Jun 27, 2023 | Environment
Absolute Gramya, a renowned organization committed to empowering rural communities, is thrilled to announce the launch of its unified platform, “E-Panchayat.” This innovative web-based portal is set to revolutionize e-Governance in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) across the country, bringing transparency, efficiency, and empowerment to the grassroots level.
Developed under the visionary leadership of Dr. Pankaj Shukla, Chairman and Managing Director of Absolute Gramya Pvt Ltd, E-Panchayat aims to streamline and strengthen the decentralized planning, progress reporting, and work-based accounting processes. This user-friendly platform equips rural entrepreneurs, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and PRIs with the necessary tools to enhance their decision-making capabilities, foster economic growth, and drive sustainable development in rural areas.
Dr. Pankaj Shukla, CMD of Absolute Gramya stated, “With the launch of E-Panchayat, we are ushering in a new era of transparency, collaboration, and empowerment in rural governance. This unified platform will provide rural entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups with the tools they need to realize their economic potential, driving inclusive growth and transforming lives in rural communities.”
He further added, “Absolute Gramya is dedicated to empowering rural communities by providing them with the means to transform their economic landscapes. With E-Panchayat, we aim to bridge the digital divide and create an inclusive ecosystem where rural entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups can thrive, fostering economic self-reliance and sustainable development.”
Key features of E-Panchayat include:
- Transparent and Decentralized Planning: The platform enables PRIs to efficiently plan and allocate resources, ensuring transparency and accountability at every step. It facilitates better collaboration between stakeholders, resulting in more effective development strategies.
- Progress Reporting and Monitoring: E-Panchayat offers a comprehensive reporting system, allowing PRIs to track the progress of various projects and initiatives in real-time. This feature enables timely interventions, reduces delays, and ensures that resources are utilized effectively.
- Work-based Accounting: With E-Panchayat, PRIs can efficiently manage financial resources, track expenditures, and maintain records of transactions. This transparent accounting system promotes financial discipline, minimizing the risk of mismanagement and corruption.
- Empowering Rural Entrepreneurs and SHGs: The platform provides rural entrepreneurs and SHGs with access to marketplaces, training programs, and financial resources, fostering entrepreneurship and economic self-reliance at the grassroots level.
Dr Ranjan Kumar, Chief Economic Advisor, Absolute Gramya said ” Through the launch of E-Panchayat, Absolute Gramya is committed to bridging the digital divide and creating an inclusive ecosystem where rural entrepreneurs and SHGs can thrive. By leveraging technology, this unified platform will unlock new opportunities, empower individuals, and drive socio-economic development in rural areas”.
Absolute Gramya Pvt Ltd is a renowned organization dedicated to empowering rural communities through sustainable economic development. Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Pankaj Shukla, Absolute Gramya strives to create positive change by providing rural entrepreneurs and SHGs with the necessary tools and resources to succeed.
Jun 27, 2023 | Environment
During the 2023 Paris Air Show, L&T Technology Services Limited (BSE: 540115, NSE: LTTS), a global leading pure-play engineering services company (LTTS), signed a letter of intent with Thales, a global technology leader in the areas of defence and security, aeronautics and space, and digital identity and security, agreeing to work together to tackle climate change in their respective value chains.
Thales is working with its strategic suppliers to achieve its CO2 emissions reduction targets for 2030, which have been validated by the SBTi and are compatible with the objectives of the Paris Agreement:
– a 50% reduction in absolute CO2 emissions related to its operational processes (Scope 1) and energy consumption (Scope 2)
– a 15% reduction in absolute CO2 emissions related to its supply chain and the use of its products by customers (Scope 3)
Thales aims to achieve net zero operations-related CO2 emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) by 2040.
“As part of our Strategy for a Low-Carbon Future, procurement teams across Thales are working diligently with growing numbers of key suppliers to reduce the carbon footprint of our respective value chains. We will only meet our ambitious objectives by working hand-in-hand with our suppliers to promote energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources, optimise our processes and logistics operations, and adopt the principles of eco-design for our new products,” said Roque Carmona, Chief Procurement Officer, Thales.
