June 2012 issue – Power play

India is making rapid progress in economic development, thus necessitating growing consumption of energy. The country ranks as the world’s seventh largest energy producing country and fifth largest energy consuming country. However, there is a big cost attached to this consumption – an irreversible damage to our environment and ecology apart from exhausting our natural resources. The escalating difference between supply and demand necessitates the development of cost effective energy resources. It is also said that going by the present level of consumption, oil will last only for the next 50 years, natural gas for 200 years and coal reserves for 230 years. These alarming figures call for urgent energy conservation and energy efficient measures. OIOP June 2012 issue looks at ways and means to achieve maximum energy efficiency. 

The lead article talks about tackling energy crisis. Energy crisis can be mitigated by taking effective measures to conserve energy, increase efficiency, generating cheap and environment friendly power, reducing transmission and distribution losses and promoting renewable energy sources, says S. Ratnakumaran, Managing Director, Kerala State Cooperative Rubber Marketing Federation and Energy Consultant. He is also the recipient of Kerala State Government Award 1997 for initiating Energy Conservation Clubs in promoting energy conservation among students and public for the first time in the country.

In ‘The energy efficiency drive,’ Narasimhan Santhanam, Cofounder and Director, EAI (Energy Alternatives India), one of the leading Indian research firm focused on renewable energy and clean technology explores the types of energy efficiency opportunities that exist in various sectors and also tools that could spur energy efficiencies in these segments.

‘Green habitats,’ is on Zero Energy Buildings (ZEBs) which offer excellent solution to energy conservation and efficiency as they are least dependent on natural resources throughout their life cycle. By adopting a few simple techniques, a building can save up to 40 percent energy. Pradeep Kumar, Anurag Bajpai, Vernica Prakash and Vishrut Kumar Singh, from Green Tree Buildings Energy (P) Ltd., highlight the many benefits of green buildings. 

Optimising resources is on how energy resources can be best managed by optimising energy efficiency. Thilotham Kolanu, who has extensive experience in Environmental Management and Renewable Energy Consultancy and is Director, Greenstratos Consulting Private Limited., urges all consumers – commercial, industrial, domestic and government to make ‘energy conservation and efficiency’, a part of their work culture.

Unless all stakeholders - producers, suppliers or consumers, realise the fall out of their indifference towards energy conservation, the future is bleak, writes Ravindra M Datar, Director, Senergy Consultants Pvt Ltd in the article ‘It’s the responsibility of every stakeholder’. He has been carrying out energy audit and conservation studies for industries as well as commercial premises.

In ‘emPOWERing a rising nation’, Akul Tripathi, a media professional and freelance writer, writes that a planned, sustained and development-oriented outlook towards using renewable sources of energy can go a long way in filling the humongous gap between electricity production and consumption, while improving technology can better harness and increase their potential. 

Energy ventures - The drive to increase energy efficiency has thrown up a number of business opportunities along the value chain. Paraman Radhakrishnan, Director at Devki Energy Consultancy Pvt. Ltd., Vadodara, Gujarat, hopes these new ventures are genuine and not just “bubbles”.

In Face to Face, we feature M.G. Devasahayam, an all-round activist who has voiced his concern over several important issues, be it India’s democratic process, corruption in politics or pursuing issues on environment and other public causes. He worked with the Indian Army for five years. Later, he was appointed to the IAS in 1968. He had the privilege of raising a new district Bhiwani in Haryana and evolving an integrated development model, which became the precursor to the IRDP (Integrated Rural Development Programme) in the seventies.

Devasahayam was closely associated with Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) during and after Emergency. Devasahayam is also a prolific writer and author of India’s Second Freedom - An Untold Saga and JP in Jail-An Uncensored Account. In an interview with Rajlakshmi Pillai, M. G. Devasahayam shares his views on tackling energy crisis and restoring the dignity of democracy.

The Know India Better feature is on Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa, which explores the best of Oriya heritage. As you wander past the temples or walk in the shadows of the giant stupa through the intricately decorated gateways of the monasteries you are transported back in time and into the pages of history but with all the modern amenities. Exploring Bhubaneswar is an experience which no history book could ever provide, writes Rangan Datta, a travel writer.

In Patriotism Redefined, Ranjona Banerji, senior journalist and consulting editor with the media website MxMIndia.com, says, “The biggest test is how we can all tolerate each other without resorting to violence in the name of ‘love’ for one’s country.”

The 25% reservation clause in the RTE (Right to Education) Act has drawn a mixed response. Many have hailed it as a positive step towards bridging the gap between the haves and the have nots, but its right implementation is also important. In ‘Reservation in RTE – the way forward’ Shantanu Gupta, who works with a policy think tank- Center for Civil Society, New Delhi, offers various solutions and models, which can be adopted by state governments to implement the above said constitutional provisions to perfection.

In ‘The good, bad and ugly’, Dr. P. M. Kamath recounts his meeting with the late Mr. P. R. Nayak, who was the Municipal Commissioner of Bombay in the late 50s. He also shares some of the excerpts from Nayak’s biography published by his son. Dr. Kamath is former Professor of Politics, University of Mumbai; currently Hon. Director, VPM’s Centre for International Studies (Regd.) and Adjunct Professor, Department of Geopolitics and International Relations, Manipal University, Manipal. While in Mumbai University, he guided a doctoral thesis on International Terrorism and also authored numerous research papers on terrorism.

In Great Indians we profile:

Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir, a seasoned politician and scholar (1899-1976)

Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir was a prominent figure who emerged on the socio-political scene of Punjab during India’s freedom movement. Besides being a leading freedom fighter, Musafir was a seasoned politician, an eminent Punjabi writer, scholar, poet and an orator.

B. P. Pal, the Homi Bhabha of Indian agriculture (1906-1989) - Benjamin Peary Pal was not only a gifted plant breeder and geneticist but was endowed with amazing human qualities. A multi faceted personality, he had varied interests from painting to music. A rose breeder of distinction, Pal created several new varieties. His varied interests certainly made him the Homi Bhabha of Indian agriculture.

Major Sudhir Kumar Walia AC, SM, BAR, an officer of calibre and courage (1971-1999)

He was well read, full of life and had a good sense of humour. A complete army man, he led his team to counter 20 militants and though wounded refused to shift till the fight was over. Though he succumbed to his injuries, Major Sudhir Kumar Walia lives on as an inspiration to others.

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