education

1. E-NEWSLETTER-8/1
An E-Newsletter for the cause of Environment, Peace, Harmony and Justice
Remember - “you and I can decide the future”
As an Engineer He Earned Rs 24 Lakh. As a
Farmer He Earns Rs 2 Crore!
Manabi Katoch, courtesy: BetterIndia, April 4, 2017
Vasant Rao Kale from Medhpar village of Bilaspur district, Chattisgarh, was a government
employee all his life. When he retired from his job, he wanted to pursue his long-loved passion,
which was farming. However the usual challenges faced by a farmer were quite enough to make
him apprehensive.
Vasant’s grandson, Sachin, would often visit him at the village and was fascinated by the stories
of farming told by his grandfather. However, like many middle class families in India, Sachin’s
parents also wanted him to become an engineer or a doctor. Sachin loved studying too, so he
fulfilled his parents’ wishes by completing his mechanical engineering course from REC, Nagpur
(now called as VRCE) in2000. A profound learner, Sachin also finished his MBA (finance)
course just after his engineering and he is also a law graduate.Sac hin started his career by
working with a power plant and rapidly grew to the top of his career over the years.
In 2007, Sachin also started his PhD in developmental economics. This was when the spark of
entrepreneurship ignited in his mind. Thoughts like why he was working for someone else and
not for himself kept disturbing him while he was still climbing the ladder of success in his
corporate life. “While thinking about options for entrepreneurship, I came to the conclusion that
the food industry is the most important yet the most ignored one by us. That is when I recalled

2. the lessons given by my grandfather about farming,” says sachin, while speaking to TBI from his
farm.
Sachin’s grandfather would often tell him how one can survive without earning money at any
given point but one cannot survive without food. So if you know the art of growing your own
food, you can survive at any condition. He would also take Sachin to their 25-acre ancestral land
and talk about how it was his dream to revive the entire land into a farm someday.
Among various lessons that his grandfather gave him, Sachin focused on this one issue: the
availability of labor. ‘My grandfather would encourage me to take up farming but at the same
time he would warn me that it was a risky business and the biggest problem was labour. ‘You
won’t get labour unless you help them earn more than what they are already earning,’ he would
say,” recalled Sachin, who lost his grandfather last month. Sachin started thinking about how he
could benefit the farmers, but he knew that to become an agripreneur, he would have to first
learn farming and set an example by drawing more profit.
In 2013, Sachin left his luxurious life in Gurgaon, where he was working as a manager for Punj
Lloyd, getting a hefty salary of 24 lakh per annum, and shifted to Medhpar to become a farmer.
Talking about challenges, Sachin says: “Everything was a challenge, as I had absolutely no clue
about farming. I had to learn everything from tilling the land to sowing the seeds” Sachin
invested his entire provident fund of 15 years and decided that he would go back to the corporate
life if he’s unsuccessful as he had a family that was dependent on him.
But his hard work, determination and skills paid off — he set up a model where his farm was
useful all year round and gave maximum profit. Now the next target was to benefit the farmers
from whatever he had learnt. He started researching about contract farming and was convinced
that it could benefit the farmers with a sustainable source of earning. Thus in 2014, Sachin
launched his own company, Innovative Agrilife Solutions Pvt. Ltd., which helped farmers with
the contract farming model of farming. Sachin also hired consultants from the Agriculture
College at Bilaspur to teach the farmers new technology and the right way of farming. The basic
fundamentals of contract farming is very simple and profitable.
Contract farming involves agricultural production being carried out on the basis of an agreement
between the buyer and farm producers. The buyer helps the farmers with funds and all means
required for farming. The farmer in turn has to produce the crop suggested by the buyer and
according to the buyer’s method. The minimum selling price is predefined and the buyer buys
the entire crop on that price even if the market price is low. The farmer gets a share of the profit
in case the prices are high in the market — a win-win situation for both the buyers and the
farmers. “It was difficult in the initial two years as no one trusted a young urban man telling a
70-year-old farmer about farming. But when I discussed the financials on papers, they started
taking interest,” says the 36-year old.
Sachin also continued to grow paddy and seasonal vegetables in his own 24-acre land. In time,
he found that the farmers there grew only paddy, which was a matter of three to four months
and the land remained idle for the next eight months. He then introduced to them a farming
model where after harvesting paddy, they grow seasonal vegetables all year round. The farmers
were impressed by Sachin’s farming techniques and started partnering with him.
Today, Sachin’s company is helping 137 happy farmers working on 200 acres of land and
drawing a turnover of approximately Rs. 2 crore with the latest technologies at his farms. “I
don’t buy their land, that way they lose the ownership. I just buy their produce and directly sell it
to the retailers, which gives a very good margin. I also share a part of the profit with them,”

3. informs Sachin. Sachin’s wife Kalyani, who has a Master’s degree in communication, takes care
of the financial part of the company. When asked if she misses the city life, she says, “Yes we do
miss going to the mall and the metro ride sometimes but more than that we enjoy the time we
spend together. When Sachin was in a corporate job he would travel for 20 days a month.
Moreover, we love the fresh air here and know that we are eating absolutely healthy food unlike
in the city.” Sachin dreams of seeing his company at the Mumbai stock exchange some day and
making farming and farmers a major part of the economy.
If you wish to know more about Sachin’s venture you can call him at 9425530260 or mail
him at infoagrilife@gmail.com
A choice of sustainability: Mangaluru's biogas plant
in need of upgrade
By Anand Sekhar, student at Nitte Institution of Communication;
courtesy: daijiworld.com
Mangaluru, Apr 14: "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." This
statement of Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway on sustainable development is
acquiring more gravity today. The vibrant discussions about the importance of sustainable
development in India is increasing rapidly from the past few years. Bio-technology is considered
as one of the best options towards sustainable development.
Considering this, Mangaluru joins the trend of sustainable development through the biogas plant
situated near Urwa market which was established in the year 2013. This biogas plant which was
previously owned by Wipro is currently running under the supervision of Mangaluru City
Corporation(MCC). Biogas is a gaseous fuel which is a cheap secondary renewable energy,
capable of changing the face and the future of the city. But the biogas plant in Mangaluru is not
given the importance as mush as it deserves.
The wastes from markets and flats are collected and transported to biogas plant by the MCC
workers. They take up to 1,000 kg per day whereas the actual capacity of the plant is 210 kg. The
plant which is overloading currently is been in the same condition for a long time.
The increase in the capacity of the plant will lead to the birth of a new Mangaluru with clean, clear,
sufficient and renewable energy. This small city can even be the power house of the entire nation
if the follow up upgrades are allotted. The waste collected is processed through various steps.
The waste is transferred into a draining machine followed by an outer tank in which the waste is
stored in its lane for 8 days. After several scientific processes, the waste is transferred into large
tank where the gas gets separated and the remaining is used as manure. An efficient supply

