INSPIRE > INVOLVE > TRANSFORM Vol 2 | Issue 2 August 2012 quarterly newsletter

PD Rai Pradeep Kumar Harish Hande Lok Sabha MP, Sikkim Central Vigilance Commissioner Co-founder SELCO Solar Light Private Ltd

Dr Anil K Rajvanshi Chandrakant Singh Vinay Somani Colin Gonsalves Director Chairman and Co-founder Founder, Karmayog Founder, Human Rights Law Network Nimbkar Agricultural Chaitanya Gurukul Research Institute

Krishnamurthy Sridharan Swapnil Kant Dixit Dr Balaji Sampath Founder, Sankara Eye Foundation Co-founder & Executive Director CEO, Aid India Jagriti Yatra Social Entrepreneurs: Transforming India

Manish Kumar Mangu Singh R Sri Kumar Dr Ravi Chopra Co-founder, Farms n Farmers Shahzad Wakeel Managing Director Vigilance Commissioner Founder and Director Founder President Delhi Metro Rail Central Vigilance Commission People’s Science Institute Pankhudi Foundation Corporation

Yatendra Agrawal Rajendra Desai Founder, Eco Solutions Joint Director National Centre for Peoples’ Action in Disaster Preparedness Shashank Kumar Co-founder, Farms n Farmers 2012 Paniit Global Conference 2012 GLOBAL 7th to 9th December Science City Auditorium, Kolkata, India CONFERENCE

PanIIT EXPO 2012 Dear All, An excellent opportunity for Welcome to PanIIT Alumni Global Conference 2012 in Kolkata, the City of Joy, for a few days of knowledge sharing, giving the small, medium, networking, exotic foods, spectacular entertainment, meeting old buddies, Profs., international personalities, seniors, large industries, Indian and juniors and much more ! We look forward to you to be here with us with your family and take back some everlasting memories. foreign corporations, and business houses to showcase The programme starts from the forenoon of Friday, December 7, 2012 right through to afternoon of Sunday, December 9, their activities, technologies, 2012. Your registration fee covers conference expenses (including lunch, dinner and entertainment programmes). Spouse and products registration includes local sightseeing, meals and off course entertainment. There is an optional trip to Kharagpur on Mega exhibition spread Monday, December 10, 2012 for those keen to take a nostalgic trip to the roots of the IIT system - where it all started. across 100,000 square feet We look forward to welcoming you, your family, friends, and sponsoring organizations. Please promote this event to all your with six specially constructed alumni friends and classmates. See you in December ! air-conditioned domes, fully carpeted adjoining the main Sincerely, auditorium of the Science city Sitangshu M Basu (IIT Kharagpur, 69) For more deails, floor plan Chair, Participation and stall booking rates, see EXHIBITION: email: [email protected] http://bit.ly/L7ml4a QUICK LINKS REGISTER NOW!!! PanIIT 2012 WebSite: http://bit.ly/MGq93f The Conference is expected to draw over 5,000 IITians from 16 IITs across the breadth and length of India, and will include over 1,000 overseas participants from US, Canada, UK, Middle East, Register now for PanIIT 2012 Brochure: Singapore, and Australia. Don't miss the opportunity to catch up with your batch mates. Be a part http://bit.ly/M8bFcH of this extravagant event with industry leaders, policy makers, consultants, planners, and discount MEET UP WITH YOUR decision makers from various the private and public sector all at one platform. BUDDIES !!! For registering, visit Find your batch mates and plan your stories to share with http://bit.ly/LYYVzV them., laugh at good old times and more... A STROKE OF FUN OR TEE TIME

To find those IIT mates who Enjoy a fun filled time with your golfing buddies at the famous 'Tolly Club' of Kolkata….book your have already registered for slots for 6th Dec 2012 and share a game.Tee Off : 7.00 AM, Cocktails & Dinner: 7:30 PM. Few the conference, Search for Rooms have been booked at Tolly Club for the conference; participants enrolling for PanIIT Golf to your Buddies: http://bit.ly/MlGGFl. You can be given preference. sort this list by name, by read more: http://bit.ly/LRSqOI campus or by their year of completion. THE BIG BANG THEORY OR BACK TO THE ROOTS OR NOSTALGIA ….. EVENT SPONSORS The 2012 Global Conference LET'S GO BACK TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN : IIT Kharagpur! offers a unique opportunity for A short trip (optional) has been planned on Mon, Dec 10, 2012 for those who are eager to sponsors to promote their take a nostalgic trip to the roots of the IIT system. corporate identity and brand See: Back to the roots - IITs : http://bit.ly/MGraIL through association with "Excellence, Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Giving Back". Sponsors will be able to network with senior TO JEE OR NOT TO JEE : A 16-YEAR-OLD'S TAKE executives and entrepreneurs and interact with decision- What IIT means to me: I am a 16-year-old-student, about to begin class XII, and I'm makers from academic, preparing for all the engineering entrance exams for 2013. I have been sure of my career industry and government from choice for nearly four years now, and have always enjoyed learning and building my all over the world. knowledge. Here is my opinion on the change in the IIT entrance pattern, as well as the For more details on years that build up to taking these examinations. Sponsorship Levels and read more: http://bit.ly/O7n3Vy Sponsorship Options, visit Sponsors: http://bit.ly/MjB5yy IITians….LETS SPREAD THE WORD AROUND !! 'Follow' the PAN IIT 2012 Page on ------Google+ : http://bit.ly/OYWFIl Contribute to the PanIIT 2012 Newsletter! 'Like' the PAN IIT 2012 Page on We would love to hear from you! If you'd like to contribute a short IIT-related story or article to be published in the Facebook: Newsletter, please send a 200-or 250-word writeup to [email protected]. http://www.facebook.com/paniit2012 Include your contact information and your IIT affiliation in your email. 'Follow' PAN IIT 2012 on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/paniitgc2012 INSPIRE > INVOLV E > TRANSFORM 3

NewsxxxxxVol 2, Issue 2, August 2012 Consulting Editor Rita Dutta

Editorial Advisory Board: Hari Padmanabhan, Satish Kini, Chand Das Farewell Note For feedback, participation, subscription and sponsorship, write to [email protected] Hari Padmanabhan Immediate Past Chairman, PanIIT Alumni India To know more about individual projects, write to: Avanti Fellows Krishna Ramkumar Email: [email protected] Looking Back, Moving Forward

Classle Knowledge Dear fellow alumni, Vaidya Nathan Email: [email protected] t’s time to bid good bye, and I have many 10,000 registered alumni on our active list I Create India I‘thank yous’ to say. Let me say that by and impacting 100,000 people through Ulhas Kamat capturing what we stepped into, what we nation building initiatives. Email: [email protected] did (and wished we did better) and what we believe is the way forward. Indo US Collaboration for Engineering Education Nation Building (IUCEE) The first step was to set up a full time Vedula Krishna Great Expectations, working team that will engage with the Email: [email protected] Equal Challenges nation building initiatives and move them Thanks to the outstanding contributions of the towards sustainability and scale. This we IITians For ITIs Pradeep Kapse previous Chairmen and their teams, the PanIIT believed was fundamental to making this a Email: [email protected] Alumni brand, with three (as on April 2010) sustainable longer term effort. hugely successful PanIIT conferences in India In early 2011, Satish Kini (IIT B) came Pan IIT Alumni Reach For India (PARFI) and four in the US, had been growing larger on board as COO to lead nation building, Kalyan Chakroborty Email: [email protected] year on year in both stature and repute. The Anil Vij (IIT D) in Delhi took up Government overall impact was giant sized expectations and other institutional engagements and IIT Mentors on the scale and quality of whatever we Shanmuga Sunderam in Chennai was Ashok Das take up as PanIIT Alumni. While this was the brought in from the social sector, to get Email: [email protected] expectation or the demand side scenario, the field engagements going for the various India Nirman Sangh supply side showed a rather bleak picture. projects. Zindal, who has been our long David Barun Kumar Thomas A one man almost full time secretariat time advisor continued to take care of Email: [email protected] at Mumbai, located in a sparse facility in Government matters, while Ashok Kalbag I Will Impact (IWI) is a quarterly newsletter of Pan IIT Alumni IIT Mumbai, with a part time advisor on (IIT B), as always, stood as a rock, taking that is aimed at highlighting the pioneering nation-building Government relations in Delhi, and I am care of legal and secretarial matters. initiatives undertaken by its various projects: Avanti Fellows, referring to Ashok Kalbag and SN Zindal, Pramod Gothi chaired the finance function Classle Knowledge, I Create India, IUCEE, IITians For ITIs, was all that was there to back up the and gave us oversight. PARFI, IIT Mentors, India Nirman Sangh and SEED. IWI would also underscore determined efforts of social change and chairman. A few Nation Building initiatives Over the past year, through quarterly significant achievements of members, provide updates on had been identified for support, but pro- workshops and numerous field conferences and be a platform to discuss and deliberate. active engagement was a challenge due to engagements across projects, Nation a lack of resources. The one initiative that Building projects are now an ongoing How Can I Impact? stood out was the Pan IIT Alumni Reach For activity. Each project has begun to scale India, which was set up as a financially and and some of them have started to work To get involved in Pan IIT’s nation-building legally independent structure, during the mission, send the following details to together in unique ways, to create new [email protected] previous period (when Ashank Desai was possibilities. Name:______Chairman), since there was a financially I want to put on record the immense Age:______Alumni of : ______Yr: ___ viable business model. commitment and passion Satish personally Mob:______So, the question that came from has brought in to achieve this. Satish’s E-mail id : ______conference sponsors and other supporters, initiatives and leadership, Zindal’s support Current Location:______and we heard this again in the 2010 Delhi with government, Anil’s relentless working Current Occupation: ______conference was, ‘What does Pan IIT do on the ground, Shanmuga’s direct Interested in supporting project/s: between conclaves‘? My task was, and I engagement with projects, Ashok’s steady ______took this upon myself as my key mission, support and Pramod’s oversight on I would like to was to set about answering this question in finance, have all created a ground swell 1. Volunteer time & expertise as tangible a manner as was possible. in the engagements, and consequently 2. Contribute cash or kind The vision we worked out was to have, in the engagements of the projects with the 3. Join full time 4. Any other in two to three years, 1,000 alumni actively field, to synergize and lay the foundation for involved in alumni activities, by having growth. Please refer Satish’s presentation 4 INSPIRE > INVOLV E > TRANSFORM Farewell Note

