If political parties adhere to the directives of ECI, this year India can have eco-friendly Lok Sabha elections
Election Commission of India (ECI) has asked political parties to avoid the use of plastic during the course of election campaigning. The moral code of conduct from ECI says the political parties should try to avoid the use of plastic/polythene in the making of posters, banners, etc. If political parties adhere to the directives of ECI, this year India can have eco-friendly Lok Sabha elections.
Even after the order, the market is flooded with a host of plastic made election campaigning material. The range includes, flags, banners, posters, streamers and so on.
Retired chief environment engineer with UP Pollution Control Board KK Sharma appreciated the EC move but said, "As of now, success of the stand depends on the will of the political parties. Lets hope the stand acts as a deterrent against the non-biodegradable monster-plastic."
Several political parties welcomed the step. The Congress high-command for instance, has directed its members to follow the instruction in letter and spirit. "In wake of the same, we have already placed order for glazed paper flags, buntings and streamers," UP Congress chief, Rita Bahuguna Joshi told TOI over phone.
The move would mean more expenditure on campaigning material as plastic come at much cheaper rates.
The move would mean more expenditure on campaigning material as plastic come at much cheaper rates. Rajesh Kumar who claims to supply election material to ten states said, "the input cost in the material had increased. The effect was obvious on the sale price."
He also took the chance to display a host of paper and cloth-made election material. Kumar has come up with unique replacements. For example: for his Bahujan Samaj Party buyers, suppliers are offering bangles in BSP blue. Those from Samajwadi Party and the Congress have the option of buying paper-made tea-coffee mugs. Women Congress workers may also get tri-colour hairbands and wristbands. Then there are caps and badges for all parties. Flags made of satin cloth are the latest addition in the segment.
Source: Times of India
Monday, March 16, 2009
Renewed Effort by Delhi to save River Yamuna
After the innumerous failed campaigns with billions went wasted, there is one more “Clean Yamuna Campaign” initiated by Delhiites………..
After the innumerous failed attempts, there is one more effort to save India’s one of the most polluted and pious rivers, Yamuna. As per the news report of ANI, hundreds of delhiites, students and environmentalists have come forward in a campaign to save the river from further pollution.
In the last week of February 2009, all the enthusiastic gathered at the Jamia Milia Islamia University’s Ansari Auditorium holding placards and banners and raising slogans in favour of cleaning of the river Yamuna.
ANI writes in its news report, at the function, Tajendra Khanna, Delhi lieutenant Governor urged the residents to unite for the campaign.
He further said that the motive of this campaign was to increase the participation of people in the “Clean Yamuna Campaign”.
He also mentioned that the Supreme Court had given green signal to the 2.5 billion rupees ''Yamuna Action Plan II'' and hoped that in 18 months time, the condition of the river would change.
The Yamuna Action Plan was launched in 1993, with the aim of conserving the river has met with no success despite billions being spent on it.
While 60 per cent of Delhi''s water needs are fulfilled by Yamuna, almost the same percentage of the city''s sewage finds its way into the river.
The national capital alone produces 3.6 billion litre of sewage every day, but due to poor management, less than half of it is effectively treated.
The remaining untreated waste is dumped into the Yamuna River.
After the innumerous failed attempts, there is one more effort to save India’s one of the most polluted and pious rivers, Yamuna. As per the news report of ANI, hundreds of delhiites, students and environmentalists have come forward in a campaign to save the river from further pollution.
In the last week of February 2009, all the enthusiastic gathered at the Jamia Milia Islamia University’s Ansari Auditorium holding placards and banners and raising slogans in favour of cleaning of the river Yamuna.
ANI writes in its news report, at the function, Tajendra Khanna, Delhi lieutenant Governor urged the residents to unite for the campaign.
He further said that the motive of this campaign was to increase the participation of people in the “Clean Yamuna Campaign”.
He also mentioned that the Supreme Court had given green signal to the 2.5 billion rupees ''Yamuna Action Plan II'' and hoped that in 18 months time, the condition of the river would change.
The Yamuna Action Plan was launched in 1993, with the aim of conserving the river has met with no success despite billions being spent on it.
While 60 per cent of Delhi''s water needs are fulfilled by Yamuna, almost the same percentage of the city''s sewage finds its way into the river.
The national capital alone produces 3.6 billion litre of sewage every day, but due to poor management, less than half of it is effectively treated.
The remaining untreated waste is dumped into the Yamuna River.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Impact of Climate Change
Dryland in IndiaPhoto Credit: UNDP
Kavas village, RajasthanPhoto Credit: UNDP
In the past two decades, four islands of Sundarbans - Bedford, Lohachara, Kabasgadi and Suparibhanga - have sunk into the sea and 6,000 families have been made homeless
Map of changes in the thickness of mountain glaciers since 1970. Orange and red colors indicate thinning, blue colors indicate thickening
Satellite image of Gangotri Glacier in India showing its decline since a maximum. It has been noticed that between 1977 and 1990, the Gangotri glacier retreated by as much as 364 meters or about one-third of a kilometer. 
Photo credit: Dunedin Canmore Housing AssociationA project in Slateford in Edinburgh, Scotland, which has built car-free eco-green housing
Photo credit: AkuppaPeople carrying banners and skeletons on the National Climate Change march in London on November 4, 2006
Photo credit: Mark Wolfe/FEMA photoThese images were taken by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in Gulfport, Mississippi, USA, on September 8 2005 and on August 11 2006, during and after the cleanup of debris from around the Memorial Hospital in Gulfport
More than 45 million cubic yards of land-based debris was left in Mississippi by Hurricane Katrina
Photo credit: Benjamin Pender
People carrying banners in the shape of cloud weather symbols on the National Climate Change march and Carnival of Climate Chaos in London on November 4 2006
People carrying banners in the shape of cloud weather symbols on the National Climate Change march and Carnival of Climate Chaos in London on November 4 2006
Friday, June 6, 2008
INDIAN KIDS ARE ON GREENING DRIVE
How about a marker pen with red chilli or turmeric ink? Or a mosquito repellent produced from papaya leaves?
Budding scientists from Maharashtra and Gujarat have come up with these products, receiving recognition at an international science fair.
Venkatraman and her classmate Neha Kulkarni, products of Modern English School, Mumbai have developed an extract from the leaves of papaya that can control mosquitoes. They studied the efficacies of the extract for several months and found that ''the mortality rate of mosquitoes was 86 percent''.
Their product is completely bio-natural and cost effective. It doesn't cause any harm to the soil, plants and human beings
''We collected papaya leaves, crushed them to make an extract, diluted it in water and studied its effect on mosquitoes in different stages,'' Kulkarni told IANS.
Venkatraman and Kulkarni showcased their innovations at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (IISEF) in US last month and bagged the third prize beating nearly 1,500 young innovators from across the world.
Similarly, another pair of budding scientists from the S.G. Dholakiya Memorial High School in Rajkot, Gujarat, has produced marker pen ink from chilli (red ink), turmeric (yellow), carrot (saffron) and even rose petals (pink).
''First, all different types of coloured vegetables are taken and crushed separately. This solution is boiled at 100 degrees Celsius for nearly 20 minutes. It is kept for self-cooling and after nearly an hour, the dye is prepared,'' said Pooja Dholakiya.
''Kerosene is added in different proportions to the dye. Then 0.5 cm diameter cotton cording is taken and poured into the dye. After about one hour, people can use it as marker pen,'' explained Dholakiya's classmate Ridhi Dasani.
They too represented India at IISEF 2008. As a team they got a $1,000 award at the fair.
Seeing the young talent of India, Indian Science and Technology Minister, Kapil Sibal remarked, ''It's heartening to see that budding scientists are going eco-friendly. This is a good sign for both science and new innovations.''
