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| Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | Views: 1235 |
| Apr 07, 2005 8:04 pm | | Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
H@r!$h Vittal | | [ Background by www.nuthinbutnet.net ]
I have always had one compaint about Chennai ever since i moved here, its weather (apart from the autorajas who constantly try to fleece you).
The heat is incessant, but I believe that with a much greener Chennai, this city can lose that all important tag.
We don't enough tree cover on our roads. There's practically no shade for those who'd like to enjoy a nice walk. How many of us have seen a road with shade which makes a traffic jam bearable??
Apart from cooling down the weather, I believe it will also add to the water table, oxygen content in our air, etc.
So, to those who believe that this is a cause worth fighting for, lets talk on this thread.
You can bombard your ideas here, however insignificant or impractical you think they are. Lets come up with Ideas which as individuals we can implement individually and something that WCFC as a forum can take up actively in the long run.
Go on, Lets paint this town "GREEN".
And those of you who think its fine the way it is, please say so with your logical reasoning. We would like to hear both sides of the argument.
Private Reply to H@r!$h Vittal |
| Apr 08, 2005 3:07 am | | Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
SOEB FATEHI | | Lets play the same ole game all over again.
Pick up a shovel and dig.
What are you digging for?
Information!
what ten variety of trees
are available as saplings from the local
forest department for general planting?
what are the costs of planting them?
what is the correct time of the year
considering that the ground water should
look after the saplings without need for
anyone to attend to them in a public place?
does the sherrif of the city have a program
for distributing saplings free for anyone
who promises to plant them?
in Mumbai we get thousands of saplings
every june.
take advise from:
Annamalai Reforestation Society
they do great work -
they dont just sit on their name!
http://home.t-online.de/home/kaischoe/whatis.htm
organise learning programs with:
http://envfor.nic.in/report/9798/edu_trg.html#eti_cecpreecc
in year 2001:
LE ROYAL MERIDIEN, Chennai
Le Royal Meridien, Chennai mustered a team of over
150 persons on Tuesday 5th June at 7am to clean the
roadside of all the garbage outside the hotel but
when the rains came at 07:45 the team were forced
to stop. So team repeated the exercise again on
Thursday 7th June and removed a massive amount of
garbage from 7am to 9am that day. Parallel to this
the team cleaned up the "traffic island triangle"
nearest to the hotel and put good quality soil on it.
Plant trees and bushes in it and maintain it tidily
as our contribution to helping keep our city clean
and tidy. A banner has also been put up saying
"Le Royal Meriden Chennai protects the environment.
go meet them and ask them to sponsor you so you can
do it again!
Go meet two persons who planted 15000 trees in
Chennai:
By profession, V Subramanian was a banker at the
Reserve Bank of India, while Dr R Madhavan is a
practising paediatrician. they will give you as
many free saplings as you can carry. they will
teack you how to select trees and tend them too.
contact them at (+91-44) 2493 8368 / 2493 7060.
if numbers have changed in the last two years
then you must find out the new numbers somehow.
If you have difficulty in getting to anyone or
in enlisting support for any good cause, use
the advise of LK(g). She is a very well
connected heavyweight who can break the
ice for you. Private Reply to SOEB FATEHI |
| Apr 08, 2005 10:29 am | | re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Lavanya Karalkar | |
Soeb Fatehi..this time you have really given some information which can be used by chennaites who really care for chennai.Yes. Harish..our chennai needs to be more greenier and even the government thinks so as can be seen on the saplings being grown on the middle meridian of the road.This is really a ambitious one and can be achieved as even there wont be any opposition from the 'karavetti's'..now Govind we have to bring in more members to this board to voice their openion. I am sure one pm from u would be welcome in this regard..
LK(g) Private Reply to Lavanya Karalkar |
| Apr 08, 2005 2:14 pm | | re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
H@r!$h Vittal | | Wow, Soeb!
Can you kindly sit on the Cabinet of our Central govt as a honarary member?
That is a lot of information and i wouldn't even to know where to begin from. I do hope this forum gives us and me a launching pad to do really make an impact on our own lives.
We need more hands, more voices and more heart!
Private Reply to H@r!$h Vittal |
| Apr 08, 2005 2:16 pm | | re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Don't give up at halftime. Concentrate on winning the second half | | this is more than some information SOEB.. I salute..
Harisha lets meet these guys by roping in more people.. lets have Govinds concurrence too..
p.s. SOEBji...when time permits pls check your personal message,, Private Reply to Don't give up at halftime. Concentrate on winning the second half |
| Apr 08, 2005 5:10 pm | | re: re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Govind Srinivasan | | This thread should make every one of us rally round quickly and get down to action.
I would like to talk to as many thread-participants as possible. I will appreciate if you can call me on my Mobile No. 93810 00516.
We will chalk out the strategy quickly, say, in a week's time. OK?
