Monthly Archives: October 2018

An island sets an example in sustainable living

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives & Environment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All
An exhibition organised as part of the inauguration of the Rural Science and Technology Centre at Thuruthikkara in the district on Sunday.

Thuruthikkara is the first village to be declared free of plastic and e-waste

Thuruthikkara in Mulanthuruthy panchayat has several firsts to its name. Among other things, it was declared the first village to be totally free of incandescent bulbs, plastic and e-waste. The village also has the status of having scientifically tested water in all its drinking water wells.

The village has taken up initiatives to go easy on the environment. By getting rid of incandescent bulbs and introducing LED lighting systems, it has been able to save energy. Thuruthikkara also has the distinction of having launched LED clinics for the first time in the State, where LED lighting systems are assembled and repaired. “We were able to sell LED lighting systems for as low as ₹100 and ₹110 apiece,” said an office-bearer of Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Praishad, which had initiated the “Oorja, Nirmala, Haritha Gramam” project in Thuruthikkara, which forms the 10th ward of Mulanthuruthy panchayat. The villagers have also taken to recharging drinking water wells with rainwater.

Technology centre

On Sunday, a Rural Science and Technology Centre was inaugurated in the village. Parishad president T. Gangadharan inaugurated the centre, which will act as a regional centre of the Integrated Rural Technology Centre at Mundoor in Palakkad. Pro Vice Chancellor of Cochin University of Science and Technology P.G. Shankaran delivered the keynote address at the event.

“The aim of the centre is to make people aware of new technologies in various fields, including farming, and to create awareness about new breakthroughs,” said the Parishad official. He said that the initiatives included introduction of bio-bins and kitchen bins in the village whereby all kitchen waste could be turned into fertiliser used for homestead farming.

Every home has been able to generate about 12 kg of bio-fertiliser every month. Distribution of vegetable saplings helped families prepare areas of cultivation to cater for their own requirements. There are a total of 349 families. All the families as well as 25 organisations and institutions have partnered with the Parishad in making the programme a success.

The move to get rid of plastic waste began with the distribution of cloth bags to all households. Plastic is meticulously collected and disposed of. Introduction of aquaponics is another step that has been taken to achieve self-sufficiency and sustainability.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by Special Correspondent / Kochi – October 21st, 2018

At 60, NAD on indigenisation path

Records, All, Science & Technology
P. Upadhyay, chief general manager, Naval Armament Depot, Aluva. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The facility at Aluva supports operations of the Indian Navy

With its focus on innovation and indigenisation, the Naval Armament Depot (NAD) at Aluva has over the past 10 years designed specialised equipment and set up facilities to support naval operations, according to P. Upadhyay, chief general manager of the depot which is celebrating its diamond jubilee.

Its latest R&D product is a ‘gun stand’ for light and medium machine guns on board warships. “Designed to take care of the pitch and roll of the ships, it allows gunners to exploit the weapon optimally under these difficult conditions,” says Mr. Upadhyay.

The depot has made over 700 such stands for naval ships. Not surprisingly, it is keenly studying if certain navy-specific weapon components that the Ordnance Factories are rather slow in delivering thanks to low volumes or non-availability of vendors can be manufactured locally in the depot. “Yes, the idea is to manufacture bolt ammunition, chaff rocket hardware for which naval quality requirement is different from that of the other Services and anti-submarine rocket hardware within the depot.”

When there was a huge delay from Ammunition Factory at Khidki in Maharashtra in carrying out proofing of naval grenades, the depot set up an in-house facility in 2012 to do the job.

The NAD also conducts safe disposal of life-expired ammunition using its demolition ground or by breaking them down using other means. On the horizon is a demil facility for the purpose, but there’s no space for the same on the campus – located in a thickly populated suburb.

“The depot’s expansion has been marred by non-availability of land. While we identified nearly 1,000 acres of land at Mupliyam in rural Thrissur and a few other areas, little headway has been made. The issue has however been taken up with the State administration,” says Mr. Upadhyay.

Rubber moulding

In view of the requirement for rubber components in very small volume, the depot is setting up a rubber moulding facility for manufacturing rubber parts for naval rockets and guns.

The NAD’s expertise in handling classified explosive cargo – for the Services and the PSUs – at the Cochin Port has come in for appreciation, he points out. But there’s a manpower crunch. While there has been an incremental increase towards the sanctioned strength of 710 personnel, at 583 people, it still falls short. The management is now pinning its hopes on the report of the Naval Standing Establishment Committee that has recommended augmentation of manpower.

The depot is holding an exhibition of armament for the public on October 22 as part of the diamond jubilee celebrations. Rear Admiral R.J. Nadkarni, Chief of Staff of the Southern Naval Command, is inaugurating the exhibition. The three-day celebrations also include a technical seminar on naval armament and ammunition and the release of a special day cover by India Post. Vice Admiral A.K. Chawla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command, is set to be the chief guest of the event.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu /  Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by S. Ananadan / Kochi – October 22nd, 2018