ZZZ PCRA: Working Towards Conserving Precious Energy Resource

PCRA: Working Towards Conserving Precious Energy Resource


The origination
Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) was set up by the Government of India in 1978 as a  response to the oil crisis of the seventies, with the aim to rein in the ever-increasing reckless fuel consumption. The association is a registered society under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and is entrusted with an enormous task of making oil conservation a national movement. As part of its mandate, PCRA  works towards creating awareness amongst the masses about the importance, methods and benefits of conserving petroleum products and reducing emissions.

Cross-sectoral approach
Through its set of multidirectional   approach, PCRA covers a large spectrum of socio-economic activities leading to awareness and oil conservation. It has fine-tuned its approach to different issues and has improved its reach and penetration amongst the target groups of oil and gas users through extensive networking in all the sectors of the economy. PCRA has not left the energy sector unattended. It plays a very important role in advancing energy efficiency. As part of its objectives, PCRA promotes R&D of new technologies, equipment, appliances, additives, devices, etc., including inter-fuel substitution and promoting the use of renewable energy sources. As a result various steps have been taken to promote conservation of petroleum products in the industry, transport, agriculture, and domestic sectors of the economy.  This even includes the upstream oil sector industries.

For the industrialists and entrepreneurs,  PCRA’s promotional schemes are  energy auditors’ empanelment, energy audit subsidy, soft loan on purchase of energy audit equipment, and soft loan for replacement of inefficient boilers. Alongwith these, PCRA undertakes  energy audits, fuel oil diagnostic studies, organises technical meets, consumer meets and seminars. It also helps organise action group meeting and exhibitions.

In the transport?? sector, which is the biggest oil guzzling sector in the country, PCRA’s training and awareness programmes and promotional schemes prove to be exceedingly efficacious in boosting conservation of petrol, diesel, lubricants and creating a multiplier effect. PCRA’s promotional schemes in the sector include soft loans on purchase of fuel-efficient engines, and purchase of instrument and equipment to upgrade garage installations. Dtp, mdp??

Although agriculture accounts for a mere one per cent of the oil consumption, the sector presents a considerable saving potential, especially when we take in consideration the electricity consumption the need and potential for energy conservation turns out to be large. Studies indicate that about 25 per cent to 30 per cent of the energy consumed in lift irrigation pumpsets can be saved through proper pump rectification measures which are extremely cost effective, the pay back period being 1 to 1.5 years. PCRA extends assistance in achieving higher levels of energy efficiency through need-based rectification schemes, demonstration centres other  promotional schemes And also through kisan melas.

For promoting oil conservation in the domestic sector, PCRA organises “Save LPG/Kerosene Clinics” to educate housewives on better cooking and driving habits. It also holds youth programmes to enlighten the young generation about the importance of fuel conservation. MORE

R&D initiatives
Apart from formulating strategies and promoting measured towards accelerating conservation of petroleum products leading to environment protection, energy security and sustainable development, PCRA also promotes R&D efforts in the area of energy conservation in a big way. The association sponsors R&D projects primarily aimed at petroleum conservation and environmental protection in different sectors of economy viz. industrial, transport, agriculture and domestic. Further, on successful completion of R&D projects, PCRA helps commercialize the technologies, processes, equipment's, appliances etc. through technology transfer to interested entrepreneurs. The R&D activities range from evaluation of fuel saving devices and additives; to development of improved combustion equipment; to development of fuel-efficient appliances, devices and equipment.  

Key strengths
PCRA has a highly competent and experienced workforce of over 50 engineering professionals from various disciplines viz. Chemical, mechanical, electrical petroleum and exploration. Apart from these, the association can draw manpower expertise from the various organisations in the oil sector.

PCRA’s major strength is in the area of conducting accurate energy audit, which give insightful information about the energy use patterns within an organisation. In fact, energy audits ate a vital link in the energy management chain. The steps involved in the exercise may be tiny, but cost savings are indeed substantial. It may, at times, mean the difference between profit and loss in a business unit. Energy audit helps in energy cost optimization, pollution control, and safety aspects and suggest methods to improve the operating & maintenance practices of the system. It is instrumental in coping with the situation of variation in energy cost availability, reliability of energy supply, decision on appropriate energy mix, decision on using improved energy conservation equipment's, instrumentation's and technology.

PCRA has got more than 25 years of experience and capability for handling energy audits in all types of industries such as processing, textiles, engineering, pharmaceuticals, glass, steel re-rolling and petrochemicals. One the one hand, PCRA manpower is cost effective, while on the other hand, it has an experience in the upstream as well as downstream areas of the oil sector.

PCRA engineers also provide analytical solutions to complex problems in the field of energy saving and energy management. PCRA is well equipped with the state-of-the-art instruments and equipment, which are extensively used to carry out thorough energy audits. In all, the association has carried out over 6,000 energy audits in various fields and has helped the industries in a saving of more than 800 thousand tonnes of oil equivalent amounting to about Rs 550 crores. PCRA also provides liason services to equipment manufacturers, financial institutions, and government/semi-government agencies. PCRA also undertakes turnkey jobs in carrying out audits and other studies.    

PCRA's experience in conducting energy audit and fuel optimization studies indicate that about 10 to 15 per cent fuel saving is just possible by maintaining simple good housekeeping habits like optimization of combustion efficiencies of boilers / thermopac and furnaces, regular monitoring of traps / insulation quality etc. Majority of these savings can be attributed towards Good Management practices'. By installing energy efficient system itself does not suffice the need but managing at its optimum condition is more essential. It needs in house development of conservation practices like regulation / monitoring / maintaining proper data. Analysis and quick energy conservation measures by each industry should be encouraged.

Outreach efforts
To take the message to the people, PCRA uses all possible and affective media for mass communication. These include electronic and press media e.g. TV, radio, electronic displays; press (at the national and state level); printed literature for specific target groups; outdoor publicity through hoardings, bus panels, kiosks, balloons, banners transliders, etc. The focus of all the messages is easy to implement and practical conservation tips for the industrial, transport, agriculture and domestic sectors. For effective communication to the target groups in semi-urban and rural areas, messages are made in regional languages. Field interactive programs like seminars, technical meets, consumer meets, workshops, clinics, van-publicity, exhibitions, kisan-melas are conducted for dissemination of conservation messages and demonstration of conservation techniques. To give impetus to the oil conservation movement, PCRA utilizes various opportunities and platforms such as the World Environment Day, World Energy Day, various festivals, etc. On such occasions, creative press campaigns are brought out.