Govind Srinivasan
93810 00516Private Reply to Govind Srinivasan |
| Apr 09, 2005 3:02 am | | re: re: re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Unny (www.travelwithacouple.com) | | Hi all,
C P R Foundation (Alwarpet) is one organisation that can be part of this.
Exnora is another, who can be roped in. Exnora, I suppose has the orgranisational capacity to initiate something immediately.
Yes. a lot of things can be done for Chennai.
Water availability is a critical aspect in greening the city.
Rainwater harvesting can be done on roads, where rain water from roads is harvested. This will even take care of flooding on roads to some extent. The company i worked in chennai had given a proposal for this (to be done at our cost) to Corporation some time in 1995. It was then considered as ahead of its time! and didn't allow us. Now, awareness on rainwater harvesting has increased tremendously.
Am out of Chennai. Yet would love to see the city becoming a great place to live.
UnnyPrivate Reply to Unny (www.travelwithacouple.com) |
| Apr 09, 2005 8:31 am | | re: re: re: re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Lavanya Karalkar | |
Oh..thanks unny radhakrishna. We are really proud to have a mumbai based palakkadian taking real interest in this project. would you please give some more details as to the company you earlier worked etc?
LK(g) Private Reply to Lavanya Karalkar |
| Apr 09, 2005 3:18 pm | | re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
krishna kumar | | 1 we need enough water for people to drink first.
2 Painting green has to be a movement.. with community participation.
3 how to stop urinating in public..places..
4 throwing stuff in public places..
5 BURNING OF STUFF IN OUTSKIRTS.. INSTEAD OF solid disposal plan, to generate biogas out of it, to feed that to our slums.
6- i always dream of converting slums to skycapers.?
well, i will see it happen one day.
chennai, starting from the mayors office,hospitals, koovam and further..
-i apreciate.. WCFC but i think exnora has all these points and are already an action group.. so instead of starting new stuff. lets strength the organisation by holding hands with them.
XANSA INDIA(IT BPO COMPANY) is adopted the burn ward of KMC.. SIMILARLY LET MOTIVATE OR COMPANIES TO TAKE UP ONE ACTIVITY AND DO IT.
Get energetic college students... make this a trend...
Private Reply to krishna kumar |
| Apr 09, 2005 4:06 pm | | re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
J N | | HI Friends nice going .
One of the immediate things which would do a great -
1. Pollution
2. Vehicle Driving Sense
3. Traffic Jam Easing ( especially in peak hours)
4. Arresting erotic and speed driving .
We pity the Police Personnel who stand in Signals inhaling the Carbon monoxide .very few have been provided with masks which they wear as a neck tie .
Second Pitable ones are the Onyx garbage cleaners , they also work without masks - inhaling stench and gas etc.
Third ones are the Noise pollutions are the kids and children and OLD ailing people .
Still more come , will keep adding
All hands of mine are there for support
Looking forward to a clean green and a happy chennai
J N R
9841817828
Private Reply to J N |
| Apr 10, 2005 4:10 am | | re: re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Govind Srinivasan | | Wonderful participation by more number of members this time.
Harish has started a thread, pushing his case for making CHENNAI greener than what it is. The crux of his posting is,
"We don't enough tree cover on our roads. There's practically no shade for those who'd like to enjoy a nice walk. How many of us have seen a road with shade which makes a traffic jam bearable??
Apart from cooling down the weather, I believe it will also add to the water table, oxygen content in our air, etc.
So, to those who believe that this is a cause worth fighting for, lets talk on this thread."
I HAVE A VERY SHARP AND LOUD REQUEST TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS in this thread.
If we can stick on to contributing our ideas close to what the THREAD-TOPIC initiates, it will help us manage the threads with a cohesion.
There is no bar for anybody to construct an idea and start a new thread. But let us not push in different topics into a single-focussed thread itself. Also, let every thread manager (thread initiator) bring out a rationale for his views and make the topic stick with the main objective of WCFC, which is "making Chennai a better place to live in".
Let's contribute to the topic chosen by Harish here.
I appeal to the silent members to come to the center-stage.
Govind Srinivasan
Moderator, WCFC.Private Reply to Govind Srinivasan |
| Apr 10, 2005 3:03 pm | | re: re: re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
J N | | We quite appreciate , but how we tackle the cattle and watering them daily .
J N Private Reply to J N |
| Apr 10, 2005 5:12 pm | | re: re: re: re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Govind Srinivasan | | JN,
You can open up a separate thread and put out what you want to say. Once you initiate a topic and spell out what is the issue and also the way we can tackle it, you can float the topic in this board for deliberation by other members.
In a new thread, you can initiate any topic that concerns CHENNAI and LIFE IN CHENNAI. The only caution is that it is better to get the idea clear in our minds as to what the topic is all about. Just a small caution. To make the chat lively and purposeful and ensure participation from a good lot of members, we have to avoid too generic topics or too narrrowed-down ones.
