After all kind of informative blogs, today I decided to write about a little town I lived in for few years; something very close to my heart. I came to Germany after being awarded a scholarship for my doctoral studies. I know, it is an awesome destination for researchers, engineers, car lovers, technology freaks, travel enthusiasts, historians, language learners and the list is long. So here I was, also super excited about working for 3 long years to dig into research- ah I love this world of exploration! Of course the whole of Germany doesn’t look like the Disney castle in Neuschwanstein (near Munich) nor does it look like Berlin, just like it goes with any other country. Well honestly I was not kind of prepared for this. The whole of Germany in my eyes was a super developed, technology soaked from top to toe nation. So here I land, in a small little town with only 50,000 people; more than half of them are above 60 years of age. Let me tell you, for a person from India, 50,000 people comprises one neighbourhood and we are so used to having young people everywhere. I was surprised seeing such a small train station when I arrived and everything seemed much slower than I had expected. Never the less, I was excited about every small thing I could see and experience.
To begin with the charm of small little towns, you have the advantage to live together with your house owner. I too chose to live with a German lady so that I could get the maximum impressions of how a normal German household is. And after 3 years of living there, I can tell you, it is one of the best decisions one can take. When you are far away from home, everything is new; language, weather, behavior, rights and wrongs, food… literally everything! But when you live close with a family, this distance and difference can be greatly reduced and you might still find a little ‘homely’ corner for yourself in the new place. People in this town were very warm and welcoming and had all their patience to listen to me while I stammered in my German. The friends of my house-owner, all in their late 60s were kids in their hearts and we would spend weekends together, cook together, sit over coffee and cake and talk about history, culture, their experiences with life and my experiences in India etc etc. Life is slow in these towns somehow and it is not always bad. It is not always cool to keep running and not knowing where we are heading to. Since the amount of distractions too was limited for me, I too got some time to really think about things much deeply. At times we are so busy, we forget to really connect and with such a small town and limited possibilities, you can find ample time with your own self.
Joyfulness seemed pretty easy to afford in this town. A simple thing like commuting to work too was a beautiful experience. We had no trams or any convenient transportation facilities; but we all rode our bicycles happily. Professors in University came with their bicycles, employees of industries, Volkwagen employees working in the manufacturing unit etc. all rode their bicycles to work. Since my job demanded innovative thinking, it was a beautiful process each day to cycle back home through quiet lanes with a channel running on one side and I could think of fresh new ideas which flowed pretty flawlessly.
There was a kind of friendly air everywhere, everyone literally had all the time to help one another, the shop women always smiled and spoke 1-2 sentences, to keep the environment pleasant. The unknown people greeted each other, dog walkers even let you play with their dogs, oldies would give you compliments on your shoes out of nowhere. Even the Government work was smooth like butter, friendly folks, no need to take appointments or wait for hours; they would show interest to know about your life and country. It was like a small little beautiful bubble one can live in. Needless to mention, it is a very safe town too, and I have cycled back home at 2-3am and have never even felt scared ever. Rather I would choose a totally lonely way through a little channel, where rabbits would hide seeing you, and one would see ducks, geese and horses etc.
The path to work was amazing too, I would walk along nature side seeing baby ducks at the onset of spring, would watch flowers blossom, would hear the birds chirping and singing in different tones, one could even see the female black bird teasing the male and hopping around. I loved this path, more because I could see a lot of dogs walking and running around and some dogs even became familiar. I get reminded of that old man with his limping dog and the lady on her automatic wheel chair with a cute little old dog who seemed to have aged with her, or that 12 year old dog getting blind gradually, or that dog which jumped into the water on a summer day. Such unspoiled paths are another blessing and charm of such small towns.
Involvement of the people with each-other in this town was another remarkable aspect, which obviously has both good and bad sides. Bad side is they can be very intriguing, but the good side is there will always be someone to help you. I was amazed how involved the local people are in helping the refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Eritrea etc. The government procedure still does have some flaws and loop holes, but the locals form their small group and they do those little things that mean a lot to the refugees who have suffered enough shock and challenges. They form a small group, basically a group of close friends who tried helping the families as much as they can, from playing with their little daughter, to finding a school for her, to providing them German lessons to teaching them how to use ATM cards. The people take real good care of the paper work since all official work is in German, they organize tea and cake gatherings, the little kids get to meet some other children and these people are made to feel welcome in the new place away from home. Many a times they don’t even know anything about the country where they just landed, it is indeed a real sad and sensitive situation. I happened to meet one Hindu family from Afghanistan who said they didn’t even know which country they were really in, they were grateful that the lady (airhostess) in the plane offered them food that to for free! Such naïve individuals landing in a continent totally unaware, they say they saw dining tables and forks and knives only on TVs and here they were, speaking no language, having to do with a world totally the other way compared to theirs. But the locals set an example and people cooperate in every possible way to help every refugee they could. Even in our University we had advertisements to promote students to involve with the refugees and help them in any possible manner. Some helped with language, some with kids, and some with just talking to them or even listening to the trauma they have faced. I even know of people who learnt Arabic to be able to communicate with the Syrian refugee families. This was my experience of being in a small town, which taught me how amazing compassion is and can be totally endless and limitless.
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Friday, December 16, 2016
Do we need Wind farms? Yes we do...
United Kingdom( UK) a home to 61.4 million people ( as of 2009) has an electricity consumption of 345,798,000 MW/h /yr with an average of 6,120kWh per capita ranking successfully in one of the most energy demanding countries being the 7th in the CO2 production with 558,225 metric tones of CO2 comprising nearly 2.5% of total world’s 22,829,463.2 tonnes of Co2 emissions! With the increase in GDP that rose up by 102% between 1970 and 2001the energy demands in UK has been a concern and the energy consumption increased by 157%. These impressive statistics can be a lot more than just development and development comes associated with pollution. There are pressures over UK getting the ‘final warning’ over air pollution as the toxic gases from power stations and transport caused a threat to so many lives and the economy is also hampered where “enormous” deal as much as £8.5bn and £20.2bn each year is spent for health services. The Commons environmental audit report declares that, “More could be done to prevent the early deaths of up to 50,000 people each year hastened by air pollution”. As per the World Health Organization 2.4 million people die each year attributable to very unfortunate cause- air pollution! UK fails to keep up the limits of the harmful gases emissions and the nitrogen dioxide emissions are almost 2.5 times higher than the EU limit. These shocking figures of deaths can be eliminated and minimized just by a little paradigm shift of changing the Industrial conquest for profits and burning the fossil fuels endlessly to simple seeking and developing the more eco friendly and sustainable “Renewable” or the “Green energy”. The ambitions of the UK has been high especially in setting up Wind farms since the long coastlines and the position of the UK make them very favorable for onshore wind farms and the Energy white paper aims to supply up to 20% of the total energy by 2020 by renewable and has also signed a Europe-wide agreement!
