The school collected 1000kgs of newspapers in all! The funds generated from their sale should get one child education, clothing and food for a year - A big accomplishment for St. Anne’s considering the drive was organized only for three weeks.
I hope the students took home some lessons in teamwork, leadership and self motivation as well. We will be organizing a session on teamwork courtesy Art of Living for the students in March. Updates on that session soon!!
A big thank you for everyone who made this drive a success
Monday, February 22, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Project Shiksha at St. Anne’s High School
So like I said in the previous post - The stage is set. Every student from Std. 6 to Std 9(each standard has 5 divisions-A to E) from St. Anne’s is going to participate in collecting newspapers for a cause. To make this drive a little more exciting we have organized an inter-house competition as well in the school. The houses (red, green, yellow & blue) are going to compete for precious points.Points based on who collects the maximum amount of newspapers by weight. These points would be clubbed with those earned from various inter-house competitions(sports etc) in school.
The first week’s collections would be announced tomorrow. The last date for the drive is 13th Feb 2010. We hope to collect at least 300kilos from each house over this period.
Fingers crossed!!
The first week’s collections would be announced tomorrow. The last date for the drive is 13th Feb 2010. We hope to collect at least 300kilos from each house over this period.
Fingers crossed!!
Mumbai school students take charge!
The stage is set – 1200 odd school students are going to help at least two children from the tribal belts in India go to school for a year. The schooling is going to be provided by the Art of Living foundation. In Art of Living’s own word –
The Art of Living Foundation aims at providing free education to rural and underprivileged populations. We provide excellent services in the field of education for children especially in remote tribal villages. The schools setup by The Art of Living Foundation, impart value-base education in a stress-free and child friendly environment. In these schools, which combine ancient wisdom and modern technology, children get the opportunity to both broaden their vision and deepen their roots, and thus develop in all facets of life. The schools emphasis is placed on a value-based holistic education which enables the complete development of a child’s fullest potential. This is done through the creation of an environment that fosters learning. This program has been fully implemented in India, and is now in the planning stage for countries in South America and Africa.
In addition to the basic academic curriculum of science, math, reading, language and arts, a program of self learning that develops life-skills and nurtures leadership is taught as a core component. Special attention is given to human values, health and hygiene. The children also learn yoga and meditation, which help them to handle their mind and emotions. Special attention is given to maintaining the local culture and heritage by cultivating interest in indigenous language, music, arts, and sports. Vocational and art classes provide older students with the practical and creative skills required to make a living and to help make their personal lives fuller.
The statistical data of tribal schools is given below:-
- Program launched in April 1999
- Designed to support the native indigenous (tribal) population and to help achieve equal opportunity for all
- Primary education provided to first generation school boys and girls
- Basic education, health and hygiene and human values taught
- Yoga, sports, music and dance integrated into the routine to keep the children rooted in their native culture
- Specially trained teachers recruited from the villages to teach
- 30 schools built in rural and tribal areas with high illiteracy levels
- 1,492 children currently being educated through the foundation's tribal schools
The children enrolled in these schools are from families who are below the poverty line. These children are actually the first generation in such families who will be attending schools. To support the educational needs of these tribal students, the youth of Mumbai have initiated Project Shiksha – let us each one, teach one.
The aim of Project Shiksha is to sponsor education of children in tribal villages. The idea is to collect old newspapers from society and sell them to generate funds. The funds raised are utilized for sponsoring the education of children in the tribal schools of The Art of Living Foundation.
The Art of Living Foundation aims at providing free education to rural and underprivileged populations. We provide excellent services in the field of education for children especially in remote tribal villages. The schools setup by The Art of Living Foundation, impart value-base education in a stress-free and child friendly environment. In these schools, which combine ancient wisdom and modern technology, children get the opportunity to both broaden their vision and deepen their roots, and thus develop in all facets of life. The schools emphasis is placed on a value-based holistic education which enables the complete development of a child’s fullest potential. This is done through the creation of an environment that fosters learning. This program has been fully implemented in India, and is now in the planning stage for countries in South America and Africa.
In addition to the basic academic curriculum of science, math, reading, language and arts, a program of self learning that develops life-skills and nurtures leadership is taught as a core component. Special attention is given to human values, health and hygiene. The children also learn yoga and meditation, which help them to handle their mind and emotions. Special attention is given to maintaining the local culture and heritage by cultivating interest in indigenous language, music, arts, and sports. Vocational and art classes provide older students with the practical and creative skills required to make a living and to help make their personal lives fuller.
The statistical data of tribal schools is given below:-
- Program launched in April 1999
- Designed to support the native indigenous (tribal) population and to help achieve equal opportunity for all
- Primary education provided to first generation school boys and girls
- Basic education, health and hygiene and human values taught
- Yoga, sports, music and dance integrated into the routine to keep the children rooted in their native culture
- Specially trained teachers recruited from the villages to teach
- 30 schools built in rural and tribal areas with high illiteracy levels
- 1,492 children currently being educated through the foundation's tribal schools
The children enrolled in these schools are from families who are below the poverty line. These children are actually the first generation in such families who will be attending schools. To support the educational needs of these tribal students, the youth of Mumbai have initiated Project Shiksha – let us each one, teach one.
The aim of Project Shiksha is to sponsor education of children in tribal villages. The idea is to collect old newspapers from society and sell them to generate funds. The funds raised are utilized for sponsoring the education of children in the tribal schools of The Art of Living Foundation.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Vile Parle bans Plastic bags -Article in HT
.bmp)
Even as the civic body is planning to ban plastic bags, residents of Vile Parle (East) have launched a campaign to make the suburb free of plastic carry bags.
