Citygritty 8212; Pune

Little weathermen?
Eager-faced children, curiosity writ large on their faces, crowded around colourful charts and models as officials of the Indian Meteorological Department explained the intricacies of weather to them. On the occasion of World Meteorological Organisation Day on March 23, the Indian Meteorological Department popularly known as Simla Office set out to prove that the weather is more than just a conversational ice-breaker. It is an integral part of our lives.

Charts about meteorology and irrigation, crop-weather calendar, heat waves and its impact on health and a chart tracing the severe cyclone that hit Gujarat on June 5 last year were some of the exhibits that drew the children8217;s attention. Models like the heliostat and the thermoelectric pyranometer were also on display. A film show on Antarctic explorations and another on tropical cyclones were also shown. Interestingly, one chart also displayed the accuracy percentage of weather forecast by the department 8211; with its accuracy percentage for Pune being 75 per cent correct, 20 per cent partially wrong and five per cent totally awry.

Call of the senses
Food would not be food if it weren8217;t for the things that make it such a wonderful experience. The colours, the aromas, the table setting8230; Malaka Spice, the restaurant that has the reputation of making food an experience involving all the senses with their art exhibitions, now adds another to the list. From March 20 to April 20, Jyoti Puri, an artist whose works have been extensively shown in Geneva, the United States of America and Mumbai, is exhibiting her paintings, depicting women in everyday life, here. So, for a month, not only can one eat South-East Asian food here, but also be in the company of Puri8217;s women.