Vivekananda Kendra Nardep has published a new multi-coloured introduction as well as instruction manual on Bio-Methanation plant. The book has two parts. the first part provides a detailed introduction to Shakti Surabhi plant. It explains the principle of Bio-Methanation. It also gives detailed data on how to increase the working efficiency and obtain optimum results. The special features of the plant as well as key indicators of the plant health are also given. The Second part deals with the fixed plant as well as scaling up operations. It provides a brief on biogas for electricity generation and also scaling up of the plant. There is a section on frequently asked questions and also a section on general terms. The book provides both an introduction to the technology and also user-gudelines to the user. The experiences of various users are shared with the reader in the form of attractive box items. The book also provides good detailed illustrations in colour. This is a welcome addition to the library of books on sustainable development technologies.
Dr.A.R.Shukla , Adviser (Bio-Energy), Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, GOI, in his forward to the book states that 'the book provides the layman an introduction to use of the technology and for those who are using it already, this book makes them efficient users. A sustainable techology has to be integrated with the society and its socio-cultural heart beat to make the technology people's technology. This book has come out as an important catalyst in that transformation".
Handbook on Bio-Methanation: Shakti Surabhi
Author: Er. Ramakrishnan, Pages: 60
In this newsletter we pay tribute to one of the greatest daughters of Mother Earth - Wangari Maathai! This African Nobel Laureate led a people's movement towards the greening of Kenya and inspired women across Africa and entire planet to reclaim their right over the natural resources so that the planet will not be exploited by the greed of humanity. This brave woman died this September after a prolonged battle with cancer. VK-nardep humbly dedicates this newsletter to her memory and work. We have in this newsletter her eco-fable of a solitary humming bird that fights to save the forest fire.
Azolla technology has been taken to Andra by Dr.Kamalasanan Pillai. Dr. Ganapathi has given a series of lectures on the need to conserve traditional medical knowledge systems. Gramodaya for Right living - the sustainable technologies exhibition housed at Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari has gone to Italy. All these you will learn about in this newsletter.
Wisdom knows no boundaries and heart does matter. We have three savants in our 'Visions of Wisdom'. An African eco-feminist, Swami Vivekananda and an economist. They all talk about the need to have heart and dedicate our lives for healing the wounds of the poor and downtrodden. Wangari Maathai says "... the people at the bottom sometimes can make themselves extremely heavy. You try to lift them out and constantly they go back t
o the same depth. So we need to commit ourselves to raise them, to not give up." What she states is the echo of the clarion call Swami Vivekananda gave to the youth of India, " Feel, my children, feel; feel for the poor, the ignorant, the downtrodden; feel till the heart stops and the brain reels and you think you will go mad --then pour the soul out at the feet of the Lord, and then will come power, help, and indomitable energy." Even our technology and economy should re-orient towards the poor and downtrodden says E.F.Schumacher, "What the poor need most of all is simple things—building materials,clothing, household goods,agricultural implements—and a better return for their agricultural products." Such a convergence of savants in different fields and different climes and times, shows that the eternal wisdom is the wisdom of the heart!
Vladimir Vernadsky (1863-1945) is one of the pioneering scientists of Environmental movement. He was a Russian geo-chemist who for the first time emphasized the importance of life as a geological force in shaping the planet. He coined the word 'bio-geo coenosis' and showed how biosphere is dynamically linked to earth's rocks and oceans and atmospheres. Lynn Margulis considers Vernadsky as the first visionary scientist to have uncovered the fundamental principles of Gaia hypothesis. In this newsletter we have some excerpts from his magnum opus: Biosphere.
Arne Dekke Eide Næss (1912 – 2009) was a philosopher and the founder of deep ecology. The usual western model of inner development proceeds from ego-I to social-I to metaphysical-I. But Arne Næss expanded this to include ecological self. So what is ecological self? It is the identity one feels with all life which creates a strong sense of empathy. He narrates it with a personal incident that gave him this vision. Read all about it in our extract from one of his articles on ecological self.
What is all thoughts worth if they are not matched by actions? Read what Vivekananda Kendra-NARDEP achieved at the ground level in spreading environmental awareness and disseminating green technology. It involves motivation camp, technology adapatation workshops and popularizing and commissioning Shakthi Surabhi - the bio-methanation plant and much more. Read all about that in the newsletter.
We all know earth is scared. How to make scared earth sacred again? To know that we should know what earth is and also what makes the earth scared. Here is a book that explains what wounds the planet and what it takes to heal it. From our book shelf and publication division we share the review of a wonderful little book that will make you understand what role you can play to heal the planet.