Yes, the cattle problem too can be discussed. But let that be in a separate topic and not in this particular thread. This thread is about covering Chennai landspace with more trees.
Hope you appreciate, JN.
Govind
Private Reply to Govind Srinivasan |
| Apr 11, 2005 1:35 pm | | re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
H@r!$h Vittal | |
Hi,
If I am not mistaken, JN is pointing out the Cattle and water problem in relation to planting trees in the city. Both are valid points and can be discussed on this thread.
Cattle perenially pose a problem of consuming young green saplings and so does non-availability of sufficient water for the plants pose problems.
I am sure there are workarounds for all problems.
Nothing is impossible!
Private Reply to H@r!$h Vittal |
| Apr 11, 2005 1:55 pm | | re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Govind Srinivasan | | Harish,
JN's posting doesn't give me the meaning that you have got out of it. Nevertheless, if you think that JN's query has a relevance to building up the issue that you have initiated, I am certainly OK with that.
Let's hope that this issue gets a good momentum and that we use the theme of this thread to make WCFC go beyond the virtual chat.
GovindPrivate Reply to Govind Srinivasan |
| Apr 24, 2005 1:13 am | | re: re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
SOEB FATEHI | | Any progress in this green movement? Let me know if something is to be done from my end. Private Reply to SOEB FATEHI |
| Apr 25, 2005 4:28 pm | | re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
H@r!$h Vittal | |
Unfortunately, the seeds are yet to get enough water on this board . . . Private Reply to H@r!$h Vittal |
| Apr 25, 2005 4:35 pm | | re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Govind Srinivasan | | We have a need to depend on inorganic growth. The net has its limitations, while it can't be ignored. We are in this stage. All of us are able to express our intellectual preparedness and share our intellectual determination. Converting this to practical down-to-earth actions is the name of the game that eludes solution.
Light-hearted ideas sell in the net. But words delineacting call for action go in a loop here.
I still haven't lost hopes.
Govind SrinivasanPrivate Reply to Govind Srinivasan |
| Apr 26, 2005 5:43 pm | | re: re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Kanchana Ravichandran | | Dear All,
Am back again after a silence. Have been busy but have always been dying to tell u all what I am into now. Keep reading ur posting and finally now found the time to reeply. Love the Paint Chennai Green concept. Lets do it now. YES International which is into buiding toilets and maintaining it will defenitely help us. So Govind, fix a date and lets go and plant trees and make the streets greener. I did call u a couple of times but u never returned the call. Pls find time to call me and lets take it up in all earnestness and prove that we not just talk but act. Take care all
kanchana Private Reply to Kanchana Ravichandran |
| Apr 28, 2005 7:41 pm | | re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
H@r!$h Vittal | | Hi kanchana,
Pls go ahead and tell us how we can contribute with this NGO's help. I am sure people in this forum would love to do their bit.
Private Reply to H@r!$h Vittal |
| Apr 28, 2005 8:03 pm | | re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Don't give up at halftime. Concentrate on winning the second half | | i want to do it atonce.. no gassing.. Show the way Kanachana and Harish ..pls Private Reply to Don't give up at halftime. Concentrate on winning the second half |
| Apr 29, 2005 6:49 pm | | re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
H@r!$h Vittal | |
Those who'd like to contribute to this cause, Pls add your name to the list below and we shall organise a meeting of the minds...
1. Gokul Raman
2. Kanchana R (helpng with the NGO)
3. Harish Vittal
4.
5.
6.
Private Reply to H@r!$h Vittal |
| Apr 30, 2005 1:39 am | | re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
SOEB FATEHI | | Those who'd like to contribute to this cause, Pls add your name to the list below and we shall organise a meeting of the minds...
1. Gokul Raman
2. Kanchana R (helpng with the NGO)
3. Harish Vittal
4. Lavanya Karalkar
5. Sushi
6. Savi 3
7. S Dinesh Gopinath
8. Govind Srinivasan
9. Lalit Vashista (long distance via remote)
10. Soeb Fatehi (long distance via remote)Private Reply to SOEB FATEHI |
| Apr 30, 2005 2:21 am | | re: re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Kanchana Ravichandran | | Hi All,
We are all set to start now that we have reached the magic number ;-D Am sure Govind would not agree with me.
Am leaving for AP tonite, then Hosur, Coimbatore then Bangalore. Hopefully should be back in Chennai next weekend.
As Govind and a few may know - am an Independent Consultant, I associate with other NGOs and ensure that projects not only take shape but also are implemented. Came across this YES International and immediately felt that they were doing a remarkable job of building and maintaining toilets in all bus stands, Railway stations and other public areas. It is indeed disgusting and revolting to see people use the streets as toilets and am liasoning with the Government and Corporate to build more toilets. This also generates a lot of jobs for the lower income group and also keeps the environment clean and healthy.