and explanatory notes attached for details: fund-raising efforts. Editor Rita Dutta has truly Global Networking A. Testimonials https://docs.google.com/open? raised the bar on our newsletter and many On the global networking front, we presented id=0B4tTTW7Cu7zjcmxfODhFU3RDdW8 thanks to her. our Nation Building initiatives at the New York B. COO’s Report https://docs.google.com/ope conclave in October. Since then, the WHEELS n?id=0B4tTTW7Cu7zjaENYYng2R1RWYzQ ) The Alumni Club project of Pan IIT USA has been working closely Over the last year, the Pan IIT Alumni Club with Satish in identifying areas of co-operation. PIAI Structure and MoA movement has been gaining momentum. With A major project in the healthcare space is at an The MoA and structure at the time presented the inauguration of the first Club premises in advanced stage of commencement. Many other challenges of governance. A task force was set Chennai, this has now taken physical form. initiatives have been discussed. With close up and Yogesh Andlay (IIT D) spearheaded the Many Chennai-based alumni across IITs, led by coordination with the WHEELS team, and on effort. Through meetings and discussions, he Deepak Mirza (IIT D) and Chand Das (IIT K) and the back of the Kolkata conclave interactions, steered the drafting and adoption of the new many other alumni, have laid the foundation there is a significant opportunity to get these MoA by the EC and then it was approved by the for what can become the most sustainable into operation. Hiten Ghosh, Suresh Shenoy general body. This is now being registered with way for alumni to physically meet, to have and Gulab Bhavnani lead these initiatives from registrar of societies. The new structure provides fun and to get business done through the the US. membership to the alumni associations of all the immense connectivity the Club can facilitate. The Kolkata 2012 conference will take the IITs, taking into consideration the newly formed The Bangalore Club has been formed and its conferences full circle and back to where it all IITs as well, thus ensuring true representation of premises are being located. Prof Ashok Mishra, started, IIT Kharagpur. Sandipan Chakravorty the IIT ecosystem in the EC. the chair for the club, is guiding it actively. and his high powered team have been working With a view to making the Alumni Club, the closely with us and we look forward to a great Physical Infrastructure hub of alumni activity, and scale this across conference and a great time in December. There has been progress on the physical the country , I invited Kalpathy Suresh (IIT M), infrastructure as well. Through the sustained to lead a national initiative to integrate alumni Learnings and Recommendations efforts of the IIT M alumni leadership and the activities. He has since been actively involved At the EC level, in order to achieve continuity I involvement of Prof Satya of IIT Madras and and is in touch with alumni in many cities. recommend that we adopt a policy where one our PARFI champ, Kalyan Chakravorty, we now half of the members retire each year and the have a well appointed office at IIT Madras. My Policy Advocacy other half overlaps with a half of the new team for special thanks to Prof Ananth, the then Director, In the area of Policy Advocacy, we organized a year before moving on. for making this possible. We now have working a panel discussion and webcast to evolve a At the operating level, the recommended facilities in both Delhi and Chennai and these single alumni view on the contentious IIT JEE structure for PIAI to go forward is a two layered are being utilized by various projects on a need issue. Our team then met with the Minister of leadership structure for each vertical or each of basis. HRD to present our recommendations. In spite the pillars of Pan IIT, Nation building, Networking of many apprehensions, the final guidelines and Policy Advocacy. The first consisting of an Networking from the ministry have met with most of our Alumnus Mentor providing direction and ‘brand In today’s world there is no better way to network recommendations. Somnath Bharti from the cover’ each with a full time paid professional and stay connected other than through social front and Yogesh Andlay from the back office executive, not necessarily an alumnus carrying digital media. Kicking off with a pro bono CSR contributed significantly to the initiative. I believe out the execution and providing operational funded offer, we engaged with a social digital that there is enormous work that can be done continuity across EC tenures. media marketing organization in Mumbai, to in this area and my tenure could not deliver This needs to be enhanced, based on funding, reach out and connect to alumni through social sufficiently in this area, for want of a champion. with a horizontal structure that manages the digital media, including Twitter and Linked In. various functions-to begin with marketing and Early signs show (this is about a six-month- Database of Alumni communication, membership services and old initiative) an order of magnitude increase An area where we continue to face a serious accounting & legal. Satish presented a budget in hits and registrations, hits moving from a challenge is in having a live updated database and an action plan to realize revenues to meet the few hundred to 5,000 a month at this time of alumni contact data, available to us at all plan along with a recommended org structure, and registrations touching four figures as well. times. In close co-ordinaton with the global and these are all in his presentation (link below). This needs strong and enhanced support, to board, after much debate and discussion on (https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B4tTTW7 truly connect with and connect alumni among privacy and security concerns, we have agreed Cu7zjaENYYng2R1RWYzQ) themselves and make PIAI the platform of on the joint creation of an ‘opt in’ database. Like I said in the beginning, brand IIT is larger choice for all alumni to connect and stay Gunjan Bagla is leading this initiative from than life and everyone we have met has huge connected. the US side. We now need to work with him to expectations of it, large in scale, world class create this ‘opt in’ database, which can prove to in quality. In order to deliver on this, there is no The Newsletter: I Will Impact be the single most valuable resource for Pan IIT choice but to build a permanent professional I Will Impact, this new colorful, full of life Alumni globally. Kalpathy Suresh is willing and organization led by passionate and accomplished newsletter, was launched mid last year and able to take up this project and deliver results. alumni. With this, I wish the new team the very its totally updated content and style has been I urge the new EC to take this up on an urgent best in all their endeavors, assure them of all well received by all. This is also proving to be basis and make this happen. our support and I handover the chair to the new excellent collateral for our brand building and chairman, Himangshu Vaish. n INSPIRE > INVOLV E > TRANSFORM 5 Newsmakers

New Leadership at PIAI

Himangshu V Gopinathan Shashi Munjal R Vaish (IIT-D, (IIT-M, 1969) has (IIT-D) has taken 1976) has taken over as over as Co Chair, taken over as Chair-Finance, PIAI. He worked Chairman of Pan PIAI. Gopinathan, with ONGC, IIT Alumni India who worked Tata Economic (PIAI) from Hari with State Bank Consultancy Padmanabhan. of India for over Services and Vaish, who three decades, Ranbaxy Group. is currently also worked as He is involved in the Managing Director of Instapower Manager, Money and Forex, SBI, Hong production, marketing and preparation Limited, has filed a number of patents Kong and Dy General Manager, Treasury of project feasibility reports for the over the last several years in the field of Management, Corporate Centre. private sector, public sector and the electronics, more specifically in the field Government. Currently as an entrepreneur, of electronics and LED lighting solutions, he is engaged with international trading both in India and abroad. of confectionery fats, egg powder and desiccated coconut, into import and distribution of Cocoa Powder to India and export of milk powder from India.

PIAI Board Members Himangshu R Vaish (IIT-D) V Gopinathan (IIT-M) Shashi Munjal (IIT-D) Arvind Singhal (IIT-R) YOGESH MUNJAL (IIT-R) Raj Varadrajan (IIT-M) Ramnath S Mani (IIT-KGP) Pronob Guha (IIT-KGP) Saravanan Vijayakumaran (IIT-G) Jay Dhariwal (IIT-G) Mustan Tambawala (IIT-K) ANURAG GOEL (IIT-K) PV Krishna (IIT-B) Raj Nair (IIT-B) Hari Padmanabhan (IIT-K)

Chairman’s Mission and Vision for PIAI Himangshu R Vaish, the new Chairman of PIAI, wants to undertake make resources available to them for effectively contributing to these the tasks of: initiatives. l Determining clearly scalable professional structure for individual PIAI l Improving the constitution of PanIIT to make it effective and set up Projects and vision for their expansion and growth in next five years. policies, practices and processes which allow PanIIT to work in a l Accelerating the progress of those NBIs which have a significant transparent manner with its members (i.e. the IITAAs) and other impact on the nation and promote new NBIs which enthuse the EC. stake-holders. Professionalize management of NBIs. l Helping setup PanIIT alumni clubs wherever possible. l Laying down detailed guidelines, model contracts with NBIs, which l Reviewing existing secretariat structure and its staffing for efficient ensure an enduring relationship with PanIIT and professionalize and task oriented deployment and implement the multifarious management and operative structure of PIAI projects, preferably programmes of PanIIT under guidance of its EC. manned by competent CEOs/Project Directors. l Creating a strong connect between the IITAAs, IITs, IIT Students and l Developing a sustainable revenue stream for PanIIT operations. the NBIs for a sustainable delivery. Wherever possible, evolve self sustaining business models and l Closing ranks with IITAAs and through them with IITs and students to where it is not possible for philanthropic reasons, ensure sustainable marshal all their resources for Nation Building. funding resources thru public, private and government partnership. l Encouraging IITAAs to be at the vortex of all PanIIT Activities and l Encouraging alumni who can spare time for PanIIT initiatives and have joint activities which strengthen the IITAAs. 6 INSPIRE > INVOLV E > TRANSFORM In Focus GIM 2012 Marked a New Strategic Partnership Between Govt of K’taka & PanIIT Besides a special invite and former CM’s exclusive interview to PanIITians, the Government of Karnataka has agreed to sponsor PANIIT Golf Tournaments in Bangalore and Mumbai and the finals at Kolkata

he 2nd Global Investors Meet (GIM) T2012, held from 7th to 8th June 2012 in Bangalore, marked a new beginning in Government of Karnataka’s association with PanIIT. The Government of Karnataka sent a special letter to PanIITians, inviting its members to attend the GIM Meet. The invite also highlighted significant contributions made by illustrious IITians in socio-economic development of Karnataka. The webcast of the event was also seen by PanIITians during their visit to GIM 2012.