4. system of the manure thus formed can pave the way for the boost in the agricultural production of
the state.
The ratio of the waste produced by the city and the capacity of biogas plant is currently
unbalanced. The need to improve the facility of the biogas plant is largely faced by the people of
Mangaluru city. The manager of the plant commented that "Followed by increasing the efficiency
of the biogas plant, the tendency of the people to mix the plastic waste with bio waste should be
changed for the effective functioning of waste management". If the plant is developed to meet the
requirements of the city it will be a milestone towards sustainable development in the history of
Mangaluru.
5 Cool Waste Management Ideas From The
World That India Can Adopt
India is among the top 10 countries generating the highest amount of
municipal solid waste. If we don't change our waste management practices
now then soon India will be drowning in its own garbage mess
Written By: Anisha Bhatia, courtesy: Internet, April 14, 2017
India is slowly drowning in its own garbage. The rate at which India is currently enerating
waste, it is estimated that by 2030, the country will need a landfill almost as big as the city of
Bengaluru to dump its waste. Urban areas alone generate around 62 million tonnes of garbage
every single day, making India the third largest garbage generator in the world. However, the
real issue is not waste generation but the fact that more than 45 million tonnes of waste in India
remain untreated. To truly understand the magnitude of that, imagine 3 million trucks piled
with untreated garbage. The staggering figures establish the fact that our waste management
system is flawed and needs an overhaul. If we need to meet the goal of a ‘Clean India’ by 2019
then waste management issues should be dealt with urgently. Providing inspiration, here are 5
innovative ways waste is being managed across from across the world.
1. Meet Mr Trash Wheel From USA
This solar and water powered trash cleaner collects litter and debris flowing down the Baltimore
River. In the last 3 years this wonder machine has removed 1.1 million pounds of garbage from
the river. This includes 372,650 plastic bottles and 8.9 million cigarette buds. Baltimore’s
success with Mr. Trash Wheel is huge. The harbor is cleaner than it has been in decades and the
credit goes to this eco-friendly machine that is powered by both, the sun and the strong river
current.
So how does this work?

5. The river’s current provides power to turn the water wheel of this machine that then acts as a
robot to pick up trash and debris from the water. Once collected, the trash is deposited into a
dumpster barge which is built into this machine. When the water current isn’t strong enough to
power the machine, an attached solar panel provides solar power.
Mr Trash Wheel is the perfect example of a how simplicity can be the key to brilliance!
2. Make Way For BigBelly And SmartBelly Bins From Australia: Gone are the days of
good-old garbage bins that only helped in storage. The world is getting smarter! While most
people are grappling with growing waste and litter woes, it seems Australia has found the perfect
solution with the Bigbelly Solar compactor bins and SmartBelly bins. These bins are smart
enough to create extra space for garbage when the bin is full and even segregate the waste
automatically at the point of collection. The SmartBelly bin is also Compostable Friendly.
Each bin has 600 litres of capacity which means it can hold upto eight times the volume of
common street litter bins or five times the volume of your average 120-litre wheelie bin.
The working of these bins is quite simple. BigBelly works with power from the sun. As garbage
fills up, special sensors placed inside these bins are triggered, resulting in up to five times more
garbage storage space. So, how does that help? More garbage space means fewer collection trips,
lower costs and fewer emissions. The SmartBelly Bin separates and monitors the collection
levels of your recyclables at the point of collection itself. It also helps in the process of
composting. The end result – Most of the waste gets treated. One of the major advantages of
these bins is that they connect individual bins to garbage collectors that results in a more
efficient management of waste.
3. Germany Is Showing The World How To Deal With The Plastic Menace
Leaf Republic, a company in Germany takes inspiration from India, but with a twist. They
produce plates made of leaves. Yes, you heard it right! After 3 years of extensive research, the
company introduced ‘Leaf Plates’ in order to deal with the growing issues of plastic pollution.
These plates are entirely made of leaves and the company claimed that not a single tree was cut
in the production of these plates. The plates cost 50 cents each and are 100 percent
biodegradable. The company has sourced the special creeper leaves from India and the
packaging is inspired by the Asian tradition of stitching the leaves into plates.
There are eco-conscious companies in India too who are trying to make such eco-friendly and
biodegradable plates but the trend still needs to catch on.
4. Brazil Shows How To Redecorate Your House By Reusing Plastic Bottles
Did you know a plastic bottle can take up to 1000 years to decompose? So what if the next time
you have an empty bottle, you use it to beautify your house, instead of throwing it away.
Brazilian design studio Rosenbaum in Brazil did exactly that as they started helping people
redecorate their houses using plastic bottles.
5. Columbia Is Giving Rewards To People For Giving Back Their Plastic Waste
Who doesn’t like winning the lottery? Colombia built on this idea and completely changed the
way citizens managed their garbage. They implemented a scheme where anyone who recycled
their plastic was rewarded. The country produces around 28,800 tonnes of solid waste per day,
with 10,000 tonnes of this waste being generated in the main cities of Bogotá, Cali, Medellín and
Barranquilla. They knew they had a serious garbage problem to deal with, and that’s when the
authorities came up with the idea of ECOBOT (Reverse Vending Machine) – A recycling
initiative that encourage people to recycle their waste.
The Vending Machines were installed in popular locations like shopping malls, institutions and
public spaces, and every time someone deposits a plastic bottle or the caps, they receive
restaurant coupons or movie tickets or simply shopping dollars. All the plastic that the vending
machine collects is then sent to recycling plants instead of landfills.

