We came to Gurgaon in Sep 2007.
A new job brought us here.
Luckily, it did not take long to adjust here.
Now it is time to move on to next location.
Here is Wishing very best to all those shifting to Gurgaon in future.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
A trip to IT BHU - Visit down the memory lane
I boarded Shiv Ganga Exp from New Delhi on Thursday evening. Train arrived on time at destination on Friday morning. I got down at Maduadeah Railway station (near DLW) and hired a cycle Richshaw for IT guest house.
The ride took about half an hour. I passed thro BHU Post office, Principal Colony. The IT guest house is behind De hostel. New IT girls’ hostel is across the road.
While filling register during check in, I realized that preceding entry was for same purpose. His room #1 was next to mine #2 & I introduced myself to him. He was Mr Chakraborty, an alumni of 1979 Batch from the department. He is now VP, R&D with Ace Refractories.
I told him that for this trip, I had taken personal leave from job. For him, it is considered official trip duly approved by his MD.
Whosoever visits department, can not be exactly happy with the situation prevailing in department. Many Labs are non functional as instruments are very old/dead. Part of Syllabus is probably out of sync with current requirement of Industry.
Bulk of the hiring across all branches is being done by software Industry. This is true of Ceramic as well. So every one said that students are not really focused on core subjects. Some of us may recall lament of Mr Muthuraman (of Tisco) in this regard about current students at IIT Chennai.
Lowest Salary this year (across) all branches is Rs 3 Lac per annum while maximum is Rs 15 Lac. Avg may be considered 4 Lac per annum. I have obtained a list showing placement of final year cera students.
Local Sight Seeing:
Even though 18 years have passed since we graduated, it may be apt to stay that Time Stood Still all these years. I visited 3 places, BHU Temple (Lot of graffiti on its walls), Sankat Mochan Temple (It was rocked by Bomb blasts couple of years back), and Assi Ghat (Width of the river appeared short due to hot season/less water.
Of course, I went to hostels – Limbadi, Vishwakarma and Vivekanand. I could recall my room in first and second year but could not recall my room of third and final year.
What one feels can not be always put into words..
Misc:
Some of the faculty /other staff had some difficulty in recalling my batch. Suchitra’ name came to my rescue instantly. Infact, I spoke to a girl (M.Tech III Cera) about her. She told me she is in touch with Suchitra.
Many of the boys wore (bathroom) chappals in the department.
With respect to Lab exam, I got a chance to meet students from 3 lots – B.Tech III Cera, M Tech III Cera, & M Tech III Material Science. Last group impressed me most.
2 students of B.Tech III year cera are going to Europe for summer training. I got a chance to discuss this with one of them. When she approached Company in Europe for this purpose, she was refused. However, her persistence paid off in the end. Infact she went to TRL for training after second year even when it was not required.
Hiring from IT-BHU
Most of the placement activity is over by Aug.
A boy said that every thing being same, a girl has better chance of being hired over a boy.
Return Journey:
All Hostels rooms have free internet connections and almost every student has desktop / laptop. At the time of departure, I asked a student to check final status of my wait listed ticket. She informed me that final status was Wait list #2. It was same pairing train Shiv Ganga Exp for return. I spent night sleeping on coach attendant’ berth. He charged me Rs two hundred for same. Train arrived 4 hrs late at destination on a Hot May afternoon.
The ride took about half an hour. I passed thro BHU Post office, Principal Colony. The IT guest house is behind De hostel. New IT girls’ hostel is across the road.
While filling register during check in, I realized that preceding entry was for same purpose. His room #1 was next to mine #2 & I introduced myself to him. He was Mr Chakraborty, an alumni of 1979 Batch from the department. He is now VP, R&D with Ace Refractories.
I told him that for this trip, I had taken personal leave from job. For him, it is considered official trip duly approved by his MD.
Whosoever visits department, can not be exactly happy with the situation prevailing in department. Many Labs are non functional as instruments are very old/dead. Part of Syllabus is probably out of sync with current requirement of Industry.
Bulk of the hiring across all branches is being done by software Industry. This is true of Ceramic as well. So every one said that students are not really focused on core subjects. Some of us may recall lament of Mr Muthuraman (of Tisco) in this regard about current students at IIT Chennai.
Lowest Salary this year (across) all branches is Rs 3 Lac per annum while maximum is Rs 15 Lac. Avg may be considered 4 Lac per annum. I have obtained a list showing placement of final year cera students.