“We are pleased to join Thales in their vision to make the world safer, greener and more inclusive. The pledge is aligned to LTTS’ own commitments of water and carbon neutrality by 2030 and will strengthen our vision to engineer a more sustainable future for all. Together with Thales, we will continue to develop innovative digital solutions that align with our end customers’ sustainability roadmaps,” said Amit Chadha, CEO & Managing Director, L&T Technology Services Limited.
LTTS will be supporting Thales in offering end-customer services and solutions spanning smart traffic management solutions across air, sea, and road to optimize their operations and carbon footprint, as well as implementing eco-design in its product development process. Additionally, LTTS will help Thales to cut its digital carbon footprint.
LTTS’ sustainability practice is creating engineering services-based innovative digital solutions that align with the customers’ sustainability roadmap. In 2021, the company identified Sustainability as one of its Big Bets and came out with a roadmap to achieve carbon and water neutrality by 2030.
Thales has already reviewed and approved the action plans of more than 150 of its most emissive suppliers, which include measurable goals and timelines for reducing carbon emissions. As of June 2023, more than 40 suppliers have signed letters of intent to take action in support of Thales’s carbon footprint trajectory.
May 27, 2023 | Business, Environment
On International Day of Biological Diversity, Vedanta Aluminium, the largest aluminium producer in India, announced its collaboration with ERM India, a renowned environmental consulting firm, to enhance its Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP). The collaboration will aim to reinforce the implementation of biodiversity management practices across the operations of Vedanta Aluminium, marking a significant step towards its commitment to sustainable and responsible business operations.
As part of the collaboration, ERM India will assess and bolster Vedanta Aluminium’s biodiversity conservation efforts focusing on operations across different locations and evaluating the overall impact using metrics and tools of global standards. Based on the assessment, ERM India will suggest actions to further strengthen the company’s efforts to foster biodiversity around its operations which will ultimately lead to generating positive actions and help mitigate climate change. This will help Vedanta Aluminium create a roadmap with enhanced actions to nurture biodiversity and establish new goals, including Science-Based Targets for Nature, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainable development.
Vedanta Aluminium strives to incorporate the principles of ‘Lifestyle for Environment – LiFE,’ an initiative by the Government of India and enhance its efforts to help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals 14 & 15 focusing on conserving aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity.
Mr Rahul Sharma, CEO, Vedanta Ltd – Aluminium Business commented on the announcement, “At Vedanta Aluminium, we recognize the critical role of biodiversity conservation in sustainable business operations. We always strive for more sustainable and environmentally conscious practices, demonstrating our firm commitment to the preservation of nature for generations to come. We look forward to our collaboration with ERM India to bolster our Biodiversity Management Plan and strengthen the implementation of biodiversity management practices. This partnership reflects our unwavering commitment to responsible environmental stewardship. Together with ERM India, we aim to assess and enhance our biodiversity conservation efforts, aligning them with global standards and best practices. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our journey towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.”
Speaking about the collaboration, Dr Arun Venkataraman, Technical Consulting Director, ERM India said, “We are delighted to collaborate with Vedanta Aluminium in their commendable efforts to bolster their Biodiversity Management Plan and strengthen biodiversity management practices. We aim to deploy tools and metrics of global standards to help the company enhance their repertoire of biodiversity initiatives. Vedanta Aluminium’s commitment to sustainable business operations and its recognition of the critical role of biodiversity conservation is remarkable. We also wish to learn from the success of their approaches in establishing sustainable practices and ensuring inclusive development.”
On the occasion of International Day of Biological Diversity, Vedanta Aluminium embarked on a range of projects across its business units in Odisha and Chhattisgarh:
- Over the past few years, Vedanta Aluminium has made substantial contributions to the wildlife conservation of species protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act across Balco and Jharsuguda.
