Enhancing Energy Efficiency Crucial for India’s MSME Sector: Experts

Right to Left- Dr Ajay Mathur, HE Dr Linus von Castelmur & Shri R K Mathur

New Delhi: The first-ever National Summit on Energy Efficiency in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)--organised by Sameeeksha, a joint forum comprising The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Embassy of Switzerland, India and Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises-- commenced with fanfare here..

The inaugural session of the Summit on Monday featured eminent luminaries and veteran experts including Director General, TERI, Dr. R.K. Pachauri, Ambassador of Switzerland in India, Dr. Linus von Castelmur, Director General, BEE, Dr. Ajay Mathur and Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, R.K. Mathur.

The need to organise this first-of-its-kind event stemmed from the extensive work carried out by TERI in the MSME sector since 1994, with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the BEE, the French Development Agency (AfD), the German Development Agency (GIZ), UNIDO, the World Bank and other donors. Through this platform, the goal has been to obtain energy savings of 20 to 30 percent in MSMEs, thereby reducing CO2 emissions in select energy intensive small scale industry sectors.

Over the years, the cumulative impact of SAMEEEKSHA’s joint efforts has been tangible and visible both at the national as well as local scale. Nearly 582,000 tonnes of cumulative reduction of CO2 levels in the MSME sector has been achieved till date. The goal is to reduce 1,000,000 tonnes of CO2 in energy-intensive MSMEs by the end of 2014.

Addressing the gathering, Director General of TERI, Dr. R.K. Pachauri, said, “The MSME sector offers enormous potential for initiatives aimed at improving energy efficiency and overall development. Yet, this potential has till recently been matched “in the reverse” by the low levels of attention to this important sector. The government can play an enabling role in facilitating changes.”

There are an estimated 26 million MSME units providing employment to nearly 70 million people in India and the sector accounts for about 45% of India’s industrial production and 40% of exports.

However, a large number of these MSME units are energy intensive, with energy accounting for up to 40% of their production costs. In many of these units, the adoption of energy efficient (EE) technology and best operating practices offer enormous potential for energy savings, reduction in CO2 emissions as well as profitability enhancement.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the National Summit, the Ambassador of Switzerland to India, Dr Linus von Castelmur said, “Switzerland is proud to be working with MSME sector in India for over 18 years, with innovative partner networks to design technologies, demonstrate and disseminate energy efficient technologies and by creating enabling environment.”

He further added that these technology interventions had resulted in “co-benefits for climate through avoided emissions and for development in terms of local jobs and energy security in the MSME clusters.”

Lauding the initiative, Director General, Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Dr. Ajay Mathur, said, “The government has enabled capacity building and pushed enterprises towards energy efficiency. Our challenge is replication of technologies. We look for stronger collaboration with our partners and stakeholders.”

The official website of SAMEEEKSHA initiative was also launched at the event, followed by the release of a French Development Agency (AfD) report on benchmarking and mapping energy consumption in Indian MSMEs. The study was conducted by TERI under the overall support and guidance of AfD, BEE and French Environment & Energy Management Agency (ADEME).

Appreciating the efforts of SAMEEEKSHA, Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Dr. R.K. Mathur, said, “Climate change and global economic slowdown need to be factored in by the MSMEs in their endeavour to achieve energy efficiency. The MSMEs have to be competitive while introducing eco-friendly initiatives. We look forward for the outcome of the deliberations, and have great hopes from this Summit.”

Nearly 200 representatives from over 100 MSME clusters across India are expected to converge at the two-day Summit to discuss sectoral issues of policy, technology and finance while attempting to define new directions for further action towards the cause.

The National Summit is also being supported by French Development Agency (AfD), Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), and German Development Agency (GIZ).

MagicBricks.com and Times Property jointly Launch the Virtual Property Expo

NEW DELHI:  The Times Property Virtual Expo, powered by MagicBricks, being held from July 27-August 24, will let anyone from anywhere in the world browse through over 100 projects by reputed real estate developers from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar. The Virtual Expo is unique because it offers prospective buyers an online experience similar to that of physically visiting a property expo.

The steps for the Virtual Expo are simple, click on a particular project of your choice, view all its details, and finally make an informed decision. Distinctive features including online chats that connect buyers and sellers, webinars with builders and expert advice to aid the home-buying process makes this event a must-visit. Visitors can use these forums to pose property-related queries to well-known developers and get prompt feedback.

With over 2 lakh visitors expected to visit the Virtual Property Expo - it has been a sell-out at the sponsorship level with 5 Platinum sponsors! The event features over 70 participants showcasing more than 100 Projects spread across the 8 major cities of the country.

