Blog

for (3)

The Rolex Awards for Enterprise - First Time in India

Posted by AMIT GANGULY on November 29, 2012 at 5:22am

RAlogo.gif
Introduction
India is embarking into the era of rapid economic development and social integrity. It is also witnessing a surge in the number of individuals possessing the DNA of Enterprise and advanced human knowledge. Some of these individuals are those who work outside the mainstream and have limited access to traditional means of funding. However, these individuals tend to overcome their difficulties and perform pioneering work,through initiatives and ingenuity for the common benefit of the mankind. 'ROLEX AWARDS for Enterprize' rewards this 'Unflinching' spirit of Social Innovation and promotes the activities for the benefit of the human society.   
Significance of the Rolex Award of Enterprize
The Rolex Awards were established in the year 1976,by the late Andre.J.Heiniger, former chairman of Rolex. In 36 years since the awards of Enterprize were founded, Rolex has been inspired by the work of global network of visionaries. Winning projects belong to the following areas - 
1. Applied Technology
2. Science and Health
3. Exploration and Discovery
4. The Environment
5. Cultural Heritage
Rather than rewarding past achievements of the selected individuals, the awards provide financial assistance and recognition to their new ventures and ongoing projects. Fundings of 100,000 Swiss francs are awarded to five Laureates and 50,000 Swiss francs to five Young Laureates. The Young Laureates Programme was introduced in 2009 to encourage the next generation of leaders. The grants must be used to complete projects.
rolex16.jpg
Spirit of Enterprize
Winners are chosen by a jury of international experts, who themselves embody the spirit of enterprize.The jury is international, interdisciplinary and independent. Rolex receives as many as 3,000 applications from 154 countries for eachseries. The Awards are open to anyone of any age, nationality or background. Projects are judged on their originality, potential for continue social impact and, on the candidates’ spirit of enterprise. Applicants must show how they will use a Rolex Award to leverage the impact of their projects, and how, they will benefit mankind.
The Presentation Ceremony
This prestigious award of international philanthropic eminnence will be held for the first time in India, on 27th of  November 2012 at New Delhi. Eminent people scheduled to attend thi event include - Erling Kagge - first person to reach the North and South Poles, and the summit of Mount Everest,Vijay Amritraj- legendary Indian tennis champion, TV presenter, actor, Nandita Das - acclaimed human rights activist, actress and film-maker.
The Indian representatives in the Jury include - Gururaj Deshpande, an Indian American venture capitalist and entrepreneur, who is best known for co-founding the Chelmsford, Subramanian Ramadorai, the Advisor to the Prime Minister of India in the National Council on Skill Development in 2011 and Vice Chairperson - TCS ,Mahrukh Tarapor - an Indian born American Scholar considered to be one of the most widely respected museum professionals in the world,
Past Laureats
Piyush Tewari - Winner 2010 Rolex Award for Science and Health, India
A graduate from University of Delhi, Piyush had built a successful career in Private Equity. However, a road mishap in his family changed his course of Action altogether,imbibing in him the spirit of shield and protection for human race.
After discovering that basic life support, after a road accident, might have saved his 17-year-old cousin's life, Piyush Tewari , in February 2008, set up the SaveLife Foundation (SLF) to train police and bystanders to give emergency care to road victims in those first vital minutes before professional help arrives. The foundation trains police officers and volunteers on rapid care including trauma management, control of bleeding and spinal immobilization for road accident victims. Over the past 4 years Save LIFE has trained over 2500 Police first-responders in Delhi leading to a significant enhancement in survival rate of accident victims.
Chanda Shroff - Winner 2006 Rolex Award for Laureate, Cultural Heritage, India
Ms. Shroff  won recognition for "empowering rural women" regardless of their religion or caste or class in the Kutch region of Gujarat. She developed a unique, sustainable means of income generation for village women. She got the local women to produce saris with exclusive embroideries. The first exhibition of saris was held in October 1969 in Mumbai with considerable success. The profits were re-invested into building the organization ‘Shrujan’. Currently Shrujan empowers more than 3,500 women across 100 villages in the Kutch region Gujrat.
The Rolex Phylosophy
Since its founding acentury ago, Rolex has championed and propogated its phylosophy of individual excellence and achievement through its Awards of Enterprize. By fostering innovation in science, exploration, conservation and the arts, the Rolex Awards advance the work of individuals who exemplify the vision, ingenuity and excellence that characterize the Rolex brand.
Witness this Event of Change in New Delhi, be a part of this Change.
Read more…

