Goan professor at the forefront in organising Future Energy Carriers workshop in Germany

 

Goan professor at the forefront in organising Future Energy Carriers workshop in Germany

 

Dr. Levinson J Martins, Managing Director, Goa Waste Management Corporation along Pranay Morajkar, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Goa University, two delegates from Goa attended the meet in Germany

 

BY Armstrong Vaz

 

When like-minded people come together amazing things happen, wrote Goa-born German-based Professor Ravi Xavier Fernandes on his LinkedIn page.

 

He was referring to the Indo-German Workshop on Future Energy Carriers, a two-day workshop held at Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) Braunschweig, Germany recently.

 

The Indo-German Bilateral Workshop on Future Energy Carriers: Advancing Bio-circular Economy for Clean Energy saw delegates from both India and German deliberate on various topics centered around Future Energy, Circular Economy, Clean Energy and Circular Bioeconomy.

 

For the unknown Circular Bioeconomy is an economy powered by nature. It is a new economic model that emphasizes the use of renewable natural capital and focuses on minimizing waste, replacing the wide range of non-renewable, fossil-based products currently in use.

 

“The willingness and motivation to work together through excellent ideas and diverse strengths and expertise made this Indo-German Workshop on Future Energy Carriers a big success,” said Ravi, an alumnus of Chowgule College Margao and Goa university, who traces his roots to Velim village.

 

The workshop, coordinated by Prof. Ravi Xavier Fernandes, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) Germany and Dr Sanjukta Subudhi, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) served as a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and joint research initiatives between experts from both countries.

 

PTB, Germany for which Prof Ravi works is the National Metrology Institute of Germany with scientific and technical service tasks. PTB measures with the highest accuracy and reliability – metrology as the core competence. PTB stands for progress and reliability in metrology for the benefit of society, trade and industry, and science.

 

“Thanks a lot, dear delegates from India and Germany for your very active participation and lively discussions. This was the first of its kind IGSTC (Indo-German Science & Technology Centre) Workshop with Representatives from Academia, Industry, Research Institutions, Government Officials sitting on one table to discuss one of the most important topics on Sustainability. Looking forward to all our future bilateral and multilateral interdisciplinary collaborations,” added Prof Ravi.

 

The workshop topics included: Biofuel Production Technologies, Green Hydrogen Generation, Circular Economy Approaches, Sustainability and Life Cycle Assessment, Regulation, Codes and Standards, Business Models and Commercialization.

 

And there was more Goan connect to the workshop with Dr. Levinson J Martins, Managing Director, Goa Waste Management Corporation along with Pranay Morajkar, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Goa University being the two delegates from Goa who attended the meet in Germany.

 

Dr. Levinson presentation centered around topic of “Unlocking Clean Energy: Harnessing Biomethanation for A Sustainable Bio-Circular Economy”

 

He made a strong pitch for Biomethanation as a promising avenue for sustainable energy generation and waste management and which stands at the forefront of sustainable waste-to-energy solutions, offering a pathway towards resource recovery and environmental stewardship.

 

He also favoured joint research in biomethanation technology.

 

“There is a need for more research in advancing biomethanation technology, looking forward to the vision for collaboration between India and Germany in advancing biomethanation technology, taking into account the strengths and expertise that each country brings to the table he envisaged the need for joint research in the field,” he said in his presentation.

 

Levinson also said that research work should center around odour control in biomethanation plants.

 

“Research interventions with respect to emerging technologies in odour management and integration of solid waste and sewage treatment plant and extraction of Methane gas,” are the other areas which need fine tuning, he said.

 

Taking a futuristic view of the emerging alternative fuels Levinson made a strong pitch on the need for future collaboration.

 

“Analysis of the future outlook for bio methanation technology and considering factors such as technological advancements, policy support, and market demand are some of the key areas where the focus of future research,” he said.

 

He also added that there should be identification of key requirements and challenges for scaling up biomethanation infrastructure, including investment, regulatory frameworks, and public awareness.

 

“Proposals for collaborative initiatives such as joint research projects, knowledge exchange programs and solutions through advance and cutting-edge technologies for problems faced currently to accelerate the adoption of bio methanation technology on a global scale,” were some steps he suggested in his talk, while urging delegates from Germany to visit Goa and make a field trip to the facilities and have a closer look at working of the solid waste management plants managed by

Goa Waste Management Corporation.

 

The other delegate from Goa Pranay was delighted that he was part of the brainstorming workshop.

 

His presentation centered around sustainability and climate change and the use of Nanomaterials to reduce carbon footprint.

 

“My presentation was about using Nanomaterials derived from waste to produce biofuels which can then be used to improve combustion efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions. I also presented how Catalytically CO2 can be converted to industrially important platform chemicals, to address global warming and climate change,” said the Goa University professor.

 

“This was one of