“Association with PanIIT: A Value Addition” Lending thrust to the partnership, DV Sadananda Gowda, Former Chief Minister of Karnataka, gave an exclusive interview to PanIIT. Delineating the nature of the partnership, Gowda said, “The strategic partnership between our state and PanIIT will enhance our quest to seek quality investments across sectors in the state. The association with PanIIT will certainly be a value addition as it is a well known fact that IITians hold senior, responsible positions in industry and Government across the world. That apart, since the primary objective of PanIITians is focused on “Nation Government of Karnataka’s invitation letter to PanIIT Building”, I am certain that this partnership will having some of the most lucrative jobs across GIM 2012, in accordance with its order and not only help profile India in better light but the world. “Their (PanIITians) contribution to with great gusto. We were amazed both by will also project Karnataka as one of the most the socio-economic development of the state the panorama of sectors and projects and by viable investment destinations in this part of is commendable. Their initiatives in the areas the imagination, conceptualization, planning the world. Going forward, we would like to be of rural finishing schools, rural BPOs and rural and implementation by the Government of associated with PanIIT to sustain and enhance agro-processing will go a long way in giving Karnataka during GIM 2012.” our industry outreach.” He has also stated that the rural youth more opportunities to hone He added that though the GIM 2012 has he wants PanIITians across the world to come their skills and contribute more to the nation. come to an end, the partnership with the and experience Karnataka and the business IITians have done extensive work in RTI, rural Government of Karnataka carries on. And environment that the state offers. development, academics, bureaucracy and a reflection of that is that the Government even in politics,” he said. of Karnataka has agreed to sponsor PANIIT Praising IITians for Anil Viz, Head – Government Projects, PIAI, Golf Tournaments in Bangalore and Mumbai Socio-Economic Development who spearheaded the strategic association and the finals at Kolkata. The Government Speaking about IITians’ contribution to nation with Government of Karnataka, said, “We are of Karnataka has also indicated that it would building, he stated that IITians have kept pleased to confirm that PanIIT has fulfilled participate in the forthcoming PanIIT Conclave development of the nation in mind in spite of the activities related to Advantage Karnataka in Kolkata from 7th to 9th December, 2012. n INSPIRE > INVOLV E > TRANSFORM 7 GIM 2012

During the inauguration GIM 2012 Leads to Inking of Crucial Pacts & Raising Mega Investments The two-day event culminated in 7.6 lakh crore investment, signing 730 MoUs amount of time preparing for Global Investors Meet 2012 and have interacted with investors and a potential to create 15 lakh jobs across various sectors not only in India but in several other countries,” he added. he flagship event of the Karnataka MM Activ Sci Tech Communications as the TGovernment, Global Investors Meet (GIM) Event Partner. Success of GIM 2010 2012, which was held from 7th to 8th June The State Government had organized the first at the Bangalore International Exhibition Realizing Karnataka’s Vision Global Investors Meet in 2010 to demonstrate Centre (BIEC), Bangalore culminated with the Addressing the media at the close of GIM its commitment to promote equitable growth Government signing 730 MoUs across several 2012, Former Chief Minister of Karnataka, DV across the state to make it globally competitive sectors for investments in the State. The other Sadananda Gowda, said that the response and a leader among Indian states. The 2010 highlights of the event was the Government to Karnataka has been tremendous. “The event was a grand success and the state garnering investment of over 7.6 lakh crore Global Investors’ Meet has been organized signed 389 MoUs with investments amounting with a potential to offer over 15 lakh jobs. In as a focused endeavor to realize Karnataka’s to Rs 3.92 lakh crores (US$ 78.4 billion), of addition, 1.68 lakh crores of investment was vision of achieving sustainable economic which more than 72% of the projects are in received as registration of interest for the development, increase in employment various stages of implementation. infrastructure sector. The two-day event, which levels, better livelihood, balanced regional had a participation of over 40,000 visitors, had development and environmentally sustainable Business Climate Par Excellence Ernst & Young as the Knowledge Partner and long-term development, as outlined in our The success of GIM 2012 was a result of Vision 2020. I am happy to say that through Government’s efforts in reaching out to and Investment Numbers Value the success of GIM 2012, we are on the offering investors a business climate that is at MOUs / EOIs 712 6.58 lakh crore right track. We look forward to strengthen par with the best in the world. “We are continuing Industry ROIs 18 30,000 crore partnerships with our investors in our mutual our efforts to enhance and sustain investments SME MOUs 6,800 71,000 crore quest to achieve enhanced and wide-ranging across sectors through proactive and innovative Infrastructure 324 1.68 lakh crore interactions and initiatives in the future. Over initiatives in policy and GIM 2012 has taken us to ROIs the last 20 months, we have invested a large the next level,” Gowda said. 8 INSPIRE > INVOLV E > TRANSFORM GIM 2012

With the Government of Karnataka commercialization. In addition, the Government committed to inviting and sustaining is putting in place polices to advance further investments that would enhance inclusive facilitate investment in the state. Draft policies growth and employment within the state, one that are ready for release include Infrastructure of its initiatives is the forming of a Karnataka Bill, Special investment Region Act, Karnataka ICT Group 2020. The mission of the Group is State Housing Policy, Automobile Policy, to increase ICT exports to Rs 4 lakh crores and Aerospace Policy, Solar Policy, Pharma Sector create additional 12 lakh jobs by 2020. The Policy,” he added. Group also intends to help incubating 1,000 The State has been proactive in identifying start ups and entrepreneur driven initiatives. and addressing investors’ needs through During GIM 2012’s road show in Hyderabad With Karnataka offering an abundance of timely policy-level interventions such as investment opportunities in various sectors were held at the venue. India-partnering The New Industrial Policy, State SEZ Policy, with a slew of sector-specific policy initiatives to meetings numbered over 150 amongst national Electronic Hardware Policy, Textile Policy and encourage investor interest, the GIM focussed and international participants. Integrated Agri Business and Agro-Processing on a wide range of upcoming sectors like Speaking at the press conference, Murugesh Policy. The Government is in continuous knowledge economy, science and technology, Nirani, Minister for Large and Medium communication with investors to seek engineering, tourism, textile, infrastructure, Industries attributed the success of GIM 2012 feedback and further enhance the business and energy. The State has also placed to an unrelenting quest by the Government environment in the state. The State has also special emphasis on business partnerships to proactively identify and find solutions to provided land for the establishment of Indian for development of micro, small and medium issues investors were facing. “Going by the Institute of Nano Science and Technology, and enterprises (MSMEs). tremendous success of the Global Investment for the establishment of International Centre for Meet 2012 and the unprecedented response Theoretical Sciences. The GIM Expo from investors through the signing of MOUs The GIM Expo saw the participation of over 462 valued at over 7.6 lakh crore, we have proved Boosting Investors’ Confidence exhibitors over an area of 2,00,000 square feet. that Karnataka is the most preferred destination In its past experience, the State realized that The expo had participation from 13 countries not only in the country but in the region as land was one of the primary issues facing including Japan, Germany, Mexico, Italy, well,” Nirani said. investors and hence the Government has taken Canada, UK, Taiwan, and nine leading states, Speaking on the State’s commitment a slew of steps to acquire and build a land bank like MP, Bihar, Rajasthan Kerala, Gujarat, to facilitate the smooth flow of business near Devanahalli to establish a software park, Chattisgarh and Jharkhand. Over 130 PSUs for investors, Nirani added that the State an electronic hardware park and an aerospace and large enterprises, including Tata, Toyota, Government has launched innovative policies, park to harness the vast potential in this sector. Honda, JSW, L&T, MRPL, Indian Oil, HAL and under which attractive incentives across a “The state has allocated 4,000 acres of land for SBI participated in it. Over 300 small and micro wide variety of sectors have been offered the development of a science city in Challakere, enterprises across all districts of Karnataka to investors to create an enabling policy about 200 kilometers from Bengaluru, where also participated. environment and address the varied needs of the prestigious Indian Institute of Science will industry in the state. “Karnataka has launched locate its second campus,” Nirani said. Investor-Friendly Policies India’s first Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming Karnataka is the first state in the country to Interlinx partnering online tool received 2,600 and Comics Policy apart from focusing on a promote nano science and nanotechnology. registered delegates, leading to about 2,200 strong and effective Intellectual Property Rights In a significant move to attract investment plus meeting requests and over 560 meetings framework through greater awareness and from nanotechnology-based industries, the Government has initiated a project to develop Meeting with Posco a nano park on approximately 100 acres. The state has also proposed the establishment of a technology innovation and research center, based on the Industrial Technology Research Institute model in Taiwan. The Government of Karnataka has allotted 50 acres of land near Bengaluru airport to IFCI to build a financial city. In addition, the State has taken the initiative to develop an integrated Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR), covering an area of 40 sq. km. The Central Government has given an “in principle” clearance for the project. The first phase of this project has been initiated in 2072 acres of land. n INSPIRE > INVOLV E > TRANSFORM 9 Conclave Government of Kerala Invites PanIITians to Attend Global Investment Concave The Conclave will provide PanIITians Kerala has had excellent socio- business meets, sectoral conclaves, domestic an opportunity to explore, invest and development indicators like high literacy, high and international road-shows, discussion and life expectancy, low infant mortality, greater establish business interests in Kerala debates. PanIITians can also participate in skew favouring the girl child and more. The Global Connect Sessions like Inaugural & result of this is the creation of a strong social Plenary Sessions, Sectoral presentations, he Government of Kerala is organizing fabric that has been better able to weather Round tables, Business to Business (B2B) T‘Emerging Kerala 2012’, a Global the turbulences thrown up by the economic connects, Business to Government (B2G) Investment conclave, from 12th to 14th upheavals of the past decade. connects, Cultural performances, etc. September, 2012 2012’ at Le Meridien Convention Centre in Kochi, Kerala. A Special Invite to PanIIT Exclusive Interview by the CM bouquet of opportunities for the world to take The Government of Kerala has sent a special In an exclusive interview to PanIIT regarding note of, ‘Emerging Kerala 2012’ provides invite to PanIIT, acknowledging the significant the event, Kerala’s CM Oomen Chandy has opportunity to explore, invest and establish contribution made by PanIITians towards the stated, “We have already conducted Emerging business interests in Kerala. With a pro- progress and advancement of various sectors Kerala 2012 road shows in New Delhi and active administration and investment-friendly in the country. The invite states, “PanIITians, Mumbai. The response to these has been policies, this conclave is a gateway to make a this is your opportunity to explore, invest and extremely positive and heartening. In New mark on the industrial playground of Kerala. establish your business interests in Kerala, Delhi, where we kick-started the campaign which has set the tone for social development with a high-profile ambassadors’ meeting, The Conclave: A Melting Pot in country, creating benchmarks that others we had diplomats from various countries The purpose of the conclave is to make Kerala choose to emulate.” The invite mentions that including the US, the UK, France, Canada, a premier global hub of economic activity, PanIITians would benefit from programes like Germany, the Russian Federation, Belgium, through fostering entrepreneurship China, Taiwan, Denmark, Czech and industry, which could leverage Republic, Malayasia and Sri its inherent strengths, resulting Lanka. Many of these countries in equitable socio-economic subsequently sent diplomatic growth. The conclave intends to delegations to the state and we present and showcase Kerala have had fruitful discussions on and create awareness amongst potential trade and business all stakeholders – enterprises, partnerships.” Government, institutions, leaders & The response from the influencers, investors and general business community has been public – through continuous tremendous. “The meetings engagement and connect we had with business and initiatives, while simultaneously corporate leaders in both Delhi creating the right environment, and Mumbai have given us to facilitate the transformation many valuable inputs as well as of Kerala into a business hub a clear indication of the investor and preferred investment interest in the opportunities that destination. The conclave would Kerala has to offer,” he states, have a mix of business meets, adding that as the next step, the sectoral conclaves, domestic Government is planning to take and international road-shows, the road shows to the cities of discussion and debates. Bangalore and Hyderabad.n