Source: Indo Asian News Service
Budding scientists from Maharashtra and Gujarat have come up with these products, receiving recognition at an international science fair.
Venkatraman and her classmate Neha Kulkarni, products of Modern English School, Mumbai have developed an extract from the leaves of papaya that can control mosquitoes. They studied the efficacies of the extract for several months and found that ''the mortality rate of mosquitoes was 86 percent''.
Their product is completely bio-natural and cost effective. It doesn't cause any harm to the soil, plants and human beings
''We collected papaya leaves, crushed them to make an extract, diluted it in water and studied its effect on mosquitoes in different stages,'' Kulkarni told IANS.
Venkatraman and Kulkarni showcased their innovations at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (IISEF) in US last month and bagged the third prize beating nearly 1,500 young innovators from across the world.
Similarly, another pair of budding scientists from the S.G. Dholakiya Memorial High School in Rajkot, Gujarat, has produced marker pen ink from chilli (red ink), turmeric (yellow), carrot (saffron) and even rose petals (pink).
''First, all different types of coloured vegetables are taken and crushed separately. This solution is boiled at 100 degrees Celsius for nearly 20 minutes. It is kept for self-cooling and after nearly an hour, the dye is prepared,'' said Pooja Dholakiya.
''Kerosene is added in different proportions to the dye. Then 0.5 cm diameter cotton cording is taken and poured into the dye. After about one hour, people can use it as marker pen,'' explained Dholakiya's classmate Ridhi Dasani.
They too represented India at IISEF 2008. As a team they got a $1,000 award at the fair.
Seeing the young talent of India, Indian Science and Technology Minister, Kapil Sibal remarked, ''It's heartening to see that budding scientists are going eco-friendly. This is a good sign for both science and new innovations.''
Source: Indo Asian News Service
An Individual Success Story
It's the World Environment Day. And the residents of Sealine in Pali Hill - one of Mumbai's most upscale suburbs - have started a new initiative.
They have come together to reduce their carbon footprint. And after turning over a new leaf, they're now on a mission to start an entire movement.
And all the credit for this goes to Navin Chandra - a 78-year-old retired chemical engineer.
Navin is on a mission. He has convinced all the residents of his building to lower their collective carbon footprint.
And he has done a lot of preparation for this.
He has installed solar panels on the rooftops, which provide for most of the society's power needs and ensure continuous hot water supply.
He has also started rainwater harvesting that ensures unlike other buildings in posh Pali Hill, Sealine never suffers from water shortage.
And vermiculture recycles all the garbage collected into a green space. This has always been a luxury in Mumbai, even for the posh localities.
From some initial resistance, Chandra now has the entire building backing him.
''I think its great. We are giving back to the environment instead of taking from it. It makes us in a sense citizens of the world,'' says Ranjini Ramachandran, a resident.
The residents have adopted a local park and the Carter Road promenade hoping their efforts will inspire a larger movement.
And Navin is happy.
''In Mumbai we face so much water and power shortage so its important we look for environment friendly solutions,'' he says.
Source: NDTV.com
They have come together to reduce their carbon footprint. And after turning over a new leaf, they're now on a mission to start an entire movement.
And all the credit for this goes to Navin Chandra - a 78-year-old retired chemical engineer.
Navin is on a mission. He has convinced all the residents of his building to lower their collective carbon footprint.
And he has done a lot of preparation for this.
He has installed solar panels on the rooftops, which provide for most of the society's power needs and ensure continuous hot water supply.
He has also started rainwater harvesting that ensures unlike other buildings in posh Pali Hill, Sealine never suffers from water shortage.
And vermiculture recycles all the garbage collected into a green space. This has always been a luxury in Mumbai, even for the posh localities.
From some initial resistance, Chandra now has the entire building backing him.
''I think its great. We are giving back to the environment instead of taking from it. It makes us in a sense citizens of the world,'' says Ranjini Ramachandran, a resident.
The residents have adopted a local park and the Carter Road promenade hoping their efforts will inspire a larger movement.
And Navin is happy.
''In Mumbai we face so much water and power shortage so its important we look for environment friendly solutions,'' he says.
Source: NDTV.com
Environment is Second Big Problem for Delhi
By Shilpi Aggarwal
Hey, Delhi congrats! It’s heartening to see that delhites are maturing up. We have finally started to wake up to the stark realities of deteriorating environment. Yesterday, I was watching the CNN-IBN’s State of the Environment show. And, it was appalling to see the results of their survey. Six metropolitans of India voted for environment as their second most problem beating sanitary and water, law and order, unemployment and even corruption. Unbelievable but yes, quite remarkable! And, when they were asked what they want for their cities – high rise buildings, luxury malls, or trees, 46% chose trees instead of cities. Still, Pretty high number!
Survey Poll indicated the growing concern for environment among urban India. It showed people care for and are willing to do something for the betterment of the environment.
But another aspect the show pointed toward is the gap between their concern and their lifestyle. It was shocking to see how people think when it comes to contribution to this alarming problem. 45% of people connect the problem of air pollution to the industries. They think the major contributor is the industries and their own vehicles come second. Majority are not aware that sewage from their homes goes to the rivers, contributing it in major way. More than 50% think their sewage go to Municipality drains. Undoubtedly, People are acutely feeling the heat of the people. But they are not connecting it to their lifestyle. Majority believes that only planting trees in a big way can solve the issue.
Although a guy came forward from Noida and admitted he takes bicycle to go to his office, he also made a point that many of his friends wants to do the same but unable to do so due to the lack of proper infrastructure. And, what was more heartening to see when a lady acknowledged that the environment is as important commodity as milk or petrol or any other. She was in fact ready to pay more for environment as well. There came a child whose family opts for public vehicles on weekdays and only take out car once a week for outing. Poll also shows the result that people don’t mind in using public transport given they are affordable, convenient, safe and high on comfort. And, the yes, it shows in the successful implementation of Metro project.
Yesterday’s CNN-IBN’s show was a clear picture of growing sense of Young Urban India towards the environment. Whereas the people of Europe and America vote for environment as an urgent social problem poorly, we in India have finally woke up to the call.
Hey, Delhi congrats! It’s heartening to see that delhites are maturing up. We have finally started to wake up to the stark realities of deteriorating environment. Yesterday, I was watching the CNN-IBN’s State of the Environment show. And, it was appalling to see the results of their survey. Six metropolitans of India voted for environment as their second most problem beating sanitary and water, law and order, unemployment and even corruption. Unbelievable but yes, quite remarkable! And, when they were asked what they want for their cities – high rise buildings, luxury malls, or trees, 46% chose trees instead of cities. Still, Pretty high number!
Survey Poll indicated the growing concern for environment among urban India. It showed people care for and are willing to do something for the betterment of the environment.
But another aspect the show pointed toward is the gap between their concern and their lifestyle. It was shocking to see how people think when it comes to contribution to this alarming problem. 45% of people connect the problem of air pollution to the industries. They think the major contributor is the industries and their own vehicles come second. Majority are not aware that sewage from their homes goes to the rivers, contributing it in major way. More than 50% think their sewage go to Municipality drains. Undoubtedly, People are acutely feeling the heat of the people. But they are not connecting it to their lifestyle. Majority believes that only planting trees in a big way can solve the issue.
Although a guy came forward from Noida and admitted he takes bicycle to go to his office, he also made a point that many of his friends wants to do the same but unable to do so due to the lack of proper infrastructure. And, what was more heartening to see when a lady acknowledged that the environment is as important commodity as milk or petrol or any other. She was in fact ready to pay more for environment as well. There came a child whose family opts for public vehicles on weekdays and only take out car once a week for outing. Poll also shows the result that people don’t mind in using public transport given they are affordable, convenient, safe and high on comfort. And, the yes, it shows in the successful implementation of Metro project.