More than 35 resident associations and community groups in Vile Parle (East) have joined the initiative by civic engineer Subhash Dalvi, who has formed a core committee of vendors, shopkeepers and elected representatives.
"More than 50,000 cloth bags were distributed at a cost of Rs 5 per bag. The vendors were given options like stocking paper bags instead. They readily agreed as the cost was much lesser than that of plastic carry bags," said Dalvi. The initiative is catching on, as locals are supporting the cause.
Dalvi said the project began with creating awareness among the vegetable vendors in Vile Parle for the need of using cloth bags instead of plastic.
Fisherwomen at Vile Parle (East) have stopped using plastic bags and are wrapping fish in paper. People have also been urged to bring cloth bags from home. "We are trying to do our bit to help save the environment," said Shai Koli, a fisherwoman.
"It was a small-scale project that we tried to implement in our vicinity, but with the help of citizens and shopkeepers, it has gone to become a major social initiative," said Dalvi, who is also a resident of Vile Parle.
"We only sell things in cotton bags or paper bags. No local comes to our shop and asks for a plastic carry bag. The initiative should spread across the city," said Bakulbhai Thakkar, owner of Decent Chemist in Vile Parle.
"Since May, we have stopped giving plastic bags for takeaway items," said Jaiprakash Shetty owner of Geeta refreshments in Vile Parle.
Other suburbs like Bandra, Khar, Santacruz, Vakola, Byculla and Malad also plan to adopt the initiative. Some groups in Dadar plan to start a similar campaign in Dadar from January. "The Dadar vegetable and flower market generates a lot of plastic waste and such a campaign will help reduce it," said Rajan Taran, a Dadar resident.
Anandini Thakoor of the Hwest ward federation said: "We have begun groundwork to implement this by January 4 in our vicinity [Bandra to Santacruz]. We are also trying to convince licensed hawkers to stop using plastic carry bags."
Mayor Shraddha Jadhav, who is set to table a proposal this week to completely ban plastic bags, said that citizens' participation would help take the initiative forward.
Rajendra Bhonsale, deputy municipal commissioner (encroachments) said, "It's participation from the public that makes such ideas a success. The civic body will certainly extend all help to these groups."
At present, there is a ban on using plastic bags thinner than 50 microns.
According to statistics, Mumbai generates 8,000 metric tonnes of garbage every day of which 4 per cent consists of plastic.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Mumbai Traffic Police – Now Online!
Think of this scenario- You commute to work every day in Mumbai and cross a particular traffic signal on your way to work. You feel that the traffic light should be green a little longer. You contact the traffic police via their online portal’s complaint button at http://www.trafficpolicemumbai.org/ and voila- The signal is green longer.
I missed one crucial point in the above scenario. The ill-timed traffic signal wasn’t allowing enough traffic to flow across which led to longer waiting times for motorists stuck at the signal. This translates to more fuel being wasted – Despite all the advertising very few people switch off their engines at signals.
This signal wasn’t always ill-timed. The 20 seconds for which it remained green was good enough when there were no pubs, restaurants and coffee shops in the narrow lane leading up to a major road. Today it demands at least 30seconds. And the traffic police did just that after I complained through the portal.
In hindsight I feel the “chalta hai” attitude of Bombayites /Mumbaikars is what allowed this problem to persist for as long as it did. When I first noticed the problem I asked a traffic cop at the signal why he didn’t do anything about such an obvious issue. He said he didn’t have the authority and that I would need to send a letter to the Worli branch(20kms from my home) to get the timing rectified.
A fast google search solved the problem (Check the link above). Mumbai is your city as well. Do find the time to solve the minor problems in your vicinity. Cumulatively these solutions go a long way in making our city a better place.
-Karthik
I missed one crucial point in the above scenario. The ill-timed traffic signal wasn’t allowing enough traffic to flow across which led to longer waiting times for motorists stuck at the signal. This translates to more fuel being wasted – Despite all the advertising very few people switch off their engines at signals.
This signal wasn’t always ill-timed. The 20 seconds for which it remained green was good enough when there were no pubs, restaurants and coffee shops in the narrow lane leading up to a major road. Today it demands at least 30seconds. And the traffic police did just that after I complained through the portal.
In hindsight I feel the “chalta hai” attitude of Bombayites /Mumbaikars is what allowed this problem to persist for as long as it did. When I first noticed the problem I asked a traffic cop at the signal why he didn’t do anything about such an obvious issue. He said he didn’t have the authority and that I would need to send a letter to the Worli branch(20kms from my home) to get the timing rectified.
A fast google search solved the problem (Check the link above). Mumbai is your city as well. Do find the time to solve the minor problems in your vicinity. Cumulatively these solutions go a long way in making our city a better place.
-Karthik
Sunday, October 4, 2009
From gadgets to mails
Another interesting aspect is related to the carbon footprints of spam mails. A McAfee study says that the mere act of people around the world deleting spam and searching for legitimate email falsely labelled as junk creates the annual energy consumption equivalent in the US of 2.4 mn homes using electricity, with the same GHG emissions as 3.1 mn passenger cars using 2 bn gallons of gasoline.
The average greenhouse gas emission associated with one spam message is 0.3 grams of CO2, about the same as driving three feet in equivalent emissions. When multiplied by the 62 tn spam emails sent globally, that is like driving around the earth 1.6 mn times! So just think how green is your inbox.