I support another organisation called YES - Youth Employment Summit. Had sent an invitation abt it last month. This organisation addresses unemployment not only in the urban but also rural youth. They collaborate with the Industrialists in that area and the Government and set up manufacting units which again gives 100s of job opportunities. The best thing about this organisation is that they have tied up with another organisation which buyes back whatever is produced by the SHGs.
Am also promoting a Community College in Porur. Whats so unique about this College is that the candidate who enroles here is given a placement at the end of 1 year. He is taught vocational skills like 2 wheeler mechanics, 4 wheeler mechanics, Ac mechanics, bakery, DTP etc. From the 7th month he is made an apprentice in a company and gets a stipend of Rs. 1500 and the minute he completes the next 6 months he is placed there with a starting salary of Rs. 2,500 which is a good money for all the 8th drop outs and 10th std. Here again am going and taklking to all Corporate, Rotary and Lions Clubs etc. I also consider this the best option for the Tsunami youth and am seeing people eager to sponsor a livlihood and not merely buy and give boats, nets or provisions.
As you can see the more u look around the more projects there are just waiting to be done. If any of you are interested in any of the above mentioned area or if we can do these projects through WCFC am game. For me more than the name - the project has be done. As always suggestions and ideas always welcome. Govind, now u have to call the shots and tell us how we can go abt it.
The advantage of associating with an NGO ensures that the projects run smoothly and just your ideas and suggestions wherever u can't be physically present is also equivalent to working directly in the field. You could help in arranging funds and people like me who have all the time in the world can implement it and bring a new meaning in the lives of the deserving. Await your immediate response. Take care all and have a great weekend.
kanchanaPrivate Reply to Kanchana Ravichandran |
| Apr 30, 2005 9:27 am | | re: re: re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
sushi krishnamoorthi | |
Kanchana..If I can be of any use, please let me know..Evnings and weekends i may be able to utilise for some service.. Please let me know
sushi Private Reply to sushi krishnamoorthi |
| Apr 30, 2005 5:20 pm | | re: re: re: re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Kanchana Ravichandran | | Dear Sushi,
Thks a lot. Knew I could count on u guys. Now we all need to meet. Am sure u can arrange that very soon and let us find out how committed we all are to this noble cause. So make haste...
kanchanaPrivate Reply to Kanchana Ravichandran |
| May 03, 2005 12:10 pm | | re: re: re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Follow your In$tincts! | | hi,
i wud be definitely interested and involved in such activities..do lemme know how i can contribute
cheers
sharsPrivate Reply to Follow your In$tincts! |
| May 03, 2005 12:46 pm | | re: re: re: re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Kanchana Ravichandran | | Dear Shars,
Am delighted at ur enthu. We need more and more people like u. As our first project we can go and do an awareness camp in Koyamedu market - talk to them abt keeping it clean. What say?
kanchanaPrivate Reply to Kanchana Ravichandran |
| May 03, 2005 5:31 pm | | re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
H@r!$h Vittal | | The List now . . . .
1. Gokul Raman
2. Kanchana R (helpng with the NGO)
3. Harish Vittal
4. Lavanya Karalkar
5. Sushi
6. Savi 3
7. S Dinesh Gopinath
8. Govind Srinivasan
9. Lalit Vashista (long distance via remote)
10. Soeb Fatehi (long distance via remote)
11. Sharada
Plus Govind (who i am assuming would be part of this)
Can this Dirty Dozen meet up somewhere.
Anybody with Where's & Whens ??
Private Reply to H@r!$h Vittal |
| May 04, 2005 2:58 am | | re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Kanchana Ravichandran | | Wow Harish,
Love the coinage "Dirty Dozen" involved in cleaning Chennai! YES...lets move on to the next stage and just not sit and merely talk. Sushi where art thou!!! Thought u were gonna call for a meeting!!! Come on lets act now. Have a great day.
kanchana Private Reply to Kanchana Ravichandran |
| May 04, 2005 5:37 am | | re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Follow your In$tincts! | | Yeah sure we can all meet up..when are where ..there shud be a consensus in decision soon i guess..
cheers Private Reply to Follow your In$tincts! |
| May 04, 2005 5:40 am | | re: re: re: re: re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Follow your In$tincts! | | hey its a good idea! Well..as far as chennai is concerned..im still quite new..but kinda know the place you are talkin abt...i think we need to start something..on a serious note if we wish to bring in change...thoughts lead to action..and action leads to change..
lets do it!
cheers
shar Private Reply to Follow your In$tincts! |
| May 04, 2005 1:16 pm | | re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Govind Srinivasan | | I wonder if we could meet this or next day at 10 AM or any other time we can arrive at a consensus.
It will give enough time for all of us to deliberate a few important and serious issues. We can decide for launching 1 or 2 sustained programmes of action.
Meanwhile, spread the word around please about WCFC offline and let us bring at least 1 person alongwith us, who is not introduced to WCFC already. Only caution here is that the person coming with you shouldn't get bored, if he doesn't get a picture of what WCFC is attempting to do.
