique who has the overall responsibility for implementing the project and with the Director of the Meteorological Service. You will be required to prepare, in collaboration with the Project Co-ordinator and the counterpart authorities, a detailed workplan for the duration of your assignment and submit this to WMO for approval. You are also required to prepare semi-annual reports on the progress of the activities of the project. Your first report should cover the period November 1991- January 1992. In addition, you are requested to prepare periodic progress reports three months after each semi-annual report. Every report will be distributed as follows: two copies to WMO, one copy to the Project Co-ordinator in Maputo, the Resident Representative of the UNDP in Harare and the Permanent Representative of Zimbabwe with WMO. A copy of the WMO Field Operations Manual is attached herewith for your guidance.
On technical matters connected with your mission, you should consult the Project Co-ordinator in to the extent feasible. In all adminstrative questions concerning your appointment, you may correspond directly with WMO, keeping the Project Co-ordinator in Maputo and the UNDP office in Harare informed by copy of such correspondance.
In conclusion, I wish to convey to you my best wishes for the success of your mission and I trust that your stay in Harare will be both fruitful and pleasant.
Yours sincerely,
Sd/-
(E.J. Jatila)
Director
Technical Co-operation Department
Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra
WMO Expert
c/o WMO Secretariat
GENEVA
cc: Mr. Todd Ngara, Director of the Meteorological Service and Permanent Representative of Zimbabwe with WMO, Harare
Mr. D. Dragic, Resident Representative of UNDP, Harare, Zimbabwe
Mr. G.M. Mabila, Director SATCC Technical Unit, Maputo, Mozambique
Dr. P. Kiangi, Project Co-ordinator, Maputo, Mozambique.
18.9 An Extract from the Directory of UN Personnel at the office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Harare, Zimbabwe
DIRECTORY OF UN PERSONNEL IN THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE
WMO
WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANISATION
FINNIDA/SATCC/WMO METEOROLOGY PROJECT
Address : Department of Meteorological Services,
P.O. Box BE 150, Belvedere, Harare
Mail : United Nations Development Programme
P.O. Box 4775, Harare
Telephone : 704955 ext. 133
Telex : 24668 ZW
Fax : 728695
Cable : UNDEVPRO
Working Hours : Monday – Friday
8.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.
2.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m.
Name and Nationality Title Residential Address & Tel.
Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra WMO/UN Expert 3 John Gleig Avenu
India (11/91) Cotswold Hills
Dr. (Mrs.) Bhupinder Sehra Harare
(23793)
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) page 46, June 1993.
18.10 Letter of Reference from the world Meteorological Organization (WMO), united Nations Organization (UNO), Geneva, Switzerland
ORGANISATION METEOROLOGIQUE MONDIALE
WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION
Telephone : National (022) 7308111 41, Giuseppe-Motta
International +41 22 7308111 Case postale No 2300
Telegrammes: METEOMOND GENEVE CH – 1211 Switzerland Geneve 2
Telex : 41 41 99 OMM CH SECRETARIAT
Facsimile : 41 22 734 23 26 GENEVE - Suisse
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
I, the undersigned, Eric RENLUND, Chief, Personnel Division of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), certify that Mr. Parmjit Singh Sehra is employed by WMO as Instructor in Meteorology under the FINNIDA/SATCC/WMO Project in Harare, Zimbabwe, 1st November 1991.
Mr. Parmjit Singh Sehra has been requested to come to the WMO Headquarters in Geneva for consultations in connexion with his mission.
The present attestation is issued at the request of Mr. Parmjit Singh Sehra for all intents and purposes.
Geneva, 7 September 1994.
18.11 Letter of Reference from the office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Harare, Zimbabwe
United Nations World Development
Development Programme
Undp
Reference : 4/6
22 August 1994
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
This is to confirm that Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra is a World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Expert who has been working at the Department of Meteorological Services in Harare, Zimbabwe for conducting an advanced WMO Training Programme here under the FINNIDA/SATCC/WMO Meteorology Project since 1st November 1991.
Yours sincerely
Sd/-
Thelma Awori
Resident Representative
Office of the Resident Representative : 9th Floor, Takura House, 67-69 Union Avenue, P.O. Box 4775, Harare
Telephones : 792681/6, Telex : 24668 ZW, Fax : 728695.
18.12 Letter of Reference from the Department of Meteorological Services, Harare, Zimbabwe
DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES
P.O Box BE. 150, BELVEDERE
HARARE ZIMBABWE
Telegrams ......... MET
Telephone No. 704955
Telex : ZW 4460
Communications should be addressed to the Director
1st September 1999
EXPERIENCE CERTIFICATE
TO WHOMSOEVER IT MAY CONCERN
This is to certify that Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra, WMO/UN Expert, c/o United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), P.O. Box 4775, Harare, Zimbabwe, employed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 41 Giuseppe-Motta, Case Postale No. 2300, CH-1211, Geneva 2, Switzeerland, as an International Technical Co-Operation Expert, with effect from 1st November 1991, with his duty station in Harare, Zimbabwe, has accomplished his WMO/UN assignment of conducting an advanced -WMO Training Programme at the Department of Meteorological Services in Harare, Zimbabwe, successfully.
The advanced WMO Training Programme was conducted by Dr. Sehra at this Department under the FINNIDA/SATCC/WMO Meteorology Project, and it was sponsored by the Finnish International Development Agency (FINNIDA) of Finland the Southern African Transport and Comunications Commission (SATCC) of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) of the United Nations Organization (UNO).
Dr. Sehra’s respnsibilities in conducting this adavanced WMO Training Programme at the WMO Class-II/WMO Class-I levels here included teaching Physics, Mathematics, Statistics and Probability, and Data Processing, etc., covering all their aspects at an advanced level, followed by teaching all aspects of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences at about the graduate level. It is then followed by compulsory on-the-job training after which the successful trainees are awarded the advanced WMO Certificates and job promotion. The advanced WMO Training Programme conducted here by Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra, also included various research projects in the field of Meteorology and Environment Scinences and also Computer Programming etc.
Dr. Sehra has worked extremely hard almost alone with some minimum local help to make this Project completely successful. He has been very sincere, honest, diligent, and co-operative with all his colleagues and students here for which he gained all their esteem and respectfulness, and also of the whole Department. Dr. Sehra devoted all his time and efforts to his academic duties most dedicatedly, and gave the best and the most advanced training to our meteorological personnel on par with the high international standards of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and achieved all the objectives of this project. Above all, Dr. Sehra is a very trustworthy and loyal person with a high moral character, and he is very efficeint, punctual, and regular in his work. He has got a high sense of responsibility and professionalism in accomplishing all his oficial duties in various scientific and technical projects successfully.
We take this opportunity to thank Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra, WMO/UN Expert, for his oxcellent performance and great service to our Department by giving the best quality and most advanced WMO training to our meteorological personnel. He has done a grand job here, and we wish him best of luck and all success in his future career also.
Sd/-
(Dr. Todd Ngara)
18.13 Election as Member of the American Meteorological Society (MAMS), Boston, Massachusetts, USA
AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY
45 BEACON STREET, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02108 – 3693, U.S.A.
AREA CODE : 617 227-2425 RICHARD eHALLGREN,. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
FAX : 617 742-8718 KENNETH C. SPENGLER., EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EMERITUS
CABLE : ATMOSPHERE BOSTON
INTERNET : hallgren @ ametsoc. org
16 January 1990
Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra
Department of Meteorology
A1-Fateh University, P.O. Box 13685
Tripoli, LIBYA
Dear Dr. Sehra :
Please accept our congratulations upon your election to membership in the Society. We are plesed to inform you that the Society’s Admissions Committee and Council have elected you to the grade of Member.
Your name will be published among those of our new Members in a forthcoming issue of the Bulletin.
If you would like to receive a Certificate of Membership, suitable for framing, please send $2.00 to cover postage and handling. We hope you will feel free to call upon us any time we can be of assitance to you.
Sincerely yours,
Sd/-
Richard E. Hallgren
Executive Director
SERVING THE ATMOSPHERIC AND RELATED OCEANIC AND HYDROLOGIC SCIENCE SINCE 1919
18.14 Letter of Reference from the American Meteorological Society, Boston, Massachusetts, USA about perticipation in its various activites.
AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY
45 BEACON STREET, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02108 – 3693, U.S.A.
AREA CODE : 617 227-2425 RICHARDE. HALLGREN,. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
FAX : 617 742-8718 KENNETH C. SPENGLER,.EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EMERITUS
CABLE : ATMOSPHERE BOSTON
INTERNET : hallgren @ anetsoc. org
24 February 1997
To Whom it May Concern :
Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra whose permanent address is Village & P.O. Bhana, Via Dasuya-144205, District Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India, has been a Member of the American Meteorological Society since 1990.
He has been very active in the Society activities in a number of ways. He has attended a significant number of Conferences and has presented papers on various scientific topics.
We are very appreciative of the level of interest and concern he has in the development of international meteorology.
Sincerely,
Sd/-
Richard E. Hallgren
Executive Director
Jma
18.15 Certificate of Membership from the american Meteorological Society, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY
Certificate of Membership
THIS CERTIFIES THAT THE COUNCIL OF
THE SOCIETY HAS ELECTED
Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra
A
Member
OF THE
AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY
FOUNDED IN 1919 AND DEVOTED TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND DISSEMINATION OF KNOWLEDGE OF ATMOSPHERIC, OCEANIC AND RELATED HYDROLOGIC SCIENCES IN ALL THEIR PHASES AND APPLICATIONS AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL IDEALS
Sd/-
RICHARD E. HALLGREN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Sd/-
KENNETH C. SPENGLER
SECRETARY- TREASURER
1990
18.16 Election as fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society (F.R. Met. S.), Reading, Berkshire, UK.
ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY
104 Oxford Road, Reading, Berkshire, RGI 7 LJ
Telephone : Reading (0734) 568500, Fax : 568571
Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra
P O Box 15233
Tripoli
Libya
22nd April 1991
Dear Dr. Sehra,
I have much pleasure in notifying you that at the recent meeting of the Council you were elected to Fellowship of the Society. May I ask you to sign and return as soon as possible the attached Declaration Form which all new Members are asked to complete.
Your annual subscription to the Society for the current year of 26.00 is now due. On receipt of this and the completed Declaration form I shall send you your Certificate of Membership, other material about the Society’s activities and all back issues of ‘Weather’ magazine for this year.
Your sincerely
Sd/-
Ann Beacham (Mrs.)
Membership Secretary
Note : Dear Dr Sehra,
Thanks for sending such comprehensive papers in time for our Council meeting.
If you get to Britain, please do make contact.
Your Sincerely,
Sd/-
(Ronald Swash)
Executive Secretary
18.17 Letter of Reference from the Royal Meteorological Society, Reading, Berkshire, Uk
ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY
104 Ox ford Road, Reading, Berkshire, RGI 7 LJ
Telephone : Reading (0734) 568500, Fax : 568571
Dr Parmjit Singh Sehra
P O Box 15233
Tripoli
Libya
Ref. No. 4187 May 16, 1991
Dear Dr. Sehra,
The Society welcomes you as a new Member. Your Certificate of Membership and the Society’s Charter and By-Laws are enclosed. Details of our membership and activities are given in the atached pamphlet and the most recent programmes of meetings in London and other centres are also enclosed. I hope you will be able to attend some of our Meeting or contribute to our activites. You may not often be able to get to any of our functions in London or elsewhere in Britain, but, if you do please introduce yourself to me or any member of our staff present. We can then put you in touch with other members or Officers of the Society as appropriate.
Our journal ‘Weather’ will be sent to you free of charge every month. You might also wish to take regularly one of the Society’s other journals (the Quarterly journal or the Internationsl Journal of Climatology) which are available to Members at greatly reduced prices. A list of our other publications and an order form for these are enclosed.
Thank you for your letter of 29 April safely received.
I look forward to meeting you in due course.
Yours sincerely,
Sd/-
R P C Swash
Executive Secretary
Encs.
18.18 Certificate of Fellowship as Fellow of the Royal Meteorological society (F.r.Met.S. 104, Oxford Road, Reading, berkshire RG 17 LJ, UK
Royal Meterological Society
This is to certify that
DR. PARMJIT SINGH SEHRA
Has this day been dected a
Fellow
Of the
Royal Meterological Society
Sd/-
Authorised signatures of the Secretaries
of the Royal Meteorological Society
17th April 1991
18.19 Election as Member of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (MCMOS), Ottawa, ontario, Canada
Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society
La Societe Canadienne de Meteorologie et d’ Oceanographie
Business Office/Bureau administratif: Suite 112, McDonald Bldg., Univ. of Ottawa, 150 Louis Pasteur, Ottawa ON KIN 6N5
Tel : (613) 562-5616 ; Fax : (613) 562-5615; e-mail CAP @physics.uottawa.ca
Executive Director / Directeur executif ; Suite 112, McDonald Bldg, Univ. of Ottawa, 150 Louis Pasteur, Ottawa ON KIN 6N5
Tel : (613) 990-0300; e-mail: CMOS@ottmed.meds.dfo.ca
FACSIMILE MESSAGE
Date : March 8, 1999
To : Parmjit Singh Sehra
From : Carmen Harvey
CMOS
Fax : (0091) 161-453199
No. of pages (including cover sheet) : 1
This is confirmation that Parmjit Singh Sehra is now a full Member of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society.
Membership card and receipt to be sent shortly.
Thanks
Sd/-
Carmen Harvey
(08/03/1999 12:48 FAX 613 562 5615 CAP-CMOS OFFICE 001
18.20 Letter of Reference from the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society, Ottawa, ontario, Canada as its Member
Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society
La Societe Canadienne de Meteorologie et d’ Oceanographie
Business Office/Bureau administratif: Suite 112, McDonald Bldg., Univ. of Ottawa, 150 Louis Pasteur, Ottawa ON KIN 6N5
Tel : (613) 562-5616 ; Fax : (613) 562-5615; e-mail CAP @physics.uottawa.ca
Executive Director / Directeur executif ; Suite 112, McDonald Bldg, Univ. of Ottawa, 150 Louis Pasteur, Ottawa ON KIN 6N5
Tel : (613) 990-0300; e-mail: CMOS@ottmed.meds.dfo.ca
1999 April 5
Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra
Care of Mr. Mohinder Singh Sehra
Village & P.O. Bhana
Via Dasuya - 144205
District Hoshiarpur
Punjab India
Dear Dr. Sehra:
CMOS Membership
I am pleased to advise you that your recent application for membership in the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society has been approved. Accordingly, your 1999 membership card and receipt for fees paid are enclosed.
Your compimentary subscription to CMOS Bulletin has been activated for the 1999 subscription year and has become efective wih the enclosed February issue.
On behalf of the CMOS Executive, if we can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours sincerely,
Sd/-
Francine M. Ford
Office Manager
Encls.
18.21 Acceptance of my paper for presentation in the Third Interntional conference on Urban Air Quality at Loutraki, Greece by the Institute of Physics, London, UK
Ref:
October 24, 2000
Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra
C/o Dr (Mrs.) Bhupinder Sehra
MBBS, MD, Gynaecologist
S.Nihal Singh Pahwa Charitable Hospital
Industrial Area-B, Ludhiana-141003
Punjab The Institute of Physics
India. 76 Portland Place
London WIN 3 DH
Institute of Physics T +44 (0)20 7470 4800 F +44 (0) 20 7470 4848 Email : physics@iop.org Web:www.iop.org
Dear Dr. Sehra,
Abstract Reference no.: 000176
Third International Conference on Urban Air Quality, 19-23 March 2001,
Loutraki, Greece.
We apologise for this delayed notification about your abstract “Hazardous Pollution Problem over Ludhana, Punjab, India”. We have had a much bigger response to the Conference than we had expected.
Your abstract has now been reviewed and has been accepted for a poster presentation in the conference. Details of the Sessions will be included on the Conference website (http://www.iop.org/IOP/Confs/UAO/) over the next few weeks. Dr. Ranjeet S. Sokhi Chairman of the Conference, about your paper presentation directly as soon as possible (email: r.s. sokhi@herts.ac.uk).
You will now need to provide an extended abstract of 4 pages including figures and tables by Friday, 15th December 2000. This deadline has been extended to take into account the delay in notifying you about your abstract. Details of the precise format will be forwarded to you over the next few days. Instructions for producing the final papers for submission to an international journal will be provided at the Conference.
Comments from Referee: The author should focus more on air pollution aspects. The aim and objectives of the research are clear.
Your sincerely,
Sd/-
Jasmina Bolfek-Radovani
Conference Co-ordinator
Fax : 0207 470 4900
Chief Executive: Alun Jones, MA, Dphil, Cphys, FlnstP.
Registered Charity No. 293851.
18.22 Invitation for the presentation of my paper “Haxardous Pollution Problem over Ludhiana, Punjab, India” in the ‘Third International Conference on Urban Air Quality’ at Loturaki, Greece from the Institute of Physics, London, UK
Ref:
January 18, 2001
Dr. P S Sehra
c/o Dr. (Mrs.) Bhupinder Sehra
MBBS, MD, Gynaecologist
S.Nihal Singh Pahwa Charitable Hospital
Industrial Area-B, Ludhiana-141003
Punjab The Institute of Physics
India. 76 Portland Place
London WIN 3 DH
Institute of Physics T +44 (0)20 7470 4800 F +44 (0) 20 7470 4848 Email : physics@iop.org Web:www.iop.org
Our Ref: 00176
Dear Dr. Sehra,
Re: “Hazardous pollution problem over Ludhiana, Punjab, India”
The Third International Conference on Urban Air Quality
19-23 March 2001
Loutraki, Greece.
Please find attached with this letter The Programme and Registration details about the above-named Conference.
The Conference web page has now been updated. Please note that online registration is now available at:
http//physics.iop.org/IOP/Confs/UAO/
Please let me know immediately (by fax +44 207 470 4900) what your registration requirements are if you do not have access to online registration so that you can be booked a place at the conference.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.
Yours sincerely,
Sd/-
Jasmina Bolfek-Radovani
Conference Co-ordninator
Institute of Physics, London, UK
Institue of Physics
Registered charity No. 293851
Chief Executive: Alun Jones, MA, Dphil, Cphys, FlnstP.
Registered Charity No. 293851.
It is now true that history will never forget Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra due to his unique and historical achievements. A film in English entitled "Eight Below" depicts some Antarctic explorers and sledge-pulling dogs, and is based on a true story, dedicated to all Antarctic Explorers including him, whose courage & spirits inspired that film. He is thus a source of constant inspiration for everyone.
Chapter 19: Sans Laurels from The South Pole
Chapter 19
Sans Laurels from The South Pole
19.1 Introduction
This chapter describes how the author’s marvellous achievements and accomplishments on his Antarctic explorations have not yet received any national recognition or award or any monetary benefit, etc., despite its international recognition and the presitigious Soviet Antarctic Medal, Ribbon and Polar watch awarded to him by the USSR for his active participation in the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition from 1971 to 1973. Being the first Indian ever to winter over the South Pole and circumnavigate and explore the Antarctic continent, although his Antarctic explorations, scientific research and proposals, etc., created lot of interest in India for further exploration of Antarctica including opeing of some Indian Research Bases there, yet he has not been given any national award for the same.
19.2 How the Soviets are treated after their return from the Soviet Antarctic Expeditions
The Director 23 February 1974
Physical Research Laboratory PRL
Ahmedabad, India.
Dear Sir,
I am a Research Scholar of PRL, working under the guidance of Prof. P.R.Pisharoty, Director, RSMD/SAC-ISRO.
I was deputed to work in Antarctica with the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition from 1971 to 1973 at the station Molodezhnaya on the meteorological rocket soundings of the upper atmosphere, and I am the first Indian ever to winter over the South Pole and circumnavigate and explore the Antarctic continent, and I have accomplished my assigned work as Project Scientist successfully by participating in this Soviet Antarctic Expedition.
However, I want to draw your kind attention to the following points in respect of the “Standing Orders and Subsidiary Rules” of the Soviet Antarctic Expeditions, I felt it neccessary because we in India are very ignorant of the hardships and dangers of working in Antartica which I have actually undergone there, but without any national recognition, reward or any monetary benefit, etc.