Even the storage of emails contributes to environmental hazard, warns writer and environmental activist Sami Grover. Retained data means storage space used; storage space used means energy consumed; and this means nothing but carbon emission!
Our drawing room is also not that green either. An average television or computer running for eight hours per day generates 618 lbs of CO2 annually. And for a laptop this is 77 lbs.
Dangerously e-wasting!
The concept of long lasting is a pass for the modern-day man, who is turning away from the earthly feelings. We have no prick of conscience in changing the gadgets like soiled clothes! But again we feign ignorance about one thing our contribution to e-waste. The problem of e-waste management warrants greater attention. Unlike the organic waste, e-waste doesn’t decompose and the hazards thereof are beyond our imagination.
A major concern is that developing countries are falling victims of this e-waste threat. According to the UN Environment Program (UNEP), up to 50 mn tonnes of waste from discarded electronic goods is generated annually, with the majority being shipped from the west to developing nations.
PC maker, Dell, recently announced its strong stand against e-waste export. Nokia’s recycling program is also worth mentioning here.
And, interestingly, though we are all concerned about the R-word that made the world economy make a nosedive, statistics show a shade of green in the environmental front. A study from America says that ever since the global economic meltdown began, energy-related CO2 emissions in the US declined by 2.8% in 2008. The Energy Information Administration estimates this as the largest annual drop since the US government began recording the data in 1990.
So, should we say a green cheers to the economic meltdown that saves Mother Earth from the dangerous global warming?
- Dataquest
The average greenhouse gas emission associated with one spam message is 0.3 grams of CO2, about the same as driving three feet in equivalent emissions. When multiplied by the 62 tn spam emails sent globally, that is like driving around the earth 1.6 mn times! So just think how green is your inbox.
Even the storage of emails contributes to environmental hazard, warns writer and environmental activist Sami Grover. Retained data means storage space used; storage space used means energy consumed; and this means nothing but carbon emission!
Our drawing room is also not that green either. An average television or computer running for eight hours per day generates 618 lbs of CO2 annually. And for a laptop this is 77 lbs.
Dangerously e-wasting!
The concept of long lasting is a pass for the modern-day man, who is turning away from the earthly feelings. We have no prick of conscience in changing the gadgets like soiled clothes! But again we feign ignorance about one thing our contribution to e-waste. The problem of e-waste management warrants greater attention. Unlike the organic waste, e-waste doesn’t decompose and the hazards thereof are beyond our imagination.
A major concern is that developing countries are falling victims of this e-waste threat. According to the UN Environment Program (UNEP), up to 50 mn tonnes of waste from discarded electronic goods is generated annually, with the majority being shipped from the west to developing nations.
PC maker, Dell, recently announced its strong stand against e-waste export. Nokia’s recycling program is also worth mentioning here.
And, interestingly, though we are all concerned about the R-word that made the world economy make a nosedive, statistics show a shade of green in the environmental front. A study from America says that ever since the global economic meltdown began, energy-related CO2 emissions in the US declined by 2.8% in 2008. The Energy Information Administration estimates this as the largest annual drop since the US government began recording the data in 1990.
So, should we say a green cheers to the economic meltdown that saves Mother Earth from the dangerous global warming?
- Dataquest
How Green is our gadge life?
A couple of days back, while attending a green initiative by the International Indian Film Academy in Gurgaon, evergreen superstar of Bollywood, Amithabh Bachchan made a startling remark, To go green you should get rid of the mobile phone that you are using!
And this statement assumes greater significance in today’s tech-driven world, where gadgets are becoming style statements; at times even becoming kind of an extension of the human body.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, a gallon (around 3.8 litres) of gasoline has 131 MJ of energy and emits 8.8 kg of CO2. Based on this, if we calculate the energy consumption in the manufacture of a mobile phone, it would come to 1,390 MJ of energy, while CO2 emissions would be 60 kg, says a blog post in www.fatknowledge.blogspot.com. Likewise, the production of a computer and monitor takes 6,400 MJ of energy, or 4.6 times that of a mobile phone.
According to another report published on www.lowcarboneconomy.com, carbon emissions from personal gadgets (such as mp3 players) and electronic devices (including televisions and mobile phones) will rise drastically over the next twenty years. The report, quoting a study by Frances International Energy Association says that their energy-use would triple between now and 2030. So, you understand from where all the bullets pierce the fragile ozone layer!
The IEA pointed out that over half of the world’s population now has a mobile phone and forecast that the number of PC users will surpass 1 bn in 2009. If we fail to adopt new policies, the energy consumed by such devices will rise to 1,700 TW hours by 2030, significantly undermining efforts in reducing global emissions, it warns.
According to the IEA estimates, by 2010, there will be over 3.5 bn mobile phone subscribers, and 2 bn televisions in use around the world.
It is this awareness about environmental hazard that prompted Ericsson and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to partner in encouraging the use of climate-smart telecom solutions across industries.
According to a recent study by Gartner and WWF, the ICT(Information & Communication Technology) industry has been slow to embrace the low-carbon economy, and is missing out on opportunities. The ICT industry is responsible for approximately 2% of global CO2 emissions.
-Dataquest (Edition: June 30, 2009)
And this statement assumes greater significance in today’s tech-driven world, where gadgets are becoming style statements; at times even becoming kind of an extension of the human body.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, a gallon (around 3.8 litres) of gasoline has 131 MJ of energy and emits 8.8 kg of CO2. Based on this, if we calculate the energy consumption in the manufacture of a mobile phone, it would come to 1,390 MJ of energy, while CO2 emissions would be 60 kg, says a blog post in www.fatknowledge.blogspot.com. Likewise, the production of a computer and monitor takes 6,400 MJ of energy, or 4.6 times that of a mobile phone.