- Awareness sessions for the local villagers were organized to protect the endangered Yellow Monitor Lizard that is hunted to make traditional medicine.
- The company launched a conservation project to protect over 30 species of butterflies, several protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, through the establishment of a new butterfly park at Jharsuguda.
- To protect the vulnerable Chloroxylon swietenia, commonly known as Ceylon Satinwood, the company planted saplings of this species at Jharsuguda.
- The company also undertook the restoration of several local waterbodies around its business units to rejuvenate the aquatic life and support the livelihoods of the local communities. So far Vedanta Aluminium has restored over 40 local water bodies in areas of Odisha and Chhattisgarh for community use.
- Several women under the Vedanta Sakhi project at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district were selected to participate in the apiculture (beekeeping) training, where they learnt about different honeybee species, beekeeping equipment, and the installation of bee colonies.
- Installation of birdhouses and nests in the company’s operational areas was undertaken to support the local avian species. Watering stations were installed across peripheral areas to provide hydration for birds and animals during hot weather.
- Vedanta Aluminium also collaborated with school students to organize plantation drives, where the students pledged their dedication to conservation efforts.
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.29 million tonnes in FY23. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 2nd in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) 2022 world rankings for aluminium industry, a reflection of its sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow. www.vedantaaluminium.com
May 27, 2023 | Environment
Andy Raichle, P.E., Vice President, Matrix New World Engineering (Matrix), was recently a panelist for NJ Alliance for Action with United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
Raichle provided the audience with valuable insight regarding the opportunities and challenges associated with supporting the Corps’ ambitious programs, focusing on the A/E industry’s talent resource challenges and the need to promote women’s participation in STEM fields to solve a pending personnel crisis in the technical and construction industries. His concerns were echoed by the panel, including those of organized labor who recognized a similar concern among construction workers.
The New Jersey Alliance for Action is a non-profit association that represents thousands of business, labor, government, utility, education, professional and other New Jersey leaders. Their goal is to improve New Jersey’s economy through the promotion of environmentally friendly capital construction and infrastructure investment.
The panel’s discussion focused on stormwater and flood resiliency projects, new construction technologies and how this will affect future construction projects, planning that are being rolled out in New York and Philadelphia.
Raichle currently manages comprehensive teams of engineers, ecologists, and surveyors.
“The Corps’ construction program for the next decade in New Jersey and New York is unprecedented in size and complexity. As highlighted by the Commanders of the Corps’ New York and Philadelphia Districts, the challenge is great and can only be accomplished by cooperation and collaboration with the private sector. Matrix looks forward to being part of the solution.”
According to Jayne Warne, PE, President, “Andy is an extraordinarily talented leader and an expert in coastal and marine engineering. His participation in public panels and outward reaching events offers the public a window into the talented and dedicated people that make Matrix special. I am grateful to the Alliance for Action for the opportunity to share our expertise, and look forward to continuing our support of the Alliance and the United States Army Corp of Engineers in the future.”
About Andy Raichle, PE
Andy Raichle is a civil and marine engineer with three decades of international experience in delivering waterfront development and maritime projects, including ports, warehousing, parks, resorts, marinas, parks, shore protection, and urban redevelopment projects. Well-versed in the technical, political, and regulatory specialties unique to the process of waterfront development/ redevelopment, he has managed projects throughout the U.S., U.S. territories, and the Caribbean. Mr. Raichle’s marquee project experience includes Lower Manhattan’s “Big U ” Resiliency Projects, Bayonne’s Cape Liberty Cruise Port, Bahamas’ Atlantis Paradise Island, Puerto Rico’s Hurricane Maria Recovery, and New Jersey’s Hudson Rebuild by Design project. Since the early 2000’s, Mr. Raichle has focused on New York and New Jersey’s urban and coastal waterfronts, where he has been engineer of record for thousands of waterfront projects.