How the Soviets are treated in an Antarctic Expedition after its successful accomplishment is, therefore, described briefly:
19.2.1 Tough Medical Examination
Before the selection of a man to participate in an Antarctic Expedition, he has to undergo many physiological, psychological and psychiatrical examinations determining his adaptability to the extreme climate of Antartica. This is considred to be the most important in an Antarctic Expedition, otherwise one runs a great risk of one’s life. Because of our ignorance, I was not given any of such tests, the need of which I realised later, on my way to Antartica. “How a man from hot and suuny India, without having passed all the desired medical tests would winter over in Antarctica” was very doubtful to the Russians.
In my own interest I was, therefore, advised not to participate in the Expedition, and return home safely. But I went ahead with the Expedition, though at the cost of my life. And while in the Antarctic, luckily, my body got adapted to the extreme cold, homicidal blizzards, and the hard and tough isolated life. Although I had not undergone the laboratory tests of adaptability, yet I did pass the same practically.
I would, therefore, suggest that if in future, someone else is deputed to work in Antarctica, he must undergo a thorough medical check-up by a group of specialists, because taking a chance of life is misadventure. And the man physically, mentally, and emotionally weak should not at all be sent to Antarctica. How to adapt to the hard climate in Antarctica I learnt by actually adapting, but it may not be true in every case.
19.2.2 Special Training
After a man passes all the medical tests determining his adaptabily to the hard Antarctic environs and tough life of isolation and insulation, he is imparted a special taraining as to how he should save himself in case of some unforeseen accidents. For instance he is taught first aid, fire fighting, swimming, mountaineering, skiing, driving, etc. prior to his participation in the Antarctic Expedition . Any man deputed to work in the Antarctic is, therefore, supposed to be an all-rounder.
However, I had not taken any training in any of the above disciplines expcept for the upper atmospheric rocket soundings. My ignorance of such like knowledge put me in danger several times. I often, lost my way in the blizzards and at times fell into the crevasses. On March 14, 1972, in a way, I was reborn. I fell into a snow-shrouded crevasse near the coastal sea ice and kept there hanging for some time. A very timely help saved my life, ohterwise mine was a completely gone case.
I must say that only my good luck has brought me alive, and in good health, from the Antarctic. I would, therefore, suggest that in future, one should be imparted all the necessary training before one’s participation in an Antarctic Expedition. And PRL can easily use its High Altitude Research Laboratory, Gulmarg near Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, India, for training the future Indian Antarctic Explorer-scientists. Because this is an improtant precautionary step and, therefore, it should not be dispensed with.
19.2.3 Life Insurance
Working in Antarctica involves great dangers. To survive there, men never relax their guard. Because the Antarctic remains a dangerous and unpredictable land, a moment of carelessness can easily cost a life. The cold of the Antarctic is aggravated by the strong winds which blow with unbelievable speeds; sometimes over 100 miles an hour. Because of all these risks, every Soviet member in their Antarctic Expeditions is covered by very high value life insurance policies by his Institute, and the Institute continues paying for his life insurance policy till the policy gets matured.
However in my case, my own Institute PRL did not insure me at all before my departure for the risky Antarctic assignment because of our ignorance, but fortunately, God always saved me. I should thus also have been covered by a suitable life issurance policy as per the Soviet Antarctic Expedition Rules.
19.2.4 Daily Allowance
According to the Soviet Antarctic Expedition Rules, a Soviet member of any cadre is given a daily allowance of a minimum of $ 20.00 together with incidental allowance of a minimum of $ 25.00 per week.
Moreover, the Soviet participants get daily allowance uniformly over the full duration, i.e., the rate remains the same throughout the Expedition period. Thus, besides his own salary, every Soviet member gets a minimum of US$ twenty per day as daily allownace, and a minimum of US$ twenty five per week as the incidental allowances. These allowances do not include their living expenses.
However, in my case the PRL/ISRO is treating me only as a Guest scientist of the Soviet Antartic Expedition and not giving me any monetary benefits.
In fact, not even the already sanctioned allowance is given to me on the pretext that the PRL/ISRO has to pay my due Soviet Antarctic Expedition expenses from 1971 to 1973 directly to the Hydrometeorological Service (HMS) of the USSR, if asked, and thus it has to pay nothing to me. Therefore, I request you to kindly look into this matter and give me some financial benefits similar to what the Russians get from the USSR.
19.2.5 Free Living Facilities
All the Soviet members in an Antarctic Expedition are provided with free living facilities. All their living expences such as food, medicine, living accomodation, warm clothing, etc., are paid for by their respective Institutes. The Soviet participants in the Antarctic Expeditions, thus, don’t have to pay anything from their daily and incidental allowances. Apart from their own salaries, these allowances are meant to give them a reward for their Antarctic service.
Under the present sanction approved by PRL/ISRO, all my Antarctic living expenses are to be deducted from my sanctioned allowance which is already too meagre with the result that I will not be getting even any monetary gain for my Antarctic explorations.
It is, therefore, requested that PRL/ISRO should follow the Soviet Antarctic Expedition Rules and thus if asked by the USSR, pay for my living expenses separately, i.e., not from my meagre allowances already sanctioned by the PRL/ISRO.
19.2.6 Warm Clothing
The speical warm clothing to meet the Antarctic requirements, alone cost more than US $ 1000.00. Every Soviet participant in the Antarctic Expeditions, gets this special clothing free of charges. I was also provided with the special Antarctic warm clothing on my way to Antarctica aboard the ship itself. However, the special clothing that are provided are in a very limited supply. Before proceeding to Antarctica, I had, however, purchased some warm clothing of my own. Accoding to Rule No. SO-78 A, Ref. No. SRT/4-12-1969, under the Standing Orders and Subsidiary Rules of PRL/ISRO, I should be given an adequate winter clothing allowance.
And if asked by the USSR to pay for my special Antarctic warm clothing, it is requested that PRL/ISRO should pay for it separately, i.e., not from my already sanctioned allowances.
19.2.7 Free Travel
All the Soviet participants in an Antarctic Expedition enjoy free travel to and from Antarctica. They are also paid some additional Travelling Allowance (T.A.) by their respective Institutes.
I returned to India in 1973 by their special Expedition plane (IL-18, Aeroflot) and landed at Calcutta with about 150 kg of luggage. Aeroflot IL-18 had flown from Perth (W.A.). I thus saved a lot of money of PRL/ISRO by travelling with the Russians in their Aeroflot.
At Calcutta, however, I had to face some money problem since I had little money left with me. I should, therefore, also be paid my due Travelling Allowance (T.A.) as per the Soviet Antarctic Expedition Rules which the PRL/ISRO is not paying me saying that it will pay it directly to the HMS, USSR, if asked by them, to come to Ahmedabad or to go home.
19.2.8 Free Communcations and correspondence
Antarctica is the continent where hand-written letters cannot be exchanged until the next relief party arrives. For these reasons, all the Soviet participants in an Antarctic Expedition enjoy free communications, e.g., telephone conversations with their families, radio broadcasts from their families and exchanging radiograms, etc.
Accoreding to the Soviet Antarctic Expedition Rules, the charges for all such messages are paid for them by the Institutes concerned.
It is, therefore, requested that PRL/ISRO should also pay for all my correspondence separately, from the funds other than my own meagre allowances sanctioned by the PRL/ISRO, which, however, it is not paying me as mentioned above.
19.2.9 Antarctic Medal Award of the prestigious Soviet Ribbon and Polar Watch
When an Antarctic Expedition is successfully accomplished, all the participating members who winter over Antarctica are awarded a special Antarctic Medal, Ribbon and Polar Watch on their return home. On the port or airport itself, a special ceremony presided by some top Minister is held for this purpose.
Suchlike ceremonial functions are prearranged so as to give a warm welcome to the Antarctic wintered personnel in the Soviet Antarctic Expeditions. The Minister then honours all the Expedition members who wintered over the Antarctic continent and worked there during the harsh polar winter conditions with the prestigious Soviet Antarctic Medal, Ribbon and Polar Watch etc., as a special welcome home. It is a general tradition of all the countries active in Antarctica, to give a warm and hero’s welcome to the wintered-over participants of an Antarctic Expedition.
However, I was awarded this prestigious Soviet Antarctic Medal, Ribbon and Polar Watch aboard the Aeroflot IL-18 itself in a special ceremony about half an hour before landing at Calcutta airport. The leader of the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition, 1971-1973, gave a short speech appreciating my work as Project Scientist in their Antarctic Expedition and then awarded me these prestigious Soviet honours as the first Indian ever to winter over the South Pole and cicumnavigate and explore the Antarctic continent. I expressed a vote of thanks to all of them.
Now that the USSR has awarded me its prestigious honours in the form of Soviet Antarctic Medal, Ribbon and Polar Watch, I should expect something similar from our own country also. It is, therefore, requested that PRL/ISRO should recommend my case to the concerned for a suitable national award to me for my voluntary Antarctic Service from 1971 to 1973.
19.2.10 Job Promotions
Before deputing the Soviets to work in the Antarctic, their respective Institutes commit to give them job promotions and meanwhile make some increments in their salaries. After the successful accomplishment of the Antarctic Expedition, on their return home, all the Soviet members are, therefore, promoted to some higher designations.
I should also now expect something like that from PRL/ISRO in reciprocation of my voluntary Antarctic Service. I have brought lot of useful scietific data from the Antarctic, the analysis of which would yield very interesting results.
I wish to emphasise that I have a desire of continuing my voluntary Antarctic Service and make the Antarctic Scientific Research as my career. I personally feel that PRL/ISRO could do this by having some collaborations with the nations active in Antarctica. If critically seen, it is already incorporated in PRL, because PRL has its first letter as ‘P’ which may simultaneously imply the Poles or Polar, as well.
It is, therfore, requested that PRL/ISRO should recognise my Antarctic Service, i.e., participation in the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition, and, therefore, provide me with a suitable job (may be as a Research Associate in RSMD at a higher start). I feel it very much, because my Antarctic venture has not given me any immediate national recognition, award, job, or any monetary benefit whatsoever which I very much deserved, indeed.
19.2.11 Special Medical Care
We, the particpants of the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition, 1971-1973 were told by our station doctors that we may take 4-6 months for readapting ourselves to the old climatic conditions in our home countries. We were also told that we had grown very weak and, therefore, might catch diseases rapidly. During this 4-6 month recovery period, we have been advised to be under a special medical care.
In fact, an Antarctic wintered-over person, apparently grows very weak because of the nonavailability of fresh food, green vegetables, vitamins, etc. So, when he returns home, he finds himself very susceptible to bacteria. He could challenge the Antarctic cold and blizzards but not the infection of this over-populated world. Unless he is kept under a special medical care, he would fall ill and in some cases, condition becomes quite serious.
It is, therefore, that on their return home from the Antarctic Expedition, all the Soviets are given a thorough medical check-up and the necessary treatment by a group of experienced doctors. They are compulsorily kept under this special medical treatment till they return to normaley.
On my return home, I fell seriously ill on the same day, and remained in bed for about a month. I am now gradually returning to normalcy, but my Antarctic frost bite scars are still there. It is, therefore, requested that PRL/ISRO should make arrangements for my thorough medical check-up by all the specialists.
To all my honesty, I may mention here that the quality of food at the station Molodezhnaya where I wintered-over was utterly poor. The station food provisions being in emergency, we had to live only on some meat and limited bread.
Milk, sugar, potatoes, and fruits, etc., had got exhausted before the winter set in. The tea and coffee that we drank used to be black (without milk), and bitter (without sugar). It was really a very tough time.
The poor quality of food had weakened our bodies to that extent that almost every participant lost 5-10 kg of his weight. The Russian doctors, therefore, told all the participants, “ In your individual cases, to be under special medical care, is not only desirable but a necessity.”
However, I opted for rewintering over there for another successive year so as to aquire maximum meterological rocketsonde data. Our station doctor approved my case with the remarks:
“You are still keeping up good health and I think that you can rewinter over here in Antarctica second time also .”
The higher Russian authorities from Moscow, however, didn’t agree to my ‘Antarctic rewintering proposal’ as per their Antarctic Epedition Rules, but permitted me to spend the second summer also there after having already spent one summer and one winter in Antarctica during 1971-1973.
Now I am suffering from some stomach and throat troubles, and some other minor problems. I, therefore, feel the necessity of my thorough medical check-up. It is requested that PRL/ISRO should take up my special case and recommend it to all the distinguished specialists of medicine. I have brought with me my Antarctic medical reports together with my electrocardiograms taken in Antarctica.
This may, as well, help our doctors in knowing something about human physiology. This is necessary because in future also, we may like to send some more explorer-scientists to the Antarctic continent for its further Exploration.
19.2.12 Accumulated Leave
Every member participating in an Antarctic Expedition has to work for 12 hours a day and 7 days a week due to the very limited manpower available there and also to make the Expedition successful. During the full Expedition period, if all the holidays and earned leave be taken into account, it comes out to be nearly 4 months for a Soviet participant. It is, therefore, that all the Soviet members in an Antarctic Expedition, on their return home, are given all their accumulated leave (nearly 4 months).
It is, therefore, requested that PRL/ISRO should also do something like that in my case. In fact, I am still a Research Scholar, and my case should also be considered for a regular job in recognition of my Antarctic explorations.
19.2.13 Post Expedition Privileges
After the successful acomplishment of an Antarctic Expedition, all the Soviet members who participated in it, are entitled to avail themselves of some special post expedition privileges. For instance, according to the Soviet Antarctic Expedition Rules, some quota of luxurious cars, scooters and motor cycles, etc., is reserved for the Soviet participants of its Antarctic Expeditions.
So, the Antarctic wintered-over Soviets get these cars, scooters and motor cycles, etc., on priority and discount basis, from the Polar Expeditions special quota, after their return home from Antarctica.
At the station Molodezhnaya in Antarctica, I heard the Soviet participants, often talking about the type of the car they would buy with their hard earned money, after they return home. Thus all the Soviet members who participate in an Antarctic Expedition and winter over there, enjoy many special privileges, after they return home. In fact, they get a lot of credit for the hardships one has to face while working in the cryogenic environs and hazardous blizzards of Antarctica. Their respective Institutes, and the Government of the USSR, very strongly encourage their scientific and technical personnel, to come forward and join the Soviet Antarctic Expeditions.
However, in my own case I have not received any such benefit from anywhere. It is, therefore, requested that PRL/ISRO should also provide me with such benefits as per the Soviet Antarctic Expedition Rules for which at the first place it has give me some monetary benefits, etc.
19.2.14 Ad Finem
Even with the tremendous effort since the IGY to unlock its secrets, Antarctica remains the least known of all continents. This fact alone should ensure that explorer-scientists will be going south for a long time.
Antarctic Research is particularly fraught with possibilities of fundamental value. Its Geology and Geophysics may be opening a new era in theories of the Earth’s development; its Meteorology is a key factor, if for no other reason then because it is the Earth’s greatest heat sink; Biological studies offer great challenges because of unique evolutionary and physiological adaptations which have occurred here.
Thus scientific discovery in the Antarctic may well be much more important than the economic potential of that area. I hope that a time will come when India also starts participating in the Antarctic Research actively. The future of Antarctica is strongly linked to the future of science itself. And PRL/ISRO have probably to play a major role in this respect.
19.2.15 Epilogue
Now that I have participated in the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition from 1971 to 1973 successfully, on a voluntary basis, it is natural to expect some substantial reward for this perilous assignment. I doubt if anyone else from India ever experienced the hardships of an Antarctic winter before I did so.
It is most regrettable that this scientific adventure of PRL/ISRO has gone quite unnoticed by our country. I very earnestly request you to review my case in respect of all the aforesaid points, which fall under the “Standing Orders and Subsidiary Rules” of the Soviet Antarctic Expeditions. The USSR has awarded me its prestigious Soviet Antarctic Medal, Ribbon and Polar Watch, but our own country (India) has not yet shown me even a single ray of encouragement from any corner whatsoever. This is really quite disappointing. I being the first Indian ever to winter over the South Pole and circumnavigate and xplore the Antarctic continent, really deserve a suitable national award for my scientific explorations in Antarctica, the home of cold and blizzards. I should, therefore, be recommended for the same.
It is highly disappointing that I have not yet been given any national award in recognition of my Antarctic explorations despite the Indian Parliament’s commitment to do so vide its unstarred Question No. 8177 dated 25th April 1973, although the USSR has awarded me its prestigious Soviet Antarctic Medal, Ribbon and Polar Watch for my active participation in the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition from 1971 to 1973.
I have also neither been given any national recognition nor any other monetary benefit, etc., for my Antarctic explorations and achievements. It is, therefore, requested that I should be recommended for the same for which I will be greatly indebted to you. I am now looking forward to your favourable action in this connection.
Yours sincerely,
Sd/-
Parmjit Singh Sehra
Research Scholar and the first Indian ever to winter over the South Pole and circumnavigate and explore the Antarctic continent)
Note :
The above Request to the PRL/ISRO served no useful purpose and the author has not received my national recognition, award or any other monetary benefits, etc., for his Antarctic explorations and achievements from his own country so far. Great God! My during South Pole odyssey was an awful experience and terrible enough for me to have laboured to it without any national reward.
19.3 A letter received from Vaiseshika Electron Devices, Ambala, India dated 7th July 1982 concerning Government’s apathi towards due recognition to Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra for his Antarctic explorations
GRAMS :‘SHUNYA’
VAISESHIKA ELECTRON DEVICES
POST BOX 57
NEAR ALLAHABAD BANK PHONE : 21347
AMBALA CANNT.- 133 001
INDIA TElex- 0392-207-JPS-IN
7th July 1982
OUR REF : (A-10) :04:528
Dear Dr. Sehra,
I happen to read a write-up in the Indian Express where it has been reported that your goodself has made significant contributions in the Antarctic Mission. But we are very sorry to note that your name did not appear in the list of honours for the proposed Indian Antarctic Expedition.
We are publishing a monthly “PRODUCT INFORMATION BULLETIN” known as “VAISESHIKA” Product Information Bulletin. We shall like to cover your contributions in the field of Science & Technology including your pioneering Antarctic explorations and scientific research in our journal. We shall also like to draw the attention of the Government towards this unfortunate episode highlighting the demoralizing trends amongst the Indian Scientists and Engineers.
Looking forward to receiving the desired information per return of mail.
With personal thanks and regards
Sd/-
(ANIL JAIN)
Chief Executive
Dr. P.S. Sehra
Research Scientist,
Meteorological Section,
Space Applications Centre, (ISRO)
AHMEDABAD, Gujarat,
Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra
Research Scientist Meteorology section India.
19.4 Unstarred Parliament’s Question No. 8177 dated 25th April 1973 and its Answer regarding the author’s participation in the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition from 1971 to 1973 as the first Indian ever to winter over the South Pole and circumnavigate and explore the Antarctic continent with an assurance to give suitable national award after the completion of his Antarctic research.
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 8177
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF SPACE
TO BE ANSWERED ON APRIL 25, 1973
INDIAN SCIENTIST IN THE SOVIET
SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION TO ANTARCTICA
8177. SHRI INDRAJIT GUPTA:
Will the Minister fo Space be pleased to state :
(a) Whether Shri Paramjit Singh Sehra, a Research Scientist at the Physcial Research Laboratory, Ahemdabad, had accompained a Soviet Scientific Expidition to Antarctica in 1972;
(b) If so, whether he is the first Indian Scientist to have visited Antarctica; and
(c) Whether any Oficial recognition of his feat has been given
and any encouragement for the further pursuit of his research in this sphere?
ANSWER
PRIME MINISTER (SHRIMATI INDIRA GANDHI )
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) Yes, Sir, on the basis of information available to Department of Space.
(c) Shri Paramjit Singh Sehra who returned to India in February 1973 is engaged in research work in upper atmosphere physics for which he is utilising the data collected during the expedition. The question of any recognition can arise only after the research work is completed.
19.5 A news report “left out in the cold” for not giving any national award to the author in recognition of his Antarctic explorations and achievements which appeard in the Indian Express Saturday, 6th February, 1982.
Left out in the cold
The Indian Express, Saturday, February 6, 1982
By SANJEEV GAUR
Express News Service
CHANDIGARH, February 5.