“The source of renewable energy… are inexhaustible, indigenous and abundant, and their exploitation properly managed, has the potential to enhance the long term security of the United Kingdom’s energy supplies and to help us cut down carbon dioxide emissions” Comments the House of Lords Science and Technology Community and we all know that it is the renewable that can mitigate to climate change. The geographical condition of the UK with shallow waters and strong winds, windiest in the Europe make the Wind energy favorable having 8000 miles of coastline and offer the largest offshore wind resource in the world. There are estimates also that a mere 1/3rd of the total offshore is enough to power the whole of the UK! It is estimated that a modern 2.5MW turbine at a reasonable site has a potential to meet the needs of over 1,400 households with a generation of 6.5 million units of electricity each year. There are 1,700 wind turbines already operating in the UK, sufficient for over 1,000,000 homes and it is surmised that with only 10% of the UK’s land area the total energy demand can be sufficed with a side effect of reduction in CO2 emissions, thus help in climate change as referred by C. R Warren et. al’, “post construction, wind power emits no greenhouse gases, has none of the risks of nuclear energy and distrupts ecosystem much less than large scale hydro-power plants.”
Moreover this invites more job opportunities for innovators/academic institutions. The economy could also enjoy a boost with share benefits from the sale of electricity from National Grid just like the installations in Swaffham, Norfolk. The UK could set as an example too for utilizing its energy from the renewable sources just the way Germany, Denmark, Sweden, even Iceland are busy tapping their energy sources from every possible renewable source. History proves the wind farm in Orkney, is Britain’s first wind farm dating back to 1978 and various in 1991 at Cornwell and this shows there is great impetus in this wind energy in the Great Britain.
Oppositions on loss of scenic value, noise pollution and vibration during construction like infrasound are reasonable and there might be military objections in low flying training zones and issues like the production, transport, installation produce emissions, the policies according to the Planning Commissions are very careful in taking the maximum of precautions to enable it as eco friendly as possible. These drawbacks are negligible as compared to the contribution the wind farms can have. The policies designed in 2003 ensure the major concerns are addressed including the residential amenity on noise, safe separation distances, landscape characteristics and visibility, heritage designations, green belts, electromagnetic interference and even reduction of the flickering effects that the local people might complain about. They also mention that nationally designated landscapes will be considered and Government would not process without cumulative Impact assessment relating to wind farms and even considers the cumulative zones of visual influence and topography.
With lesser spaces taken by the installations compared to the power plants, the lands still can be used for agriculture. There could be no better deal than this to get a free resource of energy, that has 0 emission potential and that boosts the economy and lets the farmers enjoy a continues income through the lease of land while they can practice agriculture at the same time and with just one eighth of the entire land area, the whole Britain’s power requirements can be met.
While scientists are busy calculating and warning us about the threats of the climate change and they predict that if carbon dioxide levels continue to increase in the similar trend, the impact can be horrifying leading to sea level rise thus leading to droughts and floods and the list of threats is endless with the extreme weather and the whole natural balance can be charred. Maria McCaffery MBE, BWEA Chief Executive, mentions "Renewable energy is not a luxury item. Without a dramatic change in the way we use and produce our energy we will not stop climate change." Now it is on us what we need to do, choose a Greener technology that is sustainable or cling to our fairly smaller personal interests and call ourselves concerned about the environment by opposing a Demigod to be unleashed who can make this earth a better place to live with intelligent technology and with a “sustainable concept”.
“The source of renewable energy… are inexhaustible, indigenous and abundant, and their exploitation properly managed, has the potential to enhance the long term security of the United Kingdom’s energy supplies and to help us cut down carbon dioxide emissions” Comments the House of Lords Science and Technology Community and we all know that it is the renewable that can mitigate to climate change. The geographical condition of the UK with shallow waters and strong winds, windiest in the Europe make the Wind energy favorable having 8000 miles of coastline and offer the largest offshore wind resource in the world. There are estimates also that a mere 1/3rd of the total offshore is enough to power the whole of the UK! It is estimated that a modern 2.5MW turbine at a reasonable site has a potential to meet the needs of over 1,400 households with a generation of 6.5 million units of electricity each year. There are 1,700 wind turbines already operating in the UK, sufficient for over 1,000,000 homes and it is surmised that with only 10% of the UK’s land area the total energy demand can be sufficed with a side effect of reduction in CO2 emissions, thus help in climate change as referred by C. R Warren et. al’, “post construction, wind power emits no greenhouse gases, has none of the risks of nuclear energy and distrupts ecosystem much less than large scale hydro-power plants.”
Moreover this invites more job opportunities for innovators/academic institutions. The economy could also enjoy a boost with share benefits from the sale of electricity from National Grid just like the installations in Swaffham, Norfolk. The UK could set as an example too for utilizing its energy from the renewable sources just the way Germany, Denmark, Sweden, even Iceland are busy tapping their energy sources from every possible renewable source. History proves the wind farm in Orkney, is Britain’s first wind farm dating back to 1978 and various in 1991 at Cornwell and this shows there is great impetus in this wind energy in the Great Britain.
Oppositions on loss of scenic value, noise pollution and vibration during construction like infrasound are reasonable and there might be military objections in low flying training zones and issues like the production, transport, installation produce emissions, the policies according to the Planning Commissions are very careful in taking the maximum of precautions to enable it as eco friendly as possible. These drawbacks are negligible as compared to the contribution the wind farms can have. The policies designed in 2003 ensure the major concerns are addressed including the residential amenity on noise, safe separation distances, landscape characteristics and visibility, heritage designations, green belts, electromagnetic interference and even reduction of the flickering effects that the local people might complain about. They also mention that nationally designated landscapes will be considered and Government would not process without cumulative Impact assessment relating to wind farms and even considers the cumulative zones of visual influence and topography.