Govind Srinivasan Private Reply to Govind Srinivasan |
| May 04, 2005 4:20 pm | | re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Don't give up at halftime. Concentrate on winning the second half | | Govind..
Harish is not here for a week and since i work night shifts it will be difficult meeting up in mornings.
We can do it any given sunday.. iam ok with this sunday or sat evening.. but again iam skeptical abt Harish making it.
i promise to bring atleast one more guy with me.. i have also aksed him to join WCFC
cheers:)- Private Reply to Don't give up at halftime. Concentrate on winning the second half |
| May 05, 2005 3:29 pm | | Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Govind Srinivasan | | Hello Gokul,
I understand the constraints of Harish and yourself. I feel we can wait till Harish becomes available. Evening short meets are OK. But if even 7-8 people are comnig up, it becomes pretty difficult to build a few solid ideas and give shape to them. Places like Woodlands Drive-in are cool on Sunday mornings. But, then, I will go by the consensus.
Let me also touchbase with Harish. I am happy that you are also pitching in seriously and hope we can do better in the days to come on common areas of interests in WCFC.
Govind SrinivasanPrivate Reply to Govind Srinivasan |
| May 05, 2005 3:40 pm | | re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
J N | | Hi Team , was out of touch , vote me in
U can keep me informed on my mobile - 98418-17828 .
Best wishes 2 all
J N RAOPrivate Reply to J N |
| May 06, 2005 5:16 am | | re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Aa@rt! | | Am also interested in pitching in for this cause..
Sorry not been very active on this board,promise to come around n be active here..
Count me in guys...
AartiPrivate Reply to Aa@rt! |
| May 06, 2005 6:04 am | | re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Raghav MK | | Firstly, Govind - Thanks for the invite. Have been around but didnt know such a group existed.
While this is a commendable activity (I have been pained at the way people are utterly indifferent about chopping trees off, have been involved in a few "street" fights on this :))
I think we need to have the backing of some local bodies who have some voice.
But support or no support, we must attempt this.
Do count me in this forum. We could meet up anytime/anyplace.
If the beach is a close enough place for all, we could meet up there.
Cheers
RaghavPrivate Reply to Raghav MK |
| May 08, 2005 6:16 pm | | re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Unny (www.travelwithacouple.com) | | Check this out:
http://www.indiaresource.org/issues/water/2003/trashingwater.html
UnnyPrivate Reply to Unny (www.travelwithacouple.com) |
| May 09, 2005 4:27 am | | re: re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Govind Srinivasan | | Thanks a lot, Unny. The INDIASOURCE weblink you have posted is revealing and shocking, even though it is a known fact.
The biggest problem in challenging these continuing horrors and socially-suicidal actions of the public and private bodies is just only one -- THE APATHY OF THE MIDDLE CLASS. Here are the usual excuses we are all accustomed to hear.
"WHAT CAN I DO? SOCIETY IS LIKE THAT."
"THESE THINGS WILL NOT CHANGE AT ALL, WHATEVER WE DO."
"THERE IS BIG MONEY INVOLVED IN ALL THESE ISSUES. NOBODY CAN SUCCEED QUESTIONING THESE."
"I DON'T WANT TO LOAD MYSELF WITH ALL THESE BIG ISSUES. I WANT TO JUST RELAX WHEN I HAVE SOME FREE TIME. ALREADY, I AM AWFULLY BUSY. "
"Oh! Is it? YOU ALL GUYS CONTINUE WHAT YOU HAVE DECIDED. I AM A BIT BUSY THESE DAYS. YOU ALWAYS HAVE MY MORAL SUPPORT. PL COLLECT MY SHARE OF MONEY, IF THERE IS ANY EXPENDITURE".
The challenge is how to make people come out, join hands and do whatever possible collectively to make more and more people become aware of these issues.
The middle class is dreadful of the word "AGITATION" and the modern life and comforts don't go hand in hand with agitation. Even ASSERTION IS AGITATION. We find that the middle class DOES NOT EVEN ASSERT these days, for the fear or the shyness of being seen as AGITATING.
The middle class is the backbone of any society. ASSERTION has been the greatest virtue of middle class. Like the slow death of "the reed-covered swampy holding grounds of Pallikaranai, which store the rain water and feed it through the year to several lakes located in the south of Chennai", the ASSERTIVE QUALITIES of Middle Class is also dying.
The answer lies in awakening the Middle Class and the first step is "awakening oneself".
CHENNAI is feeling as though being in Cloud Nine, with so much of IT business activity booming. Well, IT just will not safeguard our water resources. Make no mistake about it. Once water becomes a past tense in Chennai, IT will have no future in Chennai.
I think I started WE CARE FOR CHENNAI forum with these ideas in mind. I am still on the look out for a few, who can roll their sleeves and work in unison to highlight these IMPENDING DISASTERS. Even propagating will do to give shape to the swelling (but dormant) discontentment of people over what's happening to Water in Chennai.
