Towards a Better World

Bhopal Gas Tragedy

2008-03-30T14:47:00.008+05:30

Bhopal has fallen victim to one of the worst tragedies the world knew.
To make it worse, it faces rejection and indifference from the people who are supposed to be its rescuers.

Tehelka has recently made news by publishing current status of the victims of Bhopal Gas Tragedy(1984). The victims have started a march, for the second time in the last 2 years, to ask for their solutions, from Dr. MMS (rather, Smt. SG) lead govt.

Read this(article linked above), and check your reaction. As the facts come out, towards the end of the article, we realise how worse the situation is. (mind you,its a lengthy article)

Its a very grave issue and needs serious thought, not just that, but finding a solution - to save, at least, the coming generations from its effects.

Despite the facts known about the chemicals present there, the contamination and its extent, the government is not interested in looking into it. The corporates are trying to make the best use of the issue.

Its high time to start doing something real , for these people, than having discussion boards and review committees set up.

Campaign over Bottled Water

2008-02-26T00:16:00.004+05:30

Bottled water is in the news, for some days, now.

The British and American policy makers are becoming more concerned, by the day, about drinking bottled water.
Both the British and the Americans find tap water safer than bottled water - and they are not completely wrong.

Major concerns behind this new blitz are:
requirement of petroleum/plastic/glass in manufacturing bottles
requirement of fossil fuels in transporting bottles - trucks,planes,etc
unsure of the sources of water used
unsafe quantities of contaminants in the water
improper disposal of used bottles

To use recyclable glass bottles is one option, but only a small percent of glass used can be recycled.

Ken Livingstone, Mayor, London

Phil Woolas, Environment Minister, England

Albert R. Wynn and Hilda Solis, Democratic Representatives, from Maryland and California, U.S.A, resp.

have been in the news over the last few weeks, over this issue.

All of them notice that asking for tap water is a better option than paying for bottled water and risking one's health.

Keeping politics aside, I welcome the campaign.

Its true that bottled water is not the only product posing danger to the climate. But, its surely a good start. It does not require any great sacrifices from the public. They just need to use tap water than buying water.

With the current rate of depletion of water bodies all over the world, time when buying water becomes essential is not very far. Till then, I think, we can save our money.

Just ensure that the water supplied through taps is safer than the bottled water.

Desiderata - Max Ehrmann

2008-02-22T14:34:00.001+05:30

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly. And listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant, for they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, for they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for there will be always greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements, as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your career, however humble. It is a real possession in the changing fortunes of life.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is. Many people strive for high ideals and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love. For in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings, for many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars. You have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with god, whatever you conceive him to be. And whatever your labours and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

ACHMM

2008-02-15T14:40:00.005+05:30

ACHMM

Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers, Inc. is a US organization,
formed by experts in environmental and health management.

The members organise seminars, workshops and meetings, to discuss
procedures for better environmental and hazardous material management.
They have set up many chapters all over the world, in various countries.

Hazardous materials are generated at different stages of day-to-day life.
Most of these materials are released from industries all over the world.

Wastes released, without proper treatment pose great threats to the environment.

An efficient waste management process includes proper storing, disposing and
treatment of wastes. Wastes generated in offices, houses, laboratories,
industries, factories, etc have different methods of storage, disposal and treatment.

This organisation tries to bring awareness among people and make them practice
better and safe methods of waste management.

Improper treatment/disposal of wastes can cause severe health problems.

The India Chapter of ACHMM, located in Bangalore has organised
a 3-day workshop and a 2-day seminar recently in Bangalore. Delegates from US,
UK and India have taken part in the 5-day program and presented their views.

This organisation is for professionals and experts in health,environment and waste
management. It is also decided, to start a National Institute of Environmental and
Hazardous Materials Management by 2009.

For more information on the organization, registration, etc.. mail me:

sahajaa (dot) blog (at the rate) gmail (dot) com

Waste Management

2008-02-15T01:32:00.010+05:30

ITC has initiated a new project, towards proper management of household wastes. It offered to collect dry waste from the houses in Hyderabad, as an experiment, and recycled the waste.
It paid for the waste collected, from different households and recycled the dry waste, like paper, plastic, etc into useful products.

This helps in tackling the garbage problem. The project was tested in Hyderabad and is now under extension to Bangalore.

Such projects are a step towards managing hazardous materials, mismanagement of which could be fatal.

A report on their management system is here.

Shall be back with more details on HMM, ACHMM and ITC