On April 25, 1973, Mr. Indrajit Gupta put the following question in the Lok Sabha :
“Will the Minister of Space be pleased to state :
(A) Whether Mr. Parmjit Singh Sehra, a research scientist at the Physical Research Laboratory. Ahemdabad India had accoompanied a Soviet expedition to Antaractica from 1971 to 1973?
(b) “If so, whether he is the first Indian Scientist to have achieved the task?”
(C) “Whether any official recognition or encouragement has been given to the scientist?”
In reply to the first two parts of the question, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, who was also the Minister of Space, said: “Yes”.
In reply to the third part, she said that since the scientist was doing research on the Antarctic Expedition, the question of honouring him would arise only on the completion of the thesis.
But the day of honouring the scientist never arrived. Of course, the Gujarat University did honour him with doctorate. Mr. Sehra was awarded Ph. D. in 1977 for his research titled: “Atmospheric Structure: Exploration over Antarctica and inter-hemispheric comparison.”
Mr. Parmjit Singh Sehra, the first Indian scientist ever to set foot on the coldest and the windiest continent of Antarctica and winter over there, is a frustrated man today.
The 31-year-old scientist, who spent 18 months in Antarctica with a Russian Expedition during 1971-1973, is unhappy because not only he was not asked to lead the Indian Expedition which is now there, he was not even informed about the mission.
“ I was surprised to read in the newspapers last month while coming from Ahmedabad to New Delhi that an Indian expedition had successfully landed in Antarctica.” He told ENS.
He is nostalgic about the Antarctic Expedition undertaken by him in November 1971.
Recalls Mr. Sehra: “ I was 22 then. I had just joined the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India. We heard that a Soviet Expedition “was going to Antarctica and the USSR Government wanted to take one Indian.
“After learning that the world’s lowest temperature of -89.3 Degrees C was recorded in Antarctica and violent snowstorms with winds of over 250 km per hour were very frequent in the icy desert, no Indian scientist agreed to be there for more than one year. I vividly remember the day when Prof. Vikram Sarabhai Director of the PRL, told me in the laboratory: ‘Sehra, you are a young man. Why don’t you avail yourself of this wonderful opportunity?”
Mr. Sehra agreed.
He did not undergo any acclimatisation programme or training before setting foot on the South Pole. Unable to produce the adaptablility certificate demanded by the Russian doctor on board the ship Viese, Mr. Sehra volunteered to sign a personal bond declaring: “If something happens to me during the Soviet antarctic Expedition, 1971-1973 the Russian Government will not be responsible for it.’’
On January 7, 1972, the expedition, which included two Gernmans, one American and over 90 Russians landed at Mirny, one of the six permanent Russian stations in Antarctica.
For the next 16 months, Mr Sehra and his colleagues were busy collecting atmospheric data during different seasons. Apart from working at the six stations the Russians had set up there, Mr. Sehra also worked at one of the 0American stations (Amundsen-Scott South Pole station located at the Geographic South Pole) for about a month.
About the most unforgettable experience of the Expedition, he remembers: “Rebirth, Yes, in a way I was reborn when I fell into a deep crevasse on March 14, 1972. I was hardly an inch from death when I was pulled out with the help of long ropes by a rescue party.”
On another occasion, during a violent snowstorm he fell down a 200-metre ridge and lost a few teeth and fractured his legs.
Another incident he vividly recalls is the death of two of his colleagues on the way and “one Russian friend losing his mental balance.”
He has pleasant memories, too. “ It was sheer delight to watch the penguins. They waddle like a cartoonists’s version of a man returning from formal dinner.”
He obsereved a special trait of these birds who appear only during the summer, that is, December to February. “When the penguins produce offspring the male hatches the eggs, while the female goes in search of food.”
“Among the other few cretures who are seen in Antarctica are seals and whales. On land only 4.5 per cent of which is bare, a few primitive plants exist. There are also some insects and small animals. Otherwise it is ice all around. There is almost no fresh water. The sun is rarely visible. It sets for the winter on March 22 not to rise until September 21.”
Another memory which is green in his mind is his return in August, 1973.
“The customs people at the Calcutta airport acted in a rather funny manner. Seeing the small rocks which I had brought from Antarctica, the officials thought I was carrying diamonds with me. They thought I was a smuggler. When I told them that I had returned from Antarctica, where I had gone on Expedition, they asked me how long I planned to stay in India. Obviously, they did not know about the place.”
About the present Indian Expedition, which is expected back in the middle of this month, Mr. Sehra feels that though the country had made a good beginning, the stay of the team was too short to set up a permanent station to establish the effect of the Antarctical circulation on the monsoonal circulation.
Mr Sehra summed up: “ On August 15, 1972, while I was in Antarctica, I wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister about setting up a permanent station there. Nobody paid any attention to my suggestion. Later, the letter was published in one of the well-known international journals. Foreign journals also published a number of papers written by me about the Expedition. Today, when the nation is rejoicing at an Indian Expedition landing in Antarctica, I feel it is a dream come true. But I have not been rewarded.”
Sans Laurels from The South Pole
19.1 Introduction
This chapter describes how the author’s marvellous achievements and accomplishments on his Antarctic explorations have not yet received any national recognition or award or any monetary benefit, etc., despite its international recognition and the presitigious Soviet Antarctic Medal, Ribbon and Polar watch awarded to him by the USSR for his active participation in the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition from 1971 to 1973. Being the first Indian ever to winter over the South Pole and circumnavigate and explore the Antarctic continent, although his Antarctic explorations, scientific research and proposals, etc., created lot of interest in India for further exploration of Antarctica including opeing of some Indian Research Bases there, yet he has not been given any national award for the same.
19.2 How the Soviets are treated after their return from the Soviet Antarctic Expeditions
The Director 23 February 1974
Physical Research Laboratory PRL
Ahmedabad, India.
Dear Sir,
I am a Research Scholar of PRL, working under the guidance of Prof. P.R.Pisharoty, Director, RSMD/SAC-ISRO.
I was deputed to work in Antarctica with the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition from 1971 to 1973 at the station Molodezhnaya on the meteorological rocket soundings of the upper atmosphere, and I am the first Indian ever to winter over the South Pole and circumnavigate and explore the Antarctic continent, and I have accomplished my assigned work as Project Scientist successfully by participating in this Soviet Antarctic Expedition.
However, I want to draw your kind attention to the following points in respect of the “Standing Orders and Subsidiary Rules” of the Soviet Antarctic Expeditions, I felt it neccessary because we in India are very ignorant of the hardships and dangers of working in Antartica which I have actually undergone there, but without any national recognition, reward or any monetary benefit, etc.
How the Soviets are treated in an Antarctic Expedition after its successful accomplishment is, therefore, described briefly:
19.2.1 Tough Medical Examination
Before the selection of a man to participate in an Antarctic Expedition, he has to undergo many physiological, psychological and psychiatrical examinations determining his adaptability to the extreme climate of Antartica. This is considred to be the most important in an Antarctic Expedition, otherwise one runs a great risk of one’s life. Because of our ignorance, I was not given any of such tests, the need of which I realised later, on my way to Antartica. “How a man from hot and suuny India, without having passed all the desired medical tests would winter over in Antarctica” was very doubtful to the Russians.
In my own interest I was, therefore, advised not to participate in the Expedition, and return home safely. But I went ahead with the Expedition, though at the cost of my life. And while in the Antarctic, luckily, my body got adapted to the extreme cold, homicidal blizzards, and the hard and tough isolated life. Although I had not undergone the laboratory tests of adaptability, yet I did pass the same practically.
I would, therefore, suggest that if in future, someone else is deputed to work in Antarctica, he must undergo a thorough medical check-up by a group of specialists, because taking a chance of life is misadventure. And the man physically, mentally, and emotionally weak should not at all be sent to Antarctica. How to adapt to the hard climate in Antarctica I learnt by actually adapting, but it may not be true in every case.
19.2.2 Special Training
After a man passes all the medical tests determining his adaptabily to the hard Antarctic environs and tough life of isolation and insulation, he is imparted a special taraining as to how he should save himself in case of some unforeseen accidents. For instance he is taught first aid, fire fighting, swimming, mountaineering, skiing, driving, etc. prior to his participation in the Antarctic Expedition . Any man deputed to work in the Antarctic is, therefore, supposed to be an all-rounder.
However, I had not taken any training in any of the above disciplines expcept for the upper atmospheric rocket soundings. My ignorance of such like knowledge put me in danger several times. I often, lost my way in the blizzards and at times fell into the crevasses. On March 14, 1972, in a way, I was reborn. I fell into a snow-shrouded crevasse near the coastal sea ice and kept there hanging for some time. A very timely help saved my life, ohterwise mine was a completely gone case.
I must say that only my good luck has brought me alive, and in good health, from the Antarctic. I would, therefore, suggest that in future, one should be imparted all the necessary training before one’s participation in an Antarctic Expedition. And PRL can easily use its High Altitude Research Laboratory, Gulmarg near Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, India, for training the future Indian Antarctic Explorer-scientists. Because this is an improtant precautionary step and, therefore, it should not be dispensed with.
19.2.3 Life Insurance
Working in Antarctica involves great dangers. To survive there, men never relax their guard. Because the Antarctic remains a dangerous and unpredictable land, a moment of carelessness can easily cost a life. The cold of the Antarctic is aggravated by the strong winds which blow with unbelievable speeds; sometimes over 100 miles an hour. Because of all these risks, every Soviet member in their Antarctic Expeditions is covered by very high value life insurance policies by his Institute, and the Institute continues paying for his life insurance policy till the policy gets matured.
However in my case, my own Institute PRL did not insure me at all before my departure for the risky Antarctic assignment because of our ignorance, but fortunately, God always saved me. I should thus also have been covered by a suitable life issurance policy as per the Soviet Antarctic Expedition Rules.
19.2.4 Daily Allowance
According to the Soviet Antarctic Expedition Rules, a Soviet member of any cadre is given a daily allowance of a minimum of $ 20.00 together with incidental allowance of a minimum of $ 25.00 per week.
Moreover, the Soviet participants get daily allowance uniformly over the full duration, i.e., the rate remains the same throughout the Expedition period. Thus, besides his own salary, every Soviet member gets a minimum of US$ twenty per day as daily allownace, and a minimum of US$ twenty five per week as the incidental allowances. These allowances do not include their living expenses.
However, in my case the PRL/ISRO is treating me only as a Guest scientist of the Soviet Antartic Expedition and not giving me any monetary benefits.
In fact, not even the already sanctioned allowance is given to me on the pretext that the PRL/ISRO has to pay my due Soviet Antarctic Expedition expenses from 1971 to 1973 directly to the Hydrometeorological Service (HMS) of the USSR, if asked, and thus it has to pay nothing to me. Therefore, I request you to kindly look into this matter and give me some financial benefits similar to what the Russians get from the USSR.
19.2.5 Free Living Facilities
All the Soviet members in an Antarctic Expedition are provided with free living facilities. All their living expences such as food, medicine, living accomodation, warm clothing, etc., are paid for by their respective Institutes. The Soviet participants in the Antarctic Expeditions, thus, don’t have to pay anything from their daily and incidental allowances. Apart from their own salaries, these allowances are meant to give them a reward for their Antarctic service.
Under the present sanction approved by PRL/ISRO, all my Antarctic living expenses are to be deducted from my sanctioned allowance which is already too meagre with the result that I will not be getting even any monetary gain for my Antarctic explorations.
It is, therefore, requested that PRL/ISRO should follow the Soviet Antarctic Expedition Rules and thus if asked by the USSR, pay for my living expenses separately, i.e., not from my meagre allowances already sanctioned by the PRL/ISRO.
19.2.6 Warm Clothing
The speical warm clothing to meet the Antarctic requirements, alone cost more than US $ 1000.00. Every Soviet participant in the Antarctic Expeditions, gets this special clothing free of charges. I was also provided with the special Antarctic warm clothing on my way to Antarctica aboard the ship itself. However, the special clothing that are provided are in a very limited supply. Before proceeding to Antarctica, I had, however, purchased some warm clothing of my own. Accoding to Rule No. SO-78 A, Ref. No. SRT/4-12-1969, under the Standing Orders and Subsidiary Rules of PRL/ISRO, I should be given an adequate winter clothing allowance.
And if asked by the USSR to pay for my special Antarctic warm clothing, it is requested that PRL/ISRO should pay for it separately, i.e., not from my already sanctioned allowances.
19.2.7 Free Travel
All the Soviet participants in an Antarctic Expedition enjoy free travel to and from Antarctica. They are also paid some additional Travelling Allowance (T.A.) by their respective Institutes.
I returned to India in 1973 by their special Expedition plane (IL-18, Aeroflot) and landed at Calcutta with about 150 kg of luggage. Aeroflot IL-18 had flown from Perth (W.A.). I thus saved a lot of money of PRL/ISRO by travelling with the Russians in their Aeroflot.
At Calcutta, however, I had to face some money problem since I had little money left with me. I should, therefore, also be paid my due Travelling Allowance (T.A.) as per the Soviet Antarctic Expedition Rules which the PRL/ISRO is not paying me saying that it will pay it directly to the HMS, USSR, if asked by them, to come to Ahmedabad or to go home.
19.2.8 Free Communcations and correspondence
Antarctica is the continent where hand-written letters cannot be exchanged until the next relief party arrives. For these reasons, all the Soviet participants in an Antarctic Expedition enjoy free communications, e.g., telephone conversations with their families, radio broadcasts from their families and exchanging radiograms, etc.
Accoreding to the Soviet Antarctic Expedition Rules, the charges for all such messages are paid for them by the Institutes concerned.
It is, therefore, requested that PRL/ISRO should also pay for all my correspondence separately, from the funds other than my own meagre allowances sanctioned by the PRL/ISRO, which, however, it is not paying me as mentioned above.
19.2.9 Antarctic Medal Award of the prestigious Soviet Ribbon and Polar Watch
When an Antarctic Expedition is successfully accomplished, all the participating members who winter over Antarctica are awarded a special Antarctic Medal, Ribbon and Polar Watch on their return home. On the port or airport itself, a special ceremony presided by some top Minister is held for this purpose.
Suchlike ceremonial functions are prearranged so as to give a warm welcome to the Antarctic wintered personnel in the Soviet Antarctic Expeditions. The Minister then honours all the Expedition members who wintered over the Antarctic continent and worked there during the harsh polar winter conditions with the prestigious Soviet Antarctic Medal, Ribbon and Polar Watch etc., as a special welcome home. It is a general tradition of all the countries active in Antarctica, to give a warm and hero’s welcome to the wintered-over participants of an Antarctic Expedition.
However, I was awarded this prestigious Soviet Antarctic Medal, Ribbon and Polar Watch aboard the Aeroflot IL-18 itself in a special ceremony about half an hour before landing at Calcutta airport. The leader of the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition, 1971-1973, gave a short speech appreciating my work as Project Scientist in their Antarctic Expedition and then awarded me these prestigious Soviet honours as the first Indian ever to winter over the South Pole and cicumnavigate and explore the Antarctic continent. I expressed a vote of thanks to all of them.
Now that the USSR has awarded me its prestigious honours in the form of Soviet Antarctic Medal, Ribbon and Polar Watch, I should expect something similar from our own country also. It is, therefore, requested that PRL/ISRO should recommend my case to the concerned for a suitable national award to me for my voluntary Antarctic Service from 1971 to 1973.
19.2.10 Job Promotions
Before deputing the Soviets to work in the Antarctic, their respective Institutes commit to give them job promotions and meanwhile make some increments in their salaries. After the successful accomplishment of the Antarctic Expedition, on their return home, all the Soviet members are, therefore, promoted to some higher designations.
I should also now expect something like that from PRL/ISRO in reciprocation of my voluntary Antarctic Service. I have brought lot of useful scietific data from the Antarctic, the analysis of which would yield very interesting results.
I wish to emphasise that I have a desire of continuing my voluntary Antarctic Service and make the Antarctic Scientific Research as my career. I personally feel that PRL/ISRO could do this by having some collaborations with the nations active in Antarctica. If critically seen, it is already incorporated in PRL, because PRL has its first letter as ‘P’ which may simultaneously imply the Poles or Polar, as well.
It is, therfore, requested that PRL/ISRO should recognise my Antarctic Service, i.e., participation in the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition, and, therefore, provide me with a suitable job (may be as a Research Associate in RSMD at a higher start). I feel it very much, because my Antarctic venture has not given me any immediate national recognition, award, job, or any monetary benefit whatsoever which I very much deserved, indeed.
19.2.11 Special Medical Care
We, the particpants of the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition, 1971-1973 were told by our station doctors that we may take 4-6 months for readapting ourselves to the old climatic conditions in our home countries. We were also told that we had grown very weak and, therefore, might catch diseases rapidly. During this 4-6 month recovery period, we have been advised to be under a special medical care.
In fact, an Antarctic wintered-over person, apparently grows very weak because of the nonavailability of fresh food, green vegetables, vitamins, etc. So, when he returns home, he finds himself very susceptible to bacteria. He could challenge the Antarctic cold and blizzards but not the infection of this over-populated world. Unless he is kept under a special medical care, he would fall ill and in some cases, condition becomes quite serious.
It is, therefore, that on their return home from the Antarctic Expedition, all the Soviets are given a thorough medical check-up and the necessary treatment by a group of experienced doctors. They are compulsorily kept under this special medical treatment till they return to normaley.
On my return home, I fell seriously ill on the same day, and remained in bed for about a month. I am now gradually returning to normalcy, but my Antarctic frost bite scars are still there. It is, therefore, requested that PRL/ISRO should make arrangements for my thorough medical check-up by all the specialists.
To all my honesty, I may mention here that the quality of food at the station Molodezhnaya where I wintered-over was utterly poor. The station food provisions being in emergency, we had to live only on some meat and limited bread.
Milk, sugar, potatoes, and fruits, etc., had got exhausted before the winter set in. The tea and coffee that we drank used to be black (without milk), and bitter (without sugar). It was really a very tough time.
The poor quality of food had weakened our bodies to that extent that almost every participant lost 5-10 kg of his weight. The Russian doctors, therefore, told all the participants, “ In your individual cases, to be under special medical care, is not only desirable but a necessity.”
However, I opted for rewintering over there for another successive year so as to aquire maximum meterological rocketsonde data. Our station doctor approved my case with the remarks:
“You are still keeping up good health and I think that you can rewinter over here in Antarctica second time also .”
The higher Russian authorities from Moscow, however, didn’t agree to my ‘Antarctic rewintering proposal’ as per their Antarctic Epedition Rules, but permitted me to spend the second summer also there after having already spent one summer and one winter in Antarctica during 1971-1973.
Now I am suffering from some stomach and throat troubles, and some other minor problems. I, therefore, feel the necessity of my thorough medical check-up. It is requested that PRL/ISRO should take up my special case and recommend it to all the distinguished specialists of medicine. I have brought with me my Antarctic medical reports together with my electrocardiograms taken in Antarctica.
This may, as well, help our doctors in knowing something about human physiology. This is necessary because in future also, we may like to send some more explorer-scientists to the Antarctic continent for its further Exploration.
19.2.12 Accumulated Leave
Every member participating in an Antarctic Expedition has to work for 12 hours a day and 7 days a week due to the very limited manpower available there and also to make the Expedition successful. During the full Expedition period, if all the holidays and earned leave be taken into account, it comes out to be nearly 4 months for a Soviet participant. It is, therefore, that all the Soviet members in an Antarctic Expedition, on their return home, are given all their accumulated leave (nearly 4 months).
It is, therefore, requested that PRL/ISRO should also do something like that in my case. In fact, I am still a Research Scholar, and my case should also be considered for a regular job in recognition of my Antarctic explorations.
19.2.13 Post Expedition Privileges
After the successful acomplishment of an Antarctic Expedition, all the Soviet members who participated in it, are entitled to avail themselves of some special post expedition privileges. For instance, according to the Soviet Antarctic Expedition Rules, some quota of luxurious cars, scooters and motor cycles, etc., is reserved for the Soviet participants of its Antarctic Expeditions.
So, the Antarctic wintered-over Soviets get these cars, scooters and motor cycles, etc., on priority and discount basis, from the Polar Expeditions special quota, after their return home from Antarctica.