According to another report published on www.lowcarboneconomy.com, carbon emissions from personal gadgets (such as mp3 players) and electronic devices (including televisions and mobile phones) will rise drastically over the next twenty years. The report, quoting a study by Frances International Energy Association says that their energy-use would triple between now and 2030. So, you understand from where all the bullets pierce the fragile ozone layer!
The IEA pointed out that over half of the world’s population now has a mobile phone and forecast that the number of PC users will surpass 1 bn in 2009. If we fail to adopt new policies, the energy consumed by such devices will rise to 1,700 TW hours by 2030, significantly undermining efforts in reducing global emissions, it warns.
According to the IEA estimates, by 2010, there will be over 3.5 bn mobile phone subscribers, and 2 bn televisions in use around the world.
It is this awareness about environmental hazard that prompted Ericsson and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to partner in encouraging the use of climate-smart telecom solutions across industries.
According to a recent study by Gartner and WWF, the ICT(Information & Communication Technology) industry has been slow to embrace the low-carbon economy, and is missing out on opportunities. The ICT industry is responsible for approximately 2% of global CO2 emissions.
-Dataquest (Edition: June 30, 2009)
14 firms shortlisted for city makeover - TOI
MUMBAI: The dream to re-mould the city and its surroundings into a cleaner, greener and a hi-tech metropolis is firming up with the state shortlisting 14 international firms out of 39 that had expressed interest in the project.
The programme, meant for the city and its metropolitan region, involves the drawing up of an overall prespective plan, which will be worked upon for the next 30 to 40 years and will cost around Rs 6 crore. The shortlisted firms are from three continents.
"After receiving letters of interest from 39 firms, we screened and shortlisted 14 from them. Now, the steering committee, headed by MMRDA commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad, will examine these 14 firms and the bids should be in by September. We plan to appoint the consultant by the end of October,'' said UPS Madan, head of the city transformation unit of the All India Institute of Local Self Government, which is helping in the Mubai makeover plan.
The steering committee members include municipal commissioner Jairaj Phatak, the urban development secretary, chairman of Bombay First Narinder Nayyar, city planner V K Phatak, architect P K Das and former chief secretary D M Sukthankar.
Madan said the plan would have several broad parameters to be worked upon, including housing projects aimed at reducing the number of slums and developing economic centres in the metropolitan region. "The plan will also focus on transport and better use of land. A list has also been drafted for certain sectors, which need investments from financial institutions in India and abroad, to give the city a global makeover.
Narinder Nayar, chairman of Bombay First, said they would also emphasise the development of social infrastructure such as educational and health institutions to ensure a holistic makeover of the city. Several civic groups and NGOs have not been too happy about the infrastructure projects in the city, which they feel, has not given importance to social developments.
Among the consultants shortlisted are Jurong Consultants, Singapore, Lea International, Canada, Urbis, Dubai, Calthrope Associates USA, Groupe SCE,France, Gensler,USA, ILFS and Perkins Eastman, US, Arup Consultants with Domnique Perrault (France), Atonk International/Edsa, US, Buro Happold, London, Maxwan Arehelt, Rotterdam, GFB, Germany, and Consulting Engineering Services, India.
The programme, meant for the city and its metropolitan region, involves the drawing up of an overall prespective plan, which will be worked upon for the next 30 to 40 years and will cost around Rs 6 crore. The shortlisted firms are from three continents.
"After receiving letters of interest from 39 firms, we screened and shortlisted 14 from them. Now, the steering committee, headed by MMRDA commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad, will examine these 14 firms and the bids should be in by September. We plan to appoint the consultant by the end of October,'' said UPS Madan, head of the city transformation unit of the All India Institute of Local Self Government, which is helping in the Mubai makeover plan.
The steering committee members include municipal commissioner Jairaj Phatak, the urban development secretary, chairman of Bombay First Narinder Nayyar, city planner V K Phatak, architect P K Das and former chief secretary D M Sukthankar.
Madan said the plan would have several broad parameters to be worked upon, including housing projects aimed at reducing the number of slums and developing economic centres in the metropolitan region. "The plan will also focus on transport and better use of land. A list has also been drafted for certain sectors, which need investments from financial institutions in India and abroad, to give the city a global makeover.
Narinder Nayar, chairman of Bombay First, said they would also emphasise the development of social infrastructure such as educational and health institutions to ensure a holistic makeover of the city. Several civic groups and NGOs have not been too happy about the infrastructure projects in the city, which they feel, has not given importance to social developments.
Among the consultants shortlisted are Jurong Consultants, Singapore, Lea International, Canada, Urbis, Dubai, Calthrope Associates USA, Groupe SCE,France, Gensler,USA, ILFS and Perkins Eastman, US, Arup Consultants with Domnique Perrault (France), Atonk International/Edsa, US, Buro Happold, London, Maxwan Arehelt, Rotterdam, GFB, Germany, and Consulting Engineering Services, India.
Sustainable Development in India
India marches onto the “Green/Sustainable development Bandwagon” with the words of Mr. Singh. Truth be told, we had started marching a long time back. As far back as 3000 years, when India had developed a unique irrigation system, which conserved and replenished surface and ground water. Back then as is today, everyone from the Sarpanch to the village idiot respected “Panchavati”; a name derived from the 5 essential medicinal trees in various forests in India.