The legacy we are passing on to the next generation is going to be 100% worse than what we inherited. Water management can account for 99% of all our miseries in Chennai. Do WE CARE FOR CHENNAI?
Let us have an exclusive meet for WATER alone. Pl put out your views and commitment of time and energy. We have to find out a little money too. But comes easier than time and energy.
Govind SrinivasanPrivate Reply to Govind Srinivasan |
| May 09, 2005 7:38 am | | re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Follow your In$tincts! | | so when are we meeting up? Private Reply to Follow your In$tincts! |
| May 09, 2005 9:13 am | | re: re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Govind Srinivasan | | Sharada,
To make a stable beginning, we require at least 5-6 Programme Managers for this programme - WATER MANAGEMENT. I would like to talk to Harish also, the Co-Moderator and rope him in for this Programme. He has trees in mind, while I have water. I have to find a way to make water and trees come into a single agenda.
WCFC is still in its infancy and I strongly feel that the bulk of tomorrow's activists and visionaries of WCFC are still outside its reach. It is for this reason, I have been pestering everybody in WCFC to make more people join in.
We will meet shortly. I would like the meeting to take place even before the end of this week. Will keep you posted.
Cheers!
Govind SrinivasanPrivate Reply to Govind Srinivasan |
| May 09, 2005 5:23 pm | | re: re: re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
sushi krishnamoorthi | | Govind and others..
I am back to the board again..Any day in the evening after 6 is ok with me.. Except this week end when my son and dil are coming, I am free on other weekends. Please let me know the meeting date and time..
all the best.
sushi Private Reply to sushi krishnamoorthi |
| May 10, 2005 3:37 am | | re: re: re: re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Kanchana Ravichandran | | Hi All,
I can see we all wanna do something but are unable to find the time. If we can't even proceed to the planning level I wonder how we would all fare in the execution level. Last weekend we could not meet as certain key members were unavailable. This weekend too looks like we can't meet. Next weekend am off for our vacation. I sincerely hope you carry on with the meeting even if I am not there. We need to put our heads together and come up with something concrete - as it is I already see 3 different strains - one regarding water, two planting trees and three I suggested going to Koyamedu and arranging an awareness camp on keeping it clean. So we need to zero down to what we really need to do and go ahead with it. As always ur suggestions always welcome. Cheers and have a great day.
kanchana Private Reply to Kanchana Ravichandran |
| May 10, 2005 5:35 am | | Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Govind Srinivasan | | Kanchana,
You are right. My take is this on what every one of us is trying to do in and thru' WE CARE FOR CHENNAI.
My understanding is that, as of now, most WCFC members have an intelletual orientation to social and public issues. Many of the WCFCians won't have brushed shoulders in down-to-earth physical activities in public cause. (Let me if this observation is going to invite a trail of replies!) In other words, many of the WCFCians won't have had any or negiligible experience in hands-on social work. This includes active and long term campaigning kind of participation.
But then, there is no point in exhorting everybody to contribute at execution level of whatever plans we may have. A sharp planning mind, a mind to do the exposition, a mind to connect issues and present in a cogent-and-cohensive form and, more than everything else, a sincere mind to spend time in all these beyond-the-self activities itself CAN THEMSELVES BE GREAT PLUS POINTS. At the same time, we can also try our best to get down to work hands-on in executing at least in a few solid areas. We can also make TOKEN PARTICIPATION wherever possible.
The Internet is a bane and a boon, according to me. Anybody can say anything, commit anything and forget about anything on the internet, mostly in the DISCUSSION BOARDS. Internet group discussions have great limitations. There is nothing that is more saleable in the Internet than fun and excitement. Aware of this, I decided to make the WCFC board chats as light as possible.
Sacrifice of personal time in any public cause activity, on a continuous basis, has become scarce these days. The pressures on daily life have also increased tremendously. Thus, organization development, like what WCFC should be doing now, is bit of a long-drawn process. But the trouble and waiting should be worth, I believe.
We will meet shortly. I will make the posting today for a meet. Lets see how it goes.
Govind SrinivasanPrivate Reply to Govind Srinivasan |
| May 10, 2005 5:45 am | | re: re: re: re: re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Follow your In$tincts! | | hi all,
i have been hearin that everyone is interested in doin..but fixin up the time is a big issue..so how do we deal with this? plz shoot with suggestions..as always..action is imp than words..we need to start off with something..soon!
how many of us can meet this saturday/sunday?
keep the mails flowin.. Private Reply to Follow your In$tincts! |
| May 10, 2005 5:51 am | | Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Govind Srinivasan | | Perfectly right you are, Sharada. I would like the forthcoming meet to be at least a little different than whatever we had so far. So, taking time to reach at least a few, who have been taking a bit of an active role in turning up to the meeting venue. Will post the meeting details in the afternoon today.