With lesser spaces taken by the installations compared to the power plants, the lands still can be used for agriculture. There could be no better deal than this to get a free resource of energy, that has 0 emission potential and that boosts the economy and lets the farmers enjoy a continues income through the lease of land while they can practice agriculture at the same time and with just one eighth of the entire land area, the whole Britain’s power requirements can be met.
While scientists are busy calculating and warning us about the threats of the climate change and they predict that if carbon dioxide levels continue to increase in the similar trend, the impact can be horrifying leading to sea level rise thus leading to droughts and floods and the list of threats is endless with the extreme weather and the whole natural balance can be charred. Maria McCaffery MBE, BWEA Chief Executive, mentions "Renewable energy is not a luxury item. Without a dramatic change in the way we use and produce our energy we will not stop climate change." Now it is on us what we need to do, choose a Greener technology that is sustainable or cling to our fairly smaller personal interests and call ourselves concerned about the environment by opposing a Demigod to be unleashed who can make this earth a better place to live with intelligent technology and with a “sustainable concept”.
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Team work in Entrepreneurship
A common way to define team work would be “Teamwork "a joint action by 3 people or more or a group of people, in which each person subordinates his or her individual interests and opinions to the unity and efficiency of the group."
This does not mean that the individual is no longer important; however, it does mean that effective and efficient teamwork goes beyond individual accomplishments. The most effective teamwork is produced when all the individuals involved harmonize their contributions and work towards a common goal.” However this practically is one pillar of any group or firm or organization or anything that has to deal with a set of people and inefficient team work can lead to a sheer blunder no matter how great the motive or strong the product may be of the concerned Business, but when head by the right team leader with a strong motivation amongst all the members, it really can prove that nothing is impossible, look at Reliance whose success story stands because of the right people chosen who handle their responsibilities smartly and multiply their productivity.
The experience of meeting few Entrepreneurs was really a great experience and I could notice the importance of team work as I spoke to them while few expressed their personal experiences of how they handle the team work and how little mistakes cost the team leader badly and even shattering the team can really cost a lot. On the other hand, they shared with an air of victory how they overcame the hurdles standing united.
Mr. Nishant Bannerjee is leading the Zeita Tech Private limited- a MNC and he is the Business Partner in India. He believes the first platform to form a team is by motivating and guiding them towards a common “Goal”. The SWOT analysis of every team member needs to be done very carefully to get the maximum productivity and they are divided for various tasks depending on their strength and weakness to do justice to their share of work and making them responsible for their task makes them add up their own efforts in a surge to give their best else they Individually would be blamed, that no body wants. And addressing the whole group as a team and treat them and induce a family bond always helps according to him. And when there is any achievement, the whole team should be congratulated and given some rewards on a fair basis as a TEAM and no personal likes and dislikes should be entertained. However the team leader must be very careful in not being bias towards any member and when there is a time of trouble, a wise and good leader takes it into his responsibility than pointing out fingers on individual members. This makes him earn more respect by his team mates while the mistake when covered; the individual member makes an effort not to repeat the mistake again. He basically believes in giving the Power equally to each member and when they are united with an emotional bond, the interrelationships are better and the bitterness and negativity can be avoided else can cause problems and affect the productivity of those members working together. And now Mr. Bannerjee proudly says that his team mates can efficiently work together for days together even when he is completely absent from the office and is not at all in touch with any of them.
Mr. Sudhanshu Shekhar owns a Bioinformatics laboratory. When asked about teamwork he expresses his experience in this field where all the research scientists work independently to produce a desired result and while none interfere in each other’s business, however each member has his own part to finish which they all compile to come to a conclusion. This becomes a great challenge since the processes are too tedious and time consuming while one little mistake requires re doing it, and the employees usually lose their patience and calm at other’s mistakes, but Mr. Sudhanshu being a team lead makes them all feel well treated, when there are problems, they all sit together to solve than blame and this is maintained only when the leader builds love and respect with and among the members and they should always be treated as ONE and no member should be made to feel left out, and another feel too special, this increases the differences amongst them and he feels there must be a transparency maintained amongst the team lead and the members while the team leader should be approachable for any issue. The team spirit must be paid utmost attention and all the members should work united sharing their knowledge to help each other than just thinking of their own selves. The leader shouldn’t believe in guiding them, rather they should be given proper freedom to be independent in taking decisions. Then when the work is performed with utmost sincerity, it definitely has substance and all the little parts combine to present the result. Mr. Shekhar completely believes in empowering and improving all his employees and letting them learn what he expects than doing and improving their work if its not perfect, that will not help in the long run and each employee will get lazy.
Mr. Pravat Satpathy, owns a Petrol Bunk is a person known for his respect for all his employees starting from the sweeper to the manager and believes the team work is possible to be efficient only when the leader is strong to mould every one into one same caste that is their “Duty”. The spirit of working together, helping each other and the concept of 5 brains working together is way better than just 1 person working. The team work is maintained by fair work distribution while the final decision is of Mr. Satpathy who has had 25 years of experience. He believes that efficient work is only when the work is distributed properly and this saves a lot of time with distribution. When the work is appreciable he gives them incentives and even though he is the boss, he takes care of every employee personally regarding financial issues, health, emotional etc. that makes this retail sector work together like a family. When things go wrong between few team members, Mr.Satpathy with his indifferent attitude believes in sorting things in front of all the team members as a ONE and there is no back door discussions while problems are solved in front of everyone, thus avoiding all conspiracy, back biting, speaking and thinking ill about each other, rather everything is solved with clarity.
With the basics of team work being all the same, it is a good leader who can really make a team work failing which there are no ends to the downfall and failure of the team, affecting the output, thus the Business.
This does not mean that the individual is no longer important; however, it does mean that effective and efficient teamwork goes beyond individual accomplishments. The most effective teamwork is produced when all the individuals involved harmonize their contributions and work towards a common goal.” However this practically is one pillar of any group or firm or organization or anything that has to deal with a set of people and inefficient team work can lead to a sheer blunder no matter how great the motive or strong the product may be of the concerned Business, but when head by the right team leader with a strong motivation amongst all the members, it really can prove that nothing is impossible, look at Reliance whose success story stands because of the right people chosen who handle their responsibilities smartly and multiply their productivity.
