S. N. Rai was born on June 30, 1952, obtained his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Geophysics in 1975 and 1986, respectively from BHU, Varanasi, India. Since 1977, he has been with the National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, India in various capacities. Presently, he is a Deputy Director in the Institute. His research interests are in the fields of groundwater flow and geothermal modeling. He has 32 years research experience in the field of groundwater flow modeling. During this period he has developed a new generation of analytical models to understand the dynamic behaviour of water table fluctuations in aquifer systems in response to realistic time varying recharge/pumping rates and leakage. For his outstanding contributions in the field of hydrological sciences he was awarded National Hydrology Award by the Indian Association of Hydrologists in 1993. He was DAAD Fellow at the University of Hanover during 1982-84 and visiting scientist at the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, Hanover, Germany in 1994. He has visited several countries in Europe and Asia regions. He is Vice-President of International Association of Hydrogeologists (2004-08), a Fellow of the Indian Association of Hydrologists and Indian Geophysical Union, member of International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS), and Association of Exploration Geophysicists (AEG). He is convener of the 37th IAH Congress to be held in India during Sept. 6-12, 2009. He has published over sixty research papers in prestigious international/national journals and seminar proceedings. He is also author of several technical reports and chapters in books. Dr. Rai has edited a book entitled “Dynamics of Earth’s Fluid System” and a proceeding volume entitled “Sustainable development and management of groundwater resources in semi-arid region with special reference to hard rocks”, both published by A. A. Balkema. He is editor of two more seminar proceedings. He is an Associate Editor of the Hydrogeology Journal.

A large proportion of the world’s population lives in Asia and requires secured quality water supply for domestic, industrial and agricultural purposes. IAH has been playing a major role in scientific and policy matters related to water resources management of this region and I will make all efforts to facilitate IAH activities to continue in future also. In the last four years several important events were organized/planned in Asia region such as 50 th IAH anniversary and 34th IAH Congress in Beijing, China, 36th IAH Congress in Toyama, Japan and 37th IAH Congress jointly with the 8th Scientific Assembly of IAHS to be held in Hyderabad, India during September 6-12, 2009. One more IAH Congress is planned in Thailand. I will continue to promote activities of IAH in Asian region by enlarging membership base and active interaction between IAH members and professional institutions of this region for environmental friendly sustainable development of water resources. Other activities will include the organization of seminars and symposia in the Asian Region involving IAH to address regional hydrological problems. I would also publicize the achievements of IAH members of this region to the members of other parts of the world by reporting in IAH newsletter.

Vice President: Asia