About Matrix New World Engineering
Matrix New World Engineering is a company of engineering and science experts who focus on some of the nation’s most pressing long-term challenges, including climate change, resiliency, ecological restoration, contamination studies, water supply, disaster response, and urban revitalization. Matrix believes solving environmental challenges through careful planning and engineering is an indispensable measure of success.
Matrix has offices in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Arizona, and Louisiana coupled with project experience throughout the United States and the Caribbean.
May 27, 2023 | Environment
Matrix New World Engineering (Matrix) recently completed the design of improvements needed for renovating a popular community pool at Colgate Park in the City of Orange. Colgate Pool is one of the City’s most popular pools, with an average of 550 visitors a day in the summer, so rehabilitating it was a top priority for the City. Nicholas DeCotiis, PE, Senior Engineer at Matrix, oversaw the engineering and landscape architecture services for the renovation. Improvements included refreshing the pool with new coping and a new plaster interior with a 10-year lifespan, replacing damaged skimmers, and improving ADA access to ensure that all residents can enjoy the pool.
The City successfully applied for and received just under $300,000 in financial assistance to make these necessary repairs, with half of the money coming from the Community Block Development Grant and the other half coming from an Essex County Open Space Grant, enabling the pool to be rehabilitated without residents bearing any additional costs. “Let this and all other projects that we are doing at our parks show that we are committed to moving Orange forward,” says City Mayor Warren.
Colgate Park was founded by the citizens of Orange 1918. The pool was dedicated by Llewellyn Park resident, Richard M. Colgate, grandson of the founder of the Colgate Company. The playground was opened and dedicated in September 1918 and was originally known as Washington Playground. Washington Playground was later renamed in the 1930s to honor Colgate, who passed away shortly after. Colgate Park is fully equipped with a kiddie playground, baseball or softball field with lights, horseshoe pits, and a walking path.
According to Jayne Warne, PE, President, “Matrix was honored to be a part of this renovation that will return the pool to the residents of Orange, NJ, in its original operating state.’
Oct 26, 2022 | Environment, Hospitality
Zeroing in on its commitment to keep a check on the increasing rate of plastic waste around the globe. The hotel aims to minimize plastic waste and carbon emissions by adopting a circular economy of glass water or ‘Zero Mile Water’. It’ll empower the prestigious hotel to employ an automated system to reuse glass bottles effectively and safely, saving the environment one step at a time.
The magnificent Fairmont Jaipur has a style that blends seamlessly with Rajasthan’s cultural heritage. In addition to providing high calibre, cutting-edge amenities to give its guests regal experiences, the hotel has implemented various schemes for sustainable conservation in the hospitality industry throughout the years. The luxury hotel in the pink city continues its conscious commitment by partnering with Boon, a new-age WaterTech Startup.
Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Rajiv Kapoor, General Manager, Fairmont Jaipur, said, “We have never shied away from introducing sustainable initiatives for the betterment of the people and society. With the rate of plastic pollution on the rise, it’s high time we all come together to act on it. Collaborating with Boon will help us do our part by totally replacing plastic water bottles with a sustainable and hygienic drinking solution.”
Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Vibha Tripathi, MD of Boon, said, “Not only are we supported by a nodal state agency, but we also have been working for years to provide drinking water at places like Barmer with our WaterATM ™. Working with a global leader like Fairmont brings this full circle as we improve the technology and reroute this back to the villages to make drinking water equitable.”
The hotel will be able to preserve more water with its water bottling plant, reducing logistical expenses and carbon footprint as production in the hotel. The hotel’s personnel and visitors will completely stop using plastic water bottles on the premises. The hotel uses analysis methods to effectively monitor the quality of the mineralized water. It’s actions also adhere to Planet 21’s standard operating standards and rules, which forbid the usage of single-use plastics during guest engagements. The Accor programme called Planet 21 is devoted to offering guests a pleasant stay. The initiative focuses on collaborating with its partners, consumers, staff, and local communities across four fundamental principles, with Health and Safety being a key player. To ensure a better future for the planet, Fairmont Jaipur continues to make efforts for these sectors and wants to make bigger contributions over the next years.