The experience of meeting few Entrepreneurs was really a great experience and I could notice the importance of team work as I spoke to them while few expressed their personal experiences of how they handle the team work and how little mistakes cost the team leader badly and even shattering the team can really cost a lot. On the other hand, they shared with an air of victory how they overcame the hurdles standing united.
Mr. Nishant Bannerjee is leading the Zeita Tech Private limited- a MNC and he is the Business Partner in India. He believes the first platform to form a team is by motivating and guiding them towards a common “Goal”. The SWOT analysis of every team member needs to be done very carefully to get the maximum productivity and they are divided for various tasks depending on their strength and weakness to do justice to their share of work and making them responsible for their task makes them add up their own efforts in a surge to give their best else they Individually would be blamed, that no body wants. And addressing the whole group as a team and treat them and induce a family bond always helps according to him. And when there is any achievement, the whole team should be congratulated and given some rewards on a fair basis as a TEAM and no personal likes and dislikes should be entertained. However the team leader must be very careful in not being bias towards any member and when there is a time of trouble, a wise and good leader takes it into his responsibility than pointing out fingers on individual members. This makes him earn more respect by his team mates while the mistake when covered; the individual member makes an effort not to repeat the mistake again. He basically believes in giving the Power equally to each member and when they are united with an emotional bond, the interrelationships are better and the bitterness and negativity can be avoided else can cause problems and affect the productivity of those members working together. And now Mr. Bannerjee proudly says that his team mates can efficiently work together for days together even when he is completely absent from the office and is not at all in touch with any of them.
Mr. Sudhanshu Shekhar owns a Bioinformatics laboratory. When asked about teamwork he expresses his experience in this field where all the research scientists work independently to produce a desired result and while none interfere in each other’s business, however each member has his own part to finish which they all compile to come to a conclusion. This becomes a great challenge since the processes are too tedious and time consuming while one little mistake requires re doing it, and the employees usually lose their patience and calm at other’s mistakes, but Mr. Sudhanshu being a team lead makes them all feel well treated, when there are problems, they all sit together to solve than blame and this is maintained only when the leader builds love and respect with and among the members and they should always be treated as ONE and no member should be made to feel left out, and another feel too special, this increases the differences amongst them and he feels there must be a transparency maintained amongst the team lead and the members while the team leader should be approachable for any issue. The team spirit must be paid utmost attention and all the members should work united sharing their knowledge to help each other than just thinking of their own selves. The leader shouldn’t believe in guiding them, rather they should be given proper freedom to be independent in taking decisions. Then when the work is performed with utmost sincerity, it definitely has substance and all the little parts combine to present the result. Mr. Shekhar completely believes in empowering and improving all his employees and letting them learn what he expects than doing and improving their work if its not perfect, that will not help in the long run and each employee will get lazy.
Mr. Pravat Satpathy, owns a Petrol Bunk is a person known for his respect for all his employees starting from the sweeper to the manager and believes the team work is possible to be efficient only when the leader is strong to mould every one into one same caste that is their “Duty”. The spirit of working together, helping each other and the concept of 5 brains working together is way better than just 1 person working. The team work is maintained by fair work distribution while the final decision is of Mr. Satpathy who has had 25 years of experience. He believes that efficient work is only when the work is distributed properly and this saves a lot of time with distribution. When the work is appreciable he gives them incentives and even though he is the boss, he takes care of every employee personally regarding financial issues, health, emotional etc. that makes this retail sector work together like a family. When things go wrong between few team members, Mr.Satpathy with his indifferent attitude believes in sorting things in front of all the team members as a ONE and there is no back door discussions while problems are solved in front of everyone, thus avoiding all conspiracy, back biting, speaking and thinking ill about each other, rather everything is solved with clarity.
With the basics of team work being all the same, it is a good leader who can really make a team work failing which there are no ends to the downfall and failure of the team, affecting the output, thus the Business.
Monday, September 19, 2016
Bioplastics
According to an estimate more than 100 million tonnes of plastic is produced every year all over the world!! We all are aware of this environmental nuisance called Plastics. While plastics being so versatile replace all possible materials the inquisitiveness needs to be drawn towards alternative plastics and thus flamboyantly Bioplastics introduces itself reaching millions of people in its subtle ways especially in the packaging industry, known as biopackaging and also as disposable objects. Europe already has 60% of the bioplastics market and Japan is busy to match up the competition.
Bioplastics are the green plastics since these are derived from renewable biomass sources such as corn, pea starch, vegetable oil and say a n0 n0 to fossil fuels that are used for producing plastics. The difference is self explanatory that since the latter fossils are literally impossible to degrade completely, the bioplastics are not a waste of material nor are they a problem to degrade while nature takes care of them. Moreover Unlike traditional plastics and biodegradable plastics, bioplastics generally do not produce a net increase in carbon dioxide gas when they break down (because the plants that were used to make them absorbed the same amount of carbon dioxide to begin with).
The options for Bioplastics in term of usage can range from catering items such as crockery, cutlery, bowls, straws to packaging materials for vegetables, fruits, eggs, meat or may even be used for organic waste bags where they can be composted together with the food or green waste, thus adding to the compost. With the endless research efforts to encourage its potential, bioplastics are being designed for electro active capability to carry electrical current and these can also be used in carpet fibers, car interiors, fuel lines and plastic pipes too, ofcourse these wouldn’t degrade, but the sources would be the same renewable.
These plastics can be produced from various sources such as starch that is most commonly used and are a boon in the production of drugs. Cane sugar or glucose are utilized for PLA or the transparent plastics that can be used in the production of foils , tins, cups, bottles etc. Polyamide 11 used PA 11 for its thermal resistance is produced from natural oils. The applications can broaden from high-performance applications like automotive fuel lines, pneumatic airbrake tubing, electrical cable anti-termite sheathing, flexible oil & gas pipes, control fluid umbilicals, sports shoes, electronic device components, and catheters.
COPA (Committee of Agricultural Organisation in the European Union) and COGEGA (General Committee for the Agricultural Cooperation in the European Union) according to their assessment of the potential demand of bioplastics in different sectors of the European economy estimate 450,000 tonnes in the catering products per year, Organic waste bags can demand 100,000 tonnes of bioplastics per year, Diapers that are 100% biodegradable can demand as much as 240,000 tonnes per year while Vegetable packaging can account up to 400,000 tonnes per year and Tyre components might demand as much as 200,000 tonnes per year!!