Over the years, PCRA has developed a number of films, TV spots and radio jingles in various languages for promoting oil conservation. PCRA also publishes quarterly a journal and a newsletter. Active Conservation Techniques (ACT),is a journal containing articles on technology by energy experts. It also brings out successful case studies leading to conservation of energy. The conservation news is an in-house newsletter highlighting the major activities carried out by PCRA in the core sectors. The training programmes hosted by the association covers all the four sectors – industry, transportation, agriculture and domestic.

For the benefit of various target groups of petroleum products, PCRA has developed literature containing simple ready to implement conservation tips and techniques. Special low cost green leaflets have also been developed to educate the masses on the ill effects of pollution caused due to incomplete combustion and its impact on health. The guiding light being "Where conservation fails pollution starts".

Towards fulfilling its vision
PCRA has a network spread throughout the country. It is headquartered at New Delhi, with regional offices at Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai.  It further has sub-regional offices at another twenty-one locations. Factors such widespread network, efficient manpower, rich experience, and enormous dedication has have led to the success of the association.  In all, the PCRA’s vision says it all. It reads: “To become a center of excellence for conservation of hydrocarbons & environment protection for sustainable development on our inherent strength.” Though the statement is quite ambitious in nature, PCRA is well equipped and seems all set to move ahead towards satisfying its vision.

Partnership opportunities
As an organisation, PCRA offers tremendous partnership opportunities. Corporates, industries, and business houses can utilise its expertise in the energy audits and R&D. The expertise is drawn from 26 years of experience in the sector and rich project exposure abroad. Coupled this with low manpower charges, PCRA can be the most cost-effective and efficient consultant in the energy audit area. In the area of R&D, the association has played an important role in the development of nutan stove, burners, etc. PCRA has the most sophisticated instruments and and equipment for both the jobs. Besides, PCRA can help develop energy audit software. This expertise and experience gained in the country also be leveraged for carrying out such studies overseas.

In the mass awareness area, PCRA has developed a slew of films depicting energy conservation tips in various segments of the industry. Thee can be used by various corporates in educating their own set of customers. In addition, the association’s expertise in attracting youth for radio and television campaigns can be leveraged for spreading the conservation messages and reaching out to the youth via various broadcasting media. The association is also quite adept at networking with the NGOs and nurturing them, promoting them and developing them. Through its “training-the-trainers” initiative, PCRA can help educate a set of trainers so that they can further spread the conservation mantra across the country.

In all, PCRA is a pool of brains constantly working in the oil sector. It is in fact the biggest think-tank in this sector. With its inherent strength, coupled with three decades of experience, PCRA can certainly be acclaimed as one of the top international agencies dealing in energy conservation area. It is a premier government agency and a fit spokesperson for the government’s efforts in the area.

It invites all the stakeholders in the oil sector, exploration agencies, equipment suppliers, corporates, and industry, NGOs to avail of its expertise and services and gain from its experience in the sector.

Strengths and business opportunites
Strengths
26 years of expertise in energy audits
highly competent manpower
low cost resources
vast experience in creating mass awareness through electronic/print media
successful R&D efforts and expertise in developing products
expertise in developing energy audit software
experience in working with NGOs and other grass-root level agencies

Business opportunities
conducting training programmes in industrial/transport/agriculture/ domestic sectors
conducting energy audits in the most comprehensive way
training-the-trainers under DTP, youth programmes
running other mass awareness campaigns
turnkey contracting in the area of energy conservation 
coordination for the emission trading activities
exploring funding opportunities in the energy conservation area 
can become the official spokesperson of the country in energy conservation area

ZZZ A HISTORICAL IRRIGATION SYSTEM

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A HISTORICAL IRRIGATION SYSTEM

         Leena mehendale, I.A.S. Ex-Commissioner, Nasik Division

 (Yojana, Oct. 1999, Vol.43, No.10)

(Relooking at a Historical Irrigation system)

           The district of Dhule, located on the north-west tip of Maharashtra should be of special interest to any student of “Management of Irrigation Systems”, not because of the thousand’ - crore Narmada - Sagar dam alone but because the contrast provided  by yet another irrigation system in the same district.  Dhule district is blessed with two mountain ranges - Satpuda lying east - west and Sahyadri lying north - south and with three major rivers - Narmada arising in Vindhya, Tapti arising in Satpuda and Panjhara arising  in Sahyadri.  It has six tribal talukas where literacy rate in only 10%, both tribal and non-tribal areas are comparatively backward.  Major occupation is agriculture and main deciding factor for a good or bad year is the rainfall.

                  

    The river Panjhara flows west to east in southern parts of the district, covering two talukas Sakri and Dhule.  Then it skirts the city of Dhule, takes a U-turn, goes northward, then westward to meet Tapi and continues westward till they meet the Arabian sea after travelling in Gujarat

          An Irrigation System of major importance built on Panjhara and its two tributaries nearly three hundred years back has been a predominant factor in deciding the cropping pattern and economy of these two talukas.  The system consists of a series of earthen  or stone dams, nearly 70 in number, built along the length of the river Panjhara supplying drinking and irrigation water to nearly 35 villages and irrigating nearly fifteen hundred Hector of land.  They are working without the problem of silting, or maintenance.

          My interest in this system was aroused when I was told that Dr.Vishweshwaraiyya, one  of my childhood idols, had built them.  That was not so-they were built three centuries back during Peshwa regime.  But Dr. Vishweshwariyya has worked here as an irrigation engineer and one can feel proud that he must have seen these dams, imbibed their greatness, studies them, before he proceeded to achieve new heights for the country.

         The system is very different in its concept and management from the present - day system .  While modern systems provide a static storage, these dams work on a dynamic concept of storage which appeals greatly to one’s intelligence.

          How do these dams function?  To start with, a stone dam (sometimes earthern) is built across the river bed to obstruct the water flow and create a small storgage.  But water availability for irrigation is not decided by this dam - height or this storage.  In fact these dams are not higher than 8 to 10 feet from ground level.  Water is diverted from here by building a retaining wall along the length of river, height of the retaining wall goes on reducing till it reaches ground level.  At any suitable place along the retaining wall, a canal is started which will carry water to the far off fields in that village by gravity.  The capacity of canal is small so that water in excess of its carrying capacity goes along the wall and finally falls back into the river.