Yesterday’s CNN-IBN’s show was a clear picture of growing sense of Young Urban India towards the environment. Whereas the people of Europe and America vote for environment as an urgent social problem poorly, we in India have finally woke up to the call.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Get your facts right Mr. Bush
By Shilpy Arora
“Prosperity in countries like India triggers increased demand for better Nutrition, which in turn leads to higher food prices” – says U.S. President George W Bush
You Guys (U.S. People):
• Constitute 5% of the world's population but consume 24% of the world's energy.
• On average, one American consumes as much energy as
o 2 Japanese
o 6 Mexicans
o 13 Chinese
o 31 Indians
o 128 Bangladeshis
o 307 Tanzanians
o 370 Ethiopians
• Eat 815 billion calories of food each day - enough to feed 80 millions
• Throw out 200,000 tons of edible food daily.
• Consume 159 gallon water daily, while more than half the world's population lives on 25 gallons.
• Destroyed 50% of wetlands, 90% of forests, and 99% of prairie in last two centuries.
• Feed 80% of the corn grown and 95% of the oats to livestock.
• Use 56% of available farmland for beef production and it takes 5,214 gallons of water to produce a pound of beef.
• Use as much commercial energy as 10 people in the developing world.
Other Facts
Our (rest of the world):
• 250 million people have died of hunger-related causes in the past quarter century — roughly 10 million each year.
• 1.7 billion people lack access to clean drinking water
• 25 million people are poisoned by pesticides in less developed countries, and over 20,000 die
• It takes an average of 25 gallons of water to produce a pound of wheat in modern Western farming systems.
But this old guy- President Bush has not gone through above facts. So the crux of the story is if u lack general knowledge u could be next U.S. President.
“Prosperity in countries like India triggers increased demand for better Nutrition, which in turn leads to higher food prices” – says U.S. President George W Bush
You Guys (U.S. People):
• Constitute 5% of the world's population but consume 24% of the world's energy.
• On average, one American consumes as much energy as
o 2 Japanese
o 6 Mexicans
o 13 Chinese
o 31 Indians
o 128 Bangladeshis
o 307 Tanzanians
o 370 Ethiopians
• Eat 815 billion calories of food each day - enough to feed 80 millions
• Throw out 200,000 tons of edible food daily.
• Consume 159 gallon water daily, while more than half the world's population lives on 25 gallons.
• Destroyed 50% of wetlands, 90% of forests, and 99% of prairie in last two centuries.
• Feed 80% of the corn grown and 95% of the oats to livestock.
• Use 56% of available farmland for beef production and it takes 5,214 gallons of water to produce a pound of beef.
• Use as much commercial energy as 10 people in the developing world.
Other Facts
Our (rest of the world):
• 250 million people have died of hunger-related causes in the past quarter century — roughly 10 million each year.
• 1.7 billion people lack access to clean drinking water
• 25 million people are poisoned by pesticides in less developed countries, and over 20,000 die
• It takes an average of 25 gallons of water to produce a pound of wheat in modern Western farming systems.
But this old guy- President Bush has not gone through above facts. So the crux of the story is if u lack general knowledge u could be next U.S. President.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Biofuels No More Green
By Shilpy Arora
Mr. Balvinder has one ambition in life – “to thrive on farm-grown fuels as it is best option to earn good money and get a tax credit of doing eco-friendly stuff first time in India.”
He is one of the many farmers of Northern India who are switching over to Biofuel production. A decade ago Indian farmers encashed upon Green Revolution and then IT, are now nosing their way to Biofuel production. Biofuel has become one of the most attractive catchphrases in India today.
The Government is also squandering a lot of funds to increase usage of Biofuels. But, it is unaware of fact that Biofuels will increase pressure on land and lift the crop prices to a record high.
Recent researches have shown that Biofuel is doing exactly the opposite of what its proponents intended. In fact, Biofuels are adding to Global Warming and devastating green cover of the planet.
The problem with most biofuels is that their production needs land and this leads to the destruction of forests that suck up huge amounts of carbon from the environment.
Countries that have ignored it until now are paying the price. While Brazil and U.S. are facing the shortage of food and increased carbon emission, according to a report by Wetlands International, Indonesia has destroyed so many wildernesses to grow palm oil trees for Biodiesel that its ranking among the world’s top carbon emitters has surged from 21st to third.
Another study has revealed that it will take more than 400 years of Biodiesel use to pay back the carbon emitted by directly clearing peat lands to grow palm oil and clearing grasslands to grow corn or sugarcane for ethanol has a payback period of 93 years.
Moreover, every acre of land used for growing Biofuel can be used to grow food crops and thus, Biofuels also add up to the shortage of food. Recently, a U.N. report says that Biofuels pit the 800 million people with cars against the 800 million people with hunger problems.
The crux of the story is, Biofuels are not at all good option for a poor nation like India. Yes, we need energy resources, but our Green cover is more precious than Biofuel production. We have to understand that Biofuel are no more green and scientists of the world should look for another feasible and flawless alternative.
Monday, March 17, 2008
India uncompromising on its economic growth
By Shilpi Aggarwal
At the recent meeting of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with Former United States vice President and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Al Gore, India made its stance very clear that it will not compromise on its economic growth for any target for carbon emission reduction.
Al Gore, a climate change crusader, tried its best to pursue Indian leaders to take the leadership in the fight against climate change. According to him, India should come forward for development of renewable technologies and do the same as it would have done in sectors like IT, pharma and steel, to name a few.
On being asked on India’s firm position that developing countries should be forced to make mandatory reductions in their carbon emissions, Al Gore said the developing countries have freedom to choose whatever targets they want to set.
However, India feels that before pressurizing developing nations, the world and UN should pressurize US who is the single largest emitter of carbons in the world and also the one who has done the least in solving the problem of global warming.
Today, all across the world, everybody is blaming each other and waiting for the other to come forward and take the initiative. Today, India is not doing it because US is not ready to do it. Tomorrow, China will not do it because India is not doing. We are sharing excuses. Amidst all these blame games, what is running out is time? And, our planet is heading towards destruction with each passing moment.
At the recent meeting of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with Former United States vice President and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Al Gore, India made its stance very clear that it will not compromise on its economic growth for any target for carbon emission reduction.
Al Gore, a climate change crusader, tried its best to pursue Indian leaders to take the leadership in the fight against climate change. According to him, India should come forward for development of renewable technologies and do the same as it would have done in sectors like IT, pharma and steel, to name a few.
On being asked on India’s firm position that developing countries should be forced to make mandatory reductions in their carbon emissions, Al Gore said the developing countries have freedom to choose whatever targets they want to set.
However, India feels that before pressurizing developing nations, the world and UN should pressurize US who is the single largest emitter of carbons in the world and also the one who has done the least in solving the problem of global warming.
Today, all across the world, everybody is blaming each other and waiting for the other to come forward and take the initiative. Today, India is not doing it because US is not ready to do it. Tomorrow, China will not do it because India is not doing. We are sharing excuses. Amidst all these blame games, what is running out is time? And, our planet is heading towards destruction with each passing moment.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Bura Na Mano Holi Hai!
By Shilpi Aggarwal
Hey guys, its holi again. Although I am not avid holi fan, but I strongly feel it’s a unique festival. There is no such festival like holi where you get up early only to get dirty, soiled and drenched. And there you are, elated with mischievous smile, eyeing for the target to splash the colors of fun and frolic. It is the only festival where you try to be in your worst old clothes. All in all, it’s an amazing festival.