To deal with the already produced plastics, they may be recycled and materials like used milk bottles) could be turned into new ones such as items of clothing. A product called ecoplastic is sold as a replacement for wood for use in outdoor garden furniture and fence posts and is Made from high-molecular polyethylene that guarantees long lasting and cheap alternative.
An estimate of 200,000 barrels of oil are used each day to make plastic packaging for the United States alone!! Its time to deal with the plastics problem and may be just denying a plastic bag by carrying a bag on your own every time we shop can help us discourage the use of plastics just to remember the wise saying Prevention is better than cure.
Bioplastics are the green plastics since these are derived from renewable biomass sources such as corn, pea starch, vegetable oil and say a n0 n0 to fossil fuels that are used for producing plastics. The difference is self explanatory that since the latter fossils are literally impossible to degrade completely, the bioplastics are not a waste of material nor are they a problem to degrade while nature takes care of them. Moreover Unlike traditional plastics and biodegradable plastics, bioplastics generally do not produce a net increase in carbon dioxide gas when they break down (because the plants that were used to make them absorbed the same amount of carbon dioxide to begin with).
The options for Bioplastics in term of usage can range from catering items such as crockery, cutlery, bowls, straws to packaging materials for vegetables, fruits, eggs, meat or may even be used for organic waste bags where they can be composted together with the food or green waste, thus adding to the compost. With the endless research efforts to encourage its potential, bioplastics are being designed for electro active capability to carry electrical current and these can also be used in carpet fibers, car interiors, fuel lines and plastic pipes too, ofcourse these wouldn’t degrade, but the sources would be the same renewable.
These plastics can be produced from various sources such as starch that is most commonly used and are a boon in the production of drugs. Cane sugar or glucose are utilized for PLA or the transparent plastics that can be used in the production of foils , tins, cups, bottles etc. Polyamide 11 used PA 11 for its thermal resistance is produced from natural oils. The applications can broaden from high-performance applications like automotive fuel lines, pneumatic airbrake tubing, electrical cable anti-termite sheathing, flexible oil & gas pipes, control fluid umbilicals, sports shoes, electronic device components, and catheters.
COPA (Committee of Agricultural Organisation in the European Union) and COGEGA (General Committee for the Agricultural Cooperation in the European Union) according to their assessment of the potential demand of bioplastics in different sectors of the European economy estimate 450,000 tonnes in the catering products per year, Organic waste bags can demand 100,000 tonnes of bioplastics per year, Diapers that are 100% biodegradable can demand as much as 240,000 tonnes per year while Vegetable packaging can account up to 400,000 tonnes per year and Tyre components might demand as much as 200,000 tonnes per year!!
To deal with the already produced plastics, they may be recycled and materials like used milk bottles) could be turned into new ones such as items of clothing. A product called ecoplastic is sold as a replacement for wood for use in outdoor garden furniture and fence posts and is Made from high-molecular polyethylene that guarantees long lasting and cheap alternative.
An estimate of 200,000 barrels of oil are used each day to make plastic packaging for the United States alone!! Its time to deal with the plastics problem and may be just denying a plastic bag by carrying a bag on your own every time we shop can help us discourage the use of plastics just to remember the wise saying Prevention is better than cure.
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Spastic Society
This NGO was started in Karnakata by a mother of a spastic child in the year 1982. With sincere dedication to the welfare of children with Neuro-Muscular and Developmental Disabilities, the Society provides a Comprehensive Package of Diagnostic and Intervention Services to persons with Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Mental Retardation, Multiple Disabilities and Learning Disabilities. Spastics Society of Karnataka (SSK) started off as a branch of the Spastics Society of India and runs on a land donated by the Government of Karnataka.
The growth it has shown in a span of 24 years is worth the appreciation. it started with just 3 children and 5 staffs and now it serves a total of 1300 spastic children and touched the lives of 20000 children and families. With its mission on Mission that says: Conscious, Conscientious and Constant endeavor in
• Maximizing the potential of children with special needs
• Inclusiveness in all aspects of daily life
• Establishing their rights to be part of the community.
It has truly served and kept up to the expectations of the founders and the volunteers with enormous care taken for the under privileged children who require more of attention and have a right to live as any other child. By 2006 this society came up with an innovative program known as “Early Intervention Program” which included two and half years of intensive training for these disabled kids that included pre- reading, language communication, socialization, pre- arithmetic and other skills that need attention to ensure these children to be fit to face the world in their measures. The organization also came up with a new program called “Saath Saath “ focusing on the Parents- children relationship. Although this didn’t work successfully but the efforts seem to continue.
A very solid aspect of this association is the responsibility they undertake to provide occupation to those who are handicapped, provide all the care, both physical and mental to those in need and they also paid heed to develop a social circle for both the students and parents. Respecting the disabled is also a major concern for them.
With a look at their Administrative structure I realized the concept of hierarchy hampering the progress of the Society and a few Elected Governing Bodies are concerned with a bit of personal interests and the Medical Officer needs to appoint some more nurses as each child requires enough attention and these people should be trained specially. The emotional needs of each child needs to be paid importance too which many NGOs working for children forget as this requires a lot of patience and selfless love. I also strongly feel that such kids become victims of molestation and harassment, so there should be enough of security to protect these innocent children. I look forward to see more of improvement in this NGO that has very high ambitions and with the right people undertaking the responsibilities, it definitely can change the lives of many children whom we forget and ignore.
The growth it has shown in a span of 24 years is worth the appreciation. it started with just 3 children and 5 staffs and now it serves a total of 1300 spastic children and touched the lives of 20000 children and families. With its mission on Mission that says: Conscious, Conscientious and Constant endeavor in
• Maximizing the potential of children with special needs
• Inclusiveness in all aspects of daily life
• Establishing their rights to be part of the community.
It has truly served and kept up to the expectations of the founders and the volunteers with enormous care taken for the under privileged children who require more of attention and have a right to live as any other child. By 2006 this society came up with an innovative program known as “Early Intervention Program” which included two and half years of intensive training for these disabled kids that included pre- reading, language communication, socialization, pre- arithmetic and other skills that need attention to ensure these children to be fit to face the world in their measures. The organization also came up with a new program called “Saath Saath “ focusing on the Parents- children relationship. Although this didn’t work successfully but the efforts seem to continue.