6. The ‘Rewards for Recycling’ idea is also being tried in India and Mumbai is the first city to get a
‘Swachh Bharat Recycling Machine.’ Till now, the machines, installed at a few railway stations,
have been hugely successful among the city’s commuters.
SCCs AND THE ENVIRONMENT
A paper which can be used for parish groups and SCC meetings
prepared by Bp Agnelo Gracias.
1/ EARTH SEEN FROM A SPACESHIP
Today,people speakof space travel.If we were totake a space shipandlookat the worldfromupthere,whatwouldwe
see:Twocontrastingpictures:
A very beautiful world: A very ugly world:
 Progress. + Destruction
 Care and concern + Cruelty
 Unity + Division
God gave us a garden and we have made it a desert! Let us look at creation when it first came from God’s hands.
2/. SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Genesis 1: 28,31 (NRSV)
Read and reflect over this Scripture Passage silently:
God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it;
and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over every living thing
that moves upon the earth.” […] God saw everything that had been made, and indeed, it was very
good. And there was evening, and there was morning, the sixth day.
A member shares a reflection: God made human beings “stewards” of creation. Human beings received the
command from God to subdue the earth and to have dominion over every living creature. Creation belongs to
God and not to human beings. Words like “subdue” and “dominion” have at times been wrongly understood. The
one who subdues need not crush; the one who has dominion need not be a tyrant. Since human beings are
entrusted with the development of creation, human beings are accountable to God for the way they use or
misuse or abuse creation.
3/ INPUT:
 The environment is our surroundings that exist around us. There is the natural environment and the man-
made environment. The former would include: air, water, trees, animals, birds and water bodies. While the
latter would include buildings, roads, and all the other things that are constructed by human beings.
 We need the environment, we are heavily dependent on it. It gives us air to breathe, food to eat, water to
drink, clothes to wear and material to build our houses. Besides these basics, it provides various other
things likes stationary, sports … the list goes on. For something so important ….
 Our environment is made up many components, so let's deal with them separately:
i./ Trees: Cutting them for fuel, to create space for human dwelling, for development, paper, medicine. Trees are
cut, but seldom replanted.
Consequence: Trees use up the carbon dioxide we breathe out and give out oxygen that we need. With the cutting
of trees, there is an increase in harmful gases.
ii./ Water: Water is wasted because of man's negligence and it begins at the individual level. Water is also polluted
when garbage and chemical waste is thrown into rivers, lakes, and seas, cattle are bathed etc.
Consequence: This type of pollution makes water unfit for drinking. It kills fish and plants, and causes widespread
diseases.

7. iii./ Air: the air is polluted by factories, industries, burning fuel, gases emitted by vehicles. The noise of car horns,
blaring music cause noise pollution.
Consequence: People fall sick and a good number of sicknesses are caused because we have neglected to take care
of the environment.
4/ GROUP DISCUSSION
a/ Share in small groups:
1. God gave us the ‘Good Earth’. But we human beings have destroyed the earth. One sign of this destruction
is what we call Global Warming and Climate Change . What are the signs that you see in the
weather/climate that indicate a problem – Global Warming and Climate Change?
2, How can you as an individual and together as a Small Christian Community can be stewards of God's
creation?
b/ SHARE SOME OF YOUR REFLECTIONS WITH THE WHOLE HOUSE
c/ POOLING IN THE SHARING (Animator):
 Longer and hotter summers, shorter winters, more intense cold spells, disturbed rainfall, reducing glaciers,
shrinking polar ice-caps, extinction of species, rising sea levels, dying of corals, diminishing fish yield,
changing bird migration patterns...these are some of the signs of a fast changing climate. From the start of
the Industrial Revolution, human beings have put more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than in all the
previous hundred thousand years of human existence.
 While carbon dioxide is naturally present in the atmosphere, a sharp rise in the levels has a cascading effect
on various natural elements: the ocean, the atmosphere, climate, marine life, and water quality.
 Carbon dioxide traps solar heat in the lower atmosphere and that warms the surface of the earth. Carbon
dioxide above a certain level causes heating beyond normal levels.
 A warmer surface melts snow and ice, reduces glaciers, and contributes to sea level rise. This will affect
coastal regions and islands (Mumbai is both).
 Since there are mainly two bodies that absorb carbon dioxide: forests and oceans. With forests and trees
being cut down indiscriminately, the quantity of carbon dioxide absorbed by forests reduces and the oceans
have to take care of the rest, hastening the acidification process.
 A warmer atmosphere increases evaporation of water resulting in erratic rainfall. Rainfall is encouraged by
forests, which are being destroyed.
 We can go on, but this is enough to make us realize we have a serious problem on our hands. As human
beings, we were placed in a beautiful world which we are called to nurture and sustain.
5/ FOR ACTION:
What can we do? Let the group share some ideas. Then the leader puts it together:
1. Don’t over-consume. Repair. Reuse. Recycle.
2. Save energy. Replace burnt-out light bulbs with more energy efficient ones.
3. Conserve water. Turn off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving; water the lawn after sunset.
4. Take public transportation, share a cab/car, bike or walk to and from work.
5. Don’t litter anywhere: on a street or a beach, in a park or a theater.
6. Keep down your Hi-fi or music system. Avoid noise pollution.
7. Encourage children to be good stewards through example and community cooperation. Build up an ‘Ecology
Club’ among the children of the SCC
6/ PRAYER
“God, enlarge within us the sense of fellowship with all living things…to whom thou gavest the earth as their
home in common with us. “In the past we have exercised the high dominion of (humankind) with ruthless cruelty
so that the voice of the earth, which should have gone up to Thee in song, has been a groan of travail. “May we
realize that they live not for us alone but for themselves and for Thee, and that they love the sweetness of life.
Amen.” St. Basil the Great.