Insatiable human wants
Before the Egyptians started using scented oils for “various” ceremonies, Indians used the juice extracted from the leaves of one of these trees (Bilwa tree) as it removed all foul odors from the body. The perfume industry probably contributes in a marginal way to global warming but the rationale for using perfumes is simple- It makes us feel good. A fast Google-search on how much energy and water it takes to make a wedding ring will make an environmentalist squeal.
This is not an attempt to prove that the perfume and jewelry industries are the bad-guys, but to unravel human psychology. In some cases, our “want” hasn’t transformed but the solution has- From the humble juice to sophisticated woody flavours. In other cases, a new “want” has been created in the form of an indispensable marriage memorabilia.
We have old wants and new ones, all being satisfied and created by brilliant innovators and marketers’ world over. Human wants are insatiable by today’s standards. If we satisfy all the wants of six billion people we will have a bigger problem at hand than we had bargained for. Most kids covet their friends’ toys. The same holds true for mature adults as well. Everyone will want a share of the “good life”.
Take away – Maybe it is time we make a difference at a personal level by moderating our wants and spreading the sustainable development message more strongly.
Home Advantage
Developing countries blame developed countries for global warming as they waste a lot of resources. I am sure Mr. Prime Minister will not face that issue in India because most Indians still have the “save today” mentality. Some Indians waste resources but that of course isn’t a “direct” expense for them. However, I am still talking about a minority who has access to these seemingly inexhaustible resources. India still has a considerable population that has to satisfy its basic needs on a day-to-day basis.
Take away – We are intuitively savers. This attitude will only aid the green movement as Governments can think of unique taxes for wasteful usage.
Policies aren't solutions
India is a heady mix of cultures and economies. Tackling global warming with generic policies is not a foolproof solution. For instance, a policy on having “Bharat-x” norms on every vehicle that is manufactured now onward, will prevent the upward-mobile population from polluting the air. However in cities, millions of these “Bharat-x” vehicles with engine specifications such as 0 to 100 in 9 seconds ply at an average speed of 20kmph. Did traffic management strike anyone apart from Mr. Rahul Dandekar?(The man behind the idea MESN) People in certain areas in UP still use Bharat minus hundred “Jugads”( unregistered indigenous vehicles). Policies cannot be made for each and every one of these situations and therein lies the limited reach of policies in making a difference.
Take away – Policies help to a limited extent. But it is very important to have the right policies implemented quickly. Testimony to policies not being ratified- The hybrid cars of the world have still not made headway in India due to 100% + duties on these cars.
Localized Solutions
What we need are micro solutions for a diverse India. This can be achieved by making people more accountable. There are officials in government organizations responsible for certain areas in every city and town in India. These officials have teams who monitor the area. The questions the PM should be asking are - Are these officials aware of sustainable development? Do they know what can be done in order to implement sustainable development? Can public transport be made fast and convenient? Is the waste management system of the area resourceful? And many more.
Take away – A city’s/town’s problems are many. However solutions can be best implemented by locals. The roadblock here is inadequate education and lapses in accountability.
Rural India Too
The questions above may not be relevant to a village with a population of 60 which relies on agriculture as their only means of survival. What may be relevant is how to sustain cultivated land without overusing fertilizers? The questions will differ as per geography, occupation, income and many other variables. When answered the government can make sure we make a collective difference to the environment in our country.
Take away – To achieve sustainable development in India in a meaningful way various pieces of the “green” puzzle have to come together. This can be achieved with adequate Government hand holding.
- Karthik
Insatiable human wants
Before the Egyptians started using scented oils for “various” ceremonies, Indians used the juice extracted from the leaves of one of these trees (Bilwa tree) as it removed all foul odors from the body. The perfume industry probably contributes in a marginal way to global warming but the rationale for using perfumes is simple- It makes us feel good. A fast Google-search on how much energy and water it takes to make a wedding ring will make an environmentalist squeal.
This is not an attempt to prove that the perfume and jewelry industries are the bad-guys, but to unravel human psychology. In some cases, our “want” hasn’t transformed but the solution has- From the humble juice to sophisticated woody flavours. In other cases, a new “want” has been created in the form of an indispensable marriage memorabilia.
We have old wants and new ones, all being satisfied and created by brilliant innovators and marketers’ world over. Human wants are insatiable by today’s standards. If we satisfy all the wants of six billion people we will have a bigger problem at hand than we had bargained for. Most kids covet their friends’ toys. The same holds true for mature adults as well. Everyone will want a share of the “good life”.
Take away – Maybe it is time we make a difference at a personal level by moderating our wants and spreading the sustainable development message more strongly.
Home Advantage
Developing countries blame developed countries for global warming as they waste a lot of resources. I am sure Mr. Prime Minister will not face that issue in India because most Indians still have the “save today” mentality. Some Indians waste resources but that of course isn’t a “direct” expense for them. However, I am still talking about a minority who has access to these seemingly inexhaustible resources. India still has a considerable population that has to satisfy its basic needs on a day-to-day basis.
Take away – We are intuitively savers. This attitude will only aid the green movement as Governments can think of unique taxes for wasteful usage.
Policies aren't solutions
India is a heady mix of cultures and economies. Tackling global warming with generic policies is not a foolproof solution. For instance, a policy on having “Bharat-x” norms on every vehicle that is manufactured now onward, will prevent the upward-mobile population from polluting the air. However in cities, millions of these “Bharat-x” vehicles with engine specifications such as 0 to 100 in 9 seconds ply at an average speed of 20kmph. Did traffic management strike anyone apart from Mr. Rahul Dandekar?(The man behind the idea MESN) People in certain areas in UP still use Bharat minus hundred “Jugads”( unregistered indigenous vehicles). Policies cannot be made for each and every one of these situations and therein lies the limited reach of policies in making a difference.