A very solid aspect of this association is the responsibility they undertake to provide occupation to those who are handicapped, provide all the care, both physical and mental to those in need and they also paid heed to develop a social circle for both the students and parents. Respecting the disabled is also a major concern for them.
With a look at their Administrative structure I realized the concept of hierarchy hampering the progress of the Society and a few Elected Governing Bodies are concerned with a bit of personal interests and the Medical Officer needs to appoint some more nurses as each child requires enough attention and these people should be trained specially. The emotional needs of each child needs to be paid importance too which many NGOs working for children forget as this requires a lot of patience and selfless love. I also strongly feel that such kids become victims of molestation and harassment, so there should be enough of security to protect these innocent children. I look forward to see more of improvement in this NGO that has very high ambitions and with the right people undertaking the responsibilities, it definitely can change the lives of many children whom we forget and ignore.
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
PRAHA- The Captivating city breathing History...
Zlatá Praha, “Golden Prague” , Golden city of Bohemia, that’s this ancient city standing firmly on wide smooth sweeping curve of Vltava river. The enchanting golden lights reflected from the magnificent buildings proclaim subtly their existence since centuries dating back to 1,100 years.
Prague holds importance since ages due to its positioning in the heart of Bohemia which again lies in the centre of Europe. This city has witnessed the Holy Roman Empire with Kings and priests treading the pathways of the gothic old town. Prague has remained the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. There are the copper domes of churches decorated with the flamboyant seventeeth century architecture; colleges and palaces ranging from the beauty of the Italian Renaissance to German designs. The Obvious Romanesque patters can’t go unnoticed. There was this strong a feeling, even before you realize, its as if time has just stopped, there is nothing around you... feels like you have reached the Medieval age as you glare into the river listening to the church bells. There is a hustle bustle in the warm summer, the violin plays, soothing...very soothing while the artists are busy sketching and painting on the Charles bridge.
Charles Bridge, the very famous historic bridge was constructed by Charles IV in 1357. Charles IV was a remarkable figure in the history of Czech Repulic. This bridge has a genuine charm as it takes you away from the busy modern new part of the city to the “Old Town” whose alleys are still believed to be haunted by ghosts. The Charles Bridge stands firmly and was an important connection between Prague’s castle and city’s Old Town. Apart from just connecting, this also acted as an important trade route between Eastern and Western Europe. Interestingly the bridge bears ice guards and has survived all the harsh weather conditions and the rebellious river. The bridge is protected by three bridge towers, two in the famous Lesser Quarter and third on the Old Town. The bridge towers in themselves are a piece of breathtaking design and architecture, standing as one of the astonishing civil gothic style buildings in the world. The bridge bears an alley of 30 statue and statuaries believed to be baroque style, erected around 1700. There is this dark and calm a feel as you walk past this bridge staring at the statues where there are figures proclaiming, preaching, expressing, agonizing, bearing... there is a lot more in each and every statue. As you gaze at them from under the bridge these shadows make you shiver, as you smile, this is the real Europe, the Gothic Europe, the cold Europe, the dark age they had, this was their history, this is what they have all gone through. The statue of John Nepomuk who was a national saint of Chech Republic stands there with a golden halo who in 1393 was thrown into the river Vltava from the bridge at the behest of King of Wencenslaus,King of Romans and Kings of Bohemia.
If the European architecture is of interest to one, this is the place to be, with remains of history not affected by the war. To add on, the famous video of Numb was filmed on Charles Bridge
Prague holds importance since ages due to its positioning in the heart of Bohemia which again lies in the centre of Europe. This city has witnessed the Holy Roman Empire with Kings and priests treading the pathways of the gothic old town. Prague has remained the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. There are the copper domes of churches decorated with the flamboyant seventeeth century architecture; colleges and palaces ranging from the beauty of the Italian Renaissance to German designs. The Obvious Romanesque patters can’t go unnoticed. There was this strong a feeling, even before you realize, its as if time has just stopped, there is nothing around you... feels like you have reached the Medieval age as you glare into the river listening to the church bells. There is a hustle bustle in the warm summer, the violin plays, soothing...very soothing while the artists are busy sketching and painting on the Charles bridge.
Charles Bridge, the very famous historic bridge was constructed by Charles IV in 1357. Charles IV was a remarkable figure in the history of Czech Repulic. This bridge has a genuine charm as it takes you away from the busy modern new part of the city to the “Old Town” whose alleys are still believed to be haunted by ghosts. The Charles Bridge stands firmly and was an important connection between Prague’s castle and city’s Old Town. Apart from just connecting, this also acted as an important trade route between Eastern and Western Europe. Interestingly the bridge bears ice guards and has survived all the harsh weather conditions and the rebellious river. The bridge is protected by three bridge towers, two in the famous Lesser Quarter and third on the Old Town. The bridge towers in themselves are a piece of breathtaking design and architecture, standing as one of the astonishing civil gothic style buildings in the world. The bridge bears an alley of 30 statue and statuaries believed to be baroque style, erected around 1700. There is this dark and calm a feel as you walk past this bridge staring at the statues where there are figures proclaiming, preaching, expressing, agonizing, bearing... there is a lot more in each and every statue. As you gaze at them from under the bridge these shadows make you shiver, as you smile, this is the real Europe, the Gothic Europe, the cold Europe, the dark age they had, this was their history, this is what they have all gone through. The statue of John Nepomuk who was a national saint of Chech Republic stands there with a golden halo who in 1393 was thrown into the river Vltava from the bridge at the behest of King of Wencenslaus,King of Romans and Kings of Bohemia.