Advantage Kerala The entire launch ceremony Kerala has not only been at the and event on 12th to 14th forefront of marking quality education September, 2012 will be and healthcare available to the webcast live on PanIIT Alumni masses, it’s human development website. indicators (HDI) are the highest in the country and even on par with For more information, visit: some developed nations. www.emergingkerala2012. Kerala Government’s invitation letter to PanIIT for attending ‘Emerging Kerala’ conclave 10 INSPIRE > INVOLV E > TRANSFORM cover story Social Entrepreneurs: Transforming India Be it socio-economic development, providing quality education for children at the bottom of the ladder, harnessing technology to improve living conditions in rural India or spearheading radical reforms, many IITians have devoted their lives to the cause of social entrepreneurship. I Will Impact profiles the pioneering initiatives of some of these social reformists

Boosting Sikkim’s Economic Growth

rem Das Rai has the unique distinction of being Foray into Politics PIndia’s first Member of Parliament with the dual and His political career flagged off when Rai joined the prestigious IIT and IIM degrees. Born in Sikkim, Rai was Sikkim Democratic Front Party (SDF), at a time when sent to Wynberg Allen, a boarding school in Mussoorie, the party was in its formative years in 1993. He served by the former king of Sikkim as part of a royal policy of as the party’s General Secretary and has worked at all promoting promising children. After his B Tech in Chemical its various structural levels. He has contributed to SDF’s Engineering from IIT Kanpur in 1976, he received a degree manifesto and vision, and continues to work for the party in management from IIM Ahmedabad in 1978. and for the well being of Sikkimese people. In 2008, he served as Deputy Chairman of the State Planning PD Rai Chucking Up Corporate Job Commission of the Government of Sikkim. Lok Sabha MP, Sikkim His first job was with Bank of America in Kolkata. While In 2009, he was elected as Sikkim’s only Member Age: 57 there, a chance meeting with BB Lal, the then Governor of Parliament to the 15th Lok Sabha. In Parliament, IIT: Kanpur, 1976 of Sikkim, made Rai re-chart the course of his life. Lal he first became a member of the Standing Committee saw the potential difference that Rai could make to on Information Technology (IT). In 2011, he shifted to Sikkim and urged him to return home. So in 1979, Rai the significant Standing Committee on Finance. He is left his cushy corporate job and started working as a also on the Lok Sabha Committee on Ethics and on Project Manager to set up Sikkim Flour Mills, drawing the Consultative Committee attached to the Human only one-fourth of his previous salary. “It was evidently Resource Development Ministry. Most recently, he has a huge, courageous, and ultimately, an emotional been nominated by the Speaker of Lok Sabha, Meira decision,” says Rai to I Will Impact. Kumar to head the Fellowships Committee of the Lok Sabha. He is also keenly involved in the Speaker’s People might think otherwise, but I believe there are three kinds of forums on water and climate change. entrepreneurship: business entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship and political entrepreneurship. Business entrepreneurship requires passion at the Awards heart and willingness to walk the extra mile. Social entrepreneurship is to see In 2002, Rai was awarded the prestigious and selective how to contribute to the society after arriving at a certain level of career fulfillment. In the third phase, political entrepreneurship, one actually looks at Eisenhower Fellowship (USA) for his contribution to politics as entrepreneurship and starts doing valuable political work. Political Sikkim’s economic and industrial growth. He has also domain knowledge is acquired only by doing. That is why it is important to be in it been bestowed “Distinguished Alumnus Award” by IIM Ahmedabad for his outstanding contribution in the area His Engagement with Sikkim Government of public and Government services. For six long years, Rai worked for the Sikkim Government in various capacities: as Managing Director of Sikkim Milk His Message to PanIITians Union, establishing Sikkim Flour Mills; Managing Director Emotional decisions, when backed by a larger aim in of Sikkim Milk, Amul style cooperative Union; Chairman mind, are sometimes the smartest ones you can make! of Sikkim Industrial Development and Investment PANIIT, like many such bodies and institutions seeks Corporation (SIDICO) and Sikkim Scheduled Tribes and to funnel and channelize energy into building a better All Other Backward Classes Financial Development society and thereby help in nation building. I would Corporation (SABCO). Outside the Government, he also say our country needs many more IITians doing public invested time to found and chair the Ecotourism and service and help develop public goods with integrity Conservation Society of Sikkim (ECOSS), a non-profit of purpose. India has the world’s highest number of initiative, and run a computer business. He also served poverty stricken, health and education deprived people. as the CEO (Northeast) of BASIX, one of India’s largest We have miles to go. Let us commit to redouble our microfinance and livelihood promotion institutions. He efforts to alleviate this. Every little effort counts and implemented microfinance initiatives for Sikkim and other should be made to count. Then and then only, can we NE states by working with farmers, villagers, and NGOs begin a conversation about becoming a superpower. during his term at BASIX. INSPIRE > INVOLV E > TRANSFORM 11 cover story

Cracking Down on Corruption

ith the spectre of corruption looming large and Initiatives as the CVC Wtainting every possible fibre of the society, the Kumar has undertaken a mammoth job with the announcement of Pradeep Kumar as the new Central Commission overseeing investigations by the CBI of Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) in July 2011 was hailed several high profile corruption cases. Kumar advocates by the nation. Kumar revered for his immaculate not only the use of technology and e-governance as a reputation in public service was appointed for a period potent weapon in the fight against corruption, he has of three years by the President of India and approved by also emphasized upon change in value system to boot a high-power committee headed by Prime Minister Dr out corruption. He holds that ethics should become an Manmohan Singh. integral part of work culture and people’s lives. Under Kumar, a graduate in Electrical Engineering from IIT- him, the watchdog has recommended the teaching Pradeep Kumar Delhi, joined the IAS in 1972. He belongs to the Haryana of ethics as part of school curriculum as prevalent in Central Vigilance cadre. In 1986, he went to University of Wales, UK, to do several developing countries. Commissioner IIT: Delhi a Masters in Economics and Social Sciences. Under his aegis, the Commission has been Age: 62 persuading organizations to adopt measures like Holding Key Positions e-procurement, e-billing, e-payment and IT enabling of A seasoned bureaucrat, he had worked in various key various public services. Kumar has been advocating the ministries. In 1997, he served as the Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. Ethics are integral to one’s professional skills. Professional competence In 2009, he was appointed as the Defence Secretary for without ethics is like a knife without a handle. Young Indians, whether in industry a two-year term. Kumar’s earlier postings also include or in business schools, must be exposed to business ethics, corporate governance and corporate social responsibility Chairmanship of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Secretary of Defence Production, Secretary use of CCTV as a simple tool to keep a check on corrupt of Disinvestment, Ministry of Finance and Additional and unauthorised activities. With corruption taking Secretary, Coal at the Centre. He has served on the international dimensions, the Commission is leading a boards of many leading companies, including Bharat task force to develop a global knowledge management Heavy Electricals Ltd., Maruti Udyog Ltd., Coal India system that would help anti-corruption agencies across Ltd., Neyvelli Lignite Corporation, Hindustan Paper the world to exchange information, knowledge and Corporation and Andrew Yule Ltd. experience to fight graft more effectively.

Tech Power for Rural India Karnataka. “For the past 15 years, we have concentrated n 1991, while studying rural electrification in the on building the necessary parts for a sustainable and IDominican Republic, Harish Hande was enthused scalable model for energy services delivery through our by the fact that households were using solar power by bottom top approach,” says Hande. paying a paltry sum of money. Wanting to contribute Expanding fast, today SELCO boasts of 28 branches in the socio-economic space in India, Hande returned in Gujarat and Karnataka and has emerged as India’s to India and co-founded SELCO India (Solar Electric leading solar technology firm. Hande is looking forward Light Company India) in 1995, a social enterprise that to replicate the SELCO model across India and create promotes sustainable technologies in rural India. six labs by 2016-17 as centers of innovation for the Backed by a PhD in Energy Engineering from poor. SELCO has a profit of approximately $1.6 million the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Hande was and has projected revenue of $4.8 million to $6 million Harish Hande determined to debunk three beliefs related to sustainable between 2013 and 2015. Co-founder technology in rural sector: that poor people cannot SELCO Solar Light Pvt Ltd afford sustainable technologies, poor people cannot Awards & Achievements IIT: Kharagpur, 1990 maintain sustainable technologies and social ventures Hande has won the Ashden Award for Sustainable Energy Age: 45 cannot be run as commercial entities. 2005, Tech Museum Award 2005, Social Entrepreneur of the year 2007 by the Schwab Foundation for Social Installing Solar Lighting Systems Entrepreneurship, the Nand & Jeet Khemka Foundation SELCO helps lightning up by decentralizing the process and Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2011 for “his pragmatic and creating personalized solutions based on people’s efforts to put solar power technology in the hands of different needs. SELCO focuses on creating products the poor, through his social enterprise SELCO India”. based on end user needs, installation and after-sales service Hande has also received the world’s leading green and standardized financing packages. Headquartered in energy award from Prince Charles in 2005. In 2007, Bengaluru and having a skill force of over 170 employees, SELCO INDIA won the Outstanding Achievement Award SELCO India has installed solar lighting systems in over from Ashden Awards, which was presented by Al Gore, 1,35,000 households, mainly in rural areas of Gujarat and former Vice President of the US. 12 INSPIRE > INVOLV E > TRANSFORM cover story