8. 7/ PLEDGE
"We are protectors of our environment. We promise to strive to save our resources. They have sustained our life.
We shall try to do the same for them. We will not misuse it, but save our environment. We will not be afraid to
speak out when others misuse the gift of creation."
8/ SONG: This world you have made
E-Waste: Tackling India’s Next Big Waste Problem
With more than 1.8 million tonnes a year, the majority of it from the
unorganised sector, India is the fifth largest e-waste producing
country in the world
Written By Saptarshi Dutta | Edited By Sonia Bhaskar
Courtesy: Banega Swach India
Recently, a joint inspection report by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Union Environment
Ministry and Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) found 27 illegal e-waste industries
operational in Uttar Pradesh. These units were dumping the waste into the Ramganga, causing irreparable
damage to the river and its surrounding environment. This incident highlights the silent crisis building up
in India. The country’s burgeoning population on mobile phones has seen stupendous growth in the last
decade. From 310 million subscribers in 2001 to 1.1 billion in 2016, the number of mobile phone users in
India is nearly 4 times that of United States today and it is second only to China in the world, which has
1.3 billion subscribers. That is just mobile phones, then there are 57 million computers in use and plethora
of other gadgets and consumer electronics. But mass scale use of electronic goods has a huge flip side.
India is now in the global list of highest electronic waste generators, posing grave threat to
the environment and public alike. Electronic waste or e-waste, as it is popularly known, causes toxic
emissions and poses several health hazards.
Whenever we think of waste, we think in terms of garbage or solid/semi-solidwaste and not anything
else. In the last 10 years, e-waste has become a global issue. India too, generates a large quantity of
electronic waste every year. Sadly e-waste is something which does not get much media coverage, and
people’s awareness regarding e-waste is quite low,” said Asok Kumar Das, Vice Chairman, Indian
Institute of Chemical Engineers and author of the report ‘E-Waste Management In India: Current
Scenario.’
E-Waste and India
In 2016, India was ranked as the fifth largest generator of electronic waste in the world. A study
conducted The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and KPMG in
2016 ranked India among one of the top five countries in e-waste generation, with an estimated 1.85
million tonnes generated annually. Globally, the number is an astounding 40 to 50 million tonnes

9. annually. India accounts for roughly 4 per cent of e-waste generated annually. The United States ranked
first in e-waste generation, generating 11.7 million tonnes of e-waste annually. China ranked second with
6.1 million tonnes of e-waste every year.
The ASSOCHAM-KPMG study, titled “Electronic Waste Management in India’’ identified computer
equipment and mobile telephones as the principal e-waste generators in India. According to this study,
computers contributed towards 70 per cent of the total e-waste generated in India, while
telecommunication equipment accounted for 12 per cent. Among cities, Mumbai topped the list as it
generated an estimated 1,20,000 tonnes of e-waste annually. Delhi and Bengaluru ranked second and
third, with 98,000 and 92,000 tonnes of e-waste generation respectively. Approximately 70 per cent of
heavy metals found in landfills are accounted for by E-waste.
E-waste recycling is a concept barely existent in India. As a result, the waste generated is often dumped in
rivers or dump yards without proper recycling or treatment. This is hazardous on various levels for both
the environment and personal health, said M. N. Aggarwal, one of the contributing members for the study.
Recycling E-Waste
Much of the e-waste generated is recyclable. Computer equipment such as monitors and printed circuit
boards have a number of base metals which can be reused after melting. Unfortunately, India is highly ill-
equipped in terms of both legislation and skilled labour to handle e-waste recycling. Only 1.5 per cent of
e-waste generated in India gets recycled. This can be attributed to nearly zero awareness about e-waste
and its recycling, as well as the fragmented nature of the unorganised sector and its apathy to waste
collectionand recycling. The unorganised sector consists of mostly of shops and industries which engage
contract labourers and are dealers of electronic equipment. Old electronic equipment from this sector is
often sold to dismantlers. Most of the e-waste generated from this sector is often dumped or dismantled,
instead of being recycled properly.
The unorganised sector accounts for handling over 95 per cent of e-waste generated in India and it is not
surprising that they are not very adept at it. Most of the waste is dumped in rivers, lakes or canals, causing
irreparable damage to the environment. E-waste is also sold in the market to scrap dealers who dismantle
it instead of recycling. Dismantling e-waste products releases further toxic emissions in the air, causing
further pollution, said Praveen Prakash, member of Central Pollution Control Board. The e-waste
recycling industry in India is also ill-equipped to handle recycling. Adequate protective gears like helmets
and gloves are rarely provided to e-waste collectors. Knowledge of e-waste recycling is also not prevalent
among either organisations or workers, thus allowing them to opt for the easier path of dumping or
dismantling the waste.
Certain changes however, are gradually taking shape in the e-waste recycling front. Two Bengaluru based
non-profit organisations have collaborated with post offices and Bangalore One to set up e-waste
collectionunits at their premises. Saahas, a Bengaluru based NGO has also started an awareness
programme across schools, colleges, hospitals and offices along with door-to-door e-waste collectionto
educate people more about the harms of e-waste and its recycling procedures. In Mumbai, wards began
collecting e-waste from educational institutes from Dadar to Mahim and sending the waste to recycling
plants.
India’s E-waste Woes
The problem of e-waste has been spoken about in some levels in India, but not at a large enough scale to
make a considerable impact, especially in the unorganised sector. One of the reasons why there hasn’t
been much impact with regard to e-waste is because e-waste is still not seen at par with solid or liquid
waste. The fact that e-waste is potentially equally harmful to the environment and can cause hazardous
diseases, affect air and water, are factors never taken into consideration. Legislation with regard to e-
waste has been another problem for segregation of e-waste in India. In 2016, the Ministry of Environment

10. issued regulations with regard to management of e-waste. Some of the new inclusions in the 2016
notification were the inclusion of manufacturer, dealer and producers of electronic goods as stakeholders.
The stakeholders were also made responsible for collection, segregation and recycling of e-waste
generated from their activities.
The new rules laid down in 2016 by the Union government have brought in some changes in
accountability related to e-waste. Producers have been identified as responsible for the first time. The
rules also prescribe a penalty for non-compliance, especially if recycling rules are not followed, said Mr
Das. Despite the 2016 notification, e-waste related norms are flouted on a regular basis.
We regularly try and monitor industries flouting e-waste related norms. The unorganised sector remains a
problem though, as most of e-waste is generated from this sector and we have to become more vigilant in
keeping a check on them, said Mr Prakash.
What lies ahead?
With India’s e-waste generation estimated to reach 52 lakh tonnes in 2020, the future doesn’t look too
bright, unless stringent recycling procedures are followed. What India needs is more e-waste recycling
units than the current 148 units it has. Most importantly the unorganised sector should also be brought
under proper supervision and monitoring, so that majority of the e-waste generated could be recycled
properly.
There should be no differentiation between e-waste and any other type of waste, as the harm done by the
former is no less than the latter. Hence, from collecting to recycling, the awareness and legislation for e-
waste should be similar to that of any waste, said Mr Das.
Art of Living: Rs 13.29 cr, 10 years needed to
restore Yamuna floodplain, NGT told
The green body had last year allowed AOL to hold three-day 'World
Culture Festival' of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living on the
Yamuna flood plains while expressing its helplessness in banning the
event because of "fait accompli".
By: PTI | New Delhi | Published:April 12, 2017 5:17 pm
Rehabilitation of Yamuna floodplains, “destroyed” due to a cultural extravaganza organised by
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living (AOL), will cost Rs 13.29 crore and take almost 10 years, an
expert committee has told the National Green Tribunal. The expert committee, headed by Shashi
Shekhar, Secretary of Ministry of Water Resources, has informed the green panel that major
restoration work has to be carried out to compensate for the damage to Yamuna floodplains.