If the European architecture is of interest to one, this is the place to be, with remains of history not affected by the war. To add on, the famous video of Numb was filmed on Charles Bridge
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Malnutrition
“Malnutrition is the gravest single threat to the world’s public health” defines The World Health Organization. The United Nations defines malnutrition as a “state in which an individual can no longer maintain natural bodily capacities such as growth, pregnancy, lactation, learning abilities, physical work and resisting and recovering from disease.” Wonder how bad the situation with malnutrition can be? I do, and found tha over 1 billion people in the world do not have enough to eat! That's more than the entire population of the United States, Canada, and the European Union. Every 6 seconds a child dies from malnutrition and related causes. As per the statistics of Jean Ziegler (the United Nations Special Reporter on the Right to Food for 2000 to March 2008), “Mortality due to malnutrition accounted for 58% of the total mortality in 2006. In the world, approximately 62 million people, all causes of death combined, die each year. One in twelve people worldwide is malnourished.” The shocking numbers can account to as many as more than 36 million that died of hunger or diseases due to deficiencies in micronutrients in 2006.
According to the World Health Organization, “malnutrition is by far the biggest contributor to child mortality, present in half of all cases. Underweight births and inter-uterine growth restrictions cause 2.2 million child deaths a year. Poor or non-existent breastfeeding causes another 1.4 million. Other deficiencies, such as lack of vitamin A or zinc, for example, account for 1 million”. Here we are speaking of people dying in Millions, the cause being such an avoidable enemy called Malnutrition!
The economist Amartya Sen observed that, in recent decades, famine has always a problem of food distribution and/or poverty, as there has been sufficient food to feed the whole population of the world but unfortunately the problem remains in the food distribution not the production. A country like China has enough production but the food doesn’t reach everyone in the villages and the factors like transportation play a role in fighting malnutrition. Another threat when it comes to solve this problem is the use of biofuels as a replacement for traditional fuels as an advancement of technology but this may leave less supply of food for nutrition and ultimately raises the price of food. However the good news is that there can be alternatives like The United Nations special reporter on the right to food, Jean Ziegler proposes that agricultural waste, such as corn cobs and banana leaves, rather than crops themselves be used as fuel.
The reasons for malnutrition may include various factors like lack of breastfeeding that can further limit the immunity of infants and children. Breastfeeding in the first two years and exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months could save 1.3 million children’s lives. Lack of education can lead to a strong notion in the developing world where may be that the average family thinks bottle feeding is better and another aspect that can’t be ignored is the fact that the Mothers themselves are not nourished well nor is proper care taken. Lack of education and awareness leads to improper upbringing of the child and then follows other problems like financial issues and thus we have deaths till date due to malnutrition even when there are food supplies rotting without use. Another very naively ignored fact is that deriving too much of one's diet from a single source, such as eating almost exclusively corn or rice, can cause malnutrition. This again either be from a lack of education about proper nutrition, or from only having access to a single food source.
The children of India are malnourished because of factors attributed to overpopulation, poverty, and destruction of the environment, lack of education, gender inequality, and inaccessible medical care. Poverty is a major cause of malnourishment because it limits the amount of food available to children causing wasting and a lack of vitamins, minerals and nutritional value leading to stunting and low weight. Overpopulation is a serious problem linked to competition for food, shelter and medical care and leads to malnutrition amongst children, especially in rural areas where access to medical care and food is limited. The population of India has increased from a billion people by 16 million annually escalating the severity of malnourishment and poverty. The environment is affected by pollution of the air, water and land causing problems with food growth, sanitation and illnesses spread through the air and water. A deficiency in the amount of food leaves millions starving, many of whom are children, unable to change their situation. Lack of education is a serious predicament resulting in malnourishment because many are illiterate and unknowledgeable about nutrition, family planning, breast-feeding and parenting. Gender inequality places women, the primary care givers of their children, at a lower social status then men and causes them to suffer more because they are last to eat and considered less important continuing the cycle of poverty and malnourishment. Availability of medical care and immunizations are limited to children diminishing their health. All these factors contribute to the devastating amount of malnourished children in India and assistance from the government and international organizations is crucial if this dilemma is to be improved. The UN estimates that 2.1 million Indian children die before reaching the age of 5 every year
Non nutritious food and over eating can also be a contributing factor for malnourishment. While developing and underdeveloped countries count on their grains to survive, the developed countries have access to a surplus of non-nutritious food, in addition to increased sedentary lifestyles that undoubtedly has led to universal epidemic of obesity. Yale psychologist Kelly Brownell calls this a "toxic food environment” where fat and sugar laden foods have taken precedent over healthy nutritious foods. Not only does obesity occur in developed countries, but in a quest for westernization problems are also occurring in developing countries in areas where income is on the rise] and the lifestyles are changing.
As per the 2001-03 statistics 217.5 million people in India are malnourished, followed by China accounting to 154 million people. Countries like Bangladesh with 43.5 and Pakisthan with 35.2 and Ethiopia with 31.2 millions are also suffering in the shadow of malnutrition. India contributes to about 5.6 million child deaths every year, more than half the world's total.] The 2006 report mentioned that "the low status of women in South Asian countries and their lack of nutritional knowledge are important determinants of high prevalence of underweight children in the region" and was concerned that South Asia has "inadequate feeding and caring practices for young children". Surprisingly A study, based on 2005-2007 data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Agriculture Department, shows that an estimated 3.5 million children under the age of five are at risk of hunger in the United States
Inorder to combat Malnourishment agricultural practices need to be paid attention on. Food shortages can be caused by a lack of farming skills such as crop rotation, or by a lack of technology or resources needed for the higher yields found in modern agriculture, such as nitrogenfertilizers, pesticides and irrigation or even lack of facilities and support even from the Government. It would be wiser to Government to pay attention to optimize the yield than worrying about food shortage and how to cope up by importing or by other means. An unfortunate reality in few countered remains that due to widespread poverty, neither farmers nor can governments provide the technology. Many, if not most, farmers cannot afford fertilizer at market prices all thanks to the free market, leading to low agricultural production and wages and high, unaffordable food prices and thus while the farmer yields few crops to survive, he dies starving and so farmers committing suicides in countries like India are no more surprising.
Some initiatives have been done to reduce malnutrition, especially hunger. A great example has been done by Muhammad Yunus called The Grameen Bank to combat hunger. It provides small loans to help very poor women generate income and those loans can lift women out of poverty, and yet yield nutritional benefits. Some studies show when a woman is provided with an income, she will spend nearly all of it on household needs, especially food. Therefore, by focusing on women empowerment, poverty can be reduced, and also malnutrition, especially hunger can be fought.