Local Sight Seeing:
Even though 18 years have passed since we graduated, it may be apt to stay that Time Stood Still all these years. I visited 3 places, BHU Temple (Lot of graffiti on its walls), Sankat Mochan Temple (It was rocked by Bomb blasts couple of years back), and Assi Ghat (Width of the river appeared short due to hot season/less water.
Of course, I went to hostels – Limbadi, Vishwakarma and Vivekanand. I could recall my room in first and second year but could not recall my room of third and final year.
What one feels can not be always put into words..
Misc:
Some of the faculty /other staff had some difficulty in recalling my batch. Suchitra’ name came to my rescue instantly. Infact, I spoke to a girl (M.Tech III Cera) about her. She told me she is in touch with Suchitra.
Many of the boys wore (bathroom) chappals in the department.
With respect to Lab exam, I got a chance to meet students from 3 lots – B.Tech III Cera, M Tech III Cera, & M Tech III Material Science. Last group impressed me most.
2 students of B.Tech III year cera are going to Europe for summer training. I got a chance to discuss this with one of them. When she approached Company in Europe for this purpose, she was refused. However, her persistence paid off in the end. Infact she went to TRL for training after second year even when it was not required.
Hiring from IT-BHU
Most of the placement activity is over by Aug.
A boy said that every thing being same, a girl has better chance of being hired over a boy.
Return Journey:
All Hostels rooms have free internet connections and almost every student has desktop / laptop. At the time of departure, I asked a student to check final status of my wait listed ticket. She informed me that final status was Wait list #2. It was same pairing train Shiv Ganga Exp for return. I spent night sleeping on coach attendant’ berth. He charged me Rs two hundred for same. Train arrived 4 hrs late at destination on a Hot May afternoon.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Charles Correa
Some times you have heard about famous names such as Charles Correa but you have not seen them or their pictures.
I got a chance to see him on a TV interview yesterday.
It was a pleasure listening him. He wants to hang his boot in about 3 years from now.
If he sees this, I request him to consider working till the end..
I got a chance to see him on a TV interview yesterday.
It was a pleasure listening him. He wants to hang his boot in about 3 years from now.
If he sees this, I request him to consider working till the end..
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Environment and Building
Notes on Workshop “Green Buildings : Striding Towards Environment Protection and Clearance” held in IHC New Delhi on 18/19 April 2008
The aim of seminar was to arrive at relevant recommendations to be forwarded to MoEF after all related issues have been discussed and debated by the participants.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF Government of India) vide their order dated 14 Sep 2006 (http://envfor.nic.in/legis/eia/so1533.pdf) has made environmental clearance (EC) necessary for Building and construction Projects having area more than 20000 sq meters (Built up area more than 150,000 sq meters).
Below two excerpts from code are related to Glass:
9.3. What are the characteristics of the glass you plan to use? Provide specifications of its characteristics related to both short wave and long wave radiation?
9.11. If you are using glass as wall material provides details and specifications including emissivity and thermal characteristics.
Building bye-laws is a State subject in our country. To implement above (EC), State level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) are being constituted in every state which will decide on projects submitted by Projects Proponent. The SEIAA shall base its decision on the recommendations of a State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC).
In the seminar, many stake holders shared their views. These stake holders included members from Building Industry and members of SEIAA and SEAC from various states.
(Chairman, CREDAI & CMD of Gera Developments Pune) stated that at this time it may be apt to call ‘India – under construction’. He expressed concern that more than 1000 projects are pending with SEACs for clearance and this delay is causing project costs to go up which are finally borne by end user; leading to inflationary pressure on economy. He said there should be no issue of ‘us’ versus ‘them’ and all stakeholders should be on same side.
(Vice Chairman, EAC, MoEF) then defended SEACs saying that Project proponents don’t submit complete information and the same results in delay. Some members felt that any development will harm the environment but since development was need of the hour, harm to environment should be minimized to the extent possible.
(President – Ansal Properties and Infrastructure Ltd.) stated that so much information is sought by SEAC which is not available at the preliminary stage of the project.
(Chairman of EAC, MoEF) stated that government should pursue renewable source of energy such as Solar even if cost is uneconomical. He was not satisfied that India produces only 3 MW of solar power right now. He stated that many times during construction, excavated earth blocks the road or during a function in Hotel, cars are parked on roads nearby leading to traffic problem.
Some other SEAC members expressed concern that Top soil is nor properly protected during construction. One member gave example of Doon School in protecting Top Soil.
One SEAC member stated that Project proponents would talk about Rain harvesting without paying any attention to water table and earth permeability of that region.