5 Tips to Create Sustainability at Schools

Posted by AMIT GANGULY on October 9, 2012 at 4:15am
Evidence-of-Impact-of-Sustainable-Schools.jpg
Sustainability @Schools
The best we can do for our Mother Earth is to leave a Generation behind 'Recharged' with Sustainability Science. Our Kids are the future, and where better to get a Sustainable and Green Living start than at the School. It is an ideal place to learn to grow Edible Gardens,create a worm farm and get instant pets or learn to create beautiful crafts from recycled stuffs. However, as the world is trying to come in terms with the ever changing paradigm of Sustainability, the schools also face certain challenges at hand. How to address Sustainability in the Curriculum ? How teachers and staffs sell 'Sustainability' to the administrators ?  
 
Mission Sustainability @Schools should address the areas of Energy Conservation,Waste Reduction, Water Conservation,School Grounds and Transportation. The schools should have check-lists and audit mechanisms to keep their Sustainability goals in place for these respective areas.

Water Conservation
GHS Uttarahalli a School based in Bangalore has made 'Greening Experience' as a part of their Students curriculum. There teachers and students Teamed up to create a Rain Water harvesting unit that will save both Money and Water for the school. The students had a field experience of creating an Environmental unit and see it work too. 
Water Usage audit must be performed on a daily basis at the school level and also to encourage students to assess their personal usage 'Water Usage' worksheets must be presented to them. More so Schools should haveWater Reduction Checklist including measures such as Regular repairs of Leaks in taps and fountains,replace toilets with Low Flow toilets,organize class level clean up drives.

School Grounds
Green School grounds contribute to the overall well being of the students and the community involved. Natural planting of trees and shrubs can diminish Noise pollution and assist in cooling classrooms. Students should be encouraged to do gardening as such exercises provides them hands on opportunity to grow food,understand benefits of vegetables and promote sustainability. The School Yard Greening checklist should involve - creating a design that responds to the schools Ecological setting, involving local gardening community for delivering lectures on greening and biodiversity, establish a maintenance plan including weeding,watering,trimming and pruning. Thus Green School grounds promote Healthy activities for the community involved.

Transportation 
Walking or Cycling to Schools promote health and reduces fuel consumption.Private Organizations,NGO's can partner with schools to issueStart Up Cycling or Walking kits that involve - Road Safety Tips,Neighbourhood Maps plotting customized Maps for Walking/Cycling routes,Reflective Vests for Students/Community Volunteer to wear and so on. 
Transportation Audit can be integrated with the students curriculum.Students should be encouraged to use CO2 Calculators to find out how much Emission they can reduce using Sustainable Transportation.Sustainable Transportation checklist should involve Encourage students and staffs to walk or cycle to school,Host a bike to School event,Provide incentives for Car Pools if students stay at parts far away from School.

Reduce,Reuse,Recycle
Waste Segregation should be integrated with the existing curriculum for students. They should learn the importance of Segregation and understand the value of Waste reduction. Also Students should be taught to develop their own DIY Compost. As large scale Composting program can generate revenue by the sale of Finished Compost,this money can be used to offset the cost of Recycling. 

Energy Conservation
Energy generation process from Renewable resources should be promoted at Schools through Curriculum. Energy Usage calculation can be taught at various levels at Schools so that students and teachers understand the importance of Energy conservation. Energy Audit check-list should have - Energy usage for Heating or Cooling,GHG emission due to Energy usage, Energy Saver Mode for Electronic equipments, Promotion of Natural lighting usage,Energy Star rating for Equipments and so on.

Thus, Sustainable Schools Best Practices Guide must be created and promoted. Such a guide should enlist these Checklists for respective areas,so that Schools can perform Self Audit to evaluate and tabulate their Sustainability Goals. More so, to promote Sustainability within Schoolcertain steps can be taken -
> Establish a School Green Team involving both Students and Teachers
> Organize Green Schools Surveys and Events to Educate the school community about the benefits of Greening and Sustainability
> Develop short and long term goals for Sustainability
> Appoint Consulting organization or Advising Authority for enhancing Sustainability at School

Hence, creating a School wide approach to Sustainability will engage our children in the Sustainability framework and ultimately Save our Earth.
Read more…

Solar For Pool Heater

Posted by Pragnesh Mehta on July 27, 2011 at 2:52am

I'm Looking for Solar Heater for 600 Cu Meter Capacity Pool Heater or otherwise any other technology will economic by capax & Opex which save energy with optimum result.

 

If any one has detail for same, Pls. do contact at +919016438868 or mail me at e.safe2207@gmail.com

Read more…