But the only thing I loathe about this festival is the weird ritual of balloon throwing which starts two or three weeks before in advance. No, I don’t have anything against your fun but I don’t understand the fun in hurting anyone. I hope, it is needless to say, balloons can hurt the person very badly, in certain cases, it may lead to serious injuries, even loss of eyesight or hearing power.
Girls are the most preferred targets of water balloons during holi. They think twice before step out their homes. In every nook and corner of the city, there is guys hidden eyeing for their prey. On the streets, kids won’t scare of hitting a woman with water filled balloons but they don’t dare to touch a guy. Even, they know that it is only girls who can be their easy victim. What’s more, its not only kids alone but the big guys too behave rowdily. They pack into cars with all their weapons (water and color filled balloons and sometimes, eggs) in place and roam around the city only to find a girl. Sometimes, they forcefully smudge colors on their face (sometimes, to get touchy with the girls!)
Isn’t it disgusting when you are on your way to your workplace or for some important meeting, you made wet by the water balloons? I really don’t understand how you can have cheap and sadistic pleasure from other person’s discomfort.
The other day I was traveling in a bus and the girl sitting besides the windows was tried to hit by the water balloons. Thankfully, the window was closed and no such untoward incident happened. What’s more appalling is when these balloons are sometimes filled with gravels, dirty colors and even with muddy water.
Holi is the festival of fun, frolic and celebration. What kind of celebration is this, where the pleasure lies in hurting somebody? People don’t even realize how they would feel if the same prank is being played out on them. And hey, if you are forcing your friends and near and dear ones into your idea of fun, it’s still acceptable. But, how can you force a stranger into something when he isn’t interested? And, much to my shock, parents don’t see any wrong in these things and don’t teach these basic things to their kids. If you complaint, they would say,”Bura na mano holi hai!”
“On Monday, Ramesh Dave, a senior news editor with Samkaleen, a sister publication of this newspaper, paid dearly for somebody's idea of revelry. He happened to be sitting near the window of a local train, when a stone flung by a miscreant gouged out one of his eyes. This ugly incident recalled a similar one that occurred some years ago, when a young woman travelling in a Mumbai train and who happened to be standing near the doorway, had a water balloon filled with small stones flung at her. The balloon burst and the gravel inside it damaged her eyes irreparably. This time, Mumbai also reported the case of a 10-year-old boy who was smeared with some toxic substances by two young men on a romp. Not only did he lose a clump of his hair and suffer from a painful rash, he was left badly traumatised.
Over the years, the festival of colours has become synonymous with the most vile and violent forms of sexual harassment. A report by the Gender Study Group of Delhi University, based on a survey of sexual harassment on the campus, reported that such attacks reached their peak during Holi. According to this report, some 60.55 per cent of women hostelites of Delhi University complained of aggravated harassment during this festival. Many of them coped with it either by leaving the university before Holi or not stepping out of the hostel during the day. The attacks, the report noted, ranged from throwing balloons from fast-moving vehicles, and molesting women on the pretext of applying colour on them, to throwing condoms filled with water, hurling stones at them or forcibly dunking them in buckets of water. Only 11 per cent of students interviewed felt that the behaviour displayed during Holi was ``normal'' and a part of the spirit of Holi. Not surprisingly, most of the women interviewed reported experiencing the ``fear of being physically assaulted''. There is very little that individuals can do in the face of such organised and widespread barbarism. In fact, even police surveillance can go only so far and no further. The only way this crime can be tackled is by ordinary men and women condemning it in the strongest possible terms and building a strong public opinion against it. For too long has such behaviour masqueraded as traditional Holi revelry. This is to paint the festival of colour in the blackest hue. ” -Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay)Ltd.
Hey guys, its holi again. Although I am not avid holi fan, but I strongly feel it’s a unique festival. There is no such festival like holi where you get up early only to get dirty, soiled and drenched. And there you are, elated with mischievous smile, eyeing for the target to splash the colors of fun and frolic. It is the only festival where you try to be in your worst old clothes. All in all, it’s an amazing festival.
But the only thing I loathe about this festival is the weird ritual of balloon throwing which starts two or three weeks before in advance. No, I don’t have anything against your fun but I don’t understand the fun in hurting anyone. I hope, it is needless to say, balloons can hurt the person very badly, in certain cases, it may lead to serious injuries, even loss of eyesight or hearing power.
Girls are the most preferred targets of water balloons during holi. They think twice before step out their homes. In every nook and corner of the city, there is guys hidden eyeing for their prey. On the streets, kids won’t scare of hitting a woman with water filled balloons but they don’t dare to touch a guy. Even, they know that it is only girls who can be their easy victim. What’s more, its not only kids alone but the big guys too behave rowdily. They pack into cars with all their weapons (water and color filled balloons and sometimes, eggs) in place and roam around the city only to find a girl. Sometimes, they forcefully smudge colors on their face (sometimes, to get touchy with the girls!)
Isn’t it disgusting when you are on your way to your workplace or for some important meeting, you made wet by the water balloons? I really don’t understand how you can have cheap and sadistic pleasure from other person’s discomfort.
The other day I was traveling in a bus and the girl sitting besides the windows was tried to hit by the water balloons. Thankfully, the window was closed and no such untoward incident happened. What’s more appalling is when these balloons are sometimes filled with gravels, dirty colors and even with muddy water.
Holi is the festival of fun, frolic and celebration. What kind of celebration is this, where the pleasure lies in hurting somebody? People don’t even realize how they would feel if the same prank is being played out on them. And hey, if you are forcing your friends and near and dear ones into your idea of fun, it’s still acceptable. But, how can you force a stranger into something when he isn’t interested? And, much to my shock, parents don’t see any wrong in these things and don’t teach these basic things to their kids. If you complaint, they would say,”Bura na mano holi hai!”
“On Monday, Ramesh Dave, a senior news editor with Samkaleen, a sister publication of this newspaper, paid dearly for somebody's idea of revelry. He happened to be sitting near the window of a local train, when a stone flung by a miscreant gouged out one of his eyes. This ugly incident recalled a similar one that occurred some years ago, when a young woman travelling in a Mumbai train and who happened to be standing near the doorway, had a water balloon filled with small stones flung at her. The balloon burst and the gravel inside it damaged her eyes irreparably. This time, Mumbai also reported the case of a 10-year-old boy who was smeared with some toxic substances by two young men on a romp. Not only did he lose a clump of his hair and suffer from a painful rash, he was left badly traumatised.
Over the years, the festival of colours has become synonymous with the most vile and violent forms of sexual harassment. A report by the Gender Study Group of Delhi University, based on a survey of sexual harassment on the campus, reported that such attacks reached their peak during Holi. According to this report, some 60.55 per cent of women hostelites of Delhi University complained of aggravated harassment during this festival. Many of them coped with it either by leaving the university before Holi or not stepping out of the hostel during the day. The attacks, the report noted, ranged from throwing balloons from fast-moving vehicles, and molesting women on the pretext of applying colour on them, to throwing condoms filled with water, hurling stones at them or forcibly dunking them in buckets of water. Only 11 per cent of students interviewed felt that the behaviour displayed during Holi was ``normal'' and a part of the spirit of Holi. Not surprisingly, most of the women interviewed reported experiencing the ``fear of being physically assaulted''. There is very little that individuals can do in the face of such organised and widespread barbarism. In fact, even police surveillance can go only so far and no further. The only way this crime can be tackled is by ordinary men and women condemning it in the strongest possible terms and building a strong public opinion against it. For too long has such behaviour masqueraded as traditional Holi revelry. This is to paint the festival of colour in the blackest hue. ” -Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay)Ltd.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
ONGC goes greener way!
