1. Upcoming SPARC-SSG-2010 Meeting in Pune, India Panuganti C.S. Devara Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411 008, India devara@tropmet.res.in SPARC-SSG and IGAC-SSC JSC Meeting, Kyoto, Japan, Oct. 26-30, 2009

2. HEARTY WELCOME to all of you for the 18 th Session of the SPARC-SSG Meeting in December 2010 at IITM, Pune, India Panuganti C.S. Devara Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411 008, India devara@tropmet.res.in

3. Supporting Reasons The JSC meeting of the WCRP and the IGBP, organized at the IITM, Pune, India in March 2006 with more than 100 participants covering both International and National was one of the successful events. Now, the infrastructure facilities have been further improved and research interests have gone up for organizing such events in a better way at the Institute. The proposed meeting is expected to enrich the current understanding of the scientific issues related to SPARC and allied activities vis-à-vis Indian monsoon, and opens up new research initiatives and collaborations.

4. Date (s) Total duration : Five days (1½ days Local Workshop (LW) and 3½ days SPARC-SSG Meeting)) 3-14 Oct., 2010 - Commonwealth Games – New Delhi, India 15-18 Oct. - Pune, India November - IITM Foundation Day celebrations and some review meetings The most suitable period for holding the SPARC-SSG meeting would be some time in December 2010. 13 th (FN Mon. to FN Tues.) LW and 14 th (AN Tues.) - 17 th (Fri.) SPARC-SSG (OR) 06 th (FN Mon. to FN Tues.) LW and 07 th (AN Tues.) - 10 th (Fri.) SPARC-SSG The exact duration and dates need to be finalized.

5. Scientific Program The 1½ day Local Workshop prior to the SPARC-SSG Meeting will have presentations by both Indian and SPARC Scientists. Poster presentations by Researchers and Ph.D. Students will also be organized in the Workshop. The monsoon related issues (like QBO, Stratwarm, Stratospheric Ozone, aerosols, TTL, wave activity, solar influence, extra-tropical and polar tele-connections etc.) need to be emphasized besides other phenomena.

6. Details of Participation and Arrangements Total delegates expected: 40 (SPARC) + 40 to 50 (Indian) Total: (~ 90 delegates) Registration Fees for Local Workshop: @ ~ 55 USD TBD

7. Scenery Pune is located in Maharashtra State, India. It is the second largest city in the State and is considered to be the State's cultural capital. Pune also houses fantastic restaurants, good museums and is well known for its surrounding hill forts. Pune has a glorious history of nearly 1600 years. Pataleshwar caves from 5th century is an evidence for Pune’s old settlements. Many other historical monuments like Agakhan Palace, Shaniwar wada, Sinhgad forts, Mahabaleswar, Karla, Ajanta and Ellora Caves are around.

8. Climate The temperature of city ranges from 12°C to 37°C. The average rainfall varies between 600 and 700 mm. Maximum rainfall is observed from June to September every year. Owing to its geographical location, the climate of the city is cool and pleasant throughout the year. Typical hot summer weather runs from March to May, with maximum temperatures ranging from 35 to 42°C. The warmest month in Pune is April. The city often receives local and heavy thundershowers with sharp downpours in May, which cools the temperatures. Nevertheless, the nights in Pune are significantly cooler than most other parts in this region. In winter, day temperature in Pune goes as low as 15°C and night temperature goes as low as 5°C.

9. Transportation Pune is well connected by road, rail and air to all parts of the country. Currently, International flights also operate to Dubai, Singapore, London, Frankfurt and Toronto. If getting a direct flight proves difficult, then taking a flight up to Mumbai and then travelling by taxi or train to Pune is a feasible option. By long-distance private taxi, the journey between Mumbai and Pune should take around three hours and costs about INR 4000 (~ US 85 $). The journey by road saves time as compared to train.

10. Accommodation IITM has its own Guest House equipped with 11 suits (each double-bed) with all amenities like air-conditioning, internet facilities etc. In addition, there are close-by Guest Houses and Hotels to accommodate the guests. IITM Guest House NCL Guest House ( ~ 1 km away) IMD Guest House (~ 5 km away) YASHDA (~ 6 km away): Especially for Foreign Delegates Transport will be made available Many other decent hotels ………

11. Aryabhatta Hall This hall is a state-of-the-art centrally air-conditioned, sound proof, fully equipped well designed conference room with the seating capacity of about 100 people at a time, furnished with the latest and complete audio-visual equipment along with fully wired and wireless Internet connectivity. It also has an attached air-conditioned reception room with extra seating arrangements and Internet connectivity.

13. Varahamihira Hall T his hall is a well furnished air conditioned Room with all audio visual requirements including LCD and overhead projector, lectern, stage, and screen with a seating capacity of about 130 members. It also has a separate reception hall with extra seating arrangement.

14. This Hall is fully air-conditioned and has a Capacity of about 40 people to have round-table discussion with overhead projector, screen and other visual equipments. Pisharoty Hall

15. Accommodation: Delux Room (Single Occupancy):INR 4500 (~96 USD) Delux Room (Double Occupancy):INR 5500 (~117 USD) Executive Room: INR 5000 (~106 USD) Executive Suite: INR 6500 (~138 USD) Transportation: From Mumbai to Hotel: INR 4000 per A/C car ( ~ 85 USD) From Pune A/P to Hotel: INR 1500 per A/C car ( ~ 32 USD)

16. Yeshwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (YASHDA) It has about 100 rooms, of which 20 are double bedded and 80 are single bedded. All are air conditioned and well equipped with internet facility etc. It also has good lawns for out-bound evening discussions, informal dinners etc.

17. Rough Estimates in US Dollars Cost Location:16404 days Catering BreakfastTuesday for 40 people395 Wednesday for 40 people395 Thursday for 40 people395 Friday for 30 people290 Break 1Tuesday for 40 people70 Wednesday for 40 people70 Thursday for 40 people70 Friday for 30 people55 LunchTuesday for 40 people910 Wednesday for 40 people910 Thursday for 40 people910 Friday for 30 people410

18. Break 2Tuesday for 40 people70 Wednesday for 40 people70 Thursday for 40 people70 Friday for 30 people 55 Screen90 Total: Location and Catering:6875 Formal Dinner:3640 Proposed Registrat- ion Fees 2215 Total:~ 12,730

19. Thank U All For Kind Attention