11. “It has been estimated that approximately 120 hectares (about 300 acres) of floodplains of west
(right bank) of the river Yamuna and about 50 hectares (120 acres) floodplains of the eastern
side (left bank) of the river have been adversely impacted ecologically at different magnitudes,”
it said.
The green body had last year allowed AOL to hold three-day ‘World Culture Festival’ of Sri Sri
Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living on the Yamuna flood plains while expressing its helplessness in
banning the event because of “fait accompli”. It, however, had imposed Rs 5 crore as interim
environment compensation on the foundation for the event’s impact on the environment.
Initially, a four-member committee had recommended that AOL Foundation should pay Rs 100-
120 crore as restoration cost for “extensive and severe damage” to the floodplains of Yamuna
river. Later, a seven-member expert committee had told NGT that the event organised on
Yamuna has “completely destroyed” the riverbed.
The committee had observed that entire floodplain area used for the main event site between
DND flyover and the Barapulla drain (on the right bank of river Yamuna) has been completely
destroyed, not simply damaged. “The ground is now totally levelled, compacted and hardened
and is totally devoid of water bodies or depressions and almost completely devoid of any
vegetation. “The area where the grand stage was erected (and the area immediately behind it) is
heavily consolidated – most likely with a different kind of external material used to level the
ground and compress it. “Huge amount of earth and debris have been dumped to construct the
ramps for access from the DND flyover and from the two pontoon bridges across the Barapulla
drain,” the expert committee had said.
The committee, in its 47-page report, has said that due to the three-day event, the floodplain has
lost “almost all its natural vegetation” like trees, shrubs, tall grasses, aquatic vegetation
including water hyacinth which provides habitat to large number of animals, insects and mud-
dwelling organisms.
It has said that it will cost Rs 13.29 crore and take almost 10 years to rehabilitate the river
floodplain.
A SUMMER CLUB ACTIVITY FOR STUDENTS
(a sample question set of ONLINE ECO QUIZ being conducted for Jogeshwari students)
ONLINE ECO QUIZ 2- SUMMER SPECIAL
NOTE: All students from 3rd to 11th std residing in Jogeshwari-East studying in any school/college are
eligible to participate in this SUMMER SPECIAL ONLINE ECO QUIZ CONTEST.
➡ Forward this message to your WhatsApp groups of your friends, neigbours, housing societies, Eco
Kids groups, SCCs etc

12. WIN CASH PRIZES Rs 100/- EACH FOR TOP 5 WINNERS IN THE LOT TAKEN, AND CERTIFICATES
FOR THE TEN TOP SCORERS (total) OF SUMMER CLUB SPECIAL
Few simple rules:
1] As said earlier, all students residing in Jogeshwari-east studying in any school/college from 3rd to 11th
std are eligible to send your entries.
2] You have to read just 1 PPT from the Infantjesus website and find out the answers for 5 questions
given below later.
3) Simply write your answers like: 1a 2c 3b etc. and send the answers on my personal chat
9819688630 - Father Felix *(answers sent in the group will be disqualified).*
4] You are free to take the help of others, including your parents.
5] Even if you go for holidays, you can send your answers as it is an online quiz.
6] From the answers received, 5 winners from amongst the all correct answers will be decided by taking
a lot, and they will get the cash prize of Rs 100/- each.
7] Cash prize/certificate award date will be announced later.
Here is SUMMER SPECIAL ONLINE ECO QUIZ 2 for you.
Please visit www.infantjesusjogeshwari.in
go to the GEM PPT section and read the PPT 22 – *SAVE PONDS AND LAKES,* and answer the
following questions. Please write your school/college name and std and WhatsApp your answers before
coming Wednesday, 19th April on my mob. No. 9819688630.
1] At the beginning of 1960s ____ had 262 lakes, now only 10 hold water.
a] Mumbai
b] Chennai
c] Bangalore
2] Within last ____ years, Hyderabad has lost 3245 ha. area of its water in the form of lakes and ponds.
a] 20 b] 15 c] 12
3] There are ____ example of encroachment and pollution by government like Pallikaranai marshland in
Bangalore.
a] dangerous
b] interesting
c] discouraging
4] If you see a neglected pond or lake, you may take up the issue with the local Panchayat or city
corporation
with the help of _____.
a] schools b] NGOs c] politicians
5] The _____ of India has said that protection of natural lakes and ponds honours the most basic
fundamental right guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.
a] Supreme Court
b] President
c] Prime Minister
Wishing you good luck.