“WE believe in action,” asserted A.K. Hazarika, Director (onshore) and Director-in-charge, Carbon Management, the ONGC, tersely summing up the company’s approach to the issue of climate change. “The ONGC’s aim is to achieve sustainable development through a holistic approach to carbon management.”
On October 2, 2007, it became the first public sector undertaking to adopt a corporate policy on climate change and sustainability. On December 21, its third project for a clean development mechanism (CDM) was registered with the United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change. This large-scale project is aimed at reducing flaring of gas from the ONGC’s Uran plant. The expected annual accruable certified emission reduction (CER) is 97,740, equal to an annual earning of Rs.93 million of green revenue. The two other registered CDM projects of the ONGC are in the small category.
Hazarika said: “The world today has only two options: either to stop generating GHGs [green house gases] and stop development as a corollary or synergise development with environment. The ONGC, like other oil majors, is striving to position itself as a leading organisation in sustainable management. We have an exclusive group called Carbon Management Group to synergise all our business activities in terms of sustainable development.”
Ashok Baran Chakraborty, General Manager and Head (Carbon Management Group), ONGC, who is a qualified environmental scientist, said: “If you can do carbon management, you can control climate change. We cannot stop exploration and production because it is our bread and butter. But we can curb climate change by cutting down the emission of carbon.” The group was set up in May last. Its mandate includes identifying the ONGC projects that emit GHGs, develop CDM projects, develop climate protection strategy, disclose carbon emission in the company’s balance sheet and develop sustainability reports.
The ONGC is currently developing 14 new, potential CDM projects. “Our aim in developing the CDM projects is to position the ONGC in the global arena as a company committed to sustainable development. We are also developing a comprehensive trading policy for trading the CERs from the CDM projects,” said Hazarika.
He called carbon dioxide CO2 capture and sequestration (CCS) “the mother of all mitigating projects”. It involves capture of CO2 at the source, transporting it and sequestering/storing it in a place where its chances of re-emergence will be minimum.
On February 6, the ONGC signed in New Delhi a memorandum of understanding with the Norwegian oil and gas major, StatoilHydro ASA, to develop carbon management projects. The company already has a CCS project, where the CO2 generated during the processing of sour gas at its Hazira plant in Gujarat is to be captured, transported to the nearby Ankleshwar asset and into the depleted reservoir there for enhanced oil recovery.
It is also engaged in Methane to Market (M2M), an international initiative aimed at recovery of methane, which is “23 times more potent than CO2”, and its usage as fuel.
Source: Frontline
On October 2, 2007, it became the first public sector undertaking to adopt a corporate policy on climate change and sustainability. On December 21, its third project for a clean development mechanism (CDM) was registered with the United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change. This large-scale project is aimed at reducing flaring of gas from the ONGC’s Uran plant. The expected annual accruable certified emission reduction (CER) is 97,740, equal to an annual earning of Rs.93 million of green revenue. The two other registered CDM projects of the ONGC are in the small category.
Hazarika said: “The world today has only two options: either to stop generating GHGs [green house gases] and stop development as a corollary or synergise development with environment. The ONGC, like other oil majors, is striving to position itself as a leading organisation in sustainable management. We have an exclusive group called Carbon Management Group to synergise all our business activities in terms of sustainable development.”
Ashok Baran Chakraborty, General Manager and Head (Carbon Management Group), ONGC, who is a qualified environmental scientist, said: “If you can do carbon management, you can control climate change. We cannot stop exploration and production because it is our bread and butter. But we can curb climate change by cutting down the emission of carbon.” The group was set up in May last. Its mandate includes identifying the ONGC projects that emit GHGs, develop CDM projects, develop climate protection strategy, disclose carbon emission in the company’s balance sheet and develop sustainability reports.
The ONGC is currently developing 14 new, potential CDM projects. “Our aim in developing the CDM projects is to position the ONGC in the global arena as a company committed to sustainable development. We are also developing a comprehensive trading policy for trading the CERs from the CDM projects,” said Hazarika.
He called carbon dioxide CO2 capture and sequestration (CCS) “the mother of all mitigating projects”. It involves capture of CO2 at the source, transporting it and sequestering/storing it in a place where its chances of re-emergence will be minimum.
On February 6, the ONGC signed in New Delhi a memorandum of understanding with the Norwegian oil and gas major, StatoilHydro ASA, to develop carbon management projects. The company already has a CCS project, where the CO2 generated during the processing of sour gas at its Hazira plant in Gujarat is to be captured, transported to the nearby Ankleshwar asset and into the depleted reservoir there for enhanced oil recovery.
It is also engaged in Methane to Market (M2M), an international initiative aimed at recovery of methane, which is “23 times more potent than CO2”, and its usage as fuel.
Source: Frontline
Friday, February 8, 2008
Sinking Sunderbans
By Shilpy Arora
In the past two decades, four islands of the Sunderbans - Bedford, Lohachara, Kabasgadi and Suparibhanga - have sunk into the sea and 6,000 families have been made homelessWorld’s largest Delta and mangrove forest, Sunderbans is going through an ecological disaster. Rapid changes in the world’s climate have made it one of the world’s worst places. In past four decades, the sea has eaten four of its islands- Bedford, Lohachara, Kabasgadi and Suparibhanga and as much as 6,000 families have lost their lands. This is the first time when sea has gulped an inhabited island due to global warming.
Can you tell me what has changed after the scientists exposed term ‘Global Warming’ and its threat to mankind? Well! Newspapers have devoted special columns to this new phenomenon of climate change, governments of the world have made few commitments on paper and people got a new issue to chit-chat. Nothing beyond that.
Though western world has taken few steps to minimize this menace but Indians are still sleeping. There are series of problems- lack of awareness, illiteracy, poverty, ignorance, lack of initiative and so on. Despite that India has lost four of its beautiful islands and thousands of people have been made homeless, you will amazed to note that more than half of India’s population is unaware of this fact. Besides, the biggest island in the Sundarbans, Sagar has lost 30 sq.km of its land and sinking gradually.
According to a research, in past two decades sea level in the Sundarbans has risen at an average rate of 3.14 centimeters which is much higher than the global average of two millimeters in a year. If sea level continues to rise with this pace then in the next 50 years, as much as 1,000 sq.km of the Sunderbans will be inundated. It not only affects the people who are living under a dilemma that they will soon loose their land but also increases the pressure on India’s land. It is predicted that pressure on Indian land will increase when Bangladesh, Maldives, Mumbai, Goa and some of Gujrat will be swallowed up by sea.
Government can only provide shelter to the people who have lost their homes in these islands. Most of these people are below poverty line and don’t have modern comforts that we possess in the big cities. They are more close to the nature and concerned about their natural habitat. But we in big cities are making their lives hell by adding every bit to the global warming. For instance, most of the families in big cities have refrigerators, air conditioners, our offices are equipped with array of lights which are lit even in daytime and we want to have as much cars as we can. And so called revolution in the world of cars, Nano will add a lot to it. Anyways, those who feel that they would not be affected by this are living in an absolute delusion.
It is true that you alone can’t fight with climate change but you alone can add a bit to it and remember, each drop of water fills the sea. You can spread awareness about the eco-friendly ways among your friends, family and colleagues. We are doing our bit by spreading awareness about this issue among web readers but when will you wake up.
Can you tell me what has changed after the scientists exposed term ‘Global Warming’ and its threat to mankind? Well! Newspapers have devoted special columns to this new phenomenon of climate change, governments of the world have made few commitments on paper and people got a new issue to chit-chat. Nothing beyond that.