Taking Technology to the Hinterland

o address problems faced by rural people in the areas distillation plant for ethanol, efficient lanterns/stoves for Tof energy, water, pollution and income generation, Dr rural lighting and cooking, low concentration ethanol Anil K Rajvanshi left his job as a faculty member of the stoves and lanterns, biomass gasifiers and electric University of Florida in the Department of Mechanical cycle rickshaws, among others. Engineering to return to India. In 1981, he found his own rural NGO – Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute Awards and Recognitions (NARI) in Phaltan, Maharashtra. Previously, Dr Rajvanshi For his pioneering work, Dr Rajvanshi has received did his B Tech and M Tech in Mechanical Engineering a number of prestigious national and international from IIT Kanpur in 1972 and 1974 respectively. He awards, such as Jamnalal Bajaj Award, induction to Dr Anil K Rajvanshi received his PhD in Mech Engineering from University the US-based Solar Hall of Fame, Energy Globe Award, Director of Florida, Gainesville, USA in 1979 under solar energy Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Nimbkar Agricultural pioneer Dr Eric Farber. Industries (FICCI) Annual Award, and Sweden-based Research Institute Globe Award, among others. IIT: Kanpur, 1972 Dr Rajvanshi has written extensively on his work on Age: 61 Addressing Issues Affecting Rural Population rural self-sufficiency. He has more than 160 publications NARI has done pioneering work in agriculture, and seven patents to his credit. He is the principal renewable energy and sustainable development areas, author of the Govt of India’s national policy on Energy specially in those affecting rural population. Backed Self Sufficient Talukas. Besides his engineering work, he by his 30 years of experience in renewable energy is also involved in studies of human consciousness and R&D and rural development, Dr Rajvanshi has been the interaction of spirituality and technology. He is an applying sophisticated science and technology to solve author of a book entitled, “Nature of Human Thought”. problems faced by the rural people in environmentally Recently, he has also penned his memoirs of his US sound ways. Consequently, he developed innovative student days in a new book entitled “1970s America – technologies like ethanol from sweet sorghum, solar An Indian Student’s Journey”.

Spearheading Crusade Against Curable Blindness

or more than a decade now, Krishnamurthy Sridharan the paying patients, and performing 80 percent of the Fhas been working as Founder and President of surgeries totally free,” he informs. This model proved Sankara Eye Foundation (SEF), USA, whose objective successful in the first hospital SEF built in India- in is to eradicate curable blindness across India. Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. There are now eight hospitals SEF was set up in 1998 in San Jose, CA, USA, running, including ones in Bangalore, Shimoga, Anand, and works with its partner in India, Sankara Eye Care Krishnan Koil, Silvassa, and in Rishikesh. Institutions (SECI). Set up in 1977 under the auspices SEF is currently raising funds for building the next and blessings of Sankaracharya in Coimbatore initially, super-specialty eye-care hospital in Punjab. The number SECI now has expanded to numerous locations around of free eye surgeries has increased from 8,000 in 1998 the country. SECI performs free eye surgeries among to over 1,20,000 in the year 2010. At SEF, Sridharan has Krishnamurthy other preventive care for eye-related diseases, especially led a dedicated group of volunteers all over the USA Sridharan in rural areas of the country. to raise funds for the development of this exemplary President and Sridharan obtained his BTech in Civil Enginering from organization to grow and achieve their objectives. Founder, Sankara Eye IIT Madras in 1980, two MS degrees from Southern Sridharan is a key member of the core team driving Foundation Illinois University in 1982 and 1984, and an Executive policies, strategy and process for the organization, and IIT: Madras, 1980 Age: 54 MBA from Pepperdine University in 2004. is also part of the implementation team. He handles the organization’s governance and growth, and is involved Unique Scalability Model in identifying key growth opportunities for the SEF- in “In India, a single hospital in Coimbatore, Sankara Eye corporate grants and foundations. Hospital, was performing about 8000 free eye surgeries Sridharan’s day job is at Intel Corporation as Director in 1998. When SEF joined the mission, a much bigger of Strategy and Marketing of Software Pathfinding & goal was set- Vision 20/20 by the year 2020,” he explains. Innovation. “Though my job at Intel take up over the To replicate the success of the Coimbatore hospital all usual 40 hours of work a week, I nevertheless find over India, a unique scalability model was introduced: enough time, energy and conviction to spend an equal every hospital should be self-sustaining in five years amount of time and energy to work towards furthering after starting the operations. “The self sufficiency is the goals of SEF,” he signs off. attained by performing 20 percent of the surgeries to INSPIRE > INVOLV E > TRANSFORM 13 cover story

Taking Quality Education to Rural India

ften, a single incident or person can alter one’s life. and Flash technology, and given lessons in team- OThat’s what happened with Chandrakant Singh, building and motivation. Teachers mark their attendance who had received his B Tech from BIT Sindri and M Tech using a biometric finger printer, while students log their from IIT Bombay in Electrical Engineering in 2000. With attendance in a computer. one patent and one copyright in his name while working Today, the school has 45 rooms across two Wi-Fi in Germany, Chandrakant Singh could have continued enabled floors, four volleyball courts, four badminton his steady ascent towards excellence in career, had courts and a cricket pitch. A swimming pool is under it not been for his determination to do his bit for the construction. The basic tuition fee is Rs 300 for Class society, disturbed by the plight of Bihari migrants who I and increases by Rs 100 for every class upward. were targeted by political party MNS in Mumbai. Hostel residents are charged Rs 4,000 a month, but Chandrakant Singh Singh, who has more than 12-year Research and concessions are given depending on the income of the Chairman and Development experience in the area of Automotive child’s family. Co-founder Embedded Systems and Software, worked in General Chaitanya Gurukul Motors, BOSCH, Tata Steel. Presently, he is the Head Revenue Surplus IIT: Bombay, 2000 of Learning and Development at PurpleLeap, which is a Even though Chaitanya Gurukul is located in a Age: 38 Joint Venture of Pearson and Educomp. village without any electric pole, Singh has made this organization self-sustainable and revenue surplus in the Starting a Technology-enabled first year. This is laudable as Chaitanya Gurukul imparts School in Rural Bihar complete free education to students from the bottom of To provide quality education in Bihar, to prevent brain- drain from the then impoverished state and stop the outflow of money to different states, Singh wanted The institute nurtures talent into all-round excellence, to contribute in the education sector. He called on producing not just technocrats or professionals but genuine the principal of the primary government school at visionaries and principle leaders Chamanpura in Bihar with an offer to fund six students who would pass a scholarship test. The reason for choosing the village was that Singh was born there and the pyramid. In the first year, 11 students of the school also completed his primary school using the light of qualified in Level 2 of National Science Olympiad and kerosene lamp. However when the proposed test was International Math Olympiad. Singh has also connected not conducted, Singh contacted Surya Narayan, Dean his students with Dr Don Thomas, four times NASA of IIT, Bombay, who suggested that he rather make a shuttle astronauts. business plan for a revenue-generating, self-sustaining In the future, Singh wants to focus on R&D in the model instead of providing free education. “I devised a area of affordable education, renewable energy (Solar 100-page business plan for a Rs-30-crore campus that and Bio-Mass) and agriculture and food procession would be have a school, an engineering college and instrumentation, initiatives that will benefit people at the an R&D centre. With eight of my friends chipping in, I bottom of the pyramid. formed the Chaitnaya Gurukul Trust. In 2008, my dream project was started to provide world-class, technology- Awards enabled education,” recollects Singh. Singh was nominated for Amazing Indians by TIMESNOW Interestingly, the village school set up by Singh in the category of Educators of India. He has received neither has electricity nor any teachers in the class. the prestigious Young Alum Achievers Award 2012 from It’s a virtual class room where teachers are located IIT Bombay. thousands of miles away. The teachers sit at remote locations and use Skype for teaching. In the absence of His Message to PanIITians electricity, the computers are run on power generators. Let us come together and contribute for development Teachers, who were selected from different parts of the of India to make equitable and sustainable ecosystem state, received two months of training from teachers at where man, animal and nature can live together happily Mount Carmel School and IIT professors at Bangalore. and peacefully. The teachers were also taught how to use Powerpoint 14 INSPIRE > INVOLV E > TRANSFORM cover story