13. HAPPY EASTER TO YOU ALL (the feast of Resurrection of Jesus.)
Fr Felix
➡ Forward this message to your friends, neighbours, housing society, Eco Kids Clubs, SCC etc.
New Yogi Adityanath order: No new house to be built in
Uttar Pradesh without rainwater harvesting system
The chief minister, while expressing his concerns over the depleting
groundwater level, suggested rainwater harvesting as an important measure
for water conservation.
By: FE Online | New Delhi | Updated: April 9, 2017 7:11 PM
Uttar Pradesh CM Adityanath on Sunday issued a new order directing officials not to clearance any
construction of house in Uttar Pradesh where there is a provision of rainwater harvesting facility in the
map. Adityanath, while going through the presentations of the Urban Development Department, directed
officials that provisions should be made that a map of a house is passed only if it has the rainwater
harvesting facility. The chief minister, while expressing his concerns over the depleting groundwater
level, suggested rainwater harvesting as an important measure for water conservation. The Chief Minister,
while issuing the order, stated that his government intends to ensure that people of the state do not face
shortage of drinking water.
The CM further directed the UP Jal Nigam officials to ensure that the benefits of various government
schemes reach to the doorsteps of the needy. Adityanath asked officials to ensure drinking water
availability at all places. The CM said that if needed, then the handpumps may installed again at the
required places. Adityanath also directed the officials to link Mathura and Vrindawan under the Agra
Water Supply Scheme (Agra Jal Sampurti Yojana), and said that the scheme must be completed by March
2018. Giving a deadline of next 100 days, Adityanath reiterated that cities must be made clean and roads
there be made pot-hole free. Exploring the option of transforming Ayodhya-Faizabad and Mathura-
Vrindawan into municipal corporations, Adityanath directed the 14 municipal corporations of the state to
discharge their responsibilities diligently.
The CM further made the suggestion that stray animals must be removed from the city streets, and said
the model of Kanha Upwan (the Lucknow-based animal shelter), be replicated in other parts of the state.
Further discussing the smart-city issue, the chief minister directed the officials to gather information about
it and work on the relevant parameters, while ensuring speedy completion of projects under it. The CM
also rapped officials for poor quality of work going on under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban
Renewal Mission.

14. PMO tells environment ministry to ease forest
clearance rules further
PMO also wants the environment ministry to speed up green
clearance of pending cases and regularly follow up with state
governments to push such projects
New Delhi: After making a series of changes to simplify green clearance rules in the last three
years, the office of Prime Minister Narendra Modi now wants the environment ministry to
further water down forest clearance rules. The prime minister’s office (PMO) also wants the
environment ministry to speed up clearance of pending cases and regularly follow up with state
governments to push such projects. The issue was discussed at a 15 March meeting the of PMO’s
project monitoring group (PMG) where the review of pending projects was taken up.
The PMG’s mandate includes fast tracking approvals for setting up and commissioning large
public, private and -public-private partnership projects. Starting out as a body under the cabinet
secretariat in 2013, it was brought under the PMO in September 2015. “As part of suggestions to
improve the speed of decision making in respect of forest clearances, the representatives of
MoRT&H (ministry of road transport and highways) and ministry of coal suggested that
identification of land for compensatory afforestation can be done after grant of stage-II forest
clearance … The user agencies can be asked to deposit the compensation for land in advance and
prior to Stage-II FC. However, the clearances need not be held up for want of identification of
such land,” said the minutes of the PMG’s 15th March meeting, which were reviewed by Mint.
The minutes said that, “such lands are usually identified with the concurrence of forest
department and hence the delinking of Stage-II FC and CA (compensatory afforestation) land
can considerably improve the progress in several held up projects”. PMG wanted the
environment ministry to examine the suggestion at an early date. But environment ministry
officials are unsure about the change sought as they feel they may not be legally tenable. “Not
everything that is suggested can be implemented. The changes suggested may not be legally
tenable. A final decision on this is yet to be taken,” said a senior official of the environment
ministry, who wished to remain anonymous. The environment ministry gives clearance for using
forest land for non-forestry purposes like mining and infrastructure projects under the Forest
Conservation Act 1980.
This is not the first time PMO has pushed for easing the rules on environment, forest and
wildlife clearances. In the run-up to May 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi promised to simplify green clearance rules after complaints from industry that delays in
environmental clearance were stalling projects and economic growth. Soon after assuming
power, the PMO’s principal secretary Nripendra Misra led an effort that saw the implementation
of nearly all 60 action points suggested by industry bodies. The environment ministry has also
put the process of environment, forest, wildlife and coastal regulation zone clearances online.

15. But during the PMG’s March meeting, it was claimed that a large number of case were awaiting
approval in some states.
“It was therefore considered essential that an institutional mechanism be set up within the
ministry to constantly monitor and review the pendency and periodically remind all concerned
officers in the States to dispose (of) the pending applications,” noted the minutes, adding that
the environment ministry will send periodic reminders to states. The ministry has already sent
one such reminder to states in March, asking all officers dealing with forest diversion cases to
process them within the prescribed time limits. Environmental law experts are, however, not
convinced.
“Identifying land for compensatory afforestation provides a definite parameter for compliance.
It is essential. De-linking may ease the process, but it would be foolish. It is because we don’t
have a strong monitoring framework and there are enough examples of poor Forest Clearance
monitoring,” said Sanjay Upadhyay, an environmental advocate in the Supreme Court and
managing partner of the Enviro Legal Defence Firm, an environmental law firm that also deals
with training, education, publishing and outreach work.
WILL SHIVAJI MAHARAJA WILL BE
HAPPY WITH THIS?
The Maharashtra govt is planning to build the Shivaji statue in the Arabian sea.
Here are some reflections from the common man’s point of view
IMAGINE THE FINANCIAL COST:
3,600 crores of tax payers money is spent at the present rate. By the time
work completes it may cross 5000 crores (with this amount about 20,000 poor
families can be given affordable housing at the rate of 25 lacs per house).
IMAGINE THE COST ON ENVIRONMENT:
IMAGINE the environmental effect of reclaiming sixteen hectares (nearly 40
acres) of land belonging to nature (sea).
IMAGINE the adverse affect on marine life surrounding the site while work is

16. in progress, and later.
IMAGINE the number of hills and mountains to be flattened to procure the mud
to fill the sea
IMAGINE the number of trees and greenery that will have to be destroyed
while flattening the hills and mountains.
IMAGINE the future of animals living in these forested areas where hills are
flattened to procure the mud.
IMAGINE the quantum of rocks to be blasted to procure the materials needed
to reclaim this water body.
IMAGINE the amount of sand to be mined and its effect on environment.
IMAGINE the air pollution caused in the Mumbai city by the hundreds of trucks
ferrying the construction materials to the site from far flung areas of
Maharastra.
IMAGINE the amount spend the fuel and maintenance of these trucks
IMAGINE the loss of livelihood of fishermen in the vicinity of the proposed
Shivaji Memorial statue.
(Perhaps there may be many more points you can add to this list).
And finally even if the SHIVAJI STATUE in the Arabian sea becomes a
reality, IMAGINE the affect on Mumbai culture, traffic, law and order etc by
the thousands of Indian and foreign tourists who will be visiting the SHIVAJI
MAHARAJ STATUE site. Earning revenue from the tourists is one of the
purpose of building this statue.
Spurred by Catholic leaders, El Salvador becomes
first nation to ban mining
Courtesy: AMERICA Jesuit review
Protesters in San Salvador, El Salvador, demonstrate against mining exploitation March 9. El
Salvador passed a law March 29 banning metal mining nationwide, making the small Central
American country the first in the world to outlaw the industry.(CNS photo/Oscar Rivera, EPA)