Though western world has taken few steps to minimize this menace but Indians are still sleeping. There are series of problems- lack of awareness, illiteracy, poverty, ignorance, lack of initiative and so on. Despite that India has lost four of its beautiful islands and thousands of people have been made homeless, you will amazed to note that more than half of India’s population is unaware of this fact. Besides, the biggest island in the Sundarbans, Sagar has lost 30 sq.km of its land and sinking gradually.
According to a research, in past two decades sea level in the Sundarbans has risen at an average rate of 3.14 centimeters which is much higher than the global average of two millimeters in a year. If sea level continues to rise with this pace then in the next 50 years, as much as 1,000 sq.km of the Sunderbans will be inundated. It not only affects the people who are living under a dilemma that they will soon loose their land but also increases the pressure on India’s land. It is predicted that pressure on Indian land will increase when Bangladesh, Maldives, Mumbai, Goa and some of Gujrat will be swallowed up by sea.
Government can only provide shelter to the people who have lost their homes in these islands. Most of these people are below poverty line and don’t have modern comforts that we possess in the big cities. They are more close to the nature and concerned about their natural habitat. But we in big cities are making their lives hell by adding every bit to the global warming. For instance, most of the families in big cities have refrigerators, air conditioners, our offices are equipped with array of lights which are lit even in daytime and we want to have as much cars as we can. And so called revolution in the world of cars, Nano will add a lot to it. Anyways, those who feel that they would not be affected by this are living in an absolute delusion.
It is true that you alone can’t fight with climate change but you alone can add a bit to it and remember, each drop of water fills the sea. You can spread awareness about the eco-friendly ways among your friends, family and colleagues. We are doing our bit by spreading awareness about this issue among web readers but when will you wake up.
Friday, February 1, 2008
NANO: ASPIRATION OF AAM AADMI
By Shilpi Aggarwal
Million of Indians look forward to Tata’s Nano as the fulfillment of their deepest desire for four wheelers. The excitement and euphoria among people could easily be judged by the recent Auto Expo, where people thronged in a large number to get the first glimpse of this world’s cheapest car. The car, which is called Nano has become the centre stage of discussion of people of all walks of life.
There are people who are welcoming this innovation with open arms. And, there are other sections of people who feel the car is a nightmare for already over burdened Indian roads and deteroiting air quality. Without a doubt, there is a growing possibility for such things to happen. Although the company has maintained that the car fulfils all the Indian safety norms and European emission standards, easy affordability translates into hundreds of cars on roads, creating unmanageable traffic menace, law and order problems and worst pollution.
But, let’s face the reality; the car is not simply the means of mobility for Indians. It is the aspiration of an average Indian.
Who are we, sitting in palatial bungalows, working in high rise building, driving the flashy cars, to make comments that the car is bad for the environment, thus the people shouldn’t buy it; companies should not come out with such innovations? Aren’t they have right to upgrade themselves, raise their standard of living, fulfill their ambitions (in India, the car is the symbol of prestige and social strata).
They are asked to stop harboring such aspirations just because they are bad for environment. Aren't we biased in distrubting the aspirations?
Such innovations will continue to come and heralding the world into a whole new phase. And, banning such innovations is not a solution. We may have to work on providing better public transport, quality mass transit systems etc.
Such measures, if properly well laid out and properly implemented, work. This is clearly evident from delhi metro, which has been quite successful in solving the delhi traffic management woes. Most people have increasingly started opting metro rather private vehicles in the wake of comfort and pollution free travel. In fact, traffic statistics have shown a dip of about one percent in motor vehicle accidents since the implementation of Phase I of Metro in Delhi. Even now, High capacity buses are also running on green fuel on delhi roads, which are high on comfort and green issues. More such mass transit systems are required with many other things in order to successfully counter the evils that Nano is expected to bring along with it.
Million of Indians look forward to Tata’s Nano as the fulfillment of their deepest desire for four wheelers. The excitement and euphoria among people could easily be judged by the recent Auto Expo, where people thronged in a large number to get the first glimpse of this world’s cheapest car. The car, which is called Nano has become the centre stage of discussion of people of all walks of life.
There are people who are welcoming this innovation with open arms. And, there are other sections of people who feel the car is a nightmare for already over burdened Indian roads and deteroiting air quality. Without a doubt, there is a growing possibility for such things to happen. Although the company has maintained that the car fulfils all the Indian safety norms and European emission standards, easy affordability translates into hundreds of cars on roads, creating unmanageable traffic menace, law and order problems and worst pollution.
But, let’s face the reality; the car is not simply the means of mobility for Indians. It is the aspiration of an average Indian.
Who are we, sitting in palatial bungalows, working in high rise building, driving the flashy cars, to make comments that the car is bad for the environment, thus the people shouldn’t buy it; companies should not come out with such innovations? Aren’t they have right to upgrade themselves, raise their standard of living, fulfill their ambitions (in India, the car is the symbol of prestige and social strata).
They are asked to stop harboring such aspirations just because they are bad for environment. Aren't we biased in distrubting the aspirations?
Such innovations will continue to come and heralding the world into a whole new phase. And, banning such innovations is not a solution. We may have to work on providing better public transport, quality mass transit systems etc.
Such measures, if properly well laid out and properly implemented, work. This is clearly evident from delhi metro, which has been quite successful in solving the delhi traffic management woes. Most people have increasingly started opting metro rather private vehicles in the wake of comfort and pollution free travel. In fact, traffic statistics have shown a dip of about one percent in motor vehicle accidents since the implementation of Phase I of Metro in Delhi. Even now, High capacity buses are also running on green fuel on delhi roads, which are high on comfort and green issues. More such mass transit systems are required with many other things in order to successfully counter the evils that Nano is expected to bring along with it.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Create Your Own Terrace Garden
India is known for its green cover in the world but today, one can hardly see anything green here, especially in the cities like Delhi and Mumbai. If you are the one who is fond of greenery but doesn’t have enough space for garden then, here is the mantra to create a green cover over your rooftop.
Most of the people assume that set up and maintenance of terrace garden take lot of money but, here we will tell you the golden tips to set up terrace garden only in Rs. 800- Rs. 900. Even one can plan terrace garden in space as small as 50 sq.ft. You need to have one or two room roof space and more importantly, passion for planting.
- Let’s start with Planning. It is very important to visualize the view of terrace garden you want to create. If you have small terrace then place the plants adjacent to the boundary walls. You can also go hanging pots, which are easily available in market. But if you have more space you can create garden in half of it and on boundaries as well.
- While planning a terrace garden, it is important to see how much sunlight your terrace receives in a day. Plants survive only when there is sunlight for at least 4-5 hours a day. If your terrace receives less sunlight, you can go for plants which can survive in shade or less sunlight.
- Secondly, drainage is an important issue. Your terrace should have sufficient drainage holes or slope so that water does not accumulate anywhere. Or if you have good amount of money, you can go for waterproofing of your terrace. Today most of the urban houses have good roof drainage system.
- Now look for the kind of plants you want in your terrace garden. It is important to consider few factors while selecting plants, such as climatic conditions, water supply, amount of sunlight and air on your terrace.
- If you have good space and your terrace receives enough sunlight and air, then you can go for most of the plants available in the market. For instance, rose (June-July), marigold (March-April), Sunflower (December-January), Jasmine (April-June), Tulsi (October-November), Aloe Vera, Money Plant (June-August), Garden Balsam etc.
- In case, you have less space and don’t receive good amount of sunlight then go for shade plants, such as money plants, Jade plant and other interior plants.
You can also visit nearby nursery to purchase these plants and also to have a good idea about these plants. Rates of the plants differ according to their demand and availability. One can purchase as much as 15 plants in just Rs. 350 in Delhi from nurseries. You can also go for state-owned nurseries where plants are available free of cost (occasionally, like on environment days etc).