          Thus, it is the height of retaining wall at the mouth of the canal and the canal width which alongwith the dam storage, will decide the water availability in canal at any given time.  I call this a dynamic storage because water is not static here, but is always flowing into the dam, from there to canal and from there to the fields.  Thus when there are no rains, or no flow in the river, no irrigation water is available.  But even when there is a flow, the maximum quantity of water available at a given time is predetermined by technology itself and nobody can claim or get more than a particular quota of water on a given day.

          Interestingly, there is one way of getting irrigation water for a longer period .  The total rain water received in the mountains finally runs down into the sea or the underground acquafers.  If this run-off velocity can be reduced such as  by having denser forests and trees on the mountains then the total water received by the mountains will flow for longer duration in the river.

          In the modern dams also ,  we build a wall across the river and stop the water flow and store the water.  But unlike the Dhulia system, the stored water is blocked completely and not partially.  This storage can be used throughtout the year and some minimum water can be assured even when there are no rains.  But this is only in theory.  Because the other presumption also exists only in theory - namely that a ceiling will be put on use of maximum water by one individual.

          This presumption is in fact the most important condition for the successful and equitable distribution of the available water.  But the effective implementation of the condition is left in the hands of administrative machinery.  Unfortunately this administrative set up is neither free from corruption nor immune to the pressure from the mightier - as we have painfully learned in these forty years  of independence.  The result is obvious.  Though the manuals of irrigation department lay down strict ceilings on the maximum quantum of water to be supplied  to each beneficiary, it is a common practice to procure more water - sometimes even upto twenty times the allotted quota by adopting dubious  methods which need no listing.

          Thus the principle of ceiling, presently  administered by human machinery has failed in the modern dams.  In Dhulia type, the ceiling is put  by the technology itself .  No matter how great the rainfall, any given field or “fad”, as it is popularly known will get only a fixed quantity of water during the rainy days. The disadvantage is that during non-rainy days water is not assured - but then over a large number of years, farmers have formed their own judgement of water availability during off - season and have fixed their cropping pattern.  In fact since the Panjhara originates from Sahyadri, tiny streams of water continue to supplement it  for a longer period.  So the availability of water is for a longer period than the rainy season.  It cannot of course be called a perennial availability.

          The farmers have also finalized a cropping pattern that works beautifully without problems of salinity or quarrels over water distribution.  Entire irrigable land of one village is divided in three ‘fads’ - fad meaning a continuous patch of land comprising the lands of may farmers.  Only three crops are allowed - one in each fad - namely sugar-cane, wheat and jawar, and every fad must rotate its crop every year thus having a three  year cycle.  So we also automatically  know the area under wheat & sugarcane and jawar every year.

          The disadvantageous consequences of modern dams is that while  areas near the dam profit by it, the tail ends are always faced with uncertainty  of water supply.  Secondly the down stream areas are deprived of their drinking water supply.  The canals have to carry a huge water supply initially and we have had various problems of canal damages.  Government had to incur heavy expenditure on their repairs and maintenance year after year.  In fact in some major dams, the canals were damaged even before water supply had started - thus increasing the gestation period by six to eight years.

          In comparison  the old canals on Panjhara are much smaller in extent - they carry smaller volumes of water - their repairs and maintenance is  less frequent and easier, and is managed by the beneficiary group through contributive labour.  The small worked beautifully after all.

          It is to be noted that the water supply in down-stream villages, right upto Dhulia city will be severely affected if any village decided to increase the height of their dam.  To avoid this, every year a committee of villagers from all the villages inspects the dam height, the canal condition and decrees upon the beneficiaries of any Village to undertake repairs to canals and maintain the dam  height through Shramadan or collective labour.  The Peshwas are said to have introduced a system of fine if any Village tried to increase dam height or tampered with the steady river water flow in any other manner.  But is has never become necessary to actually levy and collect the fine.

          Another comparison which my mind drew was on the problem of silting of dams.  For a modern dam, the silting will be useful only till it fills up the dead - storage volume but thereafter it is a sure menace because it starts reducing the holding capacity of th dam - thereby adversely affecting the guarantee of minimum water supply.

          In case of dynamic dams however, the more the silting the better - because then the overflow in the further parts of the river increases while the concerned areas still continue to get water what they were getting before.

          All this is not to suggest a judgement on the desirability of modern dams.  The only point I want to make is that this age old technique of bandharas has been abandoned now in favour of the modern technique of building dams.  The technological progress must be commended.  However, we need not totally abandon the older technique and must recognise it as an available alternative.

          Two points of minor significance also need to be mentioned.  Each of these bandharas - whether modern or older is prone to water stealing by neighbouring  farmers who can take a well in the nearby field.  The well will keep on getting charged and water can be lifted from it.  The answer to this problem will be same in both cases.  Another observation is that along the entire length of river with this chain of old bandharas.  I noticed a good green cover and every bandhara  was a mini bird sanctuary where birds of different species were flocking in large number.  If a large dam upstream results in drying up of these small bandharas - the birds will have a tough time - because they normally take a long time to learn that they should also shift upstream.

  

ZZZ Identifying and developing CDM Projects in India

Clean Development Mechanism: Identifying and developing CDM Projects in India


1.What is Kyoto Protocol:
a.History and Background UNFCCC
b.What are major sources of GHG
c.Status of the Protocol

2.Kyoto Protocol key element and its relevance to India
3.Flexibility Mechanisms and CDM
4.CDM: How India a developing country can be benefited?
5.Certification Mechanism? Executive Board and Independent Third Party?
6.PCRA’s Strength Areas:
7.GHG Reduction in SMEs through Technology Up gradation
8.Strategy for Technology up gradation: Ph-I , Ph-II & Ph-III
9.Success Stories of PCRA
10.Where PCRA can help

Clean Development Mechanism: Identifying and developing CDM Projects in India


The Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change may be the most important economic & environment related agreement penned in the 20th century. While its aims are environmental – to reduce human induced emissions of greenhouse gases – achieving those aims will mean changing the fundamental bases of production and consumption, transport, investment and energy provision in signatory countries.
In India we must realize that other countries will have to follow suit. So, we have to start listing what conditions we want to put for our acceptance to the protocol.

The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement by industrialized countries and those in transition to market economy (these are mainly in Eastern Europe) to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 5.2% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012. Developing countries can be the signatories to the protocol, but they do not have any binding emission targets.