At the station Molodezhnaya in Antarctica, I heard the Soviet participants, often talking about the type of the car they would buy with their hard earned money, after they return home. Thus all the Soviet members who participate in an Antarctic Expedition and winter over there, enjoy many special privileges, after they return home. In fact, they get a lot of credit for the hardships one has to face while working in the cryogenic environs and hazardous blizzards of Antarctica. Their respective Institutes, and the Government of the USSR, very strongly encourage their scientific and technical personnel, to come forward and join the Soviet Antarctic Expeditions.
However, in my own case I have not received any such benefit from anywhere. It is, therefore, requested that PRL/ISRO should also provide me with such benefits as per the Soviet Antarctic Expedition Rules for which at the first place it has give me some monetary benefits, etc.
19.2.14 Ad Finem
Even with the tremendous effort since the IGY to unlock its secrets, Antarctica remains the least known of all continents. This fact alone should ensure that explorer-scientists will be going south for a long time.
Antarctic Research is particularly fraught with possibilities of fundamental value. Its Geology and Geophysics may be opening a new era in theories of the Earth’s development; its Meteorology is a key factor, if for no other reason then because it is the Earth’s greatest heat sink; Biological studies offer great challenges because of unique evolutionary and physiological adaptations which have occurred here.
Thus scientific discovery in the Antarctic may well be much more important than the economic potential of that area. I hope that a time will come when India also starts participating in the Antarctic Research actively. The future of Antarctica is strongly linked to the future of science itself. And PRL/ISRO have probably to play a major role in this respect.
19.2.15 Epilogue
Now that I have participated in the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition from 1971 to 1973 successfully, on a voluntary basis, it is natural to expect some substantial reward for this perilous assignment. I doubt if anyone else from India ever experienced the hardships of an Antarctic winter before I did so.
It is most regrettable that this scientific adventure of PRL/ISRO has gone quite unnoticed by our country. I very earnestly request you to review my case in respect of all the aforesaid points, which fall under the “Standing Orders and Subsidiary Rules” of the Soviet Antarctic Expeditions. The USSR has awarded me its prestigious Soviet Antarctic Medal, Ribbon and Polar Watch, but our own country (India) has not yet shown me even a single ray of encouragement from any corner whatsoever. This is really quite disappointing. I being the first Indian ever to winter over the South Pole and circumnavigate and xplore the Antarctic continent, really deserve a suitable national award for my scientific explorations in Antarctica, the home of cold and blizzards. I should, therefore, be recommended for the same.
It is highly disappointing that I have not yet been given any national award in recognition of my Antarctic explorations despite the Indian Parliament’s commitment to do so vide its unstarred Question No. 8177 dated 25th April 1973, although the USSR has awarded me its prestigious Soviet Antarctic Medal, Ribbon and Polar Watch for my active participation in the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition from 1971 to 1973.
I have also neither been given any national recognition nor any other monetary benefit, etc., for my Antarctic explorations and achievements. It is, therefore, requested that I should be recommended for the same for which I will be greatly indebted to you. I am now looking forward to your favourable action in this connection.
Yours sincerely,
Sd/-
Parmjit Singh Sehra
Research Scholar and the first Indian ever to winter over the South Pole and circumnavigate and explore the Antarctic continent)
Note :
The above Request to the PRL/ISRO served no useful purpose and the author has not received my national recognition, award or any other monetary benefits, etc., for his Antarctic explorations and achievements from his own country so far. Great God! My during South Pole odyssey was an awful experience and terrible enough for me to have laboured to it without any national reward.
19.3 A letter received from Vaiseshika Electron Devices, Ambala, India dated 7th July 1982 concerning Government’s apathi towards due recognition to Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra for his Antarctic explorations
GRAMS :‘SHUNYA’
VAISESHIKA ELECTRON DEVICES
POST BOX 57
NEAR ALLAHABAD BANK PHONE : 21347
AMBALA CANNT.- 133 001
INDIA TElex- 0392-207-JPS-IN
7th July 1982
OUR REF : (A-10) :04:528
Dear Dr. Sehra,
I happen to read a write-up in the Indian Express where it has been reported that your goodself has made significant contributions in the Antarctic Mission. But we are very sorry to note that your name did not appear in the list of honours for the proposed Indian Antarctic Expedition.
We are publishing a monthly “PRODUCT INFORMATION BULLETIN” known as “VAISESHIKA” Product Information Bulletin. We shall like to cover your contributions in the field of Science & Technology including your pioneering Antarctic explorations and scientific research in our journal. We shall also like to draw the attention of the Government towards this unfortunate episode highlighting the demoralizing trends amongst the Indian Scientists and Engineers.
Looking forward to receiving the desired information per return of mail.
With personal thanks and regards
Sd/-
(ANIL JAIN)
Chief Executive
Dr. P.S. Sehra
Research Scientist,
Meteorological Section,
Space Applications Centre, (ISRO)
AHMEDABAD, Gujarat,
Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra
Research Scientist Meteorology section India.
19.4 Unstarred Parliament’s Question No. 8177 dated 25th April 1973 and its Answer regarding the author’s participation in the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition from 1971 to 1973 as the first Indian ever to winter over the South Pole and circumnavigate and explore the Antarctic continent with an assurance to give suitable national award after the completion of his Antarctic research.
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 8177
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF SPACE
TO BE ANSWERED ON APRIL 25, 1973
INDIAN SCIENTIST IN THE SOVIET
SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION TO ANTARCTICA
8177. SHRI INDRAJIT GUPTA:
Will the Minister fo Space be pleased to state :
(a) Whether Shri Paramjit Singh Sehra, a Research Scientist at the Physcial Research Laboratory, Ahemdabad, had accompained a Soviet Scientific Expidition to Antarctica in 1972;
(b) If so, whether he is the first Indian Scientist to have visited Antarctica; and
(c) Whether any Oficial recognition of his feat has been given
and any encouragement for the further pursuit of his research in this sphere?
ANSWER
PRIME MINISTER (SHRIMATI INDIRA GANDHI )
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) Yes, Sir, on the basis of information available to Department of Space.
(c) Shri Paramjit Singh Sehra who returned to India in February 1973 is engaged in research work in upper atmosphere physics for which he is utilising the data collected during the expedition. The question of any recognition can arise only after the research work is completed.
19.5 A news report “left out in the cold” for not giving any national award to the author in recognition of his Antarctic explorations and achievements which appeard in the Indian Express Saturday, 6th February, 1982.
Left out in the cold
The Indian Express, Saturday, February 6, 1982
By SANJEEV GAUR
Express News Service
CHANDIGARH, February 5.
On April 25, 1973, Mr. Indrajit Gupta put the following question in the Lok Sabha :
“Will the Minister of Space be pleased to state :
(A) Whether Mr. Parmjit Singh Sehra, a research scientist at the Physical Research Laboratory. Ahemdabad India had accoompanied a Soviet expedition to Antaractica from 1971 to 1973?
(b) “If so, whether he is the first Indian Scientist to have achieved the task?”
(C) “Whether any official recognition or encouragement has been given to the scientist?”
In reply to the first two parts of the question, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, who was also the Minister of Space, said: “Yes”.
In reply to the third part, she said that since the scientist was doing research on the Antarctic Expedition, the question of honouring him would arise only on the completion of the thesis.
But the day of honouring the scientist never arrived. Of course, the Gujarat University did honour him with doctorate. Mr. Sehra was awarded Ph. D. in 1977 for his research titled: “Atmospheric Structure: Exploration over Antarctica and inter-hemispheric comparison.”
Mr. Parmjit Singh Sehra, the first Indian scientist ever to set foot on the coldest and the windiest continent of Antarctica and winter over there, is a frustrated man today.
The 31-year-old scientist, who spent 18 months in Antarctica with a Russian Expedition during 1971-1973, is unhappy because not only he was not asked to lead the Indian Expedition which is now there, he was not even informed about the mission.
“ I was surprised to read in the newspapers last month while coming from Ahmedabad to New Delhi that an Indian expedition had successfully landed in Antarctica.” He told ENS.
He is nostalgic about the Antarctic Expedition undertaken by him in November 1971.
Recalls Mr. Sehra: “ I was 22 then. I had just joined the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India. We heard that a Soviet Expedition “was going to Antarctica and the USSR Government wanted to take one Indian.
“After learning that the world’s lowest temperature of -89.3 Degrees C was recorded in Antarctica and violent snowstorms with winds of over 250 km per hour were very frequent in the icy desert, no Indian scientist agreed to be there for more than one year. I vividly remember the day when Prof. Vikram Sarabhai Director of the PRL, told me in the laboratory: ‘Sehra, you are a young man. Why don’t you avail yourself of this wonderful opportunity?”
Mr. Sehra agreed.
He did not undergo any acclimatisation programme or training before setting foot on the South Pole. Unable to produce the adaptablility certificate demanded by the Russian doctor on board the ship Viese, Mr. Sehra volunteered to sign a personal bond declaring: “If something happens to me during the Soviet antarctic Expedition, 1971-1973 the Russian Government will not be responsible for it.’’
On January 7, 1972, the expedition, which included two Gernmans, one American and over 90 Russians landed at Mirny, one of the six permanent Russian stations in Antarctica.
For the next 16 months, Mr Sehra and his colleagues were busy collecting atmospheric data during different seasons. Apart from working at the six stations the Russians had set up there, Mr. Sehra also worked at one of the 0American stations (Amundsen-Scott South Pole station located at the Geographic South Pole) for about a month.
About the most unforgettable experience of the Expedition, he remembers: “Rebirth, Yes, in a way I was reborn when I fell into a deep crevasse on March 14, 1972. I was hardly an inch from death when I was pulled out with the help of long ropes by a rescue party.”
On another occasion, during a violent snowstorm he fell down a 200-metre ridge and lost a few teeth and fractured his legs.
Another incident he vividly recalls is the death of two of his colleagues on the way and “one Russian friend losing his mental balance.”
He has pleasant memories, too. “ It was sheer delight to watch the penguins. They waddle like a cartoonists’s version of a man returning from formal dinner.”
He obsereved a special trait of these birds who appear only during the summer, that is, December to February. “When the penguins produce offspring the male hatches the eggs, while the female goes in search of food.”
“Among the other few cretures who are seen in Antarctica are seals and whales. On land only 4.5 per cent of which is bare, a few primitive plants exist. There are also some insects and small animals. Otherwise it is ice all around. There is almost no fresh water. The sun is rarely visible. It sets for the winter on March 22 not to rise until September 21.”
Another memory which is green in his mind is his return in August, 1973.
“The customs people at the Calcutta airport acted in a rather funny manner. Seeing the small rocks which I had brought from Antarctica, the officials thought I was carrying diamonds with me. They thought I was a smuggler. When I told them that I had returned from Antarctica, where I had gone on Expedition, they asked me how long I planned to stay in India. Obviously, they did not know about the place.”
About the present Indian Expedition, which is expected back in the middle of this month, Mr. Sehra feels that though the country had made a good beginning, the stay of the team was too short to set up a permanent station to establish the effect of the Antarctical circulation on the monsoonal circulation.
Mr Sehra summed up: “ On August 15, 1972, while I was in Antarctica, I wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister about setting up a permanent station there. Nobody paid any attention to my suggestion. Later, the letter was published in one of the well-known international journals. Foreign journals also published a number of papers written by me about the Expedition. Today, when the nation is rejoicing at an Indian Expedition landing in Antarctica, I feel it is a dream come true. But I have not been rewarded.”
CHAPTER 20: Some Accomplishments and Achievements of the Author
Chapter 20
Some Accomplishments and Achievements of the Author
20.1 A Brief Introduction
Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra, an illustrious member of the minority sikh community from Punjab, India (Village & P.O. Bhana, Via Dasuya -144205, District Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India), who made his career in Meteorology with a constant encouragement and inspiration from his parents and late grandfather Mr. Bir Singh Sehra, has joined the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Geneva, Switzerland, a specialized Agency of the United Nations Organization (UNO), as a WMO/UN Expert with effect from 1st November 1991 for conducting an advanced WMO Training Programme at the Department of Meteorological Services in Harare, Zimbabwe under the FINNIDA/SATCC/WMO Meteorology Project. This project is funded by the Finnish International Development Agency (FINNIDA) and executed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for the overall benefit of the region under the Southern African Transport and Communication Commission (SATCC).
The advanced WMO Training Programme comprises of theoretical studies as well as on-the-job training. The Course covers a thorough study of the various prerequisite subjects in Physics, Mathematics, and Data Processing, and also covers all aspects of detailed Meteorological studies, which is to be followed by on-the-job training. Students are selected from within the Department of Meteorological Services in Harare, Zimbabwe for their further career development and promotion to higher levels through this advanced Training Programme. Successful trainees would be awarded advanced WMO Certificates and departmental promotions at the end of this advanced Training Programme conducted by the WMO.
Prior to the present WMO/UN assignment, Dr. Sehra established a new Department of Meteorology in the Faculty of Science, Al-Fateh University in Tripoli, Libya, a challenging task which was earlier planned to be accomplished in association with the University of Reading, U.K., and with the help of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Geneva, Switzerland which somehow they could not do, but Dr. Sehra accomplished it successfully as the founder Teaching Staff Member and Professor of Meterorology of this Department.
Dr. Sehra has also worked at the Goddard Institute for Space Studies, Goddard Space Flight Centre, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in New York, USA, as a Consultant in Middle Atmospheric Studies and Climatology at the invitation of NASA, USA. He has also worked at a number of other national and international institutions in various capacities. For example, the Academy of Athens, Greece, invited him to work with them at their Research Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology in Athens, Greece, as a Research Scientist, where some very important scientific contributions were made with particular reference to rocketsonde-derived stratospheric temperature changes on a global basis. He has also worked at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy, as a Visiting Scientist, at their invitation. While in India, he has worked in the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Space Applications Centre (SAC) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat as a Senior Scientist, and also at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) there as a Research Scientist.
Dr. Sehra has participated in a number of national and international Meetings and Conferences and has made several scientific and technical contributions. He has published a large number of scientific papers and several popular science articles, and has featured in several daily newspapers, magazines and in many radio and television programmes in India as well as abroad. Some of the journals which have published his papers include Nature; Astrophysics and Space Science; Journal of Geophysical Research; Geophysical Research Letters; Journal of the Meteorological Society of Japan; Archives for Meteorology, Geophysics and Bioclimatology; Indian Journal of Radio and Space Physics; Indian Journal of Meteorology, Hydrology and Geophysics (Mausam); Antarctic - Journal of the New Zealand Antarctic Society; Indian Mountaineer - Journal of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation; Handbook for MAP - Middle Atmosphere Program; and the AMS preprint volumes etc.
Dr. Sehra, born in Village Bhana, District Hoshiarpur Punjab, India on 10th March 1947 obtained his Higher Secondary Certificate and B.Sc. Degree from the Panjab University, Chandigarh in 1964 and 1967, and M.Sc. Degree in Physics from the University of Allahabad, India in 1969, and his Ph.D. Degree in Meteorology and Atmospheric Science from the Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India in 1977. With throughout first class and high ranks he also won the country’s highest National Science Talent Search Scholarship through a National Science Talent Search competition conducted by the Department of Science Education, National council of Educational research and Training (NCERT), Government of India, New Delhi, India which continued from 1964 to 1977.
Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra has earned a unique historical distinction of being the first Indian ever to winter over the South Pole and circumnavigate and explore the Antarctic continent during his participation in the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition from 1971 to 1973 under a joint Indo-Soviet agreement. To be first in a population of about one billion (100 crores) people in India in Antarctic Exploration is, indeed, a marvelous achievement in itself, for which Dr. Sehra has been awarded the prestigious Soviet Antarctic Medal, Ribbon & Polar Watch; and the New Zealand Antarctic Society has also honoured him.
Dr. Sehra was then working at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, India, when he went to the South Pole for Antarctic Exploration as the first and the only member from India, with the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition. He worked as a Project Scientist for upper atmospheric meteorological soundings over the South Pole with M-100 meteorological rockets at the Soviet Antarctic station Molodezhnaya in Antarctica. He brought lot of meteorological data from the South Pole, analysed it, and carried out its extensive research at the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, India, and wrote his Ph.D. Thesis entitled ‘Atmospheric Structure: Exploration over Antarctica and Interhemispheric Comparison’, for which he was awarded Ph.D. (Science) Degree by the Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India in 1977.
Dr. Sehra’s Antarctic Exploration created tremendous interest in India for further exploration of Antarctica. Many of his articles featured in several national and international daily newspapers and magazines with his proposals for opening some Indian Bases in Antarctica. Some popular science articles on his Antarctic Exploration and his ambitious proposals of opening Indian Bases in Antarctica were, for example, published by the Spokesman Weekly, Dharmayug and Prajamata magazines, etc., and also by many newspapers such as The Times of India, The Indian Express, The Tribune, The Statesman, The Hindu, and The Spotlight, etc., just to name a few, and they appeared in several Indian and foreign languages. Consequently, his proposals of opening some Indian Scientific Research stations in Antarctica were realized and his dream came true in 1982, when India launched regular Indian Expeditions to Antarctica and opened an Indian Antarctic station ‘Dakshin Gangotari’ and subsequently another Indian Antarctic station ‘Maitri’ there. Since then, regular Indian Expeditions are sent to Antarctica for its further exploration on a continuous basis.
Dr. Sehra became a Member of the American Meteorological Society. Boston. Massachusetts, USA in 1990. He has also been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society, Reading, Berkshire, U.K. in 1991, and a member of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society, Ottawa, Canada in 1999. He wishes to continue working in the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Geneva, Switzerland, a specialized Agency of the United Nations Organization (UNO), because it provides a true international scope for the advancement of meteorological, hydrological, oceanic, environmental, climatic, and related sciences, and their applications, etc., through its several international programmes and projects all over the world.
20.2 A Short Bio-Data of Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra
Present Address : Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra, Ph.D. (Science),
c/o Dr. (Mrs.) Bhupinder Sehra,
MBBS, MD, Gynaecologist,
S. Nihal Singh Pahwa Charitable Hospital,
Industrial Area-B, Ludhiana-141003, Punjab, India, Phone : 00-91-(0)161-545945.
Permanent Address: Village & P.O. Bhana, Via Dasuya-144205, District Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India,
Phone : 00-91-(0)-1886-60212.
Credentials Summary:
Ph.D. (Science); WMO/UN Expert (Geneva, Switzerland); F.R.Met.S. (UK); MAMS (USA); Research Scientist, Academy of Athens, Greece; Visiting Scientist, ICTP, Triests, Italy; Prof. of Meteorology & Atmospheric Science, Al-Fateh University, Tripoli, Libya; Senior Scientist, SAC, ISRO & PRL Ahmedabad, India; First Indian ever to winter over the South Pole and circumnavigate and explore the Antarctic continent, and the only Indian Recipient of the great Soviet honours such as the Soviet Antarctic Medal, Ribbon & Polar Watch.
Personal :
Born on 10th March 1947 at Village & P.O. Bhana, via Dasuya-144205, District Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India; Married and have two children, son & daughter.
Education :
Primary education from the Government Primary School, Bhana/Mangarh, District Hoshiarpur, Punjab, india, upto 1957; and Secondary education and Higher Secondary from the Khalsa Higher Secondary School, Garhdiwala, District Hoshiarpur, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India from 1957 to 1964.
B.Sc. in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics & English from the D.A.V. College, Jalandhar, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India in 1967.
M.Sc. in Physics from the University of Allahabad, Allahabad, India in 1969.
Ph.D. in Meteorology & Atmospheric Science/Atmospheric Physics from the Gujarat University, Ahmedabad at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, India in 1977.
Professional Appointments :
1969-1974/1977 : Research Scientist, Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
1971-1973 : Project Scientist, 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition, and the First Indian ever to winter over the South Pole and circumnavigate and explore the Antarctic continent, and the only Indian Recipient of the prestigious Soviet Antarctic Medal, Ribbon & Polar watch.
1977 : Awarded Ph.D. Degree in Meteorology & Atmospheric Science/Atmospheric Physics by the Gujarat University for the Ph.D. Thesis entitled “Atomospheric Structure : Exploration over Antarctica and Interhemispheric Comparison”.