17. El Salvador has become the first country in the world to ban mining for gold and other metals. The vote
by its legislative assembly on March 29 marked the culmination a multi-year campaign in which the
archbishop of San Salvador and the Jesuit-run Central American University (U.C.A.) played a major
role. The ban’s proponents say industrial mining practices posed a grave risk to the country’s already
limited water supply.
Last week when El Salvador’s bishops were in Rome for their ad limina visit, Archbishop José Luis
Escobar Alas, leader of the Archdiocese of San Salvador and president of El Salvador’s Episcopal
Conference, told Pope Francis that mining “would threaten our country with disaster.”
The mining ban’s proponents say industrial mining practices posed a grave risk to the country’s already
limited water supply. He said the church was requesting the ban “in complete agreement with your
encyclical ‘Laudato Si’,’ and together with the poorest communities directly threatened by mining…. In
our small, densely populated country, [mining] would contaminate the waters…and cause irreparable
damage to the environment, to the fauna and flora and, mostly gravely, to people’s lives and health.”
Contamination from previous mining efforts has already reached alarming levels in El Salvador. Ban
advocates say that new mining would jeopardize the Lempa River, the country’s major water source.
Archbishop Escobar Alas told Vatican Radio that while mining always causes some damage, “in our
country it would be even worse.” He added that the country’s mining laws were so weak that a legal ban
was the only remedy. The bill calling for the ban was presented to the assembly in February. On March
9, supporters marched from downtown San Salvador to the assembly building to press legislators for
action. Leading the march were Archbishop Escobar Alas, U.C.A. rector Andreu Oliva, S.J., and José
María Tojeira, S.J., director of the U.C.A.’s Human Rights Institute and former provincial for Central
America.
The new law orders the economy ministry to close existing mines while prohibiting the government
from issuing new mining licenses and gives small-scale and artisanal miners a two-year period to phase
out production. Mining had become highly contentious in the country of 6.3 million, as environmental
groups protested the effects on water sources and soil contamination. Anti-mining groups have claimed
that at least four people had died in mining conflicts.
"Mission accomplished," said Congressman Guillermo Mata of the ruling party, the Farabundo Marti
National Liberation Front, on his Twitter account after the vote. "As a political party, we were the
drivers, but the hard work was done by the social movements, the NGOs and the church.'' Until now,
mining companies have been blocked by temporary bans declared by the country’s last three presidents.
That led a Canadian company, Pacific Rim (later bought by OceanaGold), to sue El Salvador in the
World Bank’s International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes. The company demanded
that El Salvador pay it $250 million in compensation for having denied its request to launch a mining
project.
In October last year, I.C.S.I.D. not only ruled in favor of El Salvador but ordered OceanaGold to pay El
Salvador $8 million to help defray the expenses it incurred in its legal defense. So far OceanaGold has
declined to pay any of that sum, and last week I.C.S.I.D. issued a supplementary ruling, ordering the
company to pay interest as well. Father Tojeira, director of the U.C.A.’s Human Rights Institute, had
criticized the company as far back as 2008. “When they said they were coming to bring development
and well-being to Salvadorans, some believed their propaganda,” he said. “But now, after their threats,
it’s clear what their only interest is: the gold and the wealth they can obtain from it.”
He said mining projects “tear apart the social fabric in the areas where they’re set up...and when they
leave, the area is poorer than it was before they came...environmentally desolated, and in physical and
moral ruin.” The issue has united El Salvador’s bishops. Archbishop Escobar Alas’s predecessor,

18. Fernando Saenz Lacalle, was a member of Opus Dei and was regarded as socially and politically
conservative on many issues. But he had studied chemistry before entering the seminary and was well
aware of the damage caused by the use of cyanide in the mining process. “We don’t want one drop of it
entering the country,” he said.
“It is unjust,” he added, “to risk people’s health and damage the environment so that a few people who
don’t live here can walk off with 97 percent of the profits and leave us with 100 percent of the cyanide.”
Although it is the first nationwide metal mining ban, other countries already ban some mining
processes, like the use of cyanide to extract gold.
Anti-mining groups praised the Salvadoran vote.
"It is amazing what this small country has achieved against tremendous odds," said Manuel Perez-
Rocha of the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington. The institute, part of the International Allies
coalition with the National Roundtable Against Metallic Mining in El Salvador, sees the law as "an
inspiration for countries throughout the region,'' he said.
She Grew up in Mumbai’s Slums. Today, Aarti Has
Educated & Empowered Hundreds of Girls Like Her
Sohini Dey
April 8, 2017
Changemakers, Education, Women
Common to many Indian languages, the word sakhi means a beloved girl friend, and denotes the
camaraderie of female friendships. A sakhi isn’t just another friend, but one who can also double up as
philosopher and guide. In Mumbai, Aarti Naik has become a literal sakhi to countless girls growing up in
the city’s slums. Aarti, who rose from the slums to become a changemaker, is the founder of Sakhi for
Girls Education—an initiative to offer learning spaces for girls in her community.
Growing up in a slum in Mulund, a suburban neighbourhood in Mumbai, Aarti has always been privy to
the challenges of a life defined by poverty and lack of opportunities. “Due to poverty, lack of proper
guidance at home and poor focus on quality education at school, I failed in the 10th standard,” she recalls.
Despite the failure, Aarti was keen on studying further. Unfortunately her family wasn’t in a financial
condition to support her education, and she decided to work and sustain her own higher studies. She says,
“I did not give up, but at an initial stage, it was very hard for me to move ahead confidently and to come
out from such challenging situations.”