The Kyoto Protocol established three flexibility mechanisms to assist parties in meeting their targets: Emission Trading (Article 17), Joint Implementation (Article 6), and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) (Article 12). While Emission Trading and Joint Implementation involve Annex-I parties i.e. parties, which have committed to cutting GHG emissions, CDM requires the participation of developing countries, like India. The CDM is a joint programme between a donor country with a commitment (a developed country) and a host country without a commitment (a developing country). Under Article 12, projects must generate “Certified Emission Reductions” (CERs) which the donor country can use to achieve its emission commitment. The CDM will be supervised by an Executive Board. CERs will be certified by “operational entities” if they deliver “ real, measurable and long term benefits related to the mitigation of climate change and reductions in emissions that are additional to any that would occur in the absence of the certified project activity.” Article 12 allows developed countries to use CERs generated from the year 2000 up to 2008-2012 commitment period to achieve their emission commitment for that commitment period.

The CDM appears to be an attractive concept to both developed and developing countries. Developed countries are provided with an opportunity to achieve their commitments more cost-effectively, while developing countries can be helped to achieve their developmental and environmental goals through investment in “Clean Development” which they might otherwise not be able to afford.

Do we accept CDM proposals as and when they come? For India we can identify certain critical criteria for CDM acceptance like:

The projects should be joint ventures and indigenisation should be promoted over a period of time.
The best and most appropriate technology available should be transferred via CDM and India shouldn’t become the dumping yard for old and obsolete technologies.
The projects should be non-commercial.
There should be no new local, environmental and social impacts.
Small and Medium Enterprises will have to be the first priority under CDM. The concept should, however go to other areas like urban planning and rural development strategies including agricultural practices.

India has a land area of 328 million Hectors (seventh largest in the world) and a population of over a billion people (second largest in the world) growing at 1.9% per year. Industrial growth exceeds 9% annually.
Agriculture -- 67% of the labor force and provides 25% of the GDP.
Industry 15% of the labor force and provide 30% of GDP.
Service sector employs 15% of the labor force and provides 35% of the GDP.

Energy is a key input for all these sectors. As per one rough estimate, the total energy-related emissions of CO2, CH4 and N2O in India in 1990 amounted to about 693 Tg CO2 -equivalents, of which 40% were from the power sector. There are as yet no official figures about India’s greenhouse gas emissions. As per one more rough estimate, India’s total emissions of CO2 in 1990 was 164 MtC and this may be projected to rise to 663 in 2020. India with its 16% of global population emits 2.3% of global GHG-emissions which amounts to negligible emissions at a per capita level. However, we cannot remain complacent, as  in many of the activities; utilization of energy is not efficient in comparison with the international standards and practices and there is a great scope for improvement.

In India, with the high rate of growth in population and increasing developmental needs, the demand for primary energy has spiraled.  This is accompanied by a shift to and increases in the share of commercial energy against the total energy demand. The share of commercial energy against the total energy demand has grown up from much faster in the last decade and is expected to grow further Presently the share of oil and gas in the commercial energy mix is over 40%.

Conservation Potential in petroleum products usage:

Sector Conservation potential in petroleum products usage
Transport 20% --50
Domestic 20% --15
Industrial 25% --15
Agriculture 30% --05
Commercial 35% --15

Conservation Potential in various segments of industries:

Industry Potential Reduction in Energy use
Metals 20-45%
Chemicals 25-40%
Petroleum 30-45%
Cement 10-50%
Food 25-45%
Glass 30-40%
Source:  FICCI 2002

In 1973, after a sharp increase in International oil prices, like other oil importing countries, India suddenly found itself engulfed in a situation of energy crisis.  After the second oil shock of 1979, the problem became even more severe. Even oil importing countries like India are feeling heat because of ongoing US and Allied Forces raid on Iraq. With the ever-increasing oil imports bill, it was realized that increasing dependence on oil had to be checked, every drop of petroleum had to be put to its optimum usage and the possibilities of new oil reserves should be explored. There has been an increasing gap between the total petroleum products demand and domestic crude output.  The self-sufficiency level has dropped down from 63% in 1989-90 to barely 30% in 2000-01 and the demand/supply gap is met through imports resulting in the ever-increasing outflow of precious foreign exchange.

Whenever international oil prices have gone up, governments have introduced energy efficiency policies and also provided enough financial and other resources for energy security & conservation efforts, however success can only be achieved if the attitudinal changes take place in the society as a whole. Even an increase of one US dollar per barrel means an outflow of about Rs. 2000 crores in foreign exchange.  To most of us it would come as a shock that over 25% of the India’s export earnings go for the purchase of oil from the international market.

It is in this backdrop, that Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) is required to meet the challenges ahead.

As a part of the Government’s response to curb inefficient utilization of oil and to meet the oil crisis of the seventies; a dynamic entity was evolved from the embryo of this necessity. On 6th January 1976, Petroleum Conservation Action Group (PCAG) came into being which on 10th August, 1978, was reconstituted as Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA).  PCRA is a registered society under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.  An organization with a purpose, Petroleum Conservation Research Association represents the Government of India’s efforts to promote the conservation of petroleum products by curbing wasteful practices and improving the efficiency of utilization of petroleum products.

Where-ever petroleum products are being used, there’s PCRA promoting the concept of conservation, seeking substitution of oil, persuading oil users to adopt conservation techniques and teaming with the oil users to devise ways to optimize the use of every drop of oil.  PCRA plays the role of a catalyzing agency for achieving petroleum conservation in the major energy intensive sectors of Indian economy viz. industrial, transport, rural, commercial and domestic.

Over the years, new developments have shaped up and given thrust to PCRA’s programmes and activities. In this emerging scenario:

Environmental concerns in the country have led to the introduction of mass emissions norms from 1991. These have been made stringent leading to the adoption of Euro-II & Bharat Stage-II norms and introduction of cleaner fuels for vehicle keeping in mind that transport sector is the biggest consumer of petroleum in India.
Govt. policy as spelt out in India Hydrocarbon Vision-2025 considers issues such as energy security, use of alternate fuels and interchangeability of technology as vital to ensure that mix of energy sources used in economy is optimal and sustainable.
The energy conservation Act enacted in 2001 provides the legal and institutional framework for energy conservation activities.