Creating a Useful Resource Platform

ealizing the need for an organization or network that the nodal point for flood reports and feedback from and Rlinked NGOs with those who can help or those who to NGOs. need help from NGOs, Vinay Soman set up Karmayog in June 2004. Hailing from a business background and Setting up NGO Council community, Somani found that there was no easily The Karmayog “NGO-of-the-Month” is an initiative to available information about NGOs, their work and the highlight a small, lesser-known NGO every month and various social issues that they tackle. “Our attempt to ask members of the Karmayog network to support through Karmayog has been to look at concepts or ideas that NGO with at least a small monetary contribution for that are meaningful for society, and then try and bring that month. This helps the selected NGO to get in touch about actions that correspond to these concepts,” says with a group of interested persons, some of whom Vinay Somani Somani, who did his B Tech in 1980 from IIT-Bombay may later become long-term funders and supporters Founder, Karmayog and MBA from Harvard Business School. of that NGO. Karmayog also took the initiative to set IIT: Bombay, 1980 Karmayog is a free, networking platform for citizens up a formal NGO Council, comprising more than 60 concerned over social causes and civic issues. The leading NGOs representing the breadth and depth of organization works closely with Government to provide the NGO sector. The objective is to include NGOs in recommendations for policies and procedures, as well Government program and policy planning, as well as as feedback on existing schemes and programmes. It implementation and delivery of Government services connects citizens, civil society organizations, media, to the public. Karmayog is the Convening NGO of the corporates, government officials and organizations NGO Council, which has entered into an MoU with the by online and offline methods. The Karmayog website MCGM to collaborate on civic issues. The NGO Council houses a comprehensive on-line directory of over has helped BMC draft various policy recommendations 19,000 NGOs from all over India, and useful resource regarding hawkers, public health, stray dogs, public sections on over 350 civic and social causes. toilets, etc. The NGO Council also partners with the Anti-Corruption Bureau in a ‘Mumbai - Pact Against I would like the Karmayog community to grow in size and influence. I want Corruption’ Program launched in November 2006. policy makers and planners to seek and use the inputs of Karmayog members while framing or reviewing policies and laws A Unique Books Collection and Distribution Spearheading Various Initiatives ‘The Donate Books, Receive Books’ initiative was started The impact of this initiative has been far reaching and by Karmayog on May 2009 to enable any person from straddles various sectors. To facilitate people to make across the country to donate books to any public library, small donations to good NGOs identified by a credible, school, college, hospital, NGO, Trust, etc. The Karmayog neutral, third-party, Karmayog carefully selects a “Non- office in Fort, Mumbai is itself a collection centre, and profit of the Month”. To map the capacity and capability almost daily, someone is either dropping or picking up of each sector in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai with a brief books from its office. “Over 13,000 books have reached note on their capacity, activities and services, Karmayog NGOs through just this one collection centre, and many has begun a sector-mapping exercise. Karmayog has thousands more have exchanged hands all over India,” also undertaken an annual study and rating of the adds Somani. Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of the 500 largest companies in India, since 2007. Scaling Up Somani has also reached out to people with hearing Karmayog is evolving into two broad directions: an issues. Karmayog visited deaf schools and connected internet platform for nonprofits and supporters to inform NGOs to profile them and put their data on the website about themselves and their needs / offers and a NGO- for free access by parents, beneficiaries, donors, etc. citizen - Government interface which can enable a Lists of various material providers were also compiled holistic view of the various problems that society faces. and posted on the website. A meeting was organized In the coming years, Somani would like the Karmayog for everyone connected with the sector. community to grow in size and influence; he wants policy Karmayog also holds networking meetings of NGOs makers and planners to seek and use the inputs of and supporters in various areas. When life in Mumbai Karmayog members while framing or reviewing policies came to a standstill due to heavy downpour on 26th and laws. He also desires that NGOs, especially smaller July, 2005 Karmayog pitched in relief and rehabilitation NGOs from smaller cities, towns and villages, to be able efforts. Karmayog took the lead in forming an NGO- to easily get the support and advice that they need, coordination committee duly recognized by and through Karmayog. working with the municipality. And the website became INSPIRE > INVOLV E > TRANSFORM 15 cover story

A Champion of Human Rights Law

graduate of IIT-Bombay, Colin Gonsalves started his include the ‘Indian Peoples Tribunal on Environment and A professional life as a civil engineer but was drawn Human Rights’, which is an active Peoples’ Court, ‘the into the field of law through his work with the unions in Centre for Constitutional Rights’ and the organization’s Bombay. He commenced formal legal study in 1979 human rights law magazine Combat Law. and litigated his first case, while still in law school, on The websites www.hrln.org; www.combatlaw.org; behalf of 5,000 workers facing lock out of their jobs. and www.iptindia.org house information regarding Upon attaining his law degree in 1983, Gonsalves over 200 public interest cases that have been fought, co-founded the Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), publications, trainings, investigations, and their India’s leading public interest law group. He developed numerous consultations. it into a national organization that brought together over Colin Gonsalves 200 lawyers and paralegals operating out of 28 offices Awards and Recognitions Founder, Human Rights spread throughout India. Gonsalves transitioned his Gonsalves has written, edited and co-edited copious Law Network practice from the Labour Courts to the Bombay High number of articles and books on a range of human IIT: Bombay, 1975 Court in 1984 and was designated as Senior Advocate, rights law issues. For such inspiring work, he was Age: 60 before becoming adding moving onto the Supreme presented with the “International Human Rights Court of India in 2001. Award” by the American Bar Association in 2005. Most He has brought numerous precedent-setting cases to recently, in 2010, he has been conferred a Doctorate the Supreme Court and the appellate-level High Courts of of the University, honoris causa, by the University of various states. Amongst these cases was the infamously Middlesex, UK. He was also bestowed the “Mother labelled “Right to Food” case, which involved one of the Teresa Memorial Award” for social justice in recognition greatest expansions of Constitutional rights seen by the of remarkable contribution in legal services addressing Indian society in the last several decades. Today, under human rights in 2010. his guidance, HRLN as an organization has expanded to

Setting the Wheels of Enterprise-Led Development

n his hometown of Bihar and in villages surrounding people to ace role model entrepreneurs every year. IIIT-KGP, Swapnil Kant Dixit had witnessed youth The program was implemented in partnership with 10 getting disillusioned and turning cynical due to lack of Tata group companies and has subsequently become opportunity. So at IIT, he along with a couple of friends an annual event that has been executed twice and collaborated with nearby villagers living in abject poverty created an asset worth Rs 4.5 crore. “The aim of Jagriti to manufacture and sell backpacks. “We made 300% Yatra is to awaken the spirit of entrepreneurship - both profit and funded a village library. The involved villagers social and economic - within India’s youth by exposing went back with a resolve to fight poverty with enterprise, them to individuals and institutions that are developing hope and self-respect. This turned me into a firm believer unique solutions to India’s challenges. Through this Swapnil Kant Dixit in the power of enterprise,” recollects Swapnil. national event, we have begun to inspire the youth of Co-founder and Executive India to lead and develop institutions both nationally Director, Jagriti Yatra Starting Annual National Train Journey and within their communities,” explains Swapnil. IIT: KGP, 2006 After getting his Bachelor of Architecture (Major) with Today, Jagriti Yatra is a coveted national scale courses in Marketing Management, Economics, and program encouraging youth to be the change that they Soft Computing from IIT Kharagpur, he worked as a want to see. Jagriti Yatra has networked over 1,800 consultant in New Delhi for a year. However, soon enough youth, partnered with ace corporations and Government bodies, and helped initiate over 100 enterprises. Majority of India’s massive population is young, and we are enjoying a huge Swapnil’s long-term goal is to unleash the movement demographic dividend, but lack of opportunities could turn it into a crippling of entrepreneurship in India and rest of the developing liability. I strongly believe that ‘Enterprise-Led-Development’, which means ‘doing world, and fight the mindset of dependence by creating good while doing well’, holds the key to the future of India a system that will combine an incubation centre’s optimism, a venture fund’s acumen, and a university’s he was driven by his desire of social entrepreneurship. open environment. So, in November 2007 he reached Mumbai with the dream to take 500 youth on a national train journey to Awards meet with and learn from the best social and business Selected as one of the 50 finalists from India for Reliance entrepreneurs of India. Thus was formed Jagriti Yatra, Dhirubhai Fellowship, awarded by Stanford University which is an annual national train journey spread over and Reliance Industries to up to five candidates; covers 18 days and 10,000 kilometers that introduces young all expenses to attend Stanford. 16 INSPIRE > INVOLV E > TRANSFORM cover story

Enabling the Socially Disadvantaged Class

n alumnus of 1994 batch of IIT Madras, Dr Balaji Improving Maths and Science Education ASampath became a volunteer for Association for Recently, Dr Sampath has started a video- based online India’s Development (AID) at College Park when the education program to improve maths and science organization was still having local presence. As a young education at the high school level. This online program student, he mobilized 500 volunteers and founded 25 – www.AhaGuru.com – is currently being used by a chapters of Association for India’s Development in the few hundred students from several elite city schools in USA. After completing his PhD from Maryland University, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderbad and Ooty to prepare College Park’s Electrical Engineering program, Dr for IITJEE, AIEEE and CBSE. “I expect to soon roll it Sampath returned to India in 1997. out in villages and small towns by setting up block Eschewing corporate jobs, he preferred to work level technology-enabled-learning-centers, specifically Dr Balaji Sampath in villages. His initial efforts were directed towards catering to the poorer sections. AhaGuru.com aims CEO, AID INDIA developing and scaling up solutions to address children’s to scale up by cross-subsidizing the village programs IIT-Madras, 1994 malnutrition. However, his interests proliferated to include through nominal subscription fees generated from education, health and livelihood. He also spent the first serving children in elite schools,” he tells I Will Impact. few years creating a volunteer base and partnering with several NGOs in Tamil Nadu. Awards & Recognitions Dr Sampath has received several awards for AID Empowering Socially Disadvantaged INDIA’s work in reading and science education - Ashoka Soon, he started AID INDIA, which is a not for profit Fellowship, Pratham USA Achievement Award, Lemelson organization aimed at empowering socially disadvantaged Innovator’s Award, MIT Indus Technovator’s Awardand and often forgotten sections of the society through socio- Rotary Distinguished Service Award. In 2011, on behalf of economic development programs, education, providing the Association for India’s Development, Balaji received micro credit, and imparting training in the areas of health, the Times of India Social Impact Award from the Prime human rights and utilization of resources for income Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh. Recently, in April 2012, generation. In his words, “AID INDIA enables the poor he also received the IIT-Madras Distinguished Alumnus and disadvantaged to build up a better life.” Award for his work in the education sector. AID INDIA initially focused on developing low-cost, high Dr Sampath has also authored several popular books quality kits and methods that could improve learning quality on science and conducted 175 science demonstration on a large scale. Later, Dr Sampath made AID INDIA scale episodes on popular TV channels. His books and videos up its activities to work with 13,000 villages across the Tamil are today used in several hundred schools. Nadu that reached out to over two million poor children in villages. He has played a key role in AID INDIA’s large scale His Message for PanIITians primary education program, the Eureka Child initiative, PanIIT has brought together IITians from many different which has reached out to over 1 million children in Tamil walks of life. PanIIT can serve as a wonderful platform to Nadu to improve reading, math and science skills. both launch as well as give voice to a number of innovative From 2009, the Eureka Child program started initiatives to develop rural areas and to reach education partnering with many individuals and corporates to adopt and health services to the poorest sections of our society. specific villages and set up village learning centers that India’s growth story is closely connected to our nation’s work with the village children over 10 years to create a ability to take everyone along – to ensure that we as a nation dramatic impact on the village’s education standards. A live up to our constitution’s promise of equal opportunities large number of IITians have adopted villages and are for every citizen. Our coming together becomes really supporting this program. Many have been regularly meaningful when we also work together to build an India visiting their villages and keeping in touch with the where every child gets quality education, quality health care children and teachers. Today, this program reaches out and can aspire to a satisfying and meaningful livelihood. to nearly 1000 villages in Tamil Nadu and Bihar.