1974-1982 : Senior Scientist, Space Applications Centre (SAC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Ahmedabad, India.
1978-1979 : Consultant, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), New York, USA.
1979-1980 : Research Scientist, Academy of Athens, Research Centre for Atmospheric Physics & Climatology, Athens, Greece.
1980-1981 : Visiting Scientist, International Centre for Theorotical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy.
1982-1991: Professor of Meteorology & Atmospheric Science, Faculty of Science, Al-Fateh University, Tripoli, Libya.
1991 on wards : WMO/UN Expert for an advanced Training Programme in Meteorology at the Department of Meteorological Services, Harare, Zimbabwe, conducted by the world Meteorological Organization (WMO), United Nations Organisation (UNO), Geneva, Switzerland. Association with the WMO/UN is continued further also.
1990 onwards : Honorary Scientist, Member, Fellow of many reputed International Scientific Institutions and Learned Societies such as:
Member, American Meteorological Society (MAMS), Boston, Massachussetts, USA ;
Fellow, Royal Meteorological Society (F.R.Met.S.), Reading, Berkshire, UK;
Member, Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (MCMOS), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada,
Scholarships, Distinctions & Publications :
Several years Research & Teaching experience. Throughout first class academic career with high ranks and distinctions and merit & national scholarships, and also won India’s highest National Science Talent Search Scholarship of the NCERT which continued from 1964 to 1977. More than 100 scientific, teachnical and popular scientific papers in reputed international scientific Journals with special feature articles and Television & Radio interviews on his South Pole explorations in India and abroad. Attended several national and international conferences in India as well as abroad. Has earned the unique historical distinction of being the first Indian ever to winter over the South Pole and circumnavigate and explore the Autarctic continent. His Antarctic explorations created tremendous interest in India for further exploration of the Antarctic continent including the opening of some Indian Research Bases there, viz., Dakshin Gangotri and Maitri.
20.3 Resume
(20.3.1) Personal Particulars
1. Name : Parmjit Singh Sehra
2. Father's Name : Mohinder Singh Sehra
3. Mother's Name : Satwinder Kaur
4. Address : Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra,
WMO/UN Expert, c/o
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), P.O. Box. 4775, Harare, Zimbabwe, Africa.
5. Duty Station : Department of Metorological Services, P.O. Box BE 150, Belvedere, Harare, Zimbabwe, Africa.
6 Employer : World Meteorological Organization (WMO), United Nations Organization (UNO), 7 bis, Avenue de la Paix, Case Postale No. 2300, CH-1211, Geneva 2, Switzerland.
7. Permanent Address : Village & P.O. Bhana, via Dasuya-144205, District Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India.
6.8 8. Place of Birth : Village & P.O. Bhana, via Dasuya- 144205,District Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India.
9. Date of Birth : 10th March 1947.
10. Marital status : Married to Dr. (Mrs.) Bhupinder Sehra, M.B.B.S., M.D. (Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Have got two children : son, Mr. Gaurav Singh Sehra, born on 19th July 1983 in Tripoli, Libya, and daughter, Miss Pamela Sehra, born on 3rd January 1987 in Chandigarh, India.
11. Family’s Present Address and Place of Work
Dr. (Mrs.) Bhupinder Sehra, M.B.B.S., M.D., Medical Specialist (Obstetrician & Gynaecologist), Consultant & Head, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, S. Nihal Singh Pahwa Charitable Hospital, Industrial Area-B, Ludhiana - 141003, Punjab, India; Personal Phone at our Hospital Campus Residence, Apartment B-2: with national code : 0161-545945, and international code: 00-91-161-545945,
20.3.2 Educational Qualifications:
ii) National Science Talent Search Competition conducted by the Department of Science Education, National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi, India in 1964. Awarded Gold Medal, Certificate Government of India, of Merit and the country's highest National Science Talent Search Scholarship which continued throughout the academic career upto award of the Ph.D. Degree in Atomspheric Sciences from 1964 upto 1977.
iii) B.Sc. with Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry and English as the main subjects from the D.A.V. College, Jalandhar, Panjab University, Chandigarh India in 1967 securing 85.3% marks in B.Sc. - III and 1st position in the University, and awarded National Scholarship.
v) Ph.D. (Science) awarded in 1977 by the Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India for research in Meteorology & Atmospheric Science/Atmospheric Physics, carried out at the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, India. The Ph.D. thesis "Atmospheric Structure : Exploration over Antarctica and Interhemispheric Comparison" was evaluated and greatly appreciated by NASA/USA scientists which is also published in many reputed international scientific journals.
iv) M.Sc.(Physics) Degree awarded in 1969 by the University of Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India with 1st class & high rank and National Scholarship.
Higher Secondary in 1964 from the Khalsa Higher
Secondary School, Garhdiwala, Hoshiarpur, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India with Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry and English as the main subjects securing 1st class with 73.5% marks and high rank in the University, and also awarded National Scholarship.
20.3.3 Research & Teaching Experience :
Several years of research and teaching experience in Meteorology & Atmospheric Science/Atmospheric Physics at the following institutions :
(i) Physical Research Laboratorya (PRL), Navrangpura, Ahemdabad-380009, India, from 1969 to 1974.
(ii) Space Applications Centre (SAC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Jodhpur Tekra, Ahmedabad-380053, India, from 1974 to 1982.
(iii) Al-Fateh University, Faculty of Science, Department of Meterology, P.O. Box 13685, Tripoli, Libya, from 1982 to 1991.
(iv) World Meterological Organization (WMO), United Nations Organization (UNO), Geneva, Switzerland from 1991 onwards.
20.3.4. A Unique Historical Distinction
Honoured as the first Indian ever to winter over the South Pole and circumnavigate and explore the Antarctic continent while participating in the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition from 1971 to 1973. Worked as Project Scientist for upper Atmospheric meterological soundings with M-100 rockets at the Soviet Antarctic station Molodezhnaya, and some other stations in Antarctica, and utilised the meterological rocketsonde data including some other scientific data collected from there for Ph.D. work. Awarded the prestigious Soviet Antarctic Medal, Ribbon & Polar Watch in recognition of Antarctic explorations. This work created tremendous interect in India for further exploration of Antarctica, and consequently, India has started sending its own Scientific Expeditions to Antarctica from 1982 on a regular basis and has also opened two Indian Research Bases in Antarctica, viz., Dakshin Gangotri and Maitri, thereby accepting and honouring such proposals made by the author earlier, and thus making his dream come true.
20.3.5 Postdoctoral Fellowships and Foreign Assignments
Awarded the following postdoctoral fellowships to carry out research in meteorological studies of the terrestrial atmosphere and also to provide consultation in stratospheric dynamics related to climate modelling :
(i) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), New York, U.S.A, awarded a consultation fellowship in 1978 in order to provide them consultations in stratospheric dynamics related to cliate modeling. Accordingly, visited the GISS/NASA, USA, and worked there during the period 1978-79 and also gave there a a number of Seminars on "The Restless Atmosphere" in addition to the consultations.
(ii) Academy of Athens, Research Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology, Athens, Greece, awarded a vising fellowship in 1979 in order to carry out collaborative research with them on middle atmospheric studies and sun weather relationships. Accordingly, worked thereuring the d period 1979-1980, and based upon that research work a paper "Rocketsonde-derived stratospheric temperature changes associated with a major solar cosmic ray event" was published in Astrophysics and Space Science, Vol. 74, No. 2, pp. 475-480, February 1981.
International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy, awarded visiting fellowships twice : firstly in January 1980 while still at Athens, in order to hold discussions with them in atmospheric physics there, and secondly from September to December 1980 in order to participate in an "Autumn Course on the Physics of Flow in Oceans, Atmosphere and Deserts" there, which was followed by a related visit to Sebha in Libya during the period 1980-1981 for attending a "Topical Meeting on Desertification in and around Sebha (Libya)". Gave a number of Seminars at the ICTP, Trieste, Italy during this Course and also at Sebha, Libya in the Topical Meeting during this period there, which was extended upto 1981.
AL-Fateh University, Faculty of Science, Department of Meteorology, Tripoli, Libya, awarded a yearly renewable teaching and research job in Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences in 1981. Accordingly, joined this University for teaching this subject at graduats level and also carrying out research in this field and worked there during the period 1981-1991 and established this new Department of Mereorology there.
(v) World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a specialized Agency of the United Nations Organization (UNO), Geneva, Switzerland, offered a regular job of a WMO/UN Expert in 1991. Accordingly, have been working there as WMO/UN Expert since then.
vi) World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a specialized Agency of
20.3.6 Pubbications
The author has published several scientific papers in reputed international journals and has a number of scientific & technical unpublished institutional reports and also a large number of popupar-scientific publications in various periodicals as given in the next sections.
20.3.7 Summary of the work accomplished
Using the M-100 meteorological rocketsonde data collected over Antarctica, it has been shown for the first time that sizable perturbations occur in the uper atmospheric thermal and dynamical structures over the South Polar regions during the winter regime which are accompanied by sudden stratospheric warmings there. Detailed results are published in many reputed international scientific journals.
Worked on the development of an indigenous meteorological payload for Menaka rockers, particularly on its software development for obtaining upper atmospheric winds and temperatures from a number of rocket stations in India.
Worked on the software development of the Omega Upsonde Project in India. A quick version of the software for Omega station identification, synchronisation, and wind derivation was prepared while at SAC/ISRO in Ahmedabad, India.
Worked on the development of necessary software for the extraction of stratospheric layer thicknesses and generation of stratospheric constant pressure maps from the raw Stratospheric Sounding Unit (SSU) data collected via VHF telemetry as well as in HRPT format from the TIROS-N/NOAA-6 series of operational meteorological satellites. As a member of the "Satellite Data and Software" working group of the Indian Middle Atmosphere Programme (IMAP), made a substantial contribution to this international programme.
Carried out research and teaching in all aspects of Meteorology at the Faculty of Science, A1-Fateh University, Tripoli, Libya by establishing a new Department of Meteorology and worked there as Professor of Meteorology during the period 1981-1991. Since 1991, working in the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a specialized Agency of the United Nations Organization (UNO), Geneva, Switzerland as a WMO/UN Expert.
20.3.8 Membership of Professional Institutions
Has been elected as a Member of the American Meteorological Society (MAMS), Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Has also been a member of the Indian Meteorological Society, Indian Rocket Society, Indian Physics Association, New Zealand Antarctic Society, and many other national and international scientific institutions; and has also participated in several national and international scientific symposia. Has also been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society (F.R.Met.S), Reading, Berkshire, UK, and a Member of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society, (MCMOS), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
20.4 LIST OF PUBLICATIONS
1. Indian Scientist (Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra) worked at Soviet Antarctic Station, Antarctic, (Editor J.M. Caffin), published quarterly by the New Zealand Antarctic Society, Vol. 7, No. 7, pp. 224-225, September 1975.
2. Sehra, P.S., Upper mesospheric wind structure in Antarctica, Nature, Vol. 252, No. 5485, pp. 683-686, December 20/27, 1974.
3. Sehra, P.S., Upper atmospheric thermal structure in Antarctica, Nature, Vol. 254, No. 5499, pp. 401-404, April 3, 1975. Sehra, P.S., Atmospheric Structure : Exploration over Antarctica & Equatorial Comparison, Indian Journal of Radio & Space Physics, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 66-74, March 1976.
4. Sehra, P.S., Structure of the Atmosphere over South Polar and Equatorial Regions, Journal of the Meteorological Society of Japan, Vol. 54, No. 2, pp.105-117, April 28, 1976.
5. Sehra, P.S., Atmospheric Structure over Antarctica and Equatorial India in Southern Summer, Indian Journal of Meteorology, Hydrology and Geophysics, Vol. 27, No. 3, pp. 241-252, July 1976.
6. Sehra, P.S., Antarctic Atmosphere: Temperature Exploration and Seasonal Variations, Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 81, No. 21, pp 3715 - 3718, July 20, 1976.
7. Sehra, P.S., Atmospheric Structure : Exploration over Antarctica and Interhemispheric Comparison, Ph.D. Thesis, Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad-380009, India, (Gujarat University), pp.1-285, October 1976.
8. Sehra, P.S., Atmospheric Circulation : Exploration over Antarctica and Seasonal Variations, Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 3, No. 11, pp. 669-672, November 1976.
9. Sehra, P.S., First Indian at the South Pole, Indian Mountaineer - Journal of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, No. 2, pp. 79-86, Autumn 1978.
10. Sehra, P.S., Antarctica - Enigmatic Continent, Need to open an Indian Base, The Spokesman Weekly-An International Journal published in New Delhi, India, 27th Annual Number, pp. 93-95, 1978.
11 Sehra, P.S., Exploration of Antaractica, Indian Mountaineer - Journal of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, No. 3, pp. 57-61, Spring 1979.
12. Sehra, P.S., Tropospheric, Stratospheric & Mesospheric Winds over Antarctica, Indian Journal of Radio & Space Physics, Vol. 8, pp. 160-167, August 1979.
13. Sehra, P.S., Stratospheric Circulation over Antarctica, Journal of the Meteorological Society of Japan, Vol. 54, No. 4, pp.332-340, August 1979.
14. Sehra, P.S., et al., Influence of Solar Proton Event on Upper Stratospheric Temperatures, Praktika - Proceedings of the Academy of Athens, Greece, Vol. 5, pp. 362-371, 1980.
15. Sehra, P.S., Seminars : 1. Upper Atmosphere as seen from the South Pole, and 2. South Pole Odyssey as I look back, given at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy, during the Autumn Course on Physics of flow in the Oceans, Atmosphere and Deserts, SMR/74-40, ICTP, pp. 1-22, September-November 1980.
16. Sehra, P.S., et al., Rocketsonde-derived Stratospheric Temperature Changes associated with a major Solar Cosmic Ray Event, Astrophysics and Space Science, Vol. 74, No.2, pp. 475-480, February 1981.
17. Sehra, P.S., & Hariharn, T.A., Interhemispheric Comparison of Atmospheric Structure, Middle, Atmosphere Program (MAP) - Handbook for MAP, (Editor S.K. Avery), Published by the University of Illinois, USA, Vol.2, pp. 51-60, June 1981.
18. Sehra, P.S., Sharif, T.A., & Nashnosh, A.Y., Sudden Mesospheric Warming over Euatorial Region, Archives for Meteorology, Geophysics and Bioclimatology, Series A, Vol. 33, No.4, pp. 289-296, March 1985.
19. Sehra, P.S., Sharif, T.A., & Nashnosh, A.Y., Interactions between the upper tropospheric and stratospheric region and summer monsoon as revealed by satellite observations, Journal of the Meteorological Society of Japan, Vol. 64, No. 3, pp. 443-447, June 1986.
20. Sehra, P.S., et al., Some Experimental Studies on Precipitation Enhancement by using Silver Iodide (Agi) Nuclei, Published in the Preprint Volume of the AMS Conference on Cloud Physics held in San Francisco, California, USA, from 23-27 July 1990. The Conference was organised by the American Meteorological Society (AMS), USA. The paper consists of 8 printed pages in the Preprint Volume of the AMS Conference on Cloud Physics, 1990.
21. Sehra, P.S., Stratospheric Temperature and Ozone Variations over Tropical Region during 1979 Summer Monsoon from TIROS-N Satellite, Presented at the American Meteorological Society's 19th Conference in Miami, Florida, USA; (Published by the American Meteorological Society in its Preprint Volume pages 502-507, 1991.
22. Sehra, P.S., Hazardous Pollution Problem over Ludhiana, Punjab, India, Presented at the Third International Conference on Urban Air Quality-Measurement, Modelling and Management, Loutarki, Greece 19-23 March 2001.
20.5 LIST OF SOME POPULAR SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS
1. Soviet TV Documentary and Radio Programme, The Government of USSR made a special TV Documentary and a ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬Radio Programme highlighting the Indian Scientist Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra's participation in the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition to the South Pole during 1971-1973. These special scientific programmes were telecast from Moscow which also appeared in all the leading newspapers of the world.
2. Indian Scientist at Base in Enderby Land,
Antarctic - A News Bulletin published quarterly by the New Zealand Antarctic Society from Wellington and Christchurch, New Zealand, Vol. 6, No. 8, p. 292, December 1972.
3. Sehra was 1st Indian Scientist to visit Antarctica, The Tribune, National daily published from Chandigarh, India, by the Trustees of the Triubune, April 26, 1973. The Prime Minister of India made a written statement in the Parliament in New Delhi that Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra was the first Indian Scientist ever to visit Antarctica and to winter over the South Pole. These news also appeared in all the leading newspapers in India and abroad.
4. Sehra, P.S., A Perilous Tryst with the Antarctic Blizzards and Crevasses, PRL Souvenir, published by the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), at its Silver Jubilee Celebrations, Ahmedabad, India, 1973.
5. Sehra, P.S., Antarctica - An International Laboratory for Science, An Invited Lecture delivered at the Physical Research Laboratory, (PRL), Ahmedabad, India, during its Silver Jubilee Celebrations, 1973.
6. Sehra, P.S., My Sientific Adventures at the South Pole, An Invited Paper presented at the Symposium on Space Science at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Trivandrum-22, India, 1973.
7. Sehra, P.S., ISRO Explores Antarctica, A Report giving a brief account of the scientific work done by the Indian Scientist Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra during his participation in the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition from 1971-1973 published by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and presented at the joint ISRO/USSR Space Exploration Exhibition held at Bangalore and Bombay, India, 1974. Sehra, P.S., India in the Icy Deserts, The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Government of India, made this Special TV Documentary highlighting the Indian Scientist Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra's scientific work at the South Pole during 1971-1973. It was telecast as a special science programme during the joint ISRO/NASA Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) carried out with the US Applications Technology Satellite (ATS-6) in 1975-76.
8. Sehra, P.S., The first Indian Scientist ever to winter over the South Pole, Dharmayug - Illustrated Hindi Weekly, published by the proprietors of the Times of India, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd., Headquaters Bombay, India, Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 6-14, January 4, 1976.
9. Sehra, P.S., The First Indian at the South Pole, Prajamata - Kannada Illustrated Weekly, published by the Prajamata & Janavani Newspapers and Periodicals, Bangalore, India, Vol. 47, Nos. 43 & 44, June 6 & 13, 1976.
10. Sehra, P.S., Harshest Continent - An Indian remembers Antarctica, The Statesman - National daily simultaneously published from Calcutta and New Delhi, India by the Statesman Ltd., Vol. CXXXII, No. 32492, August 5, 1977.
11. Sehra, P.S., What is it like to winter over South Pole, The Sunday Tribune - National daily, published from Chandigarh, India by the Trustees of The Tribune, Volume XCVII, No. 225, August 14, 1977.
12. Sehra, P.S., South Pole Odyssey as I look back, The Hindu - India's national newspaper simultaneously published from Madras, Coimbatore, Bangalore and Hyderabad by the proprietors Kasturi & Sons Ltd., Vol.100, No.33, August 14,1977.
13. Sehra, P.S., Sojourn in the South Pole, The Times of India - National daily, simultaneously published from Bombay, New Delhi and Ahmedabad, India by the proprietors Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd., Vol. CXL, No. 293, October 23, 1977.
14. Sehra, P.S., A Sikh in South Pole Odyssey, The Spokesman Weekly, published from New Delhi, India, Vol. 27, No. 13-14, pp. 37-38, Guru Nanak Number, 1977.
15. Sehra, P.S., The first Indian ever to winter over the South Pole, IMF Book, published by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) at its 20th Anniversary Celebrations, New Delhi, India, 1977-1978.
16. Sans Laurels from Antarctica / Left Out in the Cold, About Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra's active participation in the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition from 1971 to 1973 and the Government of India's pending recognition for his Antaretic Explorations, The Indian Express, Vol. L., No. 24, Chandigarh, New Delhi, and simultaneously published from all other main capital cities in India, Friday/Saturday, February 5/6, 1982.
17. Antarctica - Land of Emperor Penguins, (Antarctica - Penguin Badshah ki Dharti), About Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra's wintering at the South Pole and Exploration of the Antarctic continent, The national daily Hindi newspaper, Punjab Kesri, simultaneously published from Jalandhar and New Delhi, India, Vol. 12, No. 224, Sunday, August 14, 1994.