Have you checked up your Private Msg Box, Sharada? I posted a msg to you!
Govind SrinivasanPrivate Reply to Govind Srinivasan |
| May 10, 2005 6:03 am | | re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Govind Srinivasan | | MOST URGENT MOST URGENT MOST URGENT
Requesting your feedback please!
Pl prefer any of these meeting timings proposed now.
1. An evening meeting at 6 PM (sharp, of course) if it is going to be held this Friday or Saturday (13th or 14th May)?
2. A morning meeting at 10 AM (sharp, of course) if it is going to be held this Sunday (15th May)?
Deadline to receive your feedback: 11th May - 11 AM
Govind SrinivasanPrivate Reply to Govind Srinivasan |
| May 10, 2005 2:19 pm | | re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Don't give up at halftime. Concentrate on winning the second half | | I am game for 15th May Sunday 10 AM- sharp. Private Reply to Don't give up at halftime. Concentrate on winning the second half |
| May 10, 2005 3:55 pm | | re: re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Govind Srinivasan | | Harish said he would be able to make it on Friday between 6 and 8 PM sharp.
Sharada is OK with any of the 3 options.
Sushi should be able to make it on Friday evening.
Gokul Raman is comfortable with the Sunday Morning huddling.
Others? Pl do as much of networking with other known WCFCians and spread this meet-msg pl.
The main issues are Water and Trees. Pl collect your ideas as well, in advance, so that the meet becomes productive. Can we come with written points for quick recall.
Govind SrinivasanPrivate Reply to Govind Srinivasan |
| May 10, 2005 4:53 pm | | re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
H@r!$h Vittal | |
Didn't know we had Sunday morning as an option.
But anyways, I am game for any of the 3 days. Private Reply to H@r!$h Vittal |
| May 12, 2005 3:59 am | | re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Unny (www.travelwithacouple.com) | | Hi Govind,
I have mailed you a document, which hopefully will serve as a framework for the discussions/brainstorming on Water during the WCFC meet.
Since I am staying in Mumbai, I will not be attending the meeting.
Cheers
UnnyPrivate Reply to Unny (www.travelwithacouple.com) |
| May 12, 2005 4:35 am | | re: re: Improve Chennai - Lets paint in GREEN | # |
Follow your In$tincts! | | friday even is ok..and so is sunday morn..i think either of the options wud suit all.. Private Reply to Follow your In$tincts! |
| May 12, 2005 7:08 am | | Meeting on Sunday - 15 May 2005 - 10 AM Sharp -Woodlands Drive-in | # |
Govind Srinivasan | | Hello WCFCians,
We are meeting on Sunday - 15th May, 2005 - 10 AM sharp at Woodlands Drive-in, (Cathedral Road - near Gemini Flyover - Each one bring one please.
Agenda: WATER and TREES in CHENNAI
Please jot down your ideas and come prepared.
A chance to see your online WCFC friends and interact with them. Convert the power of Internet into socially meaningful actions. Extend the value of your knowledge to bring societal transformations. Every one of us count here. Your presence is indispensable.
Govind Srinivasan
98410 36526Private Reply to Govind Srinivasan |
| May 13, 2005 3:14 am | | re: Meeting on Sunday - 15 May 2005 - 10 AM Sharp -Woodlands Drive-in | # |
Kanchana Ravichandran | | Hi All,
Will try my maximum to be there. Sunday at 10 am is the most difficult time to leave my house ... but I promise to try and make it. Cheers
kanchana Private Reply to Kanchana Ravichandran |
| May 13, 2005 3:35 am | | re: Meeting on Sunday - 15 May 2005 - 10 AM Sharp -Woodlands Drive-in | # |
Govind Srinivasan | | Kanchana,
I understand how difficult it is for you, to make so much of adjustments at home, and, still making it to a Sunday morning non-family event. I don't know if you would be able to make it to the meeting definitely, but your very intention speaks much of your concern for the issues we have discussing since long, centering WE CARE FOR CHENNAI.
Well, your eagerness is as well a pointer for other silent members of WE CARE FOR CHENNAI to make it to the meeting.
Govind SrinivasanPrivate Reply to Govind Srinivasan |
| May 18, 2005 5:07 am | | re: re: Meeting on Sunday - 15 May 2005 - 10 AM Sharp -Woodlands Drive-in | # |
Anand K. R | | Folks... am a chennaite residing in blore. Great to see so many people trying to make a difference.
Bangalore has working system that tries maintains the green cover.... it is a different story that lot of trees are falling prey to growth in this city. It would be a good idea to pick brains from some of the organizations / individuals in this city.