Take away – Policies help to a limited extent. But it is very important to have the right policies implemented quickly. Testimony to policies not being ratified- The hybrid cars of the world have still not made headway in India due to 100% + duties on these cars.
Localized Solutions
What we need are micro solutions for a diverse India. This can be achieved by making people more accountable. There are officials in government organizations responsible for certain areas in every city and town in India. These officials have teams who monitor the area. The questions the PM should be asking are - Are these officials aware of sustainable development? Do they know what can be done in order to implement sustainable development? Can public transport be made fast and convenient? Is the waste management system of the area resourceful? And many more.
Take away – A city’s/town’s problems are many. However solutions can be best implemented by locals. The roadblock here is inadequate education and lapses in accountability.
Rural India Too
The questions above may not be relevant to a village with a population of 60 which relies on agriculture as their only means of survival. What may be relevant is how to sustain cultivated land without overusing fertilizers? The questions will differ as per geography, occupation, income and many other variables. When answered the government can make sure we make a collective difference to the environment in our country.
Take away – To achieve sustainable development in India in a meaningful way various pieces of the “green” puzzle have to come together. This can be achieved with adequate Government hand holding.
- Karthik
Monday, June 29, 2009
Pause and think!
“More coastal space falls to Builders” – Such ran an article in HT in June 09. The article stated that a developer in Mumbai wanted to build a hotel and rehabilitation buildings in place of all the slums that are built on a CRZ (Costal regulatory zone).
Mumbai has a unique distinction- It is one of the 20 megacities in the world. A megacity is a city with a population of over 10million & density of over 2000people/sq km. Like the other megacities it is faced with a dilemma of development versus environmental sustainability. But what exasperates this dilemma is that Mumbai is a coastal city.
Out of the top ten coastal cities exposed to climate change in the form of floods, Mumbai is 5th. Club that with the fact that over 90% of the planet's living and nonliving resources are found within a few hundred kilometers of the coast we have a serious economic and environmental problem at hand.
Converting slums in the CRZs to buildings and hotels doesn’t answer a serious question. Is it sustainable? Crores will go into building this infrastructure. And crores more will go in rehabilitating the rehabilitees when a storm strikes Mumbai.
An idol city for many, Shanghai has constructed more than 4,000 high-rises in less than three decades. Another coastal city which may see realty costs plummet and huge environmental issues once a deluge ensues- It is number 4 on the list. Incidentally, Calcutta is number 3.
Solutions in the form of stricter coastal regulatory norms, disaster management programs and alternative rehabilitation facilities are the need of the hour. If not taken seriously we may see Mumbai go back in history in the form of 7 distinctly divided islands; or maybe more.
Source for numbers –
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L04435506.htm (OECD report)
http://www.us-ocb.org/archives/email5fsept.html (Ocean Carbon and Biochemistry)
- Karthik
Mumbai has a unique distinction- It is one of the 20 megacities in the world. A megacity is a city with a population of over 10million & density of over 2000people/sq km. Like the other megacities it is faced with a dilemma of development versus environmental sustainability. But what exasperates this dilemma is that Mumbai is a coastal city.
Out of the top ten coastal cities exposed to climate change in the form of floods, Mumbai is 5th. Club that with the fact that over 90% of the planet's living and nonliving resources are found within a few hundred kilometers of the coast we have a serious economic and environmental problem at hand.
Converting slums in the CRZs to buildings and hotels doesn’t answer a serious question. Is it sustainable? Crores will go into building this infrastructure. And crores more will go in rehabilitating the rehabilitees when a storm strikes Mumbai.
An idol city for many, Shanghai has constructed more than 4,000 high-rises in less than three decades. Another coastal city which may see realty costs plummet and huge environmental issues once a deluge ensues- It is number 4 on the list. Incidentally, Calcutta is number 3.
Solutions in the form of stricter coastal regulatory norms, disaster management programs and alternative rehabilitation facilities are the need of the hour. If not taken seriously we may see Mumbai go back in history in the form of 7 distinctly divided islands; or maybe more.
Source for numbers –
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L04435506.htm (OECD report)
http://www.us-ocb.org/archives/email5fsept.html (Ocean Carbon and Biochemistry)
- Karthik
Saturday, June 27, 2009
The big picture
Do you own a home? Do you aspire to own a home? Why?
A few answers that might include yours are: primarily a sense of security, something to protect you from the elements, something unmoving and permanent. Or maybe as a long term investment. Perhaps something to leave for your kids. That would obviously mean that the thought process would lead to having it "last" for a long time.
We care for that home, we maintain it, repair it. We would be extremely distressed if, either the elements or someone else, damages or destroys it. We therefore take great pains to protect and secure it.
Taking this point on another path, those who rent apartments, perhaps with room/house mates, find it extremely distressing if that person does not keep the house neat and clean.
In both these cases, great care is taken to use resources carefully, especially those that we have to pay for.
Step back and take a look at the bigger picture...The earth is our home too!!!
- Primus
Monday, June 8, 2009
Every way we can
We at MR(Mumbai Rewind)saw an opportunity to bring up the issue of plastic bags yet again but through a different channel- A letter to the editor of Hindustan Times.
As owning a mobile phone has become a norm over the past 10 years so has selling a plastic bag for the tiniest of items. This is how we brought it up.
Here is the actual page print.
