What causes the smell after rain?

I found this one particularly interesting to know.

“As it turns out, the smells people associate with rainstorms can be caused by a number of things. One of the more pleasant rain smells, the one we often notice in the woods, is actually caused by bacteria! Actinomycetes, a type of filamentous bacteria, grow in soil when conditions are damp and warm. When the soil dries out, the bacteria produces spores in the soil. The wetness and force of rainfall kick these tiny spores up into the air where the moisture after a rain acts as an aerosol (just like an aerosol air freshener). The moist air easily carries the spores to us so we breathe them in. These spores have a distinctive, earthy smell we often associate with rainfall. The bacteria is extremely common and can be found in areas all over the world, which accounts for the universality of this sweet “after-the-rain” smell. Since the bacteria thrives in moist soil but releases the spores once the soil dries out, the smell is most acute after a rain that follows a dry spell, although you’ll notice it to some degree after most rainstorms.”

Link

Indians Green

Contrary to the intuition about how Green India is, we have this report claiming India to be amongst the most environmentally friendly nation. It is obviously likely that the poor nations will fare better and the richer ones poorer in the index given their expensive lifestyles. But then, what about the India growth story? Does it imply the Green colour is going to fade away slowly? Probably, yes. Kuch paane ke liye kaafi kuch khona padega!