In its mission for improvement of quality of life, PCRA works with the Public Sector Oil Companies, Govt. & Non-Govt. Organizations, Research Institutes and Labs, Educational Institutions, Consumer Associations and other relevant Organisations.

The activities of PCRA encompass a whole gamut of efforts for promoting and propagating petroleum conservation in India including conduct of energy studies; research & development; creating awareness and educating public on the importance, methods and benefits of conservation and thus working also for Environment Protection through efficient use of energy.

PCRA has made significant achievements in the areas of its operation i.e. industry, transport, rural, commercial and domestic sectors. Its efforts have resulted in substantial savings in foreign exchange, which would have otherwise been spent on oil imports and would have also added to country’s GHG emissions.

Industrial Sector

PCRA programs focus on improvement in fuel efficiency through up gradation of technologies and reducing wastages brought out through energy audits both in big and small-scale industries. Our main focus is efficient technologies for Small Scale Industries because:

Small scale contributes about 40% of India’s total manufacturing sector production

35 % of total exports come from these sectors

Employs 160 lakh workers

There are about 350 SME clusters in the country



Small Scale Industries have great potential for fuel saving because there is a dearth of technical expertise, financial constraints, absence of systematic studies and thus PCRA can play a catalyzing role to bring about technology-up gradation. PCRA’s strategy for technology up gradation involves three phases

Feasibility study - Phase I
Setting up pilot demonstration plant - Phase II
Implementation on a larger scale - Phase III



Phase – I involves:

Studies on status of existing technologies
Identification of  barriers to adoption of efficient technologies

Identification of least cost commercially viable technologies

Assessment  of changes in project specific technological / environmental base lines

Assessment of  costs & payback for each option
Capability assessments


Phase-II involves:

Selecting a region to achieve cluster demonstrative effect

Involving local & apex industry association

Selecting a  unit for up gradation as demonstration project

Inviting service industry to the cluster to form consortium to provide single window solutions

Selecting technology experts in consultation with industry associations
selecting a least cost commercially viable  technology to be a showcase for 50 % - 75% of the industrial units in the cluster

Evolving monitoring & verification system for project parameters


Assessing the project specific technological / environmental  baseline before & after project completion

Dissemination of the benefits of the technology through seminar/ workshops


While Phase-III involves:

Selecting units for project implementation on larger scale.
-Inviting consortiums to form Energy Efficient Companies (EECo.s) & Energy Service Companies (ESCo.s) for offering single window solution to industrial units thereby supporting the sustainability of the technology

Monitoring & verification of the project parameters and comparisons with benefits estimated during feasibility and pilot phase



One of the major difficulties in implementing energy efficiency projects lies in bringing the new technology to the consumers even when the cost is not a barrier. PCRA has experienced that the technical superiority alone of the technology is not sufficient by itself to ensure market success. In fact, “Demonstration” is an essential link between innovation and marketing of the product or technology. A demonstration project is the first use of the equipment or an appliance at full scale, under realistic conditions of its operation and in its socio-economic environment. The demonstration project has to establish technical feasibility, economic and social acceptability. To do so, PCRA involves the designers, the manufacturers and the users of the technology in the final evaluation of the technology at the pilot plant stage. Finally after the demonstration and successful evaluation, the technology is transferred to interested entrepreneurs for commercial production.
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ZZZ NEED FOR SPEEDIER CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

Need for Speedier Criminal Procedure

--Leena Mehendale

[CBI Bulletin, April 1999, Vol VII, No. 4]

On the 9th of Jan., 99 Ms. Anjana Mishra was gang raped on the Bhubaneshwar - Barang -Cuttack road in the late night hours.  There were two other eye witnesses to the incidence of the rape who also deposed before the police.  Out of three alleged culprits, one named Sahu was arrested by Orissa Police as early as on 11th Jan. 99 and confessed to his crime.  He has also identified the site of crime as also confirmed by the two main witnesses, apart from Anjana, the victim herself.  The medical report though only preliminary, and though outragously dilute spoke about the possibility of rape.

         

          In her police complaint Anjana Mishra alleged that the gang-rape on her was perpetuated as a part of Conspiracy involving the highest executives namely the Chief Minister and the suspended Advocate general of Orrisa.  She demanded that since the investigating police officers may be pressurised by Govt., the investigation must be handed over to the CBI.  In response the Govt’s first reaction was to order a judicial enquiry into the whole affair but the action was seen by many as the normal delaying  tactics.  Subsequently , the High Court of Orissa ordered that investigation will be done by CBI under their monitoring.

          Even after four months not much progress in the investigation  is made.  It is high time to consider whether the main reason for this is that the emphasis by all enquiring and investigating agencies is on “the  most grevious”  of all the allged crimes, namely the conspiracy and involvement of the highest level govt. executive.  This trend is not new.  The investigation is generally concentrated around the “most grievious”  crime.  That is the tradition of last hundred years.  But is needs to be changed now.

          The need of the day is not to wait to collect all the evidence against Sahu for all his crimes.  The need is also not to wait till the grand allegation of conspiracy against Anjana is unearthed / confirmed / rejected through the grand judicial enquiry committee set up by the grand state of Orissa.  The need is to take the first step of starting the punishments for Sahu for whatever small crimes that have been admitted by him as of today and for whom many other evidence has already been brought on record. Let us learn from Niel Armstrong who proclaimed “one small step for a man is but one giant leap for the mankind”.

          Let us look at the crimes alleged by Anjana, the victim of this gang rape.  First she has alleged repeated gang rape by three people, Sahu and two others (whose identity is also known to Orissa Police and the villagers) continuously for four to six hours at gun point.

          Secondly, she has alleged the hand of now-supended Advocate General of Orissa Mr. Indraj Roy and the CM himself.  She has also alleged the complacency or apathy of the state police and her own advocate.

          A third crime is also obvious.  Sahu and his friend were keeping a revolver (which was used to threat Anjana and her copassenger)) without a licence.  They also must have procured it through unlawful channels.  Sahu has admitted that he and friends were having the revolver with  which life threat was given and Anjana was made to succumb to the crime of rape.

          So now, here is a culprit who admitted to have committed following three crimes:-

  a)  Raping Anjana  which is a crime u/s 376(1) of I.P.C.

     b)  Possessing a revolver without a licence which is a crime under Sec. 25 of Arms Act and;

     c)  giving life threats to Anjana and her copassenger which is a  crime  under Section 506  of I.P.C.