As owning a mobile phone has become a norm over the past 10 years so has selling a plastic bag for the tiniest of items. This is how we brought it up.
Here is the actual page print.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
4 lakh plastic bags reduced in 2 hours
You ask how ?
We took 8 students from St. Anne's, Malad for a plastic bag awareness drive in Hypercity- A supermarket in Malad, Mumbai. These kids managed to convince 112 citizens at Hypercity to curb their plastic bag consumption by at least 3 a week. A testimonial to that effect is the signatures of all 112 citizens. Which means these 112 citizens will cut down on their plastic bag consumption by 4 lakh in the next 30 years. And 4 lakh not counting the number of people they in turn convince to curb the use of plastic bags.
We also convinced customers that they could use one bag for all their vegetables instead of one for every single vegetable. This idea was well appreciated by the customers who were more than willing to try out the idea that very instant.
The off shoot of this drive of course was that the students (std 8 to 10) gained a lot of confidence in talking to strangers. The students went back home with broad grins knowing fully well the impact they had on the environment in a matter of 2 hours.
All this was made possible by 8 students from St. Anne's, Mrs. Seema (school teacher), Hypercity folks, Mumbai Rewind and of course all those who joined in the campaign by pledging their support for the cause.
- Karthik.
We took 8 students from St. Anne's, Malad for a plastic bag awareness drive in Hypercity- A supermarket in Malad, Mumbai. These kids managed to convince 112 citizens at Hypercity to curb their plastic bag consumption by at least 3 a week. A testimonial to that effect is the signatures of all 112 citizens. Which means these 112 citizens will cut down on their plastic bag consumption by 4 lakh in the next 30 years. And 4 lakh not counting the number of people they in turn convince to curb the use of plastic bags.
We also convinced customers that they could use one bag for all their vegetables instead of one for every single vegetable. This idea was well appreciated by the customers who were more than willing to try out the idea that very instant.
The off shoot of this drive of course was that the students (std 8 to 10) gained a lot of confidence in talking to strangers. The students went back home with broad grins knowing fully well the impact they had on the environment in a matter of 2 hours.
All this was made possible by 8 students from St. Anne's, Mrs. Seema (school teacher), Hypercity folks, Mumbai Rewind and of course all those who joined in the campaign by pledging their support for the cause.
- Karthik.
Friday, May 29, 2009
HyperCity - Education Drive
Tomorrow is a big day for Mumbai Rewind. 8 students from St. Anne's High School along with some volunteers are going to talk to HyperCity(Supermarket in Malad- Mumbai) customers and educate them about the damage plastic is causing to our environment and Mumbai is specific.
There will be a signature campaign and posters all around prompting customers to reduce and reuse plastic bags.
The students of course had to be trained to talk to these customers. The training sessions were fun filled with arenas as diverse as the school ground. They were taken through all sorts of real life scenarios they could face at HyperCity while interacting with customers.
We are sure these kids are going to reach out to as many as 100 customers and will bring down plastic consumption by a significant amount in HyperCity. More importantly if they convince even 50 people to reduce and reuse plastic bags by as many as 3 a week. That is a reduction of 2 lakh 34 thousand plastic bags in the life time of these 30 individuals. That is the effect these kids can have in a matter of a few hours.
The drive is going to be organized on 30th May 2009 from 2:30pm to 5pm. Join us in our drive:-)
- Karthik.
There will be a signature campaign and posters all around prompting customers to reduce and reuse plastic bags.
The students of course had to be trained to talk to these customers. The training sessions were fun filled with arenas as diverse as the school ground. They were taken through all sorts of real life scenarios they could face at HyperCity while interacting with customers.
We are sure these kids are going to reach out to as many as 100 customers and will bring down plastic consumption by a significant amount in HyperCity. More importantly if they convince even 50 people to reduce and reuse plastic bags by as many as 3 a week. That is a reduction of 2 lakh 34 thousand plastic bags in the life time of these 30 individuals. That is the effect these kids can have in a matter of a few hours.
The drive is going to be organized on 30th May 2009 from 2:30pm to 5pm. Join us in our drive:-)
- Karthik.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Picnics and Plastics
Picnics are fun times. A time to forget all the troubles of the world and enjoy whatever it is that you are doing. A time to stop thinking. Wait a minute. That doesn’t sound right does it. A time to stop thinking!
We never do that. Everybody thinks. Let me rephrase. A time to stop analyzing. Yup! Fits the bill. Why would anybody analyze anything during a picnic? It destroys the very essence of a picnic, right? Wrong.
I can delve into the psychological aspect the whole “Work-play” idiom but for all practical purposes and to address an audience which by now may be losing interest in this post I’ll say it simply – We have lost it!!
We compete in games at picnics which involve rampant use of “plastic straws and plastic cups” and come back to work “refreshed”... I’m morose.
We have actually not put to good use let alone reuse the plastic. There are plenty of games which can be played without using plastic – Didn’t see too many of those.
Now I come to the crux of it all. How do you convince a bunch of “adults” who have come to “get away from it all” to avoid playing that particular game completely?
The more I think of it the more trickier the answers become. Top of the animal kingdom we may be but I think we have not taken it as seriously as we should.
- Karthik
We never do that. Everybody thinks. Let me rephrase. A time to stop analyzing. Yup! Fits the bill. Why would anybody analyze anything during a picnic? It destroys the very essence of a picnic, right? Wrong.
I can delve into the psychological aspect the whole “Work-play” idiom but for all practical purposes and to address an audience which by now may be losing interest in this post I’ll say it simply – We have lost it!!