19. She began to make jewellery at home and send them to supplies. Earning only ₹9 each day for her work,
she spent three years before she made enough money to support her parents and finally go back to school.
Not only did she clear her class 10 exams, she worked hard for a few more years and enrolled herself into
an undergrad programme in sociology from from Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University.
She says, “I thought that every slum-based girl faces the same difficulties that I did. There is a lack of
awareness about the education, especially for girls. They constantly face so many socio-economic
problems to continue their studies. Based on my own school life, I realized that my slum girls lack basic
literacy and numeracy skills, so they fail to cope with their formal school. I felt that something should be
done for their education.”
It was during this introspective period that Aarti decided to take up the responsibility of bringing about a
change in the state of education for girls in her community. Aarti founded Sakhi for Girls Education in
2008 and has been conducting educational classes, to supplement school curriculum, for slum girls ever
since. Due to financial struggles and lack of importance attributed to female education, young girls are
often deprived of any educational support to enhance their basic school education. As a result, they are
often unable to learn even basic reading, writing and mathematical schemes and are eventually forcedto
drop out.
The main purpose of the venture is to build on the literacy and numeracy skills of the students, so that
they are able to express themselves articulately and master problem-solving skills not only for school but
also their personal lives. Aarti also emphasizes on individual attention, so that the girls can find the ideal
solutions to the problems they face at life and studies.
Starting out was not easy for Aarti, who received only a handful of students in her first few classes. Even
as she struggled to teach the girls in the confines of her home, Aarti remained steady on her path.
“I started meeting the girls’ parents, especially mothers, and told them about my activities. I informed
them about the difficult situation faced by girls and pointed out that due to lack of education, the mothers
could not get good jobs. Gradually parents started to send their girls to participate in project activities.
When I started the education project, there were only six slum girls, but after three months 23 girls had
enrolled.”
Aarti conducts reading and writing activities and started a weekly vocabulary building project, keeping in
mind the language requirements of higher classes. In 2010, she started a library with English books for the
community’s girls and a year later turned the initiative into a door-to-door service to reach more slums.
She also took up the reins of a livelihood skills centre to help building employment skills among young
women and adolescent girls. Having started the initiative single-handedly, Aarti has found more students,
support staff and mentors from around the world. In 2013, an international grant helped Aarti find a place
on rent and set up her first Girls Learning Centre in the slum. She also educated them on practical matters
like financial planning for their education through her Girls’ Bank initiative.
In addition, Aarti has also been running programmes for mothers in the community to offer them greater
opportunities towards self-sustenance and empowerment. She says, “I feel today I am not alone. Even
though I am a one-women army at my slum, I am moving ahead only because of strong support I get from
around the world, from people who are socially responsible not only in their local areas but also globally.
In a country where proper educational facilities continue to remain a distant dream for a large sectionof
society, Aarti’s story of success has been an inspiration to many in her community. It has also been an
empowering, life-changing experience for the founder. “I was just a school dropout. Today, I am a
changemaker and educating my slum girls,” she says.

20. Udupi: MGM College students' favourite 'Ajjamma'
passes away at 90
Pareekshith Shet
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Apr 16: Kamalamma (90), who was running 'Ajjammana Hotel' opposite M G M College
here, and who was affectionately addressed by students over several decades as 'Ajjamma', passed
away on Saturday April 15. She has left behind a son and six daughters.
'Ajjammana Hotel' served like their own family home for scores of students of MGM College since
long. Over the last six to seven decades, Ajjamma never got tired of lovingly serving food to students
with her own hands. She was always ready to feed the hungry students and the food served her tasted
homely and delicious. She could be always seen doing one or the work as she believed in doing hard
work and service.
Till recently, she used to attend to every student on her own. Ajjamma's affection for students and
inclination to feed could never be overcome by business sense.
A wooden box used to store salt kept inside her hotel has witnessed discussions, debates, interactions
and deliberations by thousands of student groups. It also was the spot where the students usually kept
their bags. A number of students, even after several years after passing out of the college, came to
meet Ajjamma and enquire about her health and happiness.
Ajjamma, who was always proud about the progress achieved by MGM college in front of her eyes,
had inaugurated some sports meets and other meets of the college under pressure from students. She
was also felicitated by the students. Several past students of the college had joined together a few
years back and refurbished her hotel. On this occasion, they had given a name to the hotel for the first
time by hanging a board, which read 'Ajjamma Cafe'.
WANTED HELPING HANDS- Courtesy: Daijiworld.com
For more appeals visit – www.daijiworld.com - charity
Prakash(39),4-187/38B, Sri Devi Kripa, Anand Nagar, Akash Bhavan, Mangaluru
575015

21. Prakash(39),whose kidneys have failed is registered for deceased donor Kidney Transplant at KMC
Hospital. The cost of the transplant would be around Rs 6,00,000 to Rs 8,00,000. He has a three years
old daughter and he is the only breadwinner in the family. Therefore, he has requested for monetary
help from generous people for the surgery and medical treatment.
Kindly send your remittances to his following bank account:
Bank Account No.: 018002101000293
Name of the Account Holder: Prakash
Bank: Corporation Bank, Lalbagh,
Mahatma Gandhi Road, Mangaluru
Bank IFSC Code: CORP0000180
Telephone No.: +91 99729 88863
Perpethin D' Souza(46), 118, Neergadde, Mundalli, Bhatkal
Perpethin D' Souza(46), W/o Sebastian D' Souza, has Chronic Kidney Disease stage V and is on
Maintenance Haemodialysis. She needs Renal Transplantation. The cost of the surgery is Rs six lacs
and cost of post-transplant immunosuppression is Rs 25,000 per month initially for the first six months
followed by fifteen thousand per month life long.
She comes from a very poor family.
Her husband works as a daily wage construction laborer. Her three children are studying. It is quite
difficult for the family to bear the expenses. Please help the family in whatever way you can.
Kindly send your remittances to their following bank account:
Bank Account No.: 54058965347
Name of the Account Holder: Sebastian Antony D' Souza
Bank: State Bank of Mysore,
Chandra Complex Branch, Bhatkal – 581320
Bank IFSC Code: SBMY0040897
Telephone No.:+91 8105443064
Published by Fr Felix Rebello
c/o Infant Jesus Church, Jogeshwari
Mob. 9819688630, Email:frfelixrebello@gmail.com, gemenewsletter@gmail.com
website: www.infantjesusjogeshwari.in
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