          What remains to be investigated still by the police is the  larger criminality on part of Sahu, if it was a case of gang rape (punishable u/s 376(2) of I.P.C) and a still larger criminality if the rape was part of conspiracy arranged by “people in high positions”.

          Then, why after so many days, Sahu has not been convicted for the first three crimes?

          Because, even though our criminal procedure Code does not ask for delaying; (in fact it lays down that the case, as far as  possible should be finished within six months), our grand tradition of delays helps our investigating machinery and the prosecution machinery and the judiciary itself for justifying delays.  In present case of course the justification of delay is that the police and the judicial enquiry committee, want to find out all the possible angles of the crime.

          We are sending a happy signal to all criminals of this country that the investigating, machinery will always like to find all angles of truth and since it takes eternity to really find out the ultimate and whole truth, therefore, they are safe till natural death parts them from this earth! Should we be sending such a signal or exactly the opposite?

          It is, therefore, time for all law abiding citizens of this country and  all women activists to educate themselves on the following question - in which way will the process of law and delivery of justice be vitiated if Sahu is tried, independently but speedily for the three crimes for which enough evidence is gathered by police.  The protection of a “more thorough enquiry by police or judicial Commission into all aspects of the case” should not be available to him when he can be punished immediately for that part of the crime which he admits now. We should not grant him this protection which he will automatically get if we waited for all crimes to be investigated.  If we give him that, we do it only at our own peril.

          Let us look at the high court decision of the Jalgaon sex scandal case, where the high court felt that the evidence deposed by the victims before the sessions judge was not convincing enough.  Let us look at the time gap between the date of crime in Jalgaon Sex scandal (sometime in 1993-1994) and the date of hearing and deposition before court (sometime in 1995-96) and also remember that this was one case which was speedily tried by appointing special court.  Still it took two years for trial.

          Ask yourself if you want a victim that she should keep alive all the nasty memories of a rape on her even after two years!  Also remind yourself that most of the rape cases, come up for trial not in two but in five to ten years.  Do we want a victim to keep brooding and killing herself again and again over the agony for two to ten years just so that her evidence before the court is “Impressive”?  Don’t we wish the lady victims a speedy recovery from their sufferings so that they can take a fresh and hopeful look at life?  Don’t we want them to get on with life?  Do we want them to keep burning in their own hell-fire of suffering and agonising and seething impotently for revenge for years and years together till the society is generous enough to bring their case to trial by which time their only concern can be to be out of it as fast as possible?

          Cr.P.C. provides that if Sahu is guilty of two crimes namely a rape and a gang rape, then he need not be tried simultaneosly and he need not be punished concurrently.  He may be tried twice for two different crimes and be punished with separate term of punishment depending on which crime is proved.  When the investigations were quicker, as in nineteenth century,  there was some point in bringing the trials for all the crimes together when the incidence was one.  But not now.  Today we urgently need to reassure ourselves through some example, that our society can provide us speedy justice and thereby speedy relief from the criminals.  For the sake of our own protection and guarantee and sense of security we need immediate steps to create a situation which ensures speedy  starting of the trial against Sahu, u/s 376(1)  of I.P.C. for rape against Anjana and similar speedy actions in other rape cases including trying out minor but related crimes separately if possibility of investigating and trying of them faster is higher.

          Perhaps it is necessary to arrange some seminars and debates to discuss this point among the NGOs, judiciary, investigating agencies and eminent law experts of this country.  It has become a matter of concern for every thinking citizen that crimes are not investigated speedily not tried nor punished speedily.  In investigating and prosecuting crimes we have followed the criminal procedure code which is nearly 130 years old and the traditional procedure which was then found adequate, namely trying together all crimes that occured during one incidence.  The experience of several years has shown us that such a procedure of going deep and thorough to investigate into all crimes in one go is proving detrimental to establish the criminality in even minor crimes, thus leading to a deterioration in the law and  order situation.  Surely this traditional method of insisting on hundred percent complete investigation is not effective any more.  In many ways we have become a group of administrators who would not initiate fifty per cent action in the belief and hope that we must wait for hundred per cent preparation.  Thus the “best” has become the enemy of “good and better”.  We have to reverse this trend and start achieving atleast that which is achievable faster then trying to achieve something more noble after spending a long time.

          Let us get together to work out such an alternative system.

                                                                                   

Smt. Leena Mehendale

E-18,

D-I Type flat

Bapu Dham

San Martin Marg

New Delhi-110021.

Let us give ourselves a Speedier Criminal Procedure

(Another version, Pioneer (dt ??)

                On the 9th of Jan., 99 Ms. Anjana Mishra was gang raped on the Bhubaneshwar - Barang -Cuttack road in the late night hours.  There were two other eye witnesses to the incidence of the rape who have deposed before the police.  Out of three alleged culprits, one named Sahu has already been arrested by Orissa Police as early as on 11th Jan. 99 and has confessed to his crime.  He has also identified the site of crime as also confirmed by the two main witnesses, apart from Anjana, the victim herself.  The medical report though only preliminary, and though outragously dilute has spoken about the possibility of rape.  Now then, after the incidence and the confession, what should I, as a women and a citizen of this country (not to speak of my education, elite status and senior govt. office) wish to happen next?

          Don’t I know and understand that as long as there is a single victim like Anjana and a single culprit like Sahu in the country, all women, including myself remain under the danger of a similar atrocity on them?  Don’t I know and appreciate that as long as no speedy punishment is meted out to the culprit, the danger of more such crimes being perpetrated remains large in the society?

          Don’t I know that society can advance or develop only when all its citizen are assured of some security against crimes and attacks?

          Don’t I appreciate that every single day’s delay in punishing the criminal increases my propensity to fall a victim to the next crime?

         

          Don’t the women in and around Barang village (from where Sahu hails) know and understand that as long as  a verdict is not passed against Sahu there is always a chance of his being out on “Bail” and perpetrating similar crimes on them?

         

          In her police complaint Anjana Mishra alleged that the gang-rape on her was perpetuated as a part of Conspiracy involving the highest executives namely the Chief Minister and the suspended Advocate general of Orrisa.  She demanded that since the investigating police officers may be pressurised by Govt., the investigation must be handed over to the CBI.  In response the Govt’s first reaction was to order a judicial enquiry into the whole affair but the action was seen by many as the normal delaying  tactics.  Subsequently , the High Court of Orissa ordered that investigation will be done by CBI under their monitoring.

