chakravarthy

Even the marginal use of industrial and municipal waste as fuel and raw material by the cement industry can notably cut carbon dioxide emissions and make a major difference to the overall environment, apart from the co-benefits of waste management, says the Shakti Foundation that promotes clean energy. Thermal substitution of just five percent in the cement industry can reduce India's emission by about 1.5 million tonnes of Carbon Dioxide annually, says  awhite paper jointly submitted by the Shakti Foundation and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to the Ministry of Environment and Forests. "Such is the magnitude and impact which this opportunity creates", it said. Further, enhanced use of what is technically called AFR (Alternate Fuel and Raw Material) in cement kilns will also help cement plants to meet, or even exceed, their targets given under the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme that is focussed on reducing Indian industry's fossil fuel consump...

( Based on an article published in Deccan Chronicle dated 01st September, 2016. The article is an interview of Ali Muhammad Sagar, General Secretary of the National Conference. The interviewer was Yusuf Jameel ) . Talk to those calling the shots : It is imperative to talk to separatists and take everyone else on board. The kind of situation that is unfolding now or was seen earlier in 2008 and 2010 demand that we bite the bullet and do it now. The problem of Kashmir is political in nature and is deeply rooted in history. Every now and then, we see the situation turning from bad to worse. Our youth are falling prey to violence on a daily basis. Our economy is ruined. Both India and Pakistan must give serious thought to how they, as well as the people of Jammu and Kashmir, can live in peace and harmony. The National Conference (NC) has made it clear, not only now but also when Omar Abdullah was Chief Minister and earlier under Farooq Abdullah that Kashmir ought to be resolved through...