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Sunday, October 29, 2017

Stepping Towards A Super Life!


No matter, how much we crib about our lives and the never ending troubles in Delhi-NCR, the reality, if seen through a finer lens is that this area has been constantly evolving. In medieval India, Delhi was a hub of poetry and dance and now it is of fashion and food. The places and the people constantly evolve and Delhi-NCR is one area where this change is felt more than anywhere else. Our lives may not be as of those living in scenic Europe or of high profile areas of New York but in our own way, at our own pace we have been evolving too, transforming for better through various initiatives taken by the government, the private companies like Vodafone and through joint ventures- public and private partnership, i.e. PPP. People and NGOs have played a major role in this transformation as well.

One such step towards a super life has been taken by Gurugram and Faridabad officials. The Bandhwari solid waste treatment plant that is located along the Gurugram - Faridabad road in the Aravalli Hills area will be developed to generate 10MW of electricity on a daily basis. These days, internet connectivity and an uninterrupted supply of full voltage electricity are two things that have become the backbone of every life especially when everything from paying bills to purchase & marketing, mails, and entertainment is being done online and also when most youngsters are taking to the Internet to launch their own business and for social networking. This plant was earlier defunct for nearly four years and had become a liability, but now with the Memorandum of Understanding already signed and the paperwork completed, it has come alive and kicking. This Rs 330 Cr plant will generate energy from waste and a Chinese firm has been roped in to collect waste from Gurugram and Faridabad. The best thing is that the electricity will be generated from waste and this plant has a capacity of processing 600 Tonnes of waste daily. Disposal of waste is becoming almost an unmanageable problem worldwide. Recently at Ghazipur on Delhi - Ghaziabad road a collapse of the massive waste dump hillock caused an accident killing several people.
This is an eye opener not only on the poor disposal management system but also on the magnitude of the problem. The present step at Bhandwari is an important step towards addressing the problem. Apart from that, the officials will visit China to learn more about the technology to develop the plant more efficiently and a team will be formed to independently review and monitor the progress of the unit regularly.

These are some steps that can help us in living a super life. Another important step is the ban of pet coke and furnace oil in Haryana to clean up the toxic air that has been chocking the state. These two toxic elements are already banned in Delhi since in 1996, but are widely used in NCR by factories manufacturing dyes, cement, paper, ceramics and bricks. The emissions on burning of pet coke and furnace oil contain Oxides of Sulphur and Nitrogen whose tiny particles settle deep inside the lungs and cause many grave diseases. Pollution is a mass killer; it kills hundreds of people in Delhi NCR annually. Most importantly, we owe a cleaner air to our coming generation and cannot suffocate them with our follies that lead to such serious air pollution. Clean air and water are the two fundamental elements of any life; nothing can survive in a gas chamber that unfortunately, Delhi NCR has been turning into.

Hence from more electricity to a cleaner air, the dream of a super life is not that far away; it is attainable for sure now. Vodafone too, has launched a series of super initiatives like supporting startups like Oyo and Zomato that in the long run strengthen the economy, digitally connecting Delhi NCR with 120 free Wi-Fi hotspot zones, especially in key areas like Airport. This Diwali too, Vodafone launched Super Crackers that were filled with eco-friendly seeds and were made available across Vodafone stores. This is Corporate Social responsibility in true sense.


Visit https://www.vodafone.in/home-delhi for more interesting initiatives.
#CelebratingSuper

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Images & ref from here and here




Monday, October 16, 2017

A Super Life!

Let us be honest- what actually comes to your mind when you hear this word ‘Faridabad’? I asked a few friends from Delhi and they replied ‘an old city in the outskirts of Delhi’, ‘a city something like Agra’ or some even said a scene of a rustic small town comes to their mind. Faridabad is an important city of Haryana and is a major industrial hub. It is also the biggest henna exporter in India. Sadly, due to certain power issues, it was not developed as fast as Gurgaon or now Gurugram was developed but it was a blessing in disguise. Today, Faridabad is a perfect amalgamation of old world charm and rising industrial growth. Also, I request those who consider it rustic and very down-market to visit the city and see how quickly their opinions change.

Life was not exactly super a decade back in this city, I agree. There were fewer malls and one Town Park garden. However, of late there have been several positive efforts taken for the convenience of the people and now we can live a super life! I am not talking of malls, multiplexes and good restaurant chains in Faridabad city or some top schools opened in Faridabad but of other reforms. The most important of these reforms is that of Metro Line. This train has been a boost for this city and has changed the way people travel. Earlier, there were shared autos for those opting for public transports that were cheap but very inconvenient. With the advent of Delhi Metro Violet Line, 9 important points across 14 kilometer distance are connected with Delhi and people can travel in comfort and in far lesser time. Apart from Metro project, the Badarpur flyover also gives much convenience to travelers going by road to Delhi and outside the city. Further, NH2, an important Highway from Delhi to Agra and Mathura passes straight through Faridabad. Now, a number of flyovers have been built to make the entire stretch through Faridabad free of jams and intersections.

An average man spends a good chunk on communication and travel. Metro railway has made travel quick, trendy and easy. There next comes communication for which Vodaphone has taken some good steps like connecting Delhi NCR with 120 free Wi-Fi zones. These days when everything from cab to movie bookings is being done online, Wi-Fi is a very necessary service.  Faridabad is an important NCR city and every initiative that is taken in Delhi and NCR has an impact on Faridabad as well. When the pollution of Delhi rose to an alarming point, the impact could be seen in Faridabad as well as most people are employed and travel to the capital city only. Vodaphone came forward and set up the first Air-Purifying bus shelter in Delhi. With this step, people could breathe non-polluted air while waiting for a bus on the bus-stand.

Some key real estate developments have taken place in areas that were far-fetched and outskirts and on some land that was not coming to much fruitful a use. These real estate housings have given housing solutions to hundreds of people and have allowed them to live in upfront and better areas and conditions.

I have noticed some changes in social pattern as well. A decade back, not many women could be seen sporting shorts and skirts but now, casually on the streets, one can spot women wearing clothes as per their style without being conscious of the rustic atmosphere that was more prevalent. More hospitals, schools and universities have opened up now in this city. These are some subtle but very strong indicators that growth indeed has taken place and will continue to do so in future as well. Hence, there are many positive efforts that have been done in Delhi NCR that have given us a freedom to lead Super Lives!

Interestingly, Vodafone in its mission to support a Green Diwali, is spreading the use of Super Crackers that are filled with eco-friendly plant seeds. These are available at 52 Vodafone Delhi stores from 16th – 19th October 2017. You just need to plant it and let the plant blossom!


Visit www.vodafone.in/home-delhi for more pleasant surprises!

#CelebratingSuper

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Thursday, October 5, 2017

Monday, October 2, 2017

Old Wood



Old Wood in color pencil.

FC Polychromos and black gel pen on 130 gsm paper.