Putting Metro on the Fast Track orn in Bijnor, Mangu Singh graduated in civil engineering Spearheading Key Projects Bfrom IIT Roorkee in 1979 with an outstanding academic Singh joined the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) performance. An Indian Railways Service of Engineers in 1997 in the capacity of Chief Engineer/Chief Project (IRSE) officer of the 1981 batch, Singh has contributed Manager and moved upwards to Executive Director and greatly in the project implementation of Kolkata Metro and then Director (Works). He has successfully spearheaded has been responsible for bringing revolutionary changes the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Projects in the execution of large metro engineering projects (civil) of DMRC, the only such successful project in the within tight deadlines and budget. railway transportation sector in the world. He has been INSPIRE > INVOLV E > TRANSFORM 17 cover story

associated with the Delhi Metro since its inception. He into eight coach trains to further increase the carrying has been instrumental in preparing the Master Plan capacity. Additionally, to improve the connectivity and Detailed Project Reports for Metro system in other between the Metro stations and the nearby localities, cities of the country, such as Mumbai, Hyderabad, Singh has planned to introduce 300 feeder buses Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Kochi, Jaipur, which will boost connectivity within the city. Ludhiana and Ahmedabad. An experienced engineer in the field of construction of underground structures in Awards urban environment, he has contributed greatly in the Singh is a recipient of various prestigious awards and underground construction projects of DMRC. honors, like the National Award (Railway Week Award 1996) for his contribution in completing the Kolkata Taking on the Mantle of MD Metro Rail Project and distinguished Alumni Award Mangu Singh In January this year, Singh took over the position of – Global Meet IIT (Roorkee) 2007. He is a member Managing Director, Managing Director of DMRC from Dr E Sreedharan. of many technical institutions and President of the Delhi Metro Rail Under Singh, the Phase-III of the project that envisages Tunneling Association of India. Corporation adding another 140 km of the national capital to the Age: 57 Metro network would be completed by 2016. Singh is IIT: Roorkee, 1979 also at the forefront of the Capital’s first private sector Metro corridor— the high-speed Airport Express line. We realize that Phase-III shall be a very huge task to manage. On technology In order to provide more convenience to passengers front, we have enough experience. Competency building was the big challenge. travelling with the Delhi Metro, over 100 four coach We realized that the middle level management is the back bone and the need for trains have been converted into six coaches. Under the project management was more on developing skills on interfacing, managing Singh, the Delhi Metro is planning to convert some trains and coordinating.

Lighting up Remote Villages nce late in the evening, during one of his visits to Pradesh, Karnataka and Rajasthan. Ohis farm at Karjat (one hour drive from Mumbai), Yatendra Agrawal realized that almost all the houses Leveraging Technology for the Poorest in the area were cloaked in darkness due to lack of EcoSOLUTIONS ensures that the solar lamps it gives electricity in that locality. The houses used wicks dipped out use the LED lighting technology and have the in kerosene to get light. Few days later, he came across latest generation batteries like Lithium or Lithium Ferro an article in the newspaper about the two-decade- Phosphate. Using solar light has a direct benefit on old struggle in trying to get electric connection in five reduction of kerosene usage which produces soot villages near Panvel (near Mumbai). Though the electric and smoke and is known to be the biggest cause of poles were installed, conflict between the electricity and respiratory diseases in the villagers. The solar home Yatendra Agrawal forest departments deprived the village of electricity. lighting solutions have made a dramatic difference to Founder, EcoSOLUTIONS Keen on making a difference, Yatendra who is a Mech the lives of people - women can cook food in night time IIT: Bombay, 1984 Engineering graduate of IIT Bombay (1984) purchased in proper light, children can study in the evening hours Age: 50 years solar lamps and lit up all the 300 homes at the villages and men can continue their work in the evenings.. near Panvel in a matter of just two days. “Since then Early on, Yatendra decided not to make the solar I have never looked back and focused on reaching products himself but to concentrate on reaching out. out to the remotest parts of India where for the next “Many different innovative products are available in few decades electricity will not reach,” says Yatendra, the world but to deliver them in far flung regions of our who worked internationally with Schlumberger Oilfield country is a challenge. We have managed to cover services for 16 years. He has provided independent many remote parts of our country by identifying local consultancy to number of oil companies like Reliance Oil NGOs and honest villagers who are ready to take our & Gas, GSPC & DGH and service companies like Asian mission forward,” Yatendra informs. Oilfield services & Quantec GeoScience (Canada). Reaching out to 10,000 Homes Per Month Founding EcoSOLUTIONS With the year 2012 being declared by the UN as In 2008, he founded EcoSOLUTIONS NGO with the “Sustainable Energy of ALL”, Yatendra’s dream is of purpose of bringing in highest technology and low distributing 10,000 lamps per month by the end of this cost solar lamps to the remotest villages of India. So year, for which he is seeking funds. EcoSOLUTIONS far, EcoSOLUTIONS has lit up nearly 18,000 homes has 80G certificate from Income Tax department giving in remote villages of Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, donors 50% tax exemption. It is also registered in the US Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu &Kashmir, and has 501 approval from IRS giving donations 100% Maharashtra, Uttaranchal, Paschim Banga, Madhya tax exemption in the US. 18 INSPIRE > INVOLV E > TRANSFORM cover story

Professionalizing the Police Force

Sri Kumar has done his B Tech in Electrical His accomplishments in police service include R Engineering from IIT Madras (1970) and Master setting up the country’s first cyber crime police station of Business Laws from National Law School of India in Bangalore, obtaining ISO quality, environmental and University, Bangalore (2003). green building certification for the Karnataka State He joined the Indian Police Service in 1973, after a Police Housing Corporation and playing a vital role in the brief stint in the Central Public Works Dept. From 1973 successful investigations of many crimes of interstate to 1982, he served in various capacities in Uttar Pradesh and international ramifications. Widely acclaimed for his in the districts of Fatehgarh, Azamgarh and Pratapgarh impeccable personal record and professional integrity, and in the Intelligence, Fire Services and Vigilance he ushered in professional management, technology R Sri Kumar departments. He worked as the Chief Security Officer of absorption, transparency and accountability in the Vigilance UPSRTC before coming to Karnataka on cadre transfer police force. He is also known for using technology Commissioner, Central in April 1982. to crack some of the most high-profile cases: the Vigilance Commission assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, the IIT: Madras, 1970 Setting up India’s 1st Cyber 1992 Harshad Mehta scam and the Abdul Karim Telgi Crime Police Station fake stamp paper scam. His stint with Karnataka began with service as In 2010, he became Vigilance Commissioner at the Superintendent of Police, Bangalore and Bellary Districts Central Vigilance Commission. He has been actively and then in 1985 he became SP/CBI, Bangalore. He advocating mobile computing for filing complaints worked with the CBI till 1996 where he served as DIG/ about corruption through Project Vigeye, launched by CBI, Delhi and as DIG/SIT, Madras. Upon his return the Central Vigilance Commission with the objective to Karnataka, he worked as IGP and Commissioner of empowering citizens to report corruption in their for Traffic & Road Safety in the office of the DG&IGP, neighbourhood. Vigeye provides a more user-friendly platform for interface between the CVC and the citizens who may There are 255 districts in the country where rule of law does not work and have been victims at the hands of corrupt officials and extremism had taken deep root. The rule of law should be upheld. Project who want to disclose information about such corrupt ‘Vigeye’ is an example of participative vigilance. The application, which can be downloaded, enables any person to act against corruption, instead of simply practices.Over 5,000 complaints had been received grumbling about it under Vigeye. Awards and Recognition Karnataka State. From 1996 – 2000 as Director (Security Sri Kumar has been decorated with the Indian Police & Vigilance), he was a member of the team that brought Medal for meritorious service on the occasion of about structural reforms and turn around in Karnataka Republic Day (1989) and President’s Police Medal for State Road Transport Corporation. distinguished services on the occasion of Independence He worked as Inspector General of Police in Corps Day 1995. He has been bestowed the distinguished of Detectives, Bangalore, for a year before becoming alumnus award of Indian Institute of Technology, Madras the Chairman & Managing Director, Karnataka State in January 2010. He has also worked as the Chairman of Police Housing Corporation, Bangalore. He continued Task Force on Internal Security, Confederation of Indian in this post till 2008 but for a brief stint as Commandant Industry, Southern Region, and as a social entrepreneur General, Home Guards, Ex-Officio Director, Civil Defence by launching a public charitable Trust called Indian & Director, Fire & Emergency Services till 2008, when he Centre for Social Transformation. He was its author, became the Director General of Police, Karnataka State. Chairman & Founder Trustee and resigned from the He retired as DGP Karnataka in January 2009. position to become Vigilance Commissioner. INSPIRE > INVOLV E > TRANSFORM 19 cover story