          Even after four months not much progress in the investigation  is made.  It is high time to consider whether the main reason for this is that the emphasis by all enquiring and investigating agencies is on the  “ most grevious”  of all the allged crimes, namely the conspiracy and involvement of the highest level govt. executive.  This trend is not new.  The investigation is generally concentrated around the “most grievious”  crime.  That is the tradition of last hundred years.  But is needs to be changed now.

          The need of the day is not to wait to collect ALL the evidence against Sahu for ALL his crimes. The need is also not to wait till the GRAND allegation of conspiracy against Anjana is unearthed/confirmed/rejected through the GRAND judicial enquiry committee set up by the GRAND state of Orissa.  The need is to take the first step of starting the punishments for Sahu for whatever small crimes that have been admitted by him as of TODAY and for whom many other evidence has already been brought on record.  Let us learn from Niel Armstrong who proclaimed “one small step for a man is but one giant leap for the mankind”.

          Let us look at the crimes alleged by Anjana, the victim of this gang rape.  First she has alleged repeated gang rape by three people, Sahu and two others (whose identity is also known to Orissa Police and the villagers) continuously for four to six hours at gun point.

          Secondly, she has alleged the hand of now-supended Advocate General of Orissa Mr. Indraj Roy and the CM himself.  She has also alleged the complacency or apathy of the state police and her own advocate.

          A third crime is also obvious.  Sahu and his friend were keeping a revolver (which was used to threat Anjana and her copassenger)) without a licence.  They also must have procured it through unlawful channels.  Sahu has admitted that he and friends were having the revolver with  which life threat was given and Anjana was made to succumb to the crime of rape.

          So now, here is a culprit who admits to have committed following three crimes:-

a)  Raping Anjana  whcih is a crime u/s 376(1) of I.P.C.

    b) Possessing a revolver without a licence which is a crime under Sec. 25 of Arms Act and;

    c) giving life threats to Anjana and her copassenger which is a crime  under Section 506  of I.P.C.

          What remains to be investigated still by the police is the  larger criminality on part of Sahu, if it was a case of gang rape (punishable u/s 376(2) of I.P.C) and a still larger criminality if the rape was part of conspiracy arranged by “people in high positions”.

          Then, why after so many days, Sahu has not been convicted for the first three crimes?

          Because, even though our criminal procedure Code does not ask for delaying; in fact it lays down that the case, as far as  possible should be finished within six months, our GRAND tradition of delays helps our investigating machinery and the prosecution machinery and the judiciary itself for justifying delays.  In present case of course the justification of delay is that the police and the judicial enquiry committee, want to find out ALL the possible angles of the crime.

          Are we sending a happy signal to all criminals of this country that the governing, machinery will always like to find ALL angles of truth and since it takes eternity to really find out the ultimate and whole truth, therefore, they are safe till natural death parts them from this earth?  Are we wanting to send such a signal or the exact opposite?

          Let all law abiding citizens of this country and let all women a

ctivists educate themselves and me on the following question - in which way will the process of law and delivery of justice be vitiated if Sahu is tried now, independently but speedily for the three crimes I mentioned above.  Why should the protection of a “more thorough enquiry by police or judicial Commission” into All aspects of the case be available to him when he can be punished immediately for that part of the crime which he admits now?  Why should we grant him this protection?  If we do so, we do it only at our own peril.

          Look at the high court decision of the Jalgaon sex scandal case, where the high court felt that the evidence deposed by the victims before the sessions judge was not convincing enough.  Look at the time gap between the date of crime in Jalgaon Sex scandal (sometime in 1993-1994) and the date of hearing and deposition before court (sometime in 1995-96).

          Ask yourself if you want a victim that she should keep alive all the nasty memories of a rape on her even after two years!  Also remind yourself that most of the rape cases, come up for trial not in two but in five to ten years.  Do we want a victim to keep brooding and killing herself again and again over the agony for two to ten years just so that her evidence before the court is “Impressive”?  Don’t we wish the lady victims a speedy recovery from their sufferings so that they can take a fresh and hopeful look at life?  Don’t we want them to get on with life?  Do we want them to keep burning in their own hell-fire of suffering and agonising and seething impotently for revenge for years and years together till the society is generous enough to bring their case to trial by which time their only concern can be to be out of it as fast as possible?

          Cr.P.C. provides that if Sahu is guilty of two crimes namely a rape and a gang rape, then he need not be tried simultaneosly and he need not be punished concurrently.  He may be tried twice for two different crimes and be punished with separate term of punishment.  When the investigations were quicker, as in nineteenth century,  there was some point in bringing the trials for both or all the crimes together.  But not now.  Today we urgently need to reassure ourselves through some example, that our society can provide us speedy justice and thereby speedy relief from the criminals.  For the sake of our own protection and guarantee and sense of security let us all demand immediate steps to create a situation which ensures speedy  starting of the trial against Sahu, u/s 376(1)  of I.P.C. for rape against Anjana and similar speedy actions in other rape cases.  In this fiftieth year the Republic, let us give unto ourselve a Speedier Criminal Procedure

                                                                                   

Smt. Leena Mehendale

E-18,

D-I Type flat

Bapu Dham

San Martin Marg

New Delhi-110021.

ZZZ Administration and literature are not mutually exclusive

Administration and literature are not mutually exclusive
by Tapan Das Gupta for  www.meghdutam.com

Leena Mehendale, born in Dharangaon, Maharasthra, had her schooling at Jabalpur MP, and Darbhanga, Bihar. She studied for M.Sc. Physics in Patna, and her M. Sc. Project Planing in Bradford, England. She works at two levels... she writes short stories, poems and dramas for children; she provokes the adults and nettles society by focussing attention on social issues. She is equally at home with three languages Marathi, Hindi and English and becomes a literary bridge by playing the role of translator. She also gives talks on All India Radio and is a good story teller. She is involved in social reform activities. Leena Mehendale, is an IAS officer, presently working as Joint Secretary, National Commission for Women Govt. of India.

Tapan Das Gupta had a tete-a-tete with her at her residence. Excerpts from the interview:

Tapan Das Gupta: How did you begin to write?
Leena Mehendale: I started writing during 1968-71 while at college. The stories I wrote then were mainly ghost stories and they appeared in the college magazine. During this period, I also translated an one-act play Dole(eyes) by Madhuri Bhide, from Marathi to Hindi, for AIR Patna. Dole has a very good story line and I believe its appeal is eternal.