The developers participating in the Expo include the renowned names of Experion Developers from Delhi-NCR, Nitesh Estates & Skylark Mansions from Bangalore, Oberoi Realty from Mumbai, Vipul Realty from Bhubaneswar, and a host of others from across the country.

The joint organizers, MagicBricks and Times Property feel this event is an excellent model of leveraging group strengths through synergised actions - in this case, Times Property & Response have played the sales role, bringing excellent clients to participate at the Virtual Property Expo. And MagicBricks is playing the product & marketing role for the event, hosting and driving response to the participating clients.

Speaking at the launch, Pawan Kumar, GM, Response, BCCL, said, "The Times Group has always come up with innovative ways to satisfy the growing needs of its customers. Times Property and MagicBricks' coming together, to showcase the Virtual Property Fair (VPF) is a formidable combination. Advertisers can target their prospects through Print and Net simultaneously through this event. While the VPF reaches out to National and International customers, city-specific pavilions of this fair aggregate audiences at the local level. I'm sure the Times Property Virtual Expo powered by MagicBricks will benefit all stakeholders."

Sudhir Pai, Business Head, MagicBricks.com, added, "As pioneers of the VPF concept, MagicBricks has successfully completed two similar virtual property fairs under the  India Calling brand. We're delighted to join hands with Times Property and jointly launch this Virtual Fair on such a large scale. Showcasing over 100 projects from across the country, and by jointly leveraging our media strengths we plan to attract the NRI as well as domestic audiences."

The Times Property Virtual Expo is being promoted through online including via targeted direct mailers and the MagicBricks website, and in print across group media, display ads and TV spots on the international feeds of TimesNow.

With a powerful media plan to ensure that the event receives high traffic and response; traffic is expected to exceed 2 lakh visitors over the next 3 weeks.

DRDO to set up Bio-Digester toilets across Panchayats

New Delhi: The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has recently signed a MoU with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to set up Bio-Digester toilets across Panchayats in the country. 

The Bio-Digester technology developed by DRDO is a non-polluting and effective method that degrades and converts the human waste into usable water and gasses in an eco-friendly manner. The generated gas can be utilized for energy/ cooking and water for irrigation purposes. Bio-Digester has been designed in a manner that it can be customized to suit the requirements of the region and demography; also it does not require much of maintenance and decomposes the human waste completely without leaving any pathogens.

Speaking at the occasion, Jairam Ramesh, Minister of Rural Development, Drinking Water and Sanitation, shared his vision to structure a Program with the intent of creating model villages that employ innovative technologies like “Bio-Digester” to achieve civic hygiene by converting the Panchayats into “Nirmal Panchayats”. Of the 2.4 lakh Gram Panchayats present in the country, only a dismal number of Panchayats have sanitation facilities which calls forth for a “Sanitation Revolution” in India.

FICCI has played a pivotal in bringing together the two government departments for the total sanitation mission. On June 24, 2012, FICCI launched the DRDO’s Bio-Digester based toilets in Dhamra, Odisha under the joint flagship of “DRDO-FICCI ATAC Programme”. As a part of this launch, 6 twin bio-digester based toilets were constructed on the 5 identified sites along the Jhamjhadi -Dhamra 90 Km stretch- the stretch which leads to the Chandipur Station from where the Agni missiles are launched. After the launch of Bio-digester in Dhamra, Odisha; Jairam Ramesh announced that the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation will sign a MoU with the DRDO to set up Bio-Digester toilets across the Panchayats in the country.
 

Welcoming the gathering, Dr. S. Sundaresh, DS & CC R&D (ACE &SI) said, “The association between DRDO and FICCI has reached another milestone with the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation adopting the Bio-digester technology for implementing in Gram Panchayats across the country”.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Secretary General FICCI stated, “We believe that implementation of the bio-digester technology at the gram panchayat level across the country is a remarkable example of government to government partnership. I am proud to state that FICCI has been instrumental in bringing the two ministries together to work towards the total sanitation mission. This is a unique partnership wherein a technology developed by DRDO has been adopted by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation for the benefit at large.”

Sharing his vision, A. K. Antony, Ministry of Defence, said,  “Bio-digester is an Indian solution to a global problem. A solution that was developed by DRDO Scientists from DRDE, Gwalior and Defence Lab Tezpur, initially for soldiers posted at high altitude areas will now solve a major societal problem across the country and is all set to become an affordable solution for the “Aam Admi” not just for India but for the entire world.”

CREDAI is committed to give back to society: Sandeep Mehta

We are in constant touch with the concerned authorities and working for a fast and efficient approval system, says Sandeep Mehta, newly elected President of Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Association of India (CREDAI), Chennai. 


What are the issues you are going to focus as newly elected CREDAI, Chennai President?

As you are aware, today developers are going through a major challenge in getting approvals. My first and foremost priority would be to work with the authorities, like CMDA, DTCP, and see how best we can bring down the approval cycle to the minimum possible time. Approvals are taking six months or even one year, and the ultimate sufferers are the end users.  After all, developers are playing a role of middleman, wherein they accumulate various components like land, contractors, building materials to produce the finished product. As a project gets delayed, the cost of interest comes on it. This cost will finally pass on to the customers.

What about Corporate Social Responsibility of CREDAI?

CREDAI will be focused in this area largely in the coming days. We are in the process of meeting various government authorities. We are committed to give back to society in terms of, at least to start with, in civic areas. We will be approaching corporations and local bodies. As a developers’ community, we have  expertise in building parks, maintain them, building payments, making good bus shelters, and also engage leading architects to give basic common amenities for people. We are quite focused to take up this initiative and confident that the government would give us enough opportunities to work hand-in-hand, so that we can reach out to people in a big way.

Read full interview here...will be posting the video soon... check out!

http://property.sulekha.com/need-for-a-policy-change-in-affordable-housing_news-1415

Realty companies may report flat growth for June quarter

The realty market was more or less subdued during the quarter ended June 2012. Sales volume and absorption rates were low in the residential segment, while high inventory and slow execution of projects continue to be a cause of concern.

Most real estate companies are expected to report flat to moderate growth in sales volumes for the June quarter. The industry may see only a moderate reduction in debt, with most companies, including DLF and HDIL, still showing stretched cash flows. The commercial real estate market was characterised by low absorption and a slight drop in rentals in the metros.

While residential realty prices have remained firm and even risen in some areas of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, absorption has remained low. As a result, Mumbai-based companies like HDIL and Oberoi Realty are likely to post subdued growth, more so on a sequential basis. The market in Bangalore has been fairly strong and stable, compared with Mumbai and Delhi. This will be reflected in the performance of south-based companies such as Sobha Developers, Prestige Estates and Puravankara Projects.

For real estate companies, close to 70% of the construction cost is derived from the expenses on labour and materials like steel and cement. This has moderated and was more or less stable in the June quarter, compared with the preceding quarters. A sharp slide in the rupee is likely to prompt NRI investment in the property market. Regions such as Bangalore, the National Capital Region and Pune would benefit on this count.

The BSE Realty Index has underperformed the Sensex since the end of February 2012. In the absence of any positive trigger, this is likely to continue in the near term. With no sign of price correction in the offing, volume growth is likely to remain poor.

A softening of interest rates and refinancing of loans could help revive demand and enable companies to complete projects and repay debt.

However, with RBI maintaining a cautious stance on rates, debt-ridden realty companies will have to wait a while before they get any reprieve. Analysts expect Mahindra Lifespace, Sobha Developers and Prestige Estates to post moderate to strong growth in revenues for the quarter.

Radisson Blu Hotel opens its luxury door in Nagpur

Singapore: Nagpur,the winter capital of Maharashtra  has recently got a boost in its "business-and-traveller-friendly" image with the opening of Radisson Blu Hotel. Operated by Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups in the world, Radisson Blu Hotel Nagpur is already making waves barely less than a month after its formal opening.

Located at Wardha Road, this international business hotel offers 214 rooms and suites that provide high quality amenities, including free high-speed, wireless internet access and 42-inch LCD televisions, two business class floors with access to the business class lounge, swimming pool and over 10,000 square feet of event space. 

DBTA International Pte. Ltd. is a Singapore-based interior design consultancy firm, which has done the interior design of the hotel. Welcoming the guests at the main lobby is an astounding bell-shaped chandelier made of high quality and fine grade crystals. Thousands of crystal pieces are delicately weaved to form an oversized, and somewhat imposing, feature that captures the awe of incoming guests as it creates a magnificent first impression. This signature feature in the main lobby has been replicated on a smaller scale, which adorns the hallways and other sections of the hotel to create a superfluous flow of style and grandeur.

The main lobby’s ultra-high ceiling, ritzy marble flooring, chic furniture and innovative combination of soft and warm lighting create an artistic symphony of contemporary living fit for modern travellers with distinctive craving for the finer things in life.

The rooms and suites are spacious with the colours, fabric and ambient lighting blending perfectly well with the room’s design inspiration. The focus on details is also very impressive with things like wardrobe, headboard, and sofas making a swanky statement. The lounges are sites to behold as the use of glass and ceiling lighting were done with such creative flair that it speaks elegance no matter which corner you turn.

“Radisson Blu Hotel Nagpur is one of the most distinguished projects we’ve done of late and we’re quite happy with the feedback that we’ve been getting from industry insiders and guests themselves,” said David B. Tokiwa, Managing Director of DBTA.

“When we hear that our design accomplishment sets a new standard in hospitality interior design, we feel that our mission is being fulfilled as ultimately, all the benefits go back to our clients and the customers they serve,” he added.

Indian scientist finds unique way to save 98% of water while washing and bathing

Hisar, Haryana:  These days, where globally there is a lot of hue and cry due to water shortage in every street and corner and governments have to face the protests of opposition parties,  a senior agriculture scientist has invented a unique technique which can help save over 98% of water when taking bath and there will be no need of any soap or shampoo even. This technique is also useful to reduce usage of water while washing clothes. Interesting isn't it?

The inventor of this unique method, Dr Sudhir Kumar Kaura, an agri-scientist told the media here that he had been doing research on this for about three years and had already tested this new method on himself by bathing with only 1.25 litres of water over many weeks.

Explaining how he got inspired about this invention, Dr Kaura said that during his student life in university when he had to undertake non-stop railway journey for three days, he had to take bath with 4 to 5 bottles of water or even less. "Sometimes I had to just to clean my body by sponging with a wet cloth," he informed, adding, "In that situation you do not have enough water that you apply soap and shampoo and wash it off. Therefore I have developed a new liquid solution after research of two year with which you can take bath with only 1.25 litres of water for not days but, many week together."

According to Dr Kaura, in order to patent this invention all the information is being provided to the state and national government. He claims that this technique can be helpful to soldiers, mountaineers, tourists and common persons who go to borders or desolated places with low water availability when there is difficulty even in getting drinking water what to talk of water for bathing or washing clothes.

Dr Kaura feels that this techique could be useful for critical patients or patients affected with fever which many a times can not be bathed like a normal person with enough water. It is worth mentioning that 10 years ago Dr Kaura and his associates aggressively popularized a traditional technique of growing cotton on bunds in north India , after doing research on this technique and getting government recognition for this technique which helps in saving over 50 water, manure and sees.

Even today many farmers of the area agree that this technique locally called 'Kool Ki Kheti' not only save water and seeds but also increases crop production by up to 25 per cent and reduces incidence of diseases in plants.

Dr Kaura can be contacted at : sudhirkaura@rediffmail.com

Artist Subodh Gupta buys Delhi house for Rs 100 crore

Subodh Gupta

Both Gupta and seller of the property, who requested not to be named, declined to confirm the deal or its terms. But papers filed by him at the property office and seen by ET reveal the house-115, Sunder Nagar-has been registered in the name of Gupta and Kher.

NEW DELHI: Famous artist Subodh Gupta, whose rags-to-riches journey from a little-known Bihar village to the high table of contemporary Indian art in two decades has acquired folklore status, and his artist wife Bharti Kher have quietly bought a bungalow on a 865 sq yard plot in Sunder Nagar in Lutyens Delhi, an area where three-figure crore deals are the norm.

 

While the exact transaction value is not known, dealers of high-end properties say similar-sized houses in Sunder Nagar have recently changed hands for Rs 100 crore or more. 

If true, this would make it the first reported instance of an artist acquiring a house with a three-digit crore price tag and create a new marker of sorts in the world of Indian art, whose size and international profile has grown exponentially in the past decade.

According to industry estimates, annual turnover of the art business in India grew to an estimated $350-400 million (Rs 1,900-2,200 crore) in 2011 compared with just $5 million in 2003. The industry has been growing at 30-35% a year, enriching Gupta and a breed of young artists like him.

Brokers with knowledge of the transaction said Gupta and Kher are yet to move in to their new home and plan to pull down the old structure.

The new structure is expected to embody their artistic styles and vision, although they will be barred from constructing anything more than 10,000 square feet on the plot (the size of the present building), in keeping with building bylaws in Delhi’s Lutyens Bungalow Zone that require new constructions to not exceed the area or the height of the old structure.

Many of the houses in Sunder Nagar, a residential locality favoured by expatriates and whose famous residents include cricketer Kapil Dev, industrialist Dhruv Sawhney and the mother-son art collector duo of Lekha and Anupam Poddar, were built in the years soon after Independence.