Scientist dies in Antarctica, kin agree to last rites in icy station

Ranshu Wali’s only hope and prayer is that her Papa gets a decent cremation. Because in icy Antarctica where her father, Assistant Meteorological Officer (Research) Kuldeep Wali who was part of the 28th Indian mission to study climate changes, died three days ago, even the last rites are not easy to perform — the wind has been blowing at over 100 miles per hour.

The family in Delhi has been told that Wali, 57, suffered a massive heart attack and despite efforts, both by Indian doctors and those from a Russian research facility eight kilometres away, could not be saved.

“My father went there (he left on November 17 2008) despite the fact that he could have easily excused himself citing his age.

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Northernmost settlement to get a new resident - India

Three decades after it set up base in Antarctica, India will have a home on the other extreme of the globe when a permanent research station is inaugurated in the Arctic later this month.

This research station is being set up tantalisingly close to the North Pole, at Ny-Alesund, on the west coast of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago of Norway. Just 1,200 km from the North Pole, Ny-Alesund is the northernmost permanent human settlement on the globe, comprising scientists carrying out research in one of the most pristine environments on earth.

The research base, which will be inaugurated by Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal during an international symposium being organised in Ny-Alesund from June 30 to July 2, is being set up by the Goa-based National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCOAR).

India’s research team will carry out a number of experiments in the region, most notably on issues related to climate change.

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