TDG: You seem to work in diverse areas of literature. 
LM: I write in four different areas.
One -- writings on social and administrative issues, I often write in magazines and dailies on women's issues, education, administrative reforms, on socio-political aspects relating to administration, agriculture, health etc. So far, I have contributed more than 300 articles in Marathi, Hindi and English to major publications.
Two -- I write short stories, poems, dramas for children. I have a few books for children to my credit. The books are collections of short stories; I am also a nature lover and have written books for children on bird-watching and the flora and the fauna. My perspective is highly individualistic, say my readers. That comment cheers me a lot.
Three -- I am a scientists by training and often take time to deliver lectures on scientific topics to college students and adults. My nineteen lectures on 'Atomic Physics' were broadcast over AIR. I also write on Ayurveda, Naturopathy, the holistic theory of health.
Four -- I love to translate. I have translated into Marathi, and Hindi from Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, English and Bengali. Sahitya Akademi will soon be publishing my translation of the collection of poems of the famous poet Kusumagra from Marathi to Hindi. I have also translated a book titled "Democracy: Eighty Questions and Answers" from English to Marathi. This is due for publication by the National Book Trust.

TDG: Leenaji, you have a wide range of literary activities. Don't you think the scope of literary creativity is often curtailed by the limitations set by your career as an administrator?
LM: Well, Mr Gupta, I have been asked this question earlier too. It is my belief that the field of administration is not devoid of opportunities for literary creativity. There is ample scope for it. I try to add a story line on the basis of real incidents. In this connection, I can well recall my experience for the rehabilitation of devdasis (temple maids) in Kolhapur, Maharastra, or my writings on Jalgaon sex-scandals, or the sustainability question of big dams. Very recently, I wrote in 'Janasatta' (Hindi newspaper), highlighting the illogic of allowing the escape of Chota Rajan, the dreaded underworld don of Mumbai on the belief that he could be our best defense against Daud Ibrahim. I think the inherent philosophy and thinking that go into these view points are nourished and nurtured by latent creativity. I strongly believe that underlying philosophy is relevant. In face, it is the essential and permanent aspect of literature and it is not correct to regard such writing as "non- literature".

TDG: How do you approach children's literature? Do you believe that all material for children should have 'messages' to convey?
LM: Not all writings need be message-oriented. But wherever possible, I convey the message, directly or indirectly. Often I use a mix of both.

TDG: You often handle scientific topics for children. How do you combine imagination and science in your writings?
LM: I think I can best explain that by referring to two dramas for school children broadcast over Radio Pune. One play brings out the need to preserve the high mountains and greenery to catch clouds for the rains, otherwise mankind shall be doomed. In the second play, a clever teacher unfolds the magic and enchantment of mathematics to children and makes the children enjoy the subject.

TDG: Please comment on the role of translation in a pluri-lingual and multi-cultural country like ours.
LM: Translation is a major unifying force. My experience as a translator is really wonderful. In spite of the variety or plurality of Indian Languages, I found the same meter can be adopted in case of poetry. I found the same types of phrases, sentiments and allegory, conveyed in identical way in different Indian languages. If the translators keep these things in mind, the translated works will surely be novelty for the readers. I would like to highlight one incident in which I was also associated. This came about like this. My son Aditya translated a story from Std 1, Balbharti for the displaced tribal children of the Narmada Valley who belonged to the Bhil-Pawri community. Bhil-Pawri is their mother tongue. They were resettled in a village Somawel and their children were encouraged to attend school but the medium of teaching was Marathi. The children, for obvious reasons felt that they were not coping with the dual task of learning Marathi and also acquiring the skills to read and write the language too. Aditya translated the Balbharti story in Bhil-Pawri language with the help of two Bhil-Pawri students of that school -- Kirta Lalji Basawe and Dilip Thoga Padwi. Later we got the text printed as a book and included in it the alphabets with Bhil Pawri words which Aditya had collected. The copies of the book were distributed to all children of that village and they still enjoy reading it. This was the famous story of the donkey and his burden. The entire book was written using Devnagri script but Bhil- Pawri language. See how one language is integrated to the students with different mother tongue. Here lies the beauty of translated works.

TDG: What are your suggestions for budding writers, especially writers for children?
LM: Children's literature should be closer to the children's point of view. There should be elements of humor, drama, surprise that capture the child's attention. The writing should be socially relevant too.

TDG: Do you think internet is weakening reading habits among children?
LM: No, but internet can become an alternative to reading. I feel internet should be made available in regional languages, specially in a multi-cultural country like ours.

TDG: Meghdutam organized an online poll on the best authors of the century. Sarat Chandra Chatterjee topped the poll, followed by Bhagwan S. Gidwani and R K Narayan. What is your choice for India's novelist of the twentieth century? 
LM: I dare not name only one single author. There are several authors like Sarat Chandra Chatterjee, Rabindra Nath Tagore, Amrita Pritam. There are a few authors in Marathi literature like G. N. Dandekar, G.A Kulkarni, Durgabai Bhagwat and P. L. Deshpande. I can name one from Gujarati literature -- Gulab Das Broker. Besides there are authors like Prem Chand, Sankrityayan, Adyeya, Phaneeshwar Nath Renu or the anti-establishment writers like Maheshwata Devi. Of the Indians writing in English, I like Vikram Seth. I would name 'The Last Pass' of Prasher which is also an impressive anti-establishment writing and work of Anita Agnihotri, or Laxmi Kannan among the recent writers. Together they reflect the variety that India is, the message of unity in diversity.

TDG: What are your plans for the future? 
LM: Let me see. I have no particular plan as such but there are possibilities. I don't know how far I will be able to fulfill them. I am preparing a book on star watching -- a guide to the layman who wants to study the sky and the stars at random without telescope. A book on atomic Physics targeting students as support study but will also interest the common man is something that I want to work on. I am preparing a book on dams for the teenagers. I am also planning to write on sericulture and women's issues.

TDG: Bubbling with plans. May they come true.
LM: Too many things to work on! Well, that gives meaning to life.

TDG: Let all your dreams come true.
LM: Thanks. Such good wishes help to keep up the spirit.

TGD: You are welcome to write for Meghdutam.
LM: Great. I would enjoy it.