18. Several news items in the national and international media on Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra's accomplishments and achievements, etc.
20.6 List of Some Scientific Conferences attended and Contributions made
1. Participated in a number of Summer Schools in basic sciences under the National Science Talent Search Scheme of the Department of Science Education, Government of India, National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi - 110016, India, as a National Science Talent Search Scholar during the period form 1964 to 1977 while holding the country's highest National Science Talent Search Scholarship during this period. These Summer Schools were, for example, held at the Lucknow University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (U.P.); Meerut College, Meerut University, Meerut, U.P.; Panjab University, Chandigarh; Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Calcutta; Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, Gujarat; Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Trombay, Bombay, in India, etc.
2. Participated in the joint Indo-Soviet Space Exploration Exhibition at Bangalore and Bombay in India in 1974, which was organised by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in collaboration with the USSR, and presented a scientific and technical Report "ISRO Explores Antarctica", there.
3. Participated in the Scientific Symposium on "Earth's Near Space Environment" at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New Delhi, India, in 1974, and presented a paper entitled “The Antarctic and the Equatorial Atmospheric Structure", based on my Antarctic explorations.
4. Participated in a Course of Lectures on "Numerical Weather Prediction" at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, during November 1975.
5. Participated in the Scientific Symposium on "Solar Planetary Physics" held at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, India, during January 20-24, 1976, and presented a paper on "Meteorology and Upper Atmosphere", and also took part in other scientific discussions.
6. Participated in the 18th Plenary Meeting of International Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) held at Varna, Bulgaria, during May-June 1975, and presented a paper "Atmospheric Structure in the Eastern and the Western Hemispheres", with its Proceedings received in the PRL Library, Ahmedabad, India, in 1976.
7. Participated in the Scientific Symposium on "Tropical Monsoons", held at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, India, during 8-10 September 1976, and presented a paper entitled "South Polar and Equatorial Atmospheric Structure”.
8. Participated in the Indo-French Working on "Numerical 8.Participated in the Indo-French workshop on “Numerical Weather Prediction" held at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), New Delhi, India, during January 17-28, 1977, and presented a paper "Exploration of Atmospheric Structure at the South Pole".
9. Participated in the Scientific Advisory Board Meeting of the Monsoon Experiment (MONEX), at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, India, during May 1977.
10. Participated in the Scientific Workshop on "Satellites for Earth Observations (SEO), held at the Space Applications Centre (SAC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Ahmedabad, India, during 2-4 June 1977.
11. Participated in the Monsoon Experiment (MONEX)-1977, aboard he Soviet Scientific Research Vessels sailing from Bombay, India, in June 1977 in view of the MONEX Advisory Board Meeting held earlier at the PRL, Ahmedabad, India, in May 1977.
12. Participated in the Scientific Seminars entitled "Equatorial Waves in the Lower Stratosphere" and other allied topics, at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL)/ Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO, Ahmedabad, India, in July 1977.
13. Participated in the Scientific Workshop entitled "Equatorial Electrojet and Associated Phenomenon" held at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, India, during 25-29 October 1977.
14. Participated in the Scientific Symposium on "Remote Sensing for Hydrology, Agriculture, and Mineral Resources", held at the Space Applications Centre (SAC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Ahmedabad, India, in November 1977.
15. Participated in the IFIAS Workshop entitled "Drought and Man", organised by the International Federation of Institutes for Advanced Study (IFIAS), at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, India, in November 1977.
16. Participated in the joint IUTAM/IUGG International Symposium on "Monsoon Dynamics", held at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), New Delhi, India, during 5-9 December 1977, and presented a paper “Interactions between the Middle Atmosphere and the Summer Monsoons”.
17. Participated in the Scientific Seminars on "Predictability of Monsoons" given by Prof. J. Charney of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL)/Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO, Ahmedabad, India, in December 1977.
18. Delivered an Invited lecture on "My Scientific Adventures at the South Pole", at the Sheth Chimanlal Nagindas Vidyavihar, Ambawadi, Ellis Bridge, Ahmedabad-380006, Gujarat, India, on 18th January 1978.
19. Delivered an invited lecture on "My Scientific Explorations at the South Pole", organised by the Inter-Disciplinary Research and Teaching Committee of the Faculty of Science at the Botany Department, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad-380009, India, on 10th March 1978.
20. Participated in the Scientific Seminars on "Sun-Weather Relationships and Studies of the Middle Atmosphere" held at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, India, in March 1978, and presented a paper on "Interactions between the Troposphere and the Stratosphere".
21. Participated in "An Orientation Programme on Microprocessors and Minicomputers" jointly organised by the Computer Society of India and the Baroda Productivity Council at Baroda, Gujarat State, India, in May 1978.
22 Participated in the “Antarctic and Southern Hemisphere Aeronomy Year (ASHAY) Conference” organized by the 21st COSPAR Meeting held at Innsbruck, Ausria, during May-June 1978, and presented a paper entitled “Stratospheric Circulation over Antarctica”.
23 Delivered an invited lecture on “Geographical Account of the Antarctic Region” at the Department of Geography, University School of Social Sciences, Gujarat Univesity, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad-380009, India, on 28th July 1978.
24 Delivered an invited lecture on “The Restless Atmosphere” at the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), 2880 Broadway, 112th Street, New York, N.Y. 10025, U.S.A., on Tuesday, 9th January 1979, in addition to so many other scientific seminars delivered there.
25 Participated in the “Middle Atmosphere Programme (MAP) Workship” organised by the Indian National Steering Committee on Middle Atmosphere Programme (MAP), at the Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad, india, in 1979, and presented two Working papers, viz., “3-D Stratospheric Modelling”, and “Satellite Observations for the Middle Atmosphere Programme”.
26 Delivered an invited lecture on “Hemispheric Differences in Stratospheric Circulation from Global Rocketsonde Measurements” at the Reserch Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology, Academy of Athens, 3rd September Street No. 131, Athens 813, Greece, in November 1979, in addition to so many other scientific seminars there.
27 Delivered an invited lecture on “A Comparison of Atmospheric Structure over Antarctica and Equatorial Region” at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) , Strada Costiera 11, P.O. Box 586, Miramare, 34100 Trieste, Italy, in January 1980.
28 Participated in the “International Symposium on Middle Atmosphere Dynamics and Transport” held at the University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, U.S.A., during the period from July 28 to August 1,1980, and presented a paper “Interhemispheric Comparison of Atmospheric Structure”, which was also subsequently published in the “Handbook for Middle Atmosphere Programme (MAP)”, University of Illinois Press, Vol. 2, pp. 475-480, June 1981.
29 Delivered invited lectures: (i) “Upper Atmosphere as seen from the South Pole”, and (ii) “South Pole Odysssey as I look back”, at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Strada Costiera 11, P.O. Box 586, Miramare, 34100 Trieste, Italy, on 16th October 1980 and 23rd October 1980, respectively, in addition to so many other scientifc seminars given there.
30 Participated in the “Topical Meting on Desertification in and around Sebha (Libya)” at Sebha in Libya during December 1980 to it January 1981, jointly organised by the International Centre for Theoretical Physcis (ICTP), Trieste, Italy, and the Faculty of Education, A1-Fateh University, Tripoli,. Libya, and made significant contributions on Desertification in this Meeting. Consequently, I was invited to open a new Department of Meteorology in the Faculty of Science of A1-Fateh University in Tripoli, Libya, from the Academic Year 1981-82.
31 Participated in the National Workshop on “Atmospheric Studies using High Power VHF Radar” held at the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, India, during 2-4 February 1981, and presented a paper on “Atmospheric Structure and Dynamics”.
32 Participated in the “National Space Science Symposium” held at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, India, during the period from 3-6 February 1982, and presented a paper on “Stratospheric Constant Pressure Maps from TIROS-N SSU Data”, and also another paper on “Inter-coupling between the Stratosphere and the Summer Monsoons”.
33 Participated in the “AMS Conference on Cloud Physcis” organised by the American Meteorological Society in San Francisco, California, U.S.A., from 23-27 July 1990, and presented a paper on “Some Experimental Studies on Precipitation Enhancement by using Silver Iodide (AgI) Nuclei”, which is also published in the AMS Preprint Volume, pp. 379-386, 1990, American Meteorlogical Society (AMS), 45 Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
34 Participated in the “19th Conference on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology” organised by the American Meteorological Society in Miami, Florida, U,S.A., from 6-10 May 1991, and presented a paper on “Stratospheric Temperature and Ozone Variations over Tropical Region during 1979 Summer Monsoon from TIROS-N Satellite”, which is also published by the American Meteorological Society (AMS), 45 Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02108-3693, U.S.A., in the AMS Preprint Volume, pp. 502-507, 1991.
And so on ...............
20.7 List of Some Institutional Reports
Institute :
Meteorology Division, Remote Sensing Area, MET/RSA,
Space Applications Centre, Indian Space Research
Organisation, SAC/ISRO, Ahmedabad – 380 053, India)
1. Sehra, P.S., Symposium on Tropical Monsoons, held at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune from September 8-10, 1976, A Brief Report, pp.1-7, 1976.
2 Sehra, P.S., A Review paper on Atmospheric Waves and Tides, pp. 1-31, October 1977.
3 Sehra, P.S., Physcis and Dynamics of the Falling Objects in the Terrestrial Atmosphere, RSA/MET/T/04/SR-1/78, pp. 1-21, January 1978.
4 Sehra, P.S., A Brief Report on the Proceedings of “An Orientation Programme on Microprocessors & Minicomputers” jointly organised by the Computer Society of India and Baroda Productivity Council at Baroda during 5-7 May 1978, RSA/MET/T/07, pp. 1-11 May 1978.
5 Sehra, P.S., Note on Satellite Meteorology, A Summary of the Current Uses of Satellite Data in a Meteorlogical Forecast Office, RSA/MET/T/11, pp. 1-6, July 1978.
6 Sehra, P.S., A Scientific Report on “My Consultation Visit to GISS/NASA on Stratospheric Dynamics related to Climate Modeling” at the invitation of Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), New York, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), USA in January 1979, RSA/MET/T/13/01-79, pp. 1-35, January 1979.
7 Sehra, P.S., Three-Dimensional (3-D) Stratospheric Modelling, A Working Paper presented to the Indian National Steering Committee for the Middle Atmosphere Program (MAP) at MAP Workshop held at SAC/ISRO from 22-24 March 1979, RSA/MET/T/13.1/01-79, pp. 1-32, April 1979.
8 Sehra, P.S., et. al., Satellite Observations for the Middle Atmosphere Program (MAP) : A Working Paper submitted to the Indian National Steering Committee on MAP, RSA/MET/T/13.1/02-79, pp. 1-20, April 1979.
9 Sehra, P.S., et. al., Wind Accuracy from Parachutes and Chaff, RSA/MET/T/04/SR-2, pp. 1-15, September 1979.
10 Sehra, P.S., A Brief Report on Visit to the Academy of Athens, Greece, and International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy, during 1979-1980.
11 Sehra, P.S., Stratospheric Layer Thicknesses from TIROS-N SSU Data, SAC/RSA/MET/018/80, pp. 1-25, October 1980.
12 Sehra, P.S., et. al., Supplementary Notes on Atmospheric Dynamics, for a talk on “Review of Lower Atmospheric Dynamisc” in the “National Workshop on Atmoshperic Studies using High Power VHF Radar” held at Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad India, between February 2-4,1981, pp. 1-38, february 1981.
13 Sehra, P.S., Deputation Report on Visit to the International Centre for Theoretical Physcics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy, and Related visit to Sebha Deserts, Libya, to participate in the “Autumn Course on Physics of Flow in the Oceans, Atmosphere and Deserts, during September-December 1980, SAC/RSA/MET/TR-1/09/81, pp. 1-12, March 1981.
14 Sehra, P.S., et. al., Determination of Stratospheric Layer Thicknesses from SSU channels of NOAA-6 Satellite, MET/SN/19/81, pp. 1-17, November 1981.
15 Sehra, P.S., et. al., Stratospheric Constant Pressure Maps from TIROS-N SSU Data, Paper presented at the National Space Science Symposium, held at Bangalore, India from February 3-6, 1982, extended abstract pp. 1-2, February 1982.
16 Sehra, P.S., Determination of Stratospheric Constant Pressure Maps from NOAA-6 Satellite, An Extension of the Report MET/SN/19/81 in the form of Five Maps, pp. 1-6, March 1983.
17 Sehra, P.S., An Interhemispheric Comparison of Dynamical and Thermal Structures of the Terrestrial Atmosphere, Detailed Report based upon the Paper presented at the International Symposium on Middle Atmosphere Dynamics and Transport, held at the University of Illinois, Urbana, USA from July 28-August 1, 1980, An Extended Abstract of this Paper was published in the Handbook for MAP-Middle Atmosphere Program, Vol. 2, pp. 51-60. June 1981. The present Report is a detailed one, pp. 1-39, April 1984.
20.8 List of Some WMO/UN Scientific and Technical Reports Prepared By the Author during the Advanced WMO Training Programme in Harare, Zimbabwe
Author’s Name : Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra, Ph.D..
WMO/UN Expert
c/o United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), P.O. Box 4775, Harare, Zimbabwe.
1. First Trimestrial Progress Report of the Advanced WMO Training Programme in Harare, Zimbabwe, under the FINNIDA/SATCC/WMO Meteorology Project, March 1992.
2. Fist Semi-Annual Progress Report of the Advanced WMO Training Programme in Harare, Zimbabwe, under the FINNIDA/SATCC/WMO Meteorology Project, Report Reference No. WMO/PSS/SAPR/1/92, July 1992.
3. First Annual Progress Report of the WMO Training Programme in Harare, Zimbabwe, under the FINNIDA/SATCC/WMO Meteorology Project, including the First Trimestrial and the First Semi-Annual Reports supplemented by the next six-monthly Report, Reference No. WMO/PSS/ASPR/2/92, January 1993.
4. Regular Progress Report of the Advanced WMO Training Programme in Harare, Zimbabwe, under the FINNIDA/SATCC/WMO Meteorology Project, including the First Annual Progress Report supplemented by the next six-monthly Report, Reference No. WMO/PSS/RPR/3/93, July 1993.
5. FINNIDA/SATCC/WMO Meteorology Project in Harare : Status and Recommendations regarding the Advanced WMO Class-II/WMO Class-I Training Programme in progress as in Auust 1993, Report prepared and distributed in August 1993.
6. Proposal for Smooth and Successful Accomplishment of the Advanced WMO Training Programme in Harare, Zimbabwe, under the FINNIDA/SATCC/WMO Meteorology Project, including its Status as in October 1993, Report prepared and distributed in October 1993.
7. Present Status and Workplan as in mid-January 1994, and the Minimum Time Requirement for Smooth and Successful Accomplishment of the Advanced WMO Training Programme in Harare, Zimabawe, Report prepared and distributed in January 1994.
8. Final Progress Report of the Advanced WMO Training Programme in Harare, Zimbabwe, under the FINNIDA/SATCC/WMO Meteorology Project, including the Regular Progress Report No. WMO/PSS/RPR/3/93 of July 1993, and the other interim Progress Reports of August 1993, October 1993, And January 1994, supplemented by its Uptodate Report covering all the period from Novermber 1991 to March 1994, and from April 1994 to September 1994 for the Practical Part of the Advanced WMO Class-II/WMO Class-I Course as its Compulosry On-the-job Training, Report Reference No. WMO/PSS/FPR/1994, prepared and distributed in 1994.
9. World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Advanced Meteorological Training in Zimbabwe, FINNIDA/SATCC/WMO Meteorology Project, Zimbabwe; Project Accomplishment, Objectives, Findings, and Recommendations; Report Prepared for the Government of Zimbabwe by Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra, WMO Expert on behalf of the World Meteorological organization Project through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Geneva, Switzerland, 1994, Report Reference No. WMO/PSS/TR/1994
Some Accomplishments and Achievements of the Author
20.1 A Brief Introduction
Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra, an illustrious member of the minority sikh community from Punjab, India (Village & P.O. Bhana, Via Dasuya -144205, District Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India), who made his career in Meteorology with a constant encouragement and inspiration from his parents and late grandfather Mr. Bir Singh Sehra, has joined the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Geneva, Switzerland, a specialized Agency of the United Nations Organization (UNO), as a WMO/UN Expert with effect from 1st November 1991 for conducting an advanced WMO Training Programme at the Department of Meteorological Services in Harare, Zimbabwe under the FINNIDA/SATCC/WMO Meteorology Project. This project is funded by the Finnish International Development Agency (FINNIDA) and executed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for the overall benefit of the region under the Southern African Transport and Communication Commission (SATCC).
The advanced WMO Training Programme comprises of theoretical studies as well as on-the-job training. The Course covers a thorough study of the various prerequisite subjects in Physics, Mathematics, and Data Processing, and also covers all aspects of detailed Meteorological studies, which is to be followed by on-the-job training. Students are selected from within the Department of Meteorological Services in Harare, Zimbabwe for their further career development and promotion to higher levels through this advanced Training Programme. Successful trainees would be awarded advanced WMO Certificates and departmental promotions at the end of this advanced Training Programme conducted by the WMO.
Prior to the present WMO/UN assignment, Dr. Sehra established a new Department of Meteorology in the Faculty of Science, Al-Fateh University in Tripoli, Libya, a challenging task which was earlier planned to be accomplished in association with the University of Reading, U.K., and with the help of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Geneva, Switzerland which somehow they could not do, but Dr. Sehra accomplished it successfully as the founder Teaching Staff Member and Professor of Meterorology of this Department.
Dr. Sehra has also worked at the Goddard Institute for Space Studies, Goddard Space Flight Centre, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in New York, USA, as a Consultant in Middle Atmospheric Studies and Climatology at the invitation of NASA, USA. He has also worked at a number of other national and international institutions in various capacities. For example, the Academy of Athens, Greece, invited him to work with them at their Research Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology in Athens, Greece, as a Research Scientist, where some very important scientific contributions were made with particular reference to rocketsonde-derived stratospheric temperature changes on a global basis. He has also worked at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy, as a Visiting Scientist, at their invitation. While in India, he has worked in the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Space Applications Centre (SAC) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat as a Senior Scientist, and also at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) there as a Research Scientist.
Dr. Sehra has participated in a number of national and international Meetings and Conferences and has made several scientific and technical contributions. He has published a large number of scientific papers and several popular science articles, and has featured in several daily newspapers, magazines and in many radio and television programmes in India as well as abroad. Some of the journals which have published his papers include Nature; Astrophysics and Space Science; Journal of Geophysical Research; Geophysical Research Letters; Journal of the Meteorological Society of Japan; Archives for Meteorology, Geophysics and Bioclimatology; Indian Journal of Radio and Space Physics; Indian Journal of Meteorology, Hydrology and Geophysics (Mausam); Antarctic - Journal of the New Zealand Antarctic Society; Indian Mountaineer - Journal of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation; Handbook for MAP - Middle Atmosphere Program; and the AMS preprint volumes etc.
Dr. Sehra, born in Village Bhana, District Hoshiarpur Punjab, India on 10th March 1947 obtained his Higher Secondary Certificate and B.Sc. Degree from the Panjab University, Chandigarh in 1964 and 1967, and M.Sc. Degree in Physics from the University of Allahabad, India in 1969, and his Ph.D. Degree in Meteorology and Atmospheric Science from the Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India in 1977. With throughout first class and high ranks he also won the country’s highest National Science Talent Search Scholarship through a National Science Talent Search competition conducted by the Department of Science Education, National council of Educational research and Training (NCERT), Government of India, New Delhi, India which continued from 1964 to 1977.
Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra has earned a unique historical distinction of being the first Indian ever to winter over the South Pole and circumnavigate and explore the Antarctic continent during his participation in the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition from 1971 to 1973 under a joint Indo-Soviet agreement. To be first in a population of about one billion (100 crores) people in India in Antarctic Exploration is, indeed, a marvelous achievement in itself, for which Dr. Sehra has been awarded the prestigious Soviet Antarctic Medal, Ribbon & Polar Watch; and the New Zealand Antarctic Society has also honoured him.