We compete in games at picnics which involve rampant use of “plastic straws and plastic cups” and come back to work “refreshed”... I’m morose.
We have actually not put to good use let alone reuse the plastic. There are plenty of games which can be played without using plastic – Didn’t see too many of those.
Now I come to the crux of it all. How do you convince a bunch of “adults” who have come to “get away from it all” to avoid playing that particular game completely?
The more I think of it the more trickier the answers become. Top of the animal kingdom we may be but I think we have not taken it as seriously as we should.
- Karthik
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Honkzilla - It's in our culture!
With the Mumbai traffic police taking up the ante of the “No honking Drive” in Mumbai we may see people changing the way they use the “electronic-bhompu”. Time will tell the efficacy of the drive. Here is my take-
Let’s face it- In India we love to give a personal touch to everything, be it a little tabasco sauce in the spicy monchow soup or discussing politicians rather than politics. In India like Guru bhai said “Even business is personal”
So why should we stop honking? After all it is our way of saying “Get out of the way you tortoise” or “Please give way”. The loudness and the pattern of the honk is indicative of the temperament of the driver who is honking. So honking isn’t just about telling the person to give way but it is an expression all too personal to do away with.
Advising people is one thing but changing a culture is an entirely different ball game.
Let us take a typical roadside example. Tulsi is walking on the road rather than the pavement. She just had paani puri at the pani puri wala who works on the pavement. Ram who is in a hurry to reach his appointment with Dr. Suri is driving his Santro at a break neck average speed of 20kmph. From a distance he sees Tulsi walking on the road instead of the pavement/marketplace. The only way for him to pass a 14 wheeler travelling at 5kmph is to overtake the monster from the left, the only obstacle being Tulsi. Tulsi loves her walks as much as she loves her paani puris and she cares two hoots about the various businesses taking up her walking space. She is comfortable walking on the road as well. Ram by this time decides that overtaking is the right option. After all Dr. Suri is the best somethingologist in town and missing his appointment could be tantamount to no more appointments for a month.
The overtaking procedure begins with the well educated Ram doing the polite soft honk which says “Please stand aside. I know it’s tough, what with the stupid sandwich wala occupying the pavement. But please try”. Tulsi is still talking on the phone.
Ram decides to go for the double honk procedure – One short, one long. In other words he is trying to say “Look lady, I know your calls are important but not at the cost of totally ignoring my desperate pleas for some room”
This time Tulsi takes notice and blurts out a “Dikhta nahi hai kya. Jagah nahi hai” and continues talking on the mobile. At this point Ram loses it. He is late. He sees a stone over a tiny nala on which he presumes Tulsi could stand and give him way. Now he tries the loud long honk procedure which pretty much means “Get out of the way or else..”. Tulsi at this point cannot even talk on the phone because Ram is getting all too personal. She spots the rock and jumps on it. The car rolls past. Tulsi continues talking and walking- An easy victim for Rams galore.
Blame honking on the chana wala, blame it on the average speed on Mumbai roads, blame it on trucks in suburbs at peak hours, blame it on random parking, blame it on bad roads, blame it on signals even but don’t blame it on people. Because it is, after all “in our culture”.
- Karthik
Let’s face it- In India we love to give a personal touch to everything, be it a little tabasco sauce in the spicy monchow soup or discussing politicians rather than politics. In India like Guru bhai said “Even business is personal”
So why should we stop honking? After all it is our way of saying “Get out of the way you tortoise” or “Please give way”. The loudness and the pattern of the honk is indicative of the temperament of the driver who is honking. So honking isn’t just about telling the person to give way but it is an expression all too personal to do away with.
Advising people is one thing but changing a culture is an entirely different ball game.
Let us take a typical roadside example. Tulsi is walking on the road rather than the pavement. She just had paani puri at the pani puri wala who works on the pavement. Ram who is in a hurry to reach his appointment with Dr. Suri is driving his Santro at a break neck average speed of 20kmph. From a distance he sees Tulsi walking on the road instead of the pavement/marketplace. The only way for him to pass a 14 wheeler travelling at 5kmph is to overtake the monster from the left, the only obstacle being Tulsi. Tulsi loves her walks as much as she loves her paani puris and she cares two hoots about the various businesses taking up her walking space. She is comfortable walking on the road as well. Ram by this time decides that overtaking is the right option. After all Dr. Suri is the best somethingologist in town and missing his appointment could be tantamount to no more appointments for a month.
The overtaking procedure begins with the well educated Ram doing the polite soft honk which says “Please stand aside. I know it’s tough, what with the stupid sandwich wala occupying the pavement. But please try”. Tulsi is still talking on the phone.
Ram decides to go for the double honk procedure – One short, one long. In other words he is trying to say “Look lady, I know your calls are important but not at the cost of totally ignoring my desperate pleas for some room”
This time Tulsi takes notice and blurts out a “Dikhta nahi hai kya. Jagah nahi hai” and continues talking on the mobile. At this point Ram loses it. He is late. He sees a stone over a tiny nala on which he presumes Tulsi could stand and give him way. Now he tries the loud long honk procedure which pretty much means “Get out of the way or else..”. Tulsi at this point cannot even talk on the phone because Ram is getting all too personal. She spots the rock and jumps on it. The car rolls past. Tulsi continues talking and walking- An easy victim for Rams galore.
Blame honking on the chana wala, blame it on the average speed on Mumbai roads, blame it on trucks in suburbs at peak hours, blame it on random parking, blame it on bad roads, blame it on signals even but don’t blame it on people. Because it is, after all “in our culture”.
- Karthik
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