Many SEAC members criticized almost full use of glass envelope in building these days. As per them, such construction increases cooling load of buildings – leading to higher demand of energy. (Addl. Director of MoEF) stated that they ask for window to wall ratio not exceeding 40%.
(BEE) stated that there is little that can be done on supply side of Power and therefore demand has to be controlled by suitable measures such as usage of CFL, star rated home appliances and employing energy efficient buildings.
Mr. (of Ansal) pointed out that a project for 19000 sq meters don’t need Environmental clearance but a project for 20000 sq meters does. (Chairman of Panjab SEIAA) countered him saying that Project proponents also bifurcate one 38000 sq meter project into two 19000 sq meter projects to escape EC act.
I asked Mr. that in spite of opposition from government side why all glass façade buildings are successfully coming up. He stated that this is as per clients’ requirement and many clients feel that glass on the façade gives international look to their buildings.
One SEAC member stated that mercury has entered in human body in Sonbhadra region of U.P. Coal used in nearby Power plant emits mercury as a part of pollution. Mercury settles on grass, grass is eaten by cow and cow’s milk is consumed by population living in that area.
I asked some members that in view of mercury getting into food chain, are we doing a right thing by promoting CFL since it contains mercury. I was advised that CFL should be disposed properly.
Mr. stated that it takes them about 18 months to acquire land from all the owners while government can do so in one day by promulgating order. Project Proponent then needs to approach various government agencies for clearance and even if one such agency refuses, all efforts and investment for that project is likely to be doomed.
Some SEAC members expressed concern in private that they may be held accountable in future for decisions they take today.
One SEAC member from M.P. pointed out that many miners don’t obtain Environmental Clearance for starting mining activity and SAEC/SEIAA is not empowered to take any action against them.
(Member, EAC, MoEF) stated that SEAC/SEIAA needs to learn to work under existing conditions since as per his experience with government, it would take MoEF atleast 5 years to revise the act. He advised SEAC members that they can not ask Builder to comply for any provision which is not mandated by Law.
It was also pointed out by (Chairman SEIAA Panjab) that SEAC members should ask only for such steps which are technically feasible and economically viable.
One Builder stated that though local agencies charge external development charge (EDC), they don’t provide the required infrastructure and builder gets the blame.
(GM, Deloitte TTIPL) was asked if it is alright to conclude that more green house gases are released in construction of a Green building than a normal building apart from higher initial cost. He agreed.
Ms. (of Teri) and Ms (Free spanz, Mumbai) gave presentation on Griha and Leeds ratings respectively.
Mr (Godrej GBC) stated that Green Building concept is catching up fast. He asked me - Are you getting demand for glass from new green buildings.
Mr (Spectral Services) talked about his office building in Noida which is a geen building. As per him, their building consumes approx one third power when compared to similar buildings in neighborhood.
Mr stated that buildings should be so designed so that need of artificial light inside is minimized.
Mr (Lloyd Insulations) and Mr (Owens Corning) spoke about their insulation materials.
(MD CO2e India Pvt Ltd) spoke about carbon trading.
At the end of the Program, it was decided that organizers of workshop (Search Foundation) will prepare a draft recommendations based upon discussions held. It will be circulated to participants for their comments. After comments are received from participants, same will be incorporated and recommendations will be forwarded to MoEF.
The aim of seminar was to arrive at relevant recommendations to be forwarded to MoEF after all related issues have been discussed and debated by the participants.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF Government of India) vide their order dated 14 Sep 2006 (http://envfor.nic.in/legis/eia/so1533.pdf) has made environmental clearance (EC) necessary for Building and construction Projects having area more than 20000 sq meters (Built up area more than 150,000 sq meters).
Below two excerpts from code are related to Glass:
9.3. What are the characteristics of the glass you plan to use? Provide specifications of its characteristics related to both short wave and long wave radiation?
9.11. If you are using glass as wall material provides details and specifications including emissivity and thermal characteristics.
Building bye-laws is a State subject in our country. To implement above (EC), State level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) are being constituted in every state which will decide on projects submitted by Projects Proponent. The SEIAA shall base its decision on the recommendations of a State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC).
In the seminar, many stake holders shared their views. These stake holders included members from Building Industry and members of SEIAA and SEAC from various states.
(Chairman, CREDAI & CMD of Gera Developments Pune) stated that at this time it may be apt to call ‘India – under construction’. He expressed concern that more than 1000 projects are pending with SEACs for clearance and this delay is causing project costs to go up which are finally borne by end user; leading to inflationary pressure on economy. He said there should be no issue of ‘us’ versus ‘them’ and all stakeholders should be on same side.