Dr. Sehra was then working at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, India, when he went to the South Pole for Antarctic Exploration as the first and the only member from India, with the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition. He worked as a Project Scientist for upper atmospheric meteorological soundings over the South Pole with M-100 meteorological rockets at the Soviet Antarctic station Molodezhnaya in Antarctica. He brought lot of meteorological data from the South Pole, analysed it, and carried out its extensive research at the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, India, and wrote his Ph.D. Thesis entitled ‘Atmospheric Structure: Exploration over Antarctica and Interhemispheric Comparison’, for which he was awarded Ph.D. (Science) Degree by the Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India in 1977.
Dr. Sehra’s Antarctic Exploration created tremendous interest in India for further exploration of Antarctica. Many of his articles featured in several national and international daily newspapers and magazines with his proposals for opening some Indian Bases in Antarctica. Some popular science articles on his Antarctic Exploration and his ambitious proposals of opening Indian Bases in Antarctica were, for example, published by the Spokesman Weekly, Dharmayug and Prajamata magazines, etc., and also by many newspapers such as The Times of India, The Indian Express, The Tribune, The Statesman, The Hindu, and The Spotlight, etc., just to name a few, and they appeared in several Indian and foreign languages. Consequently, his proposals of opening some Indian Scientific Research stations in Antarctica were realized and his dream came true in 1982, when India launched regular Indian Expeditions to Antarctica and opened an Indian Antarctic station ‘Dakshin Gangotari’ and subsequently another Indian Antarctic station ‘Maitri’ there. Since then, regular Indian Expeditions are sent to Antarctica for its further exploration on a continuous basis.
Dr. Sehra became a Member of the American Meteorological Society. Boston. Massachusetts, USA in 1990. He has also been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society, Reading, Berkshire, U.K. in 1991, and a member of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society, Ottawa, Canada in 1999. He wishes to continue working in the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Geneva, Switzerland, a specialized Agency of the United Nations Organization (UNO), because it provides a true international scope for the advancement of meteorological, hydrological, oceanic, environmental, climatic, and related sciences, and their applications, etc., through its several international programmes and projects all over the world.
20.2 A Short Bio-Data of Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra
Present Address : Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra, Ph.D. (Science),
c/o Dr. (Mrs.) Bhupinder Sehra,
MBBS, MD, Gynaecologist,
S. Nihal Singh Pahwa Charitable Hospital,
Industrial Area-B, Ludhiana-141003, Punjab, India, Phone : 00-91-(0)161-545945.
Permanent Address: Village & P.O. Bhana, Via Dasuya-144205, District Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India,
Phone : 00-91-(0)-1886-60212.
Credentials Summary:
Ph.D. (Science); WMO/UN Expert (Geneva, Switzerland); F.R.Met.S. (UK); MAMS (USA); Research Scientist, Academy of Athens, Greece; Visiting Scientist, ICTP, Triests, Italy; Prof. of Meteorology & Atmospheric Science, Al-Fateh University, Tripoli, Libya; Senior Scientist, SAC, ISRO & PRL Ahmedabad, India; First Indian ever to winter over the South Pole and circumnavigate and explore the Antarctic continent, and the only Indian Recipient of the great Soviet honours such as the Soviet Antarctic Medal, Ribbon & Polar Watch.
Personal :
Born on 10th March 1947 at Village & P.O. Bhana, via Dasuya-144205, District Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India; Married and have two children, son & daughter.
Education :
Primary education from the Government Primary School, Bhana/Mangarh, District Hoshiarpur, Punjab, india, upto 1957; and Secondary education and Higher Secondary from the Khalsa Higher Secondary School, Garhdiwala, District Hoshiarpur, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India from 1957 to 1964.
B.Sc. in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics & English from the D.A.V. College, Jalandhar, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India in 1967.
M.Sc. in Physics from the University of Allahabad, Allahabad, India in 1969.
Ph.D. in Meteorology & Atmospheric Science/Atmospheric Physics from the Gujarat University, Ahmedabad at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, India in 1977.
Professional Appointments :
1969-1974/1977 : Research Scientist, Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
1971-1973 : Project Scientist, 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition, and the First Indian ever to winter over the South Pole and circumnavigate and explore the Antarctic continent, and the only Indian Recipient of the prestigious Soviet Antarctic Medal, Ribbon & Polar watch.
1977 : Awarded Ph.D. Degree in Meteorology & Atmospheric Science/Atmospheric Physics by the Gujarat University for the Ph.D. Thesis entitled “Atomospheric Structure : Exploration over Antarctica and Interhemispheric Comparison”.
1974-1982 : Senior Scientist, Space Applications Centre (SAC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Ahmedabad, India.
1978-1979 : Consultant, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), New York, USA.
1979-1980 : Research Scientist, Academy of Athens, Research Centre for Atmospheric Physics & Climatology, Athens, Greece.
1980-1981 : Visiting Scientist, International Centre for Theorotical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy.
1982-1991: Professor of Meteorology & Atmospheric Science, Faculty of Science, Al-Fateh University, Tripoli, Libya.
1991 on wards : WMO/UN Expert for an advanced Training Programme in Meteorology at the Department of Meteorological Services, Harare, Zimbabwe, conducted by the world Meteorological Organization (WMO), United Nations Organisation (UNO), Geneva, Switzerland. Association with the WMO/UN is continued further also.
1990 onwards : Honorary Scientist, Member, Fellow of many reputed International Scientific Institutions and Learned Societies such as:
Member, American Meteorological Society (MAMS), Boston, Massachussetts, USA ;
Fellow, Royal Meteorological Society (F.R.Met.S.), Reading, Berkshire, UK;
Member, Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (MCMOS), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada,
Scholarships, Distinctions & Publications :
Several years Research & Teaching experience. Throughout first class academic career with high ranks and distinctions and merit & national scholarships, and also won India’s highest National Science Talent Search Scholarship of the NCERT which continued from 1964 to 1977. More than 100 scientific, teachnical and popular scientific papers in reputed international scientific Journals with special feature articles and Television & Radio interviews on his South Pole explorations in India and abroad. Attended several national and international conferences in India as well as abroad. Has earned the unique historical distinction of being the first Indian ever to winter over the South Pole and circumnavigate and explore the Autarctic continent. His Antarctic explorations created tremendous interest in India for further exploration of the Antarctic continent including the opening of some Indian Research Bases there, viz., Dakshin Gangotri and Maitri.
20.3 Resume
(20.3.1) Personal Particulars
1. Name : Parmjit Singh Sehra
2. Father's Name : Mohinder Singh Sehra
3. Mother's Name : Satwinder Kaur
4. Address : Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra,
WMO/UN Expert, c/o
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), P.O. Box. 4775, Harare, Zimbabwe, Africa.
5. Duty Station : Department of Metorological Services, P.O. Box BE 150, Belvedere, Harare, Zimbabwe, Africa.
6 Employer : World Meteorological Organization (WMO), United Nations Organization (UNO), 7 bis, Avenue de la Paix, Case Postale No. 2300, CH-1211, Geneva 2, Switzerland.
7. Permanent Address : Village & P.O. Bhana, via Dasuya-144205, District Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India.
6.8 8. Place of Birth : Village & P.O. Bhana, via Dasuya- 144205,District Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India.
9. Date of Birth : 10th March 1947.
10. Marital status : Married to Dr. (Mrs.) Bhupinder Sehra, M.B.B.S., M.D. (Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Have got two children : son, Mr. Gaurav Singh Sehra, born on 19th July 1983 in Tripoli, Libya, and daughter, Miss Pamela Sehra, born on 3rd January 1987 in Chandigarh, India.
11. Family’s Present Address and Place of Work
Dr. (Mrs.) Bhupinder Sehra, M.B.B.S., M.D., Medical Specialist (Obstetrician & Gynaecologist), Consultant & Head, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, S. Nihal Singh Pahwa Charitable Hospital, Industrial Area-B, Ludhiana - 141003, Punjab, India; Personal Phone at our Hospital Campus Residence, Apartment B-2: with national code : 0161-545945, and international code: 00-91-161-545945,
20.3.2 Educational Qualifications:
ii) National Science Talent Search Competition conducted by the Department of Science Education, National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi, India in 1964. Awarded Gold Medal, Certificate Government of India, of Merit and the country's highest National Science Talent Search Scholarship which continued throughout the academic career upto award of the Ph.D. Degree in Atomspheric Sciences from 1964 upto 1977.
iii) B.Sc. with Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry and English as the main subjects from the D.A.V. College, Jalandhar, Panjab University, Chandigarh India in 1967 securing 85.3% marks in B.Sc. - III and 1st position in the University, and awarded National Scholarship.
v) Ph.D. (Science) awarded in 1977 by the Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India for research in Meteorology & Atmospheric Science/Atmospheric Physics, carried out at the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, India. The Ph.D. thesis "Atmospheric Structure : Exploration over Antarctica and Interhemispheric Comparison" was evaluated and greatly appreciated by NASA/USA scientists which is also published in many reputed international scientific journals.
iv) M.Sc.(Physics) Degree awarded in 1969 by the University of Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India with 1st class & high rank and National Scholarship.
Higher Secondary in 1964 from the Khalsa Higher
Secondary School, Garhdiwala, Hoshiarpur, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India with Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry and English as the main subjects securing 1st class with 73.5% marks and high rank in the University, and also awarded National Scholarship.
20.3.3 Research & Teaching Experience :
Several years of research and teaching experience in Meteorology & Atmospheric Science/Atmospheric Physics at the following institutions :
(i) Physical Research Laboratorya (PRL), Navrangpura, Ahemdabad-380009, India, from 1969 to 1974.
(ii) Space Applications Centre (SAC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Jodhpur Tekra, Ahmedabad-380053, India, from 1974 to 1982.
(iii) Al-Fateh University, Faculty of Science, Department of Meterology, P.O. Box 13685, Tripoli, Libya, from 1982 to 1991.
(iv) World Meterological Organization (WMO), United Nations Organization (UNO), Geneva, Switzerland from 1991 onwards.
20.3.4. A Unique Historical Distinction
Honoured as the first Indian ever to winter over the South Pole and circumnavigate and explore the Antarctic continent while participating in the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition from 1971 to 1973. Worked as Project Scientist for upper Atmospheric meterological soundings with M-100 rockets at the Soviet Antarctic station Molodezhnaya, and some other stations in Antarctica, and utilised the meterological rocketsonde data including some other scientific data collected from there for Ph.D. work. Awarded the prestigious Soviet Antarctic Medal, Ribbon & Polar Watch in recognition of Antarctic explorations. This work created tremendous interect in India for further exploration of Antarctica, and consequently, India has started sending its own Scientific Expeditions to Antarctica from 1982 on a regular basis and has also opened two Indian Research Bases in Antarctica, viz., Dakshin Gangotri and Maitri, thereby accepting and honouring such proposals made by the author earlier, and thus making his dream come true.
20.3.5 Postdoctoral Fellowships and Foreign Assignments
Awarded the following postdoctoral fellowships to carry out research in meteorological studies of the terrestrial atmosphere and also to provide consultation in stratospheric dynamics related to climate modelling :
(i) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), New York, U.S.A, awarded a consultation fellowship in 1978 in order to provide them consultations in stratospheric dynamics related to cliate modeling. Accordingly, visited the GISS/NASA, USA, and worked there during the period 1978-79 and also gave there a a number of Seminars on "The Restless Atmosphere" in addition to the consultations.
(ii) Academy of Athens, Research Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology, Athens, Greece, awarded a vising fellowship in 1979 in order to carry out collaborative research with them on middle atmospheric studies and sun weather relationships. Accordingly, worked thereuring the d period 1979-1980, and based upon that research work a paper "Rocketsonde-derived stratospheric temperature changes associated with a major solar cosmic ray event" was published in Astrophysics and Space Science, Vol. 74, No. 2, pp. 475-480, February 1981.
International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy, awarded visiting fellowships twice : firstly in January 1980 while still at Athens, in order to hold discussions with them in atmospheric physics there, and secondly from September to December 1980 in order to participate in an "Autumn Course on the Physics of Flow in Oceans, Atmosphere and Deserts" there, which was followed by a related visit to Sebha in Libya during the period 1980-1981 for attending a "Topical Meeting on Desertification in and around Sebha (Libya)". Gave a number of Seminars at the ICTP, Trieste, Italy during this Course and also at Sebha, Libya in the Topical Meeting during this period there, which was extended upto 1981.
AL-Fateh University, Faculty of Science, Department of Meteorology, Tripoli, Libya, awarded a yearly renewable teaching and research job in Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences in 1981. Accordingly, joined this University for teaching this subject at graduats level and also carrying out research in this field and worked there during the period 1981-1991 and established this new Department of Mereorology there.
(v) World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a specialized Agency of the United Nations Organization (UNO), Geneva, Switzerland, offered a regular job of a WMO/UN Expert in 1991. Accordingly, have been working there as WMO/UN Expert since then.
vi) World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a specialized Agency of
20.3.6 Pubbications
The author has published several scientific papers in reputed international journals and has a number of scientific & technical unpublished institutional reports and also a large number of popupar-scientific publications in various periodicals as given in the next sections.
20.3.7 Summary of the work accomplished
Using the M-100 meteorological rocketsonde data collected over Antarctica, it has been shown for the first time that sizable perturbations occur in the uper atmospheric thermal and dynamical structures over the South Polar regions during the winter regime which are accompanied by sudden stratospheric warmings there. Detailed results are published in many reputed international scientific journals.
Worked on the development of an indigenous meteorological payload for Menaka rockers, particularly on its software development for obtaining upper atmospheric winds and temperatures from a number of rocket stations in India.
Worked on the software development of the Omega Upsonde Project in India. A quick version of the software for Omega station identification, synchronisation, and wind derivation was prepared while at SAC/ISRO in Ahmedabad, India.
Worked on the development of necessary software for the extraction of stratospheric layer thicknesses and generation of stratospheric constant pressure maps from the raw Stratospheric Sounding Unit (SSU) data collected via VHF telemetry as well as in HRPT format from the TIROS-N/NOAA-6 series of operational meteorological satellites. As a member of the "Satellite Data and Software" working group of the Indian Middle Atmosphere Programme (IMAP), made a substantial contribution to this international programme.
Carried out research and teaching in all aspects of Meteorology at the Faculty of Science, A1-Fateh University, Tripoli, Libya by establishing a new Department of Meteorology and worked there as Professor of Meteorology during the period 1981-1991. Since 1991, working in the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a specialized Agency of the United Nations Organization (UNO), Geneva, Switzerland as a WMO/UN Expert.
20.3.8 Membership of Professional Institutions
Has been elected as a Member of the American Meteorological Society (MAMS), Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Has also been a member of the Indian Meteorological Society, Indian Rocket Society, Indian Physics Association, New Zealand Antarctic Society, and many other national and international scientific institutions; and has also participated in several national and international scientific symposia. Has also been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society (F.R.Met.S), Reading, Berkshire, UK, and a Member of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society, (MCMOS), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
20.4 LIST OF PUBLICATIONS
1. Indian Scientist (Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra) worked at Soviet Antarctic Station, Antarctic, (Editor J.M. Caffin), published quarterly by the New Zealand Antarctic Society, Vol. 7, No. 7, pp. 224-225, September 1975.
2. Sehra, P.S., Upper mesospheric wind structure in Antarctica, Nature, Vol. 252, No. 5485, pp. 683-686, December 20/27, 1974.
3. Sehra, P.S., Upper atmospheric thermal structure in Antarctica, Nature, Vol. 254, No. 5499, pp. 401-404, April 3, 1975. Sehra, P.S., Atmospheric Structure : Exploration over Antarctica & Equatorial Comparison, Indian Journal of Radio & Space Physics, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 66-74, March 1976.
4. Sehra, P.S., Structure of the Atmosphere over South Polar and Equatorial Regions, Journal of the Meteorological Society of Japan, Vol. 54, No. 2, pp.105-117, April 28, 1976.
5. Sehra, P.S., Atmospheric Structure over Antarctica and Equatorial India in Southern Summer, Indian Journal of Meteorology, Hydrology and Geophysics, Vol. 27, No. 3, pp. 241-252, July 1976.
6. Sehra, P.S., Antarctic Atmosphere: Temperature Exploration and Seasonal Variations, Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 81, No. 21, pp 3715 - 3718, July 20, 1976.
7. Sehra, P.S., Atmospheric Structure : Exploration over Antarctica and Interhemispheric Comparison, Ph.D. Thesis, Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad-380009, India, (Gujarat University), pp.1-285, October 1976.
8. Sehra, P.S., Atmospheric Circulation : Exploration over Antarctica and Seasonal Variations, Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 3, No. 11, pp. 669-672, November 1976.
9. Sehra, P.S., First Indian at the South Pole, Indian Mountaineer - Journal of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, No. 2, pp. 79-86, Autumn 1978.
10. Sehra, P.S., Antarctica - Enigmatic Continent, Need to open an Indian Base, The Spokesman Weekly-An International Journal published in New Delhi, India, 27th Annual Number, pp. 93-95, 1978.
11 Sehra, P.S., Exploration of Antaractica, Indian Mountaineer - Journal of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, No. 3, pp. 57-61, Spring 1979.
12. Sehra, P.S., Tropospheric, Stratospheric & Mesospheric Winds over Antarctica, Indian Journal of Radio & Space Physics, Vol. 8, pp. 160-167, August 1979.
13. Sehra, P.S., Stratospheric Circulation over Antarctica, Journal of the Meteorological Society of Japan, Vol. 54, No. 4, pp.332-340, August 1979.
14. Sehra, P.S., et al., Influence of Solar Proton Event on Upper Stratospheric Temperatures, Praktika - Proceedings of the Academy of Athens, Greece, Vol. 5, pp. 362-371, 1980.
15. Sehra, P.S., Seminars : 1. Upper Atmosphere as seen from the South Pole, and 2. South Pole Odyssey as I look back, given at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy, during the Autumn Course on Physics of flow in the Oceans, Atmosphere and Deserts, SMR/74-40, ICTP, pp. 1-22, September-November 1980.
16. Sehra, P.S., et al., Rocketsonde-derived Stratospheric Temperature Changes associated with a major Solar Cosmic Ray Event, Astrophysics and Space Science, Vol. 74, No.2, pp. 475-480, February 1981.
17. Sehra, P.S., & Hariharn, T.A., Interhemispheric Comparison of Atmospheric Structure, Middle, Atmosphere Program (MAP) - Handbook for MAP, (Editor S.K. Avery), Published by the University of Illinois, USA, Vol.2, pp. 51-60, June 1981.
18. Sehra, P.S., Sharif, T.A., & Nashnosh, A.Y., Sudden Mesospheric Warming over Euatorial Region, Archives for Meteorology, Geophysics and Bioclimatology, Series A, Vol. 33, No.4, pp. 289-296, March 1985.
19. Sehra, P.S., Sharif, T.A., & Nashnosh, A.Y., Interactions between the upper tropospheric and stratospheric region and summer monsoon as revealed by satellite observations, Journal of the Meteorological Society of Japan, Vol. 64, No. 3, pp. 443-447, June 1986.
20. Sehra, P.S., et al., Some Experimental Studies on Precipitation Enhancement by using Silver Iodide (Agi) Nuclei, Published in the Preprint Volume of the AMS Conference on Cloud Physics held in San Francisco, California, USA, from 23-27 July 1990. The Conference was organised by the American Meteorological Society (AMS), USA. The paper consists of 8 printed pages in the Preprint Volume of the AMS Conference on Cloud Physics, 1990.
21. Sehra, P.S., Stratospheric Temperature and Ozone Variations over Tropical Region during 1979 Summer Monsoon from TIROS-N Satellite, Presented at the American Meteorological Society's 19th Conference in Miami, Florida, USA; (Published by the American Meteorological Society in its Preprint Volume pages 502-507, 1991.
22. Sehra, P.S., Hazardous Pollution Problem over Ludhiana, Punjab, India, Presented at the Third International Conference on Urban Air Quality-Measurement, Modelling and Management, Loutarki, Greece 19-23 March 2001.
20.5 LIST OF SOME POPULAR SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS
1. Soviet TV Documentary and Radio Programme, The Government of USSR made a special TV Documentary and a ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬Radio Programme highlighting the Indian Scientist Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra's participation in the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition to the South Pole during 1971-1973. These special scientific programmes were telecast from Moscow which also appeared in all the leading newspapers of the world.