- It is good to have well-balanced terrace garden that has few flowering plants, some herbs, different types of palms (if there is enough space), ornamental plants, climbers, shrubs and hedges.
- For those who want to plant from seeds can buy mud pots from market and fill 3/4th of it with soil (preferably black soil). Put the seeds and cover it with one-two layers of soil and spread small amount of water in pot. Water the plant once in winters and at least twice in summers.
- After purchasing and placing plants on your terrace, invest in some gardening maintainace tools, such as spading fork, hand pruners and watering equipments. You can buy all these tools in about Rs.250-300.
- Buy small spading fork to dig down the soil and break the ground. It is essential to flip the top soil of plant twice in a month in winters and at least thrice a month in summers.
- Hand pruners are used to trim the plants. It helps in giving clean and precise look to the plant.
- Watering equipments are nothing but used to water the plants. You can use showers attachments or other watering tools available in market.
- Manure is essential for all types of plants. It acts as a food for the plant because it has nitrogen, carbon and other important nutrients. Natural manure is the best option but if it is not available in market, you can also go for artificial one. But, don’t forget to use it in proper quantity; otherwise it could damage the plant. Rates of manures differ from Rs. 30 to Rs. 100, depending upon the quantity.
- Pesticides and insecticides are rarely used in home gardens. They are used only when gardens are not maintained properly. It is important to know about the right quantity and right time for using pesticides and insecticides.
- Last but not the least, keep up the spirit and maintain your terrace garden regularly:
- Even if you are working, give one-two hours to your terrace garden on weekends.
- Water plants once a day in winters and at least twice a day in summers. However, amount of water depends on the kind of plant but average plant needs good amount of water.
- Digging of top soil without harming the roots of plants is important for their long survival. But don’t dig soil of small plants as their roots are generally week and it could damage the plant.
- Give them manure after digging. You can do digging and manuring twice a month in winter and at least thrice a month in summers. It is very important to keep the manure, pesticides and insecticides in sealed packets and at cool place.
By Shilpy Arora
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Go green this Christmas!
Christmas is all about fostering peace, love and harmony in our lives and in the lives of people around us. Such festivities call for extensive celebration and merry making that every time leave our surroundings littered with lot of garbage and waste. In the present times when our planet is already struggling with various environmental problems, let’s try to smoothen the impact of our festivities by slightly molding our habits.
Here are the tips on how you can make your Christmas greener and environment friendly:
- Christmas is the festival of lights. Decorate your home and Christmas dinner with candles instead of electric lights. Use your creativity in adorning your Christmas tree with sparkling and shimmering decorative material rather than light bulbs. It will dramatically bring down the country’s electricity usage and also your electricity bill.
- Go for real Christmas tree instead of artificial one. Artificial one consumes a lot of non-renewable energy in its making and also has disposable problem. Moreover, nothing can beat the charm and fragrance of real tree. You can place the tree in your interior during Christmas and plant it in your area after the festivities. Or, if you don’t have space for tree, you can also donate to neighbourhood school or charity organization.
This Christmas, bring nature to your home and make this Christmas stylish! Give romantic yet pleasing ambience to your interior by using natural things like sprigs, holly, mistletoes, ivy, pine cones, berries. You can also prepare a gingerbread man from organic food.
- During festival time, gift wrappers cause most of the waste in the country. Try to avoid excessive packaged gifts.
- Go for paper wrappers to dress up your gifts. Fluorescent plastic papers that are commonly used these days are non-disposable and extremely hazardous for the environment.
- Use already used gift wrappers of this season for next Christmas instead of throwing them in bin.
- If you are gifting electronic items, go for those items that run on chargeable batteries instead of disposable ones. Authorities are having tough time in disposing disposable batteries and also they don’t last longer.
- You can also give your friends green and eco-friendly gifts items that are made from the recycled material. There are various options available in market. Delhites can check out dilli haat, and Connaught place market for such innovative products. Supporting these gift items you are greatly helping in reducing the waste to the city as well as sending out a positive and noble message to your friends.
- Plastic bags are the big nuisance to the surroundings. Wherever possible, don’t accept plastic bags. Minimize your use of plastic bag. While going out for grocery shopping or any other shopping spree, make sure you carry hand made bags or paper bags with you.
- Send e-cards or cards made of recycled paper to your friends instead of traditional cards.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Recycle Paper at home
- Shred the waste paper (a minimum of 2 kg of paper is needed) and soak it overnight in water.
- Blend it in a mixer-grinder with a paste of fenugreek (methi) seeds. For colour, add natural colouring agents like Kumkum, Turmeric powder (Haldi), etc.
- Put water in a pan with a wire- mesh (roughly made net of waste wires) inside.
- Pour a cup of the blended paper pulp over the mesh and spread it evenly.
- Lift the mesh and drain the water.
- Place the mesh on one side of an open newspaper and close the newspaper.
- Carefully flip the newspaper so that the mesh is on top of the pulp.
- Press a flat wooden board on the newspaper to squeeze out water.
- Open the newspaper and take out the mesh.
- Keep the newspaper open for drying. You can decorate it with dried leaves or flower petals or other waste material like demin pieces and cotton rags to make a funky greeting. These leaves and petals can be spread on the sheet while it is wet.
- Once dried, peel off the sheet from the newspaper.
- Lightly iron the sheet under a piece of moist muslin cloth. It will make the paper flat and removes crush.
This way you can make colorful, crushed and unique gift papers, greetings and paper bags. You can also make moulded paper containers by soaking shredded paper in water mixed with any adhesive (diluted). The soaked paper pieces can be placed around a vessel and dried. The vessel can be removed to get the moulded paper containers. So try this and add volume to your craft collection...
By Shilpy Arora
Research says
- If each child saves one sheet of paper a day, then 40,000 trees are saved per year by students alone!
- If you take 1 hour break in office per day and switch off your monitor everytime you leave your desk, it would save 150 W-h (or 0.15 "units") of energy, which is enough to light a small lamp for 10 hours! So you can probably save electricity for five families
- Screen savers save computer screens, not energy. Start-ups and shutdowns do not use any extra energy, nor are they hard on your computer components. In fact, shutting computers down when you are finished using them actually reduces system wear - and saves energy
- Dirty tube lights and bulbs reflect less light and can absorb 50 percent of the light. So dust your tube lights and lamps regularly
- Save energy by reducing the amount of time refrigerator's door remains open
- Switching off your refrigerator when you go on holidays is a best way to save energy. To avoid smell, you can spread newspapers in it.
- Adopting light coloured walls and ceilings is an easy way to reduce energy consumption
- If you need to warm up or defrost small amounts of food, use a microwave instead of the stove to save energy. Microwave ovens use around 50 percent less energy than conventional ovens do. For large meals, however, the stove is usually more efficient.
- Drying clothes in sun instead of using auto-dryer of washing machine saves large amount of energy
- Using cotton napkins for every day use is better than the dispoable paper subtitutes
- The Gangotari glacier is retreating at a speed of about 30 metres every year. If warming continues, it will melt rapidly, releasing large volumes of water but once this source begins drying, there may be dry periods with very little water flowing in the river
- A 1-metre rise in sea level would displace about 7 million people in India
- And last but not the least, tell your friend to save energy and adopt the above measures
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
OUR PLANET
I do know
It’s drowning
I do know
It’s burning
I do know
It’s losing
But I do know it’s not late
Its green cover is not yet vanished
Its lands are not yet deserted
Its rivers are not yet flooded
I love my planet
Despite all its calamities
Despite all its blemishes
Despite all the human predictions
Because I know
It can be saved
Because I know
I am son of its soil
Because I know
We all will join hands
And make it a new land
I love my planet
if I have to give my meaningless development for it
I will give it with a smile
because I do know
It is mine!