Micro-credit initiatives focus predominantly on women because hunger disproportionately affects females more so than males and thus this is further carried on to the generations that follow. Removing hunger from the roots can be attained by empowering women, educating them, economic policies such as micro-credit initiatives that are a boon in reducing malnutrition by promoting both employment and educational opportunities and thus would the horizon grow leading to a healthier lifestyle and attaining the position to end the evil Hunger that takes so many innocent lives!!
According to the World Health Organization, “malnutrition is by far the biggest contributor to child mortality, present in half of all cases. Underweight births and inter-uterine growth restrictions cause 2.2 million child deaths a year. Poor or non-existent breastfeeding causes another 1.4 million. Other deficiencies, such as lack of vitamin A or zinc, for example, account for 1 million”. Here we are speaking of people dying in Millions, the cause being such an avoidable enemy called Malnutrition!
The economist Amartya Sen observed that, in recent decades, famine has always a problem of food distribution and/or poverty, as there has been sufficient food to feed the whole population of the world but unfortunately the problem remains in the food distribution not the production. A country like China has enough production but the food doesn’t reach everyone in the villages and the factors like transportation play a role in fighting malnutrition. Another threat when it comes to solve this problem is the use of biofuels as a replacement for traditional fuels as an advancement of technology but this may leave less supply of food for nutrition and ultimately raises the price of food. However the good news is that there can be alternatives like The United Nations special reporter on the right to food, Jean Ziegler proposes that agricultural waste, such as corn cobs and banana leaves, rather than crops themselves be used as fuel.
The reasons for malnutrition may include various factors like lack of breastfeeding that can further limit the immunity of infants and children. Breastfeeding in the first two years and exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months could save 1.3 million children’s lives. Lack of education can lead to a strong notion in the developing world where may be that the average family thinks bottle feeding is better and another aspect that can’t be ignored is the fact that the Mothers themselves are not nourished well nor is proper care taken. Lack of education and awareness leads to improper upbringing of the child and then follows other problems like financial issues and thus we have deaths till date due to malnutrition even when there are food supplies rotting without use. Another very naively ignored fact is that deriving too much of one's diet from a single source, such as eating almost exclusively corn or rice, can cause malnutrition. This again either be from a lack of education about proper nutrition, or from only having access to a single food source.
The children of India are malnourished because of factors attributed to overpopulation, poverty, and destruction of the environment, lack of education, gender inequality, and inaccessible medical care. Poverty is a major cause of malnourishment because it limits the amount of food available to children causing wasting and a lack of vitamins, minerals and nutritional value leading to stunting and low weight. Overpopulation is a serious problem linked to competition for food, shelter and medical care and leads to malnutrition amongst children, especially in rural areas where access to medical care and food is limited. The population of India has increased from a billion people by 16 million annually escalating the severity of malnourishment and poverty. The environment is affected by pollution of the air, water and land causing problems with food growth, sanitation and illnesses spread through the air and water. A deficiency in the amount of food leaves millions starving, many of whom are children, unable to change their situation. Lack of education is a serious predicament resulting in malnourishment because many are illiterate and unknowledgeable about nutrition, family planning, breast-feeding and parenting. Gender inequality places women, the primary care givers of their children, at a lower social status then men and causes them to suffer more because they are last to eat and considered less important continuing the cycle of poverty and malnourishment. Availability of medical care and immunizations are limited to children diminishing their health. All these factors contribute to the devastating amount of malnourished children in India and assistance from the government and international organizations is crucial if this dilemma is to be improved. The UN estimates that 2.1 million Indian children die before reaching the age of 5 every year
Non nutritious food and over eating can also be a contributing factor for malnourishment. While developing and underdeveloped countries count on their grains to survive, the developed countries have access to a surplus of non-nutritious food, in addition to increased sedentary lifestyles that undoubtedly has led to universal epidemic of obesity. Yale psychologist Kelly Brownell calls this a "toxic food environment” where fat and sugar laden foods have taken precedent over healthy nutritious foods. Not only does obesity occur in developed countries, but in a quest for westernization problems are also occurring in developing countries in areas where income is on the rise] and the lifestyles are changing.
As per the 2001-03 statistics 217.5 million people in India are malnourished, followed by China accounting to 154 million people. Countries like Bangladesh with 43.5 and Pakisthan with 35.2 and Ethiopia with 31.2 millions are also suffering in the shadow of malnutrition. India contributes to about 5.6 million child deaths every year, more than half the world's total.] The 2006 report mentioned that "the low status of women in South Asian countries and their lack of nutritional knowledge are important determinants of high prevalence of underweight children in the region" and was concerned that South Asia has "inadequate feeding and caring practices for young children". Surprisingly A study, based on 2005-2007 data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Agriculture Department, shows that an estimated 3.5 million children under the age of five are at risk of hunger in the United States
Inorder to combat Malnourishment agricultural practices need to be paid attention on. Food shortages can be caused by a lack of farming skills such as crop rotation, or by a lack of technology or resources needed for the higher yields found in modern agriculture, such as nitrogenfertilizers, pesticides and irrigation or even lack of facilities and support even from the Government. It would be wiser to Government to pay attention to optimize the yield than worrying about food shortage and how to cope up by importing or by other means. An unfortunate reality in few countered remains that due to widespread poverty, neither farmers nor can governments provide the technology. Many, if not most, farmers cannot afford fertilizer at market prices all thanks to the free market, leading to low agricultural production and wages and high, unaffordable food prices and thus while the farmer yields few crops to survive, he dies starving and so farmers committing suicides in countries like India are no more surprising.
Some initiatives have been done to reduce malnutrition, especially hunger. A great example has been done by Muhammad Yunus called The Grameen Bank to combat hunger. It provides small loans to help very poor women generate income and those loans can lift women out of poverty, and yet yield nutritional benefits. Some studies show when a woman is provided with an income, she will spend nearly all of it on household needs, especially food. Therefore, by focusing on women empowerment, poverty can be reduced, and also malnutrition, especially hunger can be fought.
Micro-credit initiatives focus predominantly on women because hunger disproportionately affects females more so than males and thus this is further carried on to the generations that follow. Removing hunger from the roots can be attained by empowering women, educating them, economic policies such as micro-credit initiatives that are a boon in reducing malnutrition by promoting both employment and educational opportunities and thus would the horizon grow leading to a healthier lifestyle and attaining the position to end the evil Hunger that takes so many innocent lives!!
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