2. Indian Scientist at Base in Enderby Land,
Antarctic - A News Bulletin published quarterly by the New Zealand Antarctic Society from Wellington and Christchurch, New Zealand, Vol. 6, No. 8, p. 292, December 1972.
3. Sehra was 1st Indian Scientist to visit Antarctica, The Tribune, National daily published from Chandigarh, India, by the Trustees of the Triubune, April 26, 1973. The Prime Minister of India made a written statement in the Parliament in New Delhi that Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra was the first Indian Scientist ever to visit Antarctica and to winter over the South Pole. These news also appeared in all the leading newspapers in India and abroad.
4. Sehra, P.S., A Perilous Tryst with the Antarctic Blizzards and Crevasses, PRL Souvenir, published by the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), at its Silver Jubilee Celebrations, Ahmedabad, India, 1973.
5. Sehra, P.S., Antarctica - An International Laboratory for Science, An Invited Lecture delivered at the Physical Research Laboratory, (PRL), Ahmedabad, India, during its Silver Jubilee Celebrations, 1973.
6. Sehra, P.S., My Sientific Adventures at the South Pole, An Invited Paper presented at the Symposium on Space Science at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Trivandrum-22, India, 1973.
7. Sehra, P.S., ISRO Explores Antarctica, A Report giving a brief account of the scientific work done by the Indian Scientist Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra during his participation in the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition from 1971-1973 published by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and presented at the joint ISRO/USSR Space Exploration Exhibition held at Bangalore and Bombay, India, 1974. Sehra, P.S., India in the Icy Deserts, The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Government of India, made this Special TV Documentary highlighting the Indian Scientist Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra's scientific work at the South Pole during 1971-1973. It was telecast as a special science programme during the joint ISRO/NASA Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) carried out with the US Applications Technology Satellite (ATS-6) in 1975-76.
8. Sehra, P.S., The first Indian Scientist ever to winter over the South Pole, Dharmayug - Illustrated Hindi Weekly, published by the proprietors of the Times of India, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd., Headquaters Bombay, India, Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 6-14, January 4, 1976.
9. Sehra, P.S., The First Indian at the South Pole, Prajamata - Kannada Illustrated Weekly, published by the Prajamata & Janavani Newspapers and Periodicals, Bangalore, India, Vol. 47, Nos. 43 & 44, June 6 & 13, 1976.
10. Sehra, P.S., Harshest Continent - An Indian remembers Antarctica, The Statesman - National daily simultaneously published from Calcutta and New Delhi, India by the Statesman Ltd., Vol. CXXXII, No. 32492, August 5, 1977.
11. Sehra, P.S., What is it like to winter over South Pole, The Sunday Tribune - National daily, published from Chandigarh, India by the Trustees of The Tribune, Volume XCVII, No. 225, August 14, 1977.
12. Sehra, P.S., South Pole Odyssey as I look back, The Hindu - India's national newspaper simultaneously published from Madras, Coimbatore, Bangalore and Hyderabad by the proprietors Kasturi & Sons Ltd., Vol.100, No.33, August 14,1977.
13. Sehra, P.S., Sojourn in the South Pole, The Times of India - National daily, simultaneously published from Bombay, New Delhi and Ahmedabad, India by the proprietors Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd., Vol. CXL, No. 293, October 23, 1977.
14. Sehra, P.S., A Sikh in South Pole Odyssey, The Spokesman Weekly, published from New Delhi, India, Vol. 27, No. 13-14, pp. 37-38, Guru Nanak Number, 1977.
15. Sehra, P.S., The first Indian ever to winter over the South Pole, IMF Book, published by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) at its 20th Anniversary Celebrations, New Delhi, India, 1977-1978.
16. Sans Laurels from Antarctica / Left Out in the Cold, About Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra's active participation in the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition from 1971 to 1973 and the Government of India's pending recognition for his Antaretic Explorations, The Indian Express, Vol. L., No. 24, Chandigarh, New Delhi, and simultaneously published from all other main capital cities in India, Friday/Saturday, February 5/6, 1982.
17. Antarctica - Land of Emperor Penguins, (Antarctica - Penguin Badshah ki Dharti), About Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra's wintering at the South Pole and Exploration of the Antarctic continent, The national daily Hindi newspaper, Punjab Kesri, simultaneously published from Jalandhar and New Delhi, India, Vol. 12, No. 224, Sunday, August 14, 1994.
18. Several news items in the national and international media on Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra's accomplishments and achievements, etc.
20.6 List of Some Scientific Conferences attended and Contributions made
1. Participated in a number of Summer Schools in basic sciences under the National Science Talent Search Scheme of the Department of Science Education, Government of India, National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi - 110016, India, as a National Science Talent Search Scholar during the period form 1964 to 1977 while holding the country's highest National Science Talent Search Scholarship during this period. These Summer Schools were, for example, held at the Lucknow University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (U.P.); Meerut College, Meerut University, Meerut, U.P.; Panjab University, Chandigarh; Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Calcutta; Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, Gujarat; Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Trombay, Bombay, in India, etc.
2. Participated in the joint Indo-Soviet Space Exploration Exhibition at Bangalore and Bombay in India in 1974, which was organised by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in collaboration with the USSR, and presented a scientific and technical Report "ISRO Explores Antarctica", there.
3. Participated in the Scientific Symposium on "Earth's Near Space Environment" at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New Delhi, India, in 1974, and presented a paper entitled “The Antarctic and the Equatorial Atmospheric Structure", based on my Antarctic explorations.
4. Participated in a Course of Lectures on "Numerical Weather Prediction" at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, during November 1975.
5. Participated in the Scientific Symposium on "Solar Planetary Physics" held at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, India, during January 20-24, 1976, and presented a paper on "Meteorology and Upper Atmosphere", and also took part in other scientific discussions.
6. Participated in the 18th Plenary Meeting of International Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) held at Varna, Bulgaria, during May-June 1975, and presented a paper "Atmospheric Structure in the Eastern and the Western Hemispheres", with its Proceedings received in the PRL Library, Ahmedabad, India, in 1976.
7. Participated in the Scientific Symposium on "Tropical Monsoons", held at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, India, during 8-10 September 1976, and presented a paper entitled "South Polar and Equatorial Atmospheric Structure”.
8. Participated in the Indo-French Working on "Numerical 8.Participated in the Indo-French workshop on “Numerical Weather Prediction" held at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), New Delhi, India, during January 17-28, 1977, and presented a paper "Exploration of Atmospheric Structure at the South Pole".
9. Participated in the Scientific Advisory Board Meeting of the Monsoon Experiment (MONEX), at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, India, during May 1977.
10. Participated in the Scientific Workshop on "Satellites for Earth Observations (SEO), held at the Space Applications Centre (SAC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Ahmedabad, India, during 2-4 June 1977.
11. Participated in the Monsoon Experiment (MONEX)-1977, aboard he Soviet Scientific Research Vessels sailing from Bombay, India, in June 1977 in view of the MONEX Advisory Board Meeting held earlier at the PRL, Ahmedabad, India, in May 1977.
12. Participated in the Scientific Seminars entitled "Equatorial Waves in the Lower Stratosphere" and other allied topics, at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL)/ Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO, Ahmedabad, India, in July 1977.
13. Participated in the Scientific Workshop entitled "Equatorial Electrojet and Associated Phenomenon" held at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, India, during 25-29 October 1977.
14. Participated in the Scientific Symposium on "Remote Sensing for Hydrology, Agriculture, and Mineral Resources", held at the Space Applications Centre (SAC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Ahmedabad, India, in November 1977.
15. Participated in the IFIAS Workshop entitled "Drought and Man", organised by the International Federation of Institutes for Advanced Study (IFIAS), at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, India, in November 1977.
16. Participated in the joint IUTAM/IUGG International Symposium on "Monsoon Dynamics", held at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), New Delhi, India, during 5-9 December 1977, and presented a paper “Interactions between the Middle Atmosphere and the Summer Monsoons”.
17. Participated in the Scientific Seminars on "Predictability of Monsoons" given by Prof. J. Charney of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL)/Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO, Ahmedabad, India, in December 1977.
18. Delivered an Invited lecture on "My Scientific Adventures at the South Pole", at the Sheth Chimanlal Nagindas Vidyavihar, Ambawadi, Ellis Bridge, Ahmedabad-380006, Gujarat, India, on 18th January 1978.
19. Delivered an invited lecture on "My Scientific Explorations at the South Pole", organised by the Inter-Disciplinary Research and Teaching Committee of the Faculty of Science at the Botany Department, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad-380009, India, on 10th March 1978.
20. Participated in the Scientific Seminars on "Sun-Weather Relationships and Studies of the Middle Atmosphere" held at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, India, in March 1978, and presented a paper on "Interactions between the Troposphere and the Stratosphere".
21. Participated in "An Orientation Programme on Microprocessors and Minicomputers" jointly organised by the Computer Society of India and the Baroda Productivity Council at Baroda, Gujarat State, India, in May 1978.
22 Participated in the “Antarctic and Southern Hemisphere Aeronomy Year (ASHAY) Conference” organized by the 21st COSPAR Meeting held at Innsbruck, Ausria, during May-June 1978, and presented a paper entitled “Stratospheric Circulation over Antarctica”.
23 Delivered an invited lecture on “Geographical Account of the Antarctic Region” at the Department of Geography, University School of Social Sciences, Gujarat Univesity, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad-380009, India, on 28th July 1978.
24 Delivered an invited lecture on “The Restless Atmosphere” at the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), 2880 Broadway, 112th Street, New York, N.Y. 10025, U.S.A., on Tuesday, 9th January 1979, in addition to so many other scientific seminars delivered there.
25 Participated in the “Middle Atmosphere Programme (MAP) Workship” organised by the Indian National Steering Committee on Middle Atmosphere Programme (MAP), at the Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad, india, in 1979, and presented two Working papers, viz., “3-D Stratospheric Modelling”, and “Satellite Observations for the Middle Atmosphere Programme”.
26 Delivered an invited lecture on “Hemispheric Differences in Stratospheric Circulation from Global Rocketsonde Measurements” at the Reserch Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology, Academy of Athens, 3rd September Street No. 131, Athens 813, Greece, in November 1979, in addition to so many other scientific seminars there.
27 Delivered an invited lecture on “A Comparison of Atmospheric Structure over Antarctica and Equatorial Region” at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) , Strada Costiera 11, P.O. Box 586, Miramare, 34100 Trieste, Italy, in January 1980.
28 Participated in the “International Symposium on Middle Atmosphere Dynamics and Transport” held at the University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, U.S.A., during the period from July 28 to August 1,1980, and presented a paper “Interhemispheric Comparison of Atmospheric Structure”, which was also subsequently published in the “Handbook for Middle Atmosphere Programme (MAP)”, University of Illinois Press, Vol. 2, pp. 475-480, June 1981.
29 Delivered invited lectures: (i) “Upper Atmosphere as seen from the South Pole”, and (ii) “South Pole Odysssey as I look back”, at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Strada Costiera 11, P.O. Box 586, Miramare, 34100 Trieste, Italy, on 16th October 1980 and 23rd October 1980, respectively, in addition to so many other scientifc seminars given there.
30 Participated in the “Topical Meting on Desertification in and around Sebha (Libya)” at Sebha in Libya during December 1980 to it January 1981, jointly organised by the International Centre for Theoretical Physcis (ICTP), Trieste, Italy, and the Faculty of Education, A1-Fateh University, Tripoli,. Libya, and made significant contributions on Desertification in this Meeting. Consequently, I was invited to open a new Department of Meteorology in the Faculty of Science of A1-Fateh University in Tripoli, Libya, from the Academic Year 1981-82.
31 Participated in the National Workshop on “Atmospheric Studies using High Power VHF Radar” held at the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, India, during 2-4 February 1981, and presented a paper on “Atmospheric Structure and Dynamics”.
32 Participated in the “National Space Science Symposium” held at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, India, during the period from 3-6 February 1982, and presented a paper on “Stratospheric Constant Pressure Maps from TIROS-N SSU Data”, and also another paper on “Inter-coupling between the Stratosphere and the Summer Monsoons”.
33 Participated in the “AMS Conference on Cloud Physcis” organised by the American Meteorological Society in San Francisco, California, U.S.A., from 23-27 July 1990, and presented a paper on “Some Experimental Studies on Precipitation Enhancement by using Silver Iodide (AgI) Nuclei”, which is also published in the AMS Preprint Volume, pp. 379-386, 1990, American Meteorlogical Society (AMS), 45 Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
34 Participated in the “19th Conference on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology” organised by the American Meteorological Society in Miami, Florida, U,S.A., from 6-10 May 1991, and presented a paper on “Stratospheric Temperature and Ozone Variations over Tropical Region during 1979 Summer Monsoon from TIROS-N Satellite”, which is also published by the American Meteorological Society (AMS), 45 Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02108-3693, U.S.A., in the AMS Preprint Volume, pp. 502-507, 1991.
And so on ...............
20.7 List of Some Institutional Reports
Institute :
Meteorology Division, Remote Sensing Area, MET/RSA,
Space Applications Centre, Indian Space Research
Organisation, SAC/ISRO, Ahmedabad – 380 053, India)
1. Sehra, P.S., Symposium on Tropical Monsoons, held at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune from September 8-10, 1976, A Brief Report, pp.1-7, 1976.
2 Sehra, P.S., A Review paper on Atmospheric Waves and Tides, pp. 1-31, October 1977.
3 Sehra, P.S., Physcis and Dynamics of the Falling Objects in the Terrestrial Atmosphere, RSA/MET/T/04/SR-1/78, pp. 1-21, January 1978.
4 Sehra, P.S., A Brief Report on the Proceedings of “An Orientation Programme on Microprocessors & Minicomputers” jointly organised by the Computer Society of India and Baroda Productivity Council at Baroda during 5-7 May 1978, RSA/MET/T/07, pp. 1-11 May 1978.
5 Sehra, P.S., Note on Satellite Meteorology, A Summary of the Current Uses of Satellite Data in a Meteorlogical Forecast Office, RSA/MET/T/11, pp. 1-6, July 1978.
6 Sehra, P.S., A Scientific Report on “My Consultation Visit to GISS/NASA on Stratospheric Dynamics related to Climate Modeling” at the invitation of Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), New York, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), USA in January 1979, RSA/MET/T/13/01-79, pp. 1-35, January 1979.
7 Sehra, P.S., Three-Dimensional (3-D) Stratospheric Modelling, A Working Paper presented to the Indian National Steering Committee for the Middle Atmosphere Program (MAP) at MAP Workshop held at SAC/ISRO from 22-24 March 1979, RSA/MET/T/13.1/01-79, pp. 1-32, April 1979.
8 Sehra, P.S., et. al., Satellite Observations for the Middle Atmosphere Program (MAP) : A Working Paper submitted to the Indian National Steering Committee on MAP, RSA/MET/T/13.1/02-79, pp. 1-20, April 1979.
9 Sehra, P.S., et. al., Wind Accuracy from Parachutes and Chaff, RSA/MET/T/04/SR-2, pp. 1-15, September 1979.
10 Sehra, P.S., A Brief Report on Visit to the Academy of Athens, Greece, and International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy, during 1979-1980.
11 Sehra, P.S., Stratospheric Layer Thicknesses from TIROS-N SSU Data, SAC/RSA/MET/018/80, pp. 1-25, October 1980.
12 Sehra, P.S., et. al., Supplementary Notes on Atmospheric Dynamics, for a talk on “Review of Lower Atmospheric Dynamisc” in the “National Workshop on Atmoshperic Studies using High Power VHF Radar” held at Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad India, between February 2-4,1981, pp. 1-38, february 1981.
13 Sehra, P.S., Deputation Report on Visit to the International Centre for Theoretical Physcics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy, and Related visit to Sebha Deserts, Libya, to participate in the “Autumn Course on Physics of Flow in the Oceans, Atmosphere and Deserts, during September-December 1980, SAC/RSA/MET/TR-1/09/81, pp. 1-12, March 1981.
14 Sehra, P.S., et. al., Determination of Stratospheric Layer Thicknesses from SSU channels of NOAA-6 Satellite, MET/SN/19/81, pp. 1-17, November 1981.
15 Sehra, P.S., et. al., Stratospheric Constant Pressure Maps from TIROS-N SSU Data, Paper presented at the National Space Science Symposium, held at Bangalore, India from February 3-6, 1982, extended abstract pp. 1-2, February 1982.
16 Sehra, P.S., Determination of Stratospheric Constant Pressure Maps from NOAA-6 Satellite, An Extension of the Report MET/SN/19/81 in the form of Five Maps, pp. 1-6, March 1983.
17 Sehra, P.S., An Interhemispheric Comparison of Dynamical and Thermal Structures of the Terrestrial Atmosphere, Detailed Report based upon the Paper presented at the International Symposium on Middle Atmosphere Dynamics and Transport, held at the University of Illinois, Urbana, USA from July 28-August 1, 1980, An Extended Abstract of this Paper was published in the Handbook for MAP-Middle Atmosphere Program, Vol. 2, pp. 51-60. June 1981. The present Report is a detailed one, pp. 1-39, April 1984.
20.8 List of Some WMO/UN Scientific and Technical Reports Prepared By the Author during the Advanced WMO Training Programme in Harare, Zimbabwe
Author’s Name : Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra, Ph.D..
WMO/UN Expert
c/o United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), P.O. Box 4775, Harare, Zimbabwe.
1. First Trimestrial Progress Report of the Advanced WMO Training Programme in Harare, Zimbabwe, under the FINNIDA/SATCC/WMO Meteorology Project, March 1992.
2. Fist Semi-Annual Progress Report of the Advanced WMO Training Programme in Harare, Zimbabwe, under the FINNIDA/SATCC/WMO Meteorology Project, Report Reference No. WMO/PSS/SAPR/1/92, July 1992.
3. First Annual Progress Report of the WMO Training Programme in Harare, Zimbabwe, under the FINNIDA/SATCC/WMO Meteorology Project, including the First Trimestrial and the First Semi-Annual Reports supplemented by the next six-monthly Report, Reference No. WMO/PSS/ASPR/2/92, January 1993.
4. Regular Progress Report of the Advanced WMO Training Programme in Harare, Zimbabwe, under the FINNIDA/SATCC/WMO Meteorology Project, including the First Annual Progress Report supplemented by the next six-monthly Report, Reference No. WMO/PSS/RPR/3/93, July 1993.
5. FINNIDA/SATCC/WMO Meteorology Project in Harare : Status and Recommendations regarding the Advanced WMO Class-II/WMO Class-I Training Programme in progress as in Auust 1993, Report prepared and distributed in August 1993.
6. Proposal for Smooth and Successful Accomplishment of the Advanced WMO Training Programme in Harare, Zimbabwe, under the FINNIDA/SATCC/WMO Meteorology Project, including its Status as in October 1993, Report prepared and distributed in October 1993.
7. Present Status and Workplan as in mid-January 1994, and the Minimum Time Requirement for Smooth and Successful Accomplishment of the Advanced WMO Training Programme in Harare, Zimabawe, Report prepared and distributed in January 1994.
8. Final Progress Report of the Advanced WMO Training Programme in Harare, Zimbabwe, under the FINNIDA/SATCC/WMO Meteorology Project, including the Regular Progress Report No. WMO/PSS/RPR/3/93 of July 1993, and the other interim Progress Reports of August 1993, October 1993, And January 1994, supplemented by its Uptodate Report covering all the period from Novermber 1991 to March 1994, and from April 1994 to September 1994 for the Practical Part of the Advanced WMO Class-II/WMO Class-I Course as its Compulosry On-the-job Training, Report Reference No. WMO/PSS/FPR/1994, prepared and distributed in 1994.
9. World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Advanced Meteorological Training in Zimbabwe, FINNIDA/SATCC/WMO Meteorology Project, Zimbabwe; Project Accomplishment, Objectives, Findings, and Recommendations; Report Prepared for the Government of Zimbabwe by Dr. Parmjit Singh Sehra, WMO Expert on behalf of the World Meteorological organization Project through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Geneva, Switzerland, 1994, Report Reference No. WMO/PSS/TR/1994
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