Harnessing Technology for Rural India

fter working in the US for 12 years, Rajendra Desai (LoC) training local masons in using local materials such Areturned to India in 1985 with his architect wife Rupal as stone, mud and timber for building earthquake resisting to focus on the softer technologies for shelter, water, buildings. sanitation and energy in the Indian context. Desai has obtained his BTech in Civil Engineering from IIT Bombay Skill Up-gradation Program in 1970 and his MS in Structures from Rutgers University, At present, he is involved in an on-going skill up-gradation USA in 1972. program for the existing masons in the rural areas of Gujarat. Poor performance of the buildings observed in Towards Earthquake Risk Reduction frequent disasters in India stand witness to the poor skill Upon his return to India, he worked with the Centre of levels of our building artisans. This program runs with Rajendra Desai Science for Villages (CSV) in Wardha for a year and a financial support from friends in India and overseas. The Joint Director half on development and refinement of the cost-efficient organization also has a project of evolving and setting up National Centre for vaulted roof made from conical terracotta tubes, made of certification system for the building artisans at state and Peoples’ Action in by local potters, and earthen walls. This was followed by national levels for the Government of India with the aims of Disaster Preparedness joining a tribal housing project at the grassroots in the improving their construction skill levels and bringing them IIT: Bombay, 1970 villages of South Gujarat with Ahmedabad Study Action in the main stream of construction industry. Age: 63 Group (ASAG), which provided an excellent opportunity to Finally, in their efforts to preserve the traditional understand the social dimension in the transfer of shelter (vernacular) building systems that consist of green technologies at grassroots. He continued his efforts on the technologies that have been optimised through terracotta tube vaulted roof and earthen walls, developing generations, and that form an integral part of the invaluable better understanding their behaviour and also bringing heritage in each geographical region, Dr Desai has been improvements in them. passionately working for their up-gradation through the A damage assessment assignment in the aftermath of necessary technical input and through their synthesis with 1993 Latur earthquake in Central India took him into the field of disaster risk mitigation, which soon became his Technologies, if brought back in the main stream, could go a long ways in principal field of work. He along with his wife devoted much taking care of local housing needs with minimal damage to the environment effort on the promotion of seismic retrofitting of the existing and maximum benefit to the local economy. This would also help preserve the stone-earth-timber houses. The couple spent six years unique identity of the region in Latur, learning valuable lessons in technical as well as social dimensions of the earthquake risk reduction. This intensive work on disaster preparedness and earthquake modern materials. He believes that these technologies, risk reduction earned the duo the first AS Arya Award of if brought back in the main stream, could go a long IIT-Roorkee. ways in taking care of local housing needs with minimal damage to the environment and maximum benefit to the On Disaster Preparedness local economy. This would also help preserve the unique In 2000 at the time of Bhavnagar earthquake in Gujarat, identity of the region. In the coming years, the couple barely four months before the Kutchh Earthquake, he and is looking forward to addressing their concern through his wife founded the National Centre For People’s Action In interacting with students at engineering and architecture Disaster Preparedness (NCPDP) with a focus on disaster colleges in the country. preparedness. NCPDP strives to bring viable, eco-friendly and sustainable technologies to help people reduce their Awards and Recognitions vulnerability against future disasters. It strives to remain He and his wife have been the author of several publications prepared for timely intervention in the aftermath of major including Manuals for Restoration and Retrofitting of disasters. Mr Desai is continuing to work on disaster Buildings in Kashmir (UNESCO) and in Uttarakhand and mitigation through training of engineers and building HP (BMTPC- Govt. of India), and the Manual for Hazard artisans, awareness for disaster safety in communities Resistant Construction in India (UNDP). coupled with its confidence building in disaster resisting He was also involved in designing of earthquake safety technologies, preparing ready-to-use technical information awareness literature in the communities living in the for people. Desai has also been involved in similar work earthquake prone areas. Early in 2012, he was bestowed in Uttarakhand. In the aftermath of 2005 earthquake in ‘Distinguished Alumnus Award’ from IIT-Mumbai in Kashmir, he spent several months along the line of control recognition of his work at the grassroots. 20 INSPIRE > INVOLV E > TRANSFORM cover story

Bridging the Gap Between Technology and Development

r Ravi Chopra always had a social bent of mind. As a researcher, Dr Chopra has focused on the DDuring his decade-long stay in the US, he organized interactions between technology and society and the US east coast chapters for San Francisco area environment and development. He first received wide based FREA (Front for Rapid Economic Advancement acclaim when he produced the first Citizen’s Report of India) and ICA (Indians for Collective Action). Also, on the The State of India’s Environment in 1982. when emergency was imposed in India, he played a key Some of the important projects undertaken by PSI role in organizing a 100 mile “Walk for Human Rights include doubling paddy productivity: propagating in India”. SRI paddy, micro-watersheds development in an He has a B Tech in Metallurgical Engineering from area of over 20,000 ha in Uttarakhand and Himachal Dr Ravi Chopra IIT Bombay (1968). Later, he did doctoral research in Pradesh, drought-proofing Palamau district (Sukha Founder and Director Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at Stevens Mukti Abhiyan), hydrological studies in Himalayan People’s Science Institute of Technology, New Jersey, USA. Upon his micro-watersheds, technical analyses of Mansi-Wakal Institute moving to India, he worked with the New Delhi-based (Rajasthan) and Auranga(Jharkhand) dams, Studies of IIT: Bombay, 1968 Center for Science and Environment. Here in 1982, water management traditions in Jharkhand, Uttarakhand he worked on a landmark publication “The State and Himachal, People’s Water Policy for Uttarakhand of India’s Environment - A Citizens’ Report” which and population and India’s water resources in the 21st received wide acclaim. Soon along with a group of century and alternate development strategies for the IITians, he established the People’s Science Institute Thar desert. Dr Chopra’s current research interests (PSI) at Dehradun in 1988. PSI is a non-profit research are focused on the protection and regeneration of and development organization with a mission to help Himalayan rivers in India. eradicate poverty through the empowerment of the poor and the productive, sustainable and equitable use of Awards and Recognition available human and natural resources. Operationally, In 2007 the International Service Society, Lansing, Michigan (USA) bestowed its Lifetime Achievement The idea of public interest research is that any citizen can bring a problem Award on him. In 1997, Indians for Collective Action to us and our colleagues who are well trained in science and technology, will in California had honoured him for his work on water use their skills to analyze the problem. We want to demystify science and resources development and community service and in technology for the common man. 2012, IIT Bombay presented its Distinguished Alumnus Award to Dr Chopra. He serves on various committees of the Ministry it provides technical and managerial support to of Rural Development, Government of India and the communities and organizations that work with them, Planning Commission. He is a member of the National implements development programs and undertakes Ganga River Basin Authority, chaired by the Prime public interest research. Minister of India. He has authored or co-authored 14 books and special reports. Pioneering work Under Dr Chopra’s leadership, PSI has done pioneering His message for PanIITians work in the fields of community-led watershed-based I have been associated with PANIIT, having attended livelihoods development, environmental quality annual events in New Delhi, Santa Clara (USA) and monitoring, disaster-safe housing, promotion of the Chennai. I am willing to contribute more as required. System of Rice Intensification (SRI), popularizing Many individual IITians have made significant the concept of Jal Sanskriti – India’s traditions of contributions towards removing poverty and its water harvesting- and dissemination of appropriate associated problems in India. If we can come together, technologies. A key element in PSI’s approach is we can multiply our effectiveness. But there is a caveat. to build the capacities of the poor to plan their own Before we get involved in such efforts we must ensure development, implement projects and then manage the that we ‘de-class’ ourselves and work with a sense of assets created. humility and respect for the poor. I hope I am not being pompous about this. INSPIRE > INVOLV E > TRANSFORM 21 cover story

Boosting Yield & Income of Farmers

o improve the plight of poor farmers in rural India to rejuvenate environmental conditions by encouraging this Tand increase profitability of their yield, two IIT alumni network into natural farming,” explains Shashank. Manish Kumar and Shashank Kumar chucked their full- time jobs to found an organization that aims at improving Providing 360 degree Services land profitability, improves and maintains the fertility of land Against a an annual fee of Rs 200, farmers enroll with Farms and hence increases revenue generation for land owners, n Farmers to avail of 360 degree services – right from the farmers and farm laborers. Thus was formed Farms n crop selection to marketing. Farms n Farmers provides Farmers in 2010. a one-stop shop for farmers for all their farming needs— eliminating the need for other multiple middle men at each Manish Kumar About the Duo stage. Its wide range of services include advising farmers Co-founder, Farms n Farmers Manish, who has an M Sc in Statistics and Informatics on what to cultivate and how to cultivate, making the right Age: 28 from IIT Kharagpur, has been passionate about social inputs available through centralized procurement, training IIT: KGP, 2010 service right from his school days and has worked for a them at the farm, helping them with farm mechanization slew of NGOs. He also co-founded a society “Sambhav” and finally marketing their produce to fetch the best rates. at IIT Kharagpur which works in the field of employment Farmers are levied 2%-14% service charge for marketing of generation and primary education in villages in the vicinity of farm produce depending upon the crop cycle. IIT Kharagpur. “I decided to pursue my aspirations to work “Farms n Farmers helps to bring 20% to 45% increment in for the society after completion of my studies at IIT, leaving farmers’ income. We have highly qualified and experienced behind prospective job offers,” Manish tells I Will Impact. personnel in the field of soil technology, horticulture, self- On the other hand, Shashank after his B Tech in Textile sustainable and need-based farming and organic farming,” Technology from IIT Delhi worked for two and half years says Shashank, adding that around thousand farmers from as an associate in a management consulting firm. The eight districts of Bihar have enrolled with this program. duo, who met in Delhi while preparing for JEE exams, joined hands to start Farms n Farmers. “Our mission is Message to PanIITians Shashank Kumar to create a large and sustainable network of small and With limited resources, we have scaled up our operation Co-founder, Farms n Farmers marginal farmers to incorporate all possible farming and to eight districts of Bihar. The vast network of PanIIT is well Age: 27 allied activities at the ground level across the country and capable of spreading this work across the country. IIT: Delhi, 2008

Bringing Smiles to Children started a pan-India volunteering community which later hen Shahzad Wakeel was only 10-year-old, his became a nonprofit organization, named as Pankhudi Wfather passed away leaving behind a family of Foundation. The initiative has kick-started six different five. Due to limited funds and a soon-to-be-vacated nation-wide projects focused on remedial education, house, Shahzad realized that he needed to start earning re-admission of school dropouts, broad personality to financially support his family. So at a young age, development and healthcare for slum-dwellers, visually- he started giving mathematics and science tuitions to disabled, orphan and HIV-affected children. Today, younger students. Pankhudi reaches out to hundreds of children across After completing his B Tech in Chemical Engineering five cities in four different states of India. in 2005 from IIT Bombay, he started working with With each city having an average of 100 enrolled Synechron Technologies, Pune. In 2008, he joined volunteers who help run various teaching projects, the Shahzad Wakeel ICICI Bank as Manager, Customer Analytics, Business student dropout rate has reduced drastically in most Founder President Intelligence Unit and also became the Founder, Lead, communities that Pankhudi operates in. “Our volunteers Pankhudi Foundation BIU Knowledge Management Group. In 2009, he joined are in constant touch with the municipal schools these IIT: Bombay, 2005 Illumine Knowledge Resources as Senior Consultant/ children attend and we have observed a marked Model Developer. Since 2011, he is working as a Senior improvement in the learning levels and personalities of Consultant with nDimensions Research, a think-tank, these children,” informs Shahzad. research and strategy consulting firm. Pankhudi has forged synergic partnerships with several non-profit organizations and corporate CSR Founding Pankhudi groups seeking to make time and resource contributions The childhood struggles that Shahzad faced made for underprivileged children. His commitment and him empathetic towards the plight of underprivileged consistency in sharing first-hand experiences of teaching children. Even while working at a multinational IT firm, and active mentoring since 2005 has motivated many he spent weekends holding primary level classes to other youngsters to reach out to children in their cities children from slums and blind-schools. In 2005, he under the aegis of Pankhudi.