By Shilpy Arora
It’s drowning
I do know
It’s burning
I do know
It’s losing
But I do know it’s not late
Its green cover is not yet vanished
Its lands are not yet deserted
Its rivers are not yet flooded
I love my planet
Despite all its calamities
Despite all its blemishes
Despite all the human predictions
Because I know
It can be saved
Because I know
I am son of its soil
Because I know
We all will join hands
And make it a new land
I love my planet
if I have to give my meaningless development for it
I will give it with a smile
because I do know
It is mine!
By Shilpy Arora
Man vs. Wild
Hi I am Junaib. I am nine years old and live with my parents in a small village of Chattisgarh. From my early childhood, I wanted to visit ‘Jungle’ (forest) which is very close to my village. Yesterday, when I was going to school I saw few men bringing something like deer’s horns from Jungle. “How come it is possible? How can anybody stay in Jungle? Because there is ‘sher- jungle ka raja’ (Lion- The King of forest)”, I asked my friend, Salima. She laughed and replied, no darling, my dad says now there is nothing left in this ‘jungle’ ‘Sivaye ghass-phus ke’ (except few plants). “You mean there is no lion in the Jungle” I said. “Yes, no lion, no tiger, even deers are hardly seen” she replied.
Amazing that means now I can go to Jungle. I came to home and requested my mother to allow me to visit Jungle because Salima’s dad says there is nothing left in jungle ‘Sivaye ghass-phus ke’ (except few plants). My mum allowed me to visit jungle with my uncle who works in the forest department as a guide.
Next morning, I woke up at 6.00 in the morning. My uncle came at 9.00 to pick me up. I was very excited but for him, it was a routine work, showing wild animals to the tourists. He works tirelessly 15 hours a day and is familiar with each and every corner of the forest. My mother packed some ‘puris’ and fruits for us but I wanted to cook fresh rabbit in jungle as I feel it would add to the charm of forest visit and also because I never tasted rabbit and I heard that it is very yummy.. But when I told this to my uncle, he laughed and said “you know only few lucky tourists could have glimpse of rabbit in forest, you can see them once in a month and that too, if you are lucky. So forget about cooking rabbit and don’t you know that rabbit is an endangered animal, you can’t kill it”
“Hmmm! really’ I replied and we headed towards jungle. We sat on elephant back and started our journey to beautiful green dream place. Even at 2.00 we were able to see couple of deers and few elephants enjoying their morning shower on the bank of river. I found it totally different from whatever I read about forest in my school books and whatever I heard from my mum in her stories. Forget about rabbit, that I was planning to cook, I didn’t even see deers properly. Whenever we tried to go closer to the herd of deers or to some ducks, they ran away. I asked my uncle “Why they are afraid of us? I want to touch them; I want to show my love for them”. He replied, “Because they are afraid of humans’. “But, why, do you know uncle, I was afraid of lion that is why I didn’t visit this jungle before because there were lions. Am I as dangerous as lion”, I said. “No child, man is more dangerous than lion”, he replied. “Oh! really, Is this the reason all lions have disappeared. Man has killed them”. He said “Perhaps, yes”.
I came back with tears in my eyes. I wanted to see different jungle that I had read in the books and imagine in the stories. I had made a very beautiful image of jungle in my mind.
But now, nothing is left ‘sivaye ghass-phus ke” (except few plants). Oh! no, that means, my children would not even see the “ghass-Phus” (plants). Then, I regret that why I had been to jungle. If I would not have gone to this place, the image of green, beautiful and wild jungle would have remained in my mind. It is very easy to live in the dream world but reality is harsh and painful. I think everybody should visit jungle at least once in their lifetime so that they can understand and feel the pains and pleasures of the animals. Why animals are limited to our school books and our dreams? Visit forest and see how much has been changed and how much man has been changed? Earlier, when we were illiterate, when we were tribals, but animals were part of our life. At that time, man killed animals for food but now man kills animals for pleasure. Earlier, we were needy but now we are greedy. And, it has lead to destruction of our beautiful green and wild jungles that we should have preserved for our future generations. But, it is not over yet. We can save “Ghass-Phus” at least. Yes, I will save it and wouldn’t let anybody kill these trees and even small plants because these plants somewhere hold the hope of bringing back our wildlife. I will not let anybody destroy this green cover that is home of our precious wildlife. “If I can’t bring back ‘raja’ (lion) to the jungle, I can at least protect his family.”
By Shilpy Arora
Amazing that means now I can go to Jungle. I came to home and requested my mother to allow me to visit Jungle because Salima’s dad says there is nothing left in jungle ‘Sivaye ghass-phus ke’ (except few plants). My mum allowed me to visit jungle with my uncle who works in the forest department as a guide.
Next morning, I woke up at 6.00 in the morning. My uncle came at 9.00 to pick me up. I was very excited but for him, it was a routine work, showing wild animals to the tourists. He works tirelessly 15 hours a day and is familiar with each and every corner of the forest. My mother packed some ‘puris’ and fruits for us but I wanted to cook fresh rabbit in jungle as I feel it would add to the charm of forest visit and also because I never tasted rabbit and I heard that it is very yummy.. But when I told this to my uncle, he laughed and said “you know only few lucky tourists could have glimpse of rabbit in forest, you can see them once in a month and that too, if you are lucky. So forget about cooking rabbit and don’t you know that rabbit is an endangered animal, you can’t kill it”
“Hmmm! really’ I replied and we headed towards jungle. We sat on elephant back and started our journey to beautiful green dream place. Even at 2.00 we were able to see couple of deers and few elephants enjoying their morning shower on the bank of river. I found it totally different from whatever I read about forest in my school books and whatever I heard from my mum in her stories. Forget about rabbit, that I was planning to cook, I didn’t even see deers properly. Whenever we tried to go closer to the herd of deers or to some ducks, they ran away. I asked my uncle “Why they are afraid of us? I want to touch them; I want to show my love for them”. He replied, “Because they are afraid of humans’. “But, why, do you know uncle, I was afraid of lion that is why I didn’t visit this jungle before because there were lions. Am I as dangerous as lion”, I said. “No child, man is more dangerous than lion”, he replied. “Oh! really, Is this the reason all lions have disappeared. Man has killed them”. He said “Perhaps, yes”.
I came back with tears in my eyes. I wanted to see different jungle that I had read in the books and imagine in the stories. I had made a very beautiful image of jungle in my mind.
But now, nothing is left ‘sivaye ghass-phus ke” (except few plants). Oh! no, that means, my children would not even see the “ghass-Phus” (plants). Then, I regret that why I had been to jungle. If I would not have gone to this place, the image of green, beautiful and wild jungle would have remained in my mind. It is very easy to live in the dream world but reality is harsh and painful. I think everybody should visit jungle at least once in their lifetime so that they can understand and feel the pains and pleasures of the animals. Why animals are limited to our school books and our dreams? Visit forest and see how much has been changed and how much man has been changed? Earlier, when we were illiterate, when we were tribals, but animals were part of our life. At that time, man killed animals for food but now man kills animals for pleasure. Earlier, we were needy but now we are greedy. And, it has lead to destruction of our beautiful green and wild jungles that we should have preserved for our future generations. But, it is not over yet. We can save “Ghass-Phus” at least. Yes, I will save it and wouldn’t let anybody kill these trees and even small plants because these plants somewhere hold the hope of bringing back our wildlife. I will not let anybody destroy this green cover that is home of our precious wildlife. “If I can’t bring back ‘raja’ (lion) to the jungle, I can at least protect his family.”
By Shilpy Arora
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