(Vice Chairman, EAC, MoEF) then defended SEACs saying that Project proponents don’t submit complete information and the same results in delay. Some members felt that any development will harm the environment but since development was need of the hour, harm to environment should be minimized to the extent possible.
(President – Ansal Properties and Infrastructure Ltd.) stated that so much information is sought by SEAC which is not available at the preliminary stage of the project.
(Chairman of EAC, MoEF) stated that government should pursue renewable source of energy such as Solar even if cost is uneconomical. He was not satisfied that India produces only 3 MW of solar power right now. He stated that many times during construction, excavated earth blocks the road or during a function in Hotel, cars are parked on roads nearby leading to traffic problem.
Some other SEAC members expressed concern that Top soil is nor properly protected during construction. One member gave example of Doon School in protecting Top Soil.
One SEAC member stated that Project proponents would talk about Rain harvesting without paying any attention to water table and earth permeability of that region.
Many SEAC members criticized almost full use of glass envelope in building these days. As per them, such construction increases cooling load of buildings – leading to higher demand of energy. (Addl. Director of MoEF) stated that they ask for window to wall ratio not exceeding 40%.
(BEE) stated that there is little that can be done on supply side of Power and therefore demand has to be controlled by suitable measures such as usage of CFL, star rated home appliances and employing energy efficient buildings.
Mr. (of Ansal) pointed out that a project for 19000 sq meters don’t need Environmental clearance but a project for 20000 sq meters does. (Chairman of Panjab SEIAA) countered him saying that Project proponents also bifurcate one 38000 sq meter project into two 19000 sq meter projects to escape EC act.
I asked Mr. that in spite of opposition from government side why all glass façade buildings are successfully coming up. He stated that this is as per clients’ requirement and many clients feel that glass on the façade gives international look to their buildings.
One SEAC member stated that mercury has entered in human body in Sonbhadra region of U.P. Coal used in nearby Power plant emits mercury as a part of pollution. Mercury settles on grass, grass is eaten by cow and cow’s milk is consumed by population living in that area.
I asked some members that in view of mercury getting into food chain, are we doing a right thing by promoting CFL since it contains mercury. I was advised that CFL should be disposed properly.
Mr. stated that it takes them about 18 months to acquire land from all the owners while government can do so in one day by promulgating order. Project Proponent then needs to approach various government agencies for clearance and even if one such agency refuses, all efforts and investment for that project is likely to be doomed.
Some SEAC members expressed concern in private that they may be held accountable in future for decisions they take today.
One SEAC member from M.P. pointed out that many miners don’t obtain Environmental Clearance for starting mining activity and SAEC/SEIAA is not empowered to take any action against them.
(Member, EAC, MoEF) stated that SEAC/SEIAA needs to learn to work under existing conditions since as per his experience with government, it would take MoEF atleast 5 years to revise the act. He advised SEAC members that they can not ask Builder to comply for any provision which is not mandated by Law.
It was also pointed out by (Chairman SEIAA Panjab) that SEAC members should ask only for such steps which are technically feasible and economically viable.
One Builder stated that though local agencies charge external development charge (EDC), they don’t provide the required infrastructure and builder gets the blame.
(GM, Deloitte TTIPL) was asked if it is alright to conclude that more green house gases are released in construction of a Green building than a normal building apart from higher initial cost. He agreed.
Ms. (of Teri) and Ms (Free spanz, Mumbai) gave presentation on Griha and Leeds ratings respectively.
Mr (Godrej GBC) stated that Green Building concept is catching up fast. He asked me - Are you getting demand for glass from new green buildings.
Mr (Spectral Services) talked about his office building in Noida which is a geen building. As per him, their building consumes approx one third power when compared to similar buildings in neighborhood.
Mr stated that buildings should be so designed so that need of artificial light inside is minimized.
Mr (Lloyd Insulations) and Mr (Owens Corning) spoke about their insulation materials.
(MD CO2e India Pvt Ltd) spoke about carbon trading.
At the end of the Program, it was decided that organizers of workshop (Search Foundation) will prepare a draft recommendations based upon discussions held. It will be circulated to participants for their comments. After comments are received from participants, same will be incorporated and recommendations will be forwarded to MoEF.
Glass in Buildings
Friends,
We all see glass around us in homes and buildings. I am a Glass Enthusiast. I like to share your experience when you choose glass.
Even otherwise, you may talk to about most stuff under the sun.
We all see glass around us in homes and buildings. I am a Glass Enthusiast. I like to share your experience when you choose glass.
Even otherwise, you may talk to about most stuff under the sun.
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