Also, i see that the team members have difficulty in finding the right time for a meeting (not sure if your meet for 15th may happened or not). Being a Project manager by profession... i can suggest couple of things. One of you need to put together a document that details out the problem areas and what you see as a solution, which then can be reviewed by all (especially those who are not able to attend the meetings) and contributions made. Keep it simple to start with (may be you can pick up the koyambedu issue!!!!).. post that if finding time is a problem... these are the days of telephonic conference calls over which businesses get done... you can organize a telephonic call for let us say 2 hours every week or every fortnight. Please make sure that one of you maintains a log sheet of these calls with clear action list associated with each participant (please have this call even if there are only 2 of you). Am perfectly willing to dialin from bangalore to do this job for you guys. Generally in Project Management profession we discourage restaurants and other relaxation places for focussed discussions.
Last of all please have a cast in stone start date to kick off the implementation.
cheers
AnandPrivate Reply to Anand K. R |
| May 18, 2005 7:00 am | | re: Meeting on Sunday - 15 May 2005 - 10 AM Sharp -Woodlands Drive-in | # |
Govind Srinivasan | | Hello Anand,
I am really glad that you are chipping into the WCFC all the way from B'lore. Pretty happy that you are offering a few leaves from your experience in Project Mgt.
Well, WCFC is earthly and the idea is to convert digital contacts into real time ones. Let me share my understanding in yet another way. There are about 150 members in WCFC, most of whom haven't even met each other. But there is a strong positive undercurrent that is clearly manifesting and is evident among at least 10-15 members. As one, who made the WCFC kickstart, I believe that a couple of people from these 10-15 will show the way up to make the initial wins. And we are doing everything to make this happen.
GOING THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT WAY IN WCFC - Pretty good idea, Anand. But we haven't identified any project so far so clearly, but our intention is to take one particular issue and work deep on it. I think that Project Management does not come into play, when an idea gets born and requiring it get planted and watered. By the way, I am a PMI member for quiet a few years, though I am not a PMP. I was also a Project Manager in a few Application SW Dev Projects, though I won't say I am a great Proj Mgr. I have also recruited a good number of Project Managers for my clients, in the recent past.
I think that the human imagination, drive, initiative, fellow-feeling, owning up a cause, sharing and caring, etc., etc. don't get happened by Project Management. But, let me hasten to add here a caveat. I do agree that we require to have a PROJECT MANAGEMENT in place, once we identify and go about doing a Project. You should be right on that. And thanks to you for waving that flag of caution.
MEETING IN RESTAURANTS: Well, I understand what you say. But you should visit Woodlands Drive-in, Chennai, to get the feel of how even a very serious discussion could be held there without almost any noticeable distractions and disturbances. Well, Anand, we want to meet and know each other. It is scary to think that everything can be managed in life, in a kind of trajectory path like a Systematic Project Management.
MEETING HELD ON 15TH MAY: It was really quiet interesting and the participation was also good. More than everything else, it was the quality of the discussion that was really quiet matured and substantive.
SUMMING UP: A huddling together with like-minded friends and trying to do good to society is what WCFC all about. We may fail in N number of issues. But we are keen about succeeding in one.
Loving, caring, showing empathy with each other (fellow feeling) and building up momentum on shared pangs and pathos are a few unwritten and unspoken, but fully experienced, gestures that govern the human society. I think that WCFC may try to find out how these basic human traits could be webbed into, in a limited context, and how life around us could be made enchanting and fulfilling, even amidst growing complexities of modern life.
Pl continue to be associated with WCFC and contribute your best to make CHENNAI, a better place to live in.
Govind Srinivasan
Moderator, WCFC. Private Reply to Govind Srinivasan |
| May 18, 2005 8:55 am | | re: re: Meeting on Sunday - 15 May 2005 - 10 AM Sharp -Woodlands Drive-in | # |
Unny (www.travelwithacouple.com) | | Check out these sites;
http://www.morarkango.com/biotechnology/biological_solutions.html
http://www.morarkango.com
http://www.skollfoundation.org
Cheers
UnnyPrivate Reply to Unny (www.travelwithacouple.com) |
| May 18, 2005 10:35 am | | re: re: re: Meeting on Sunday - 15 May 2005 - 10 AM Sharp -Woodlands Drive-in | # |
Govind Srinivasan | | Hello Unny,
We are grateful to you for having driven attention to the weblink you had posted earlier -- on the issue of Perungudi marshland becoming a waste dump yard and the resulting water crisis all around.
We made it a point to discuss this issue in detail in the meeting held on 15th May.
Pl continue to make your contributions to awaken consciousness around us.
Govind SrinivasanPrivate Reply to Govind Srinivasan |
| May 20, 2005 4:40 pm | | re: re: re: re: Meeting on Sunday - 15 May 2005 - 10 AM Sharp -Woodlands Drive-in | # |
Unny (www.travelwithacouple.com) | | Hi Govind,
It s my pleasure to be a part of this initiative. I am just attempting to do what is possible sitting here.
by the way, did the document i sent you was of any use?
Cheers
Unny
(ps: I work with Xerago. i am in touch with raghav as well to get updates on WCFC)Private Reply to Unny (www.travelwithacouple.com) |
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