A Fantastic New Project in India

Stadia are places that consume a lot of energy - the lighting, the large television screens and the people, their refreshments that must be transported in etc all add to the amount of energy used and the costs. But they do serve a very important social purpose - sports bring people from different nations together and promote friendship between nations (including those that might be politically hostile to each other) and they also promote a positive sense of identity between the citizens of a nation, supporters of a particular team and more. By extension, sports keep people who may not otherwise be inspired to exercise to participate in games at their own personal level, encouraging people to become fitter by getting them off their couches and outdoors from inside their homes to breathe in fresh air. All very laudable, and worthy of support.

So when a piece of news like this comes to us via Inhabitat, a leading blog on environment friendly architecture, there is a reason for all Indians to feel proud. I am not sure if this Solar Powered Piezo-Electric stadium is the first of its kind in the world, but, if, indeed it is, then India is to be hailed for a world first. Even if it is not, it is something to be proud of because, in a sports crazy country like India where energy costs are high and where most parts of the country receive more than 300 days of sunshine in a year, this is an example that will be replicated. A fantastic beginning to say the least and one that I hope will also be replicated across the region in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka etc where sports are as big a draw.

And, of course, if you like this post, you might want to subscribe to Inhabitat at I also list it among the blogs that I enjoy reading right here.

A Very Strong and Positive First Step by the Government of India

Today's edition of The Hindu has this very positive piece about the Central Government requiring public electric utilities to use solar power beginning with 0.25% in 2013 and going up to 3% by 2022. I am confident that this would not only encourage new entrepreneurship by companies that sell power to the government through Power Purchase Agreements, it would also inspire businesses like software technology parks, malls, hotels and other large airconditioned offices and buildings to reduce their dependence on dirty power by using more solar power. The percentages mentioned may be small, but this is the kind of action that invariably has a positive snowball effect. When businesspeople in the power generation sector see what kind of money they could make from solar power, they will go out to do more to sell clean power to private clients as well.

Yes, my hat's off to the Government of India for this very positive step. Thank you, everyone involved in taking this decision. This bodes well for India and the world.

Solar energy to light up 191 remote JK villages: Rediff.com Business

Solar energy to light up 191 remote JK villages: Rediff.com Business

I have received this particularly good piece of news from a young internet friend from India, Avadhut Joshi. Avadhut is an engineer and he has plans of doing his Masters and beginning his career as a Renewable Energy entrepreneur in the future - an encouraging piece of news especially for older people with an interest in this area like me. What is particularly positive about this piece of news is the fact that one more state - until recently known both for its breathtaking scenery and its long and painful insurgency - there is a positive way forward. The Kashmir government has taken a very good step in my opinion. A beautiful state like Kashmir needs to find clean energy to power itself without marring the environment in any way. And, with tried and tested systems being manufactured in India for export to regions with similar climatic conditions like Afghanistan, the solution is available indeed for implementation in Kashmir itself. I hope that this beginning would also see solar powered traffic lights in Kashmir in addition to more wind power installed as well. This is a development that I shall be watching.

And, Himachal Pradesh - what are you planning? Aren't you interested in competing with Kashmir on a friendly basis? With similar conditions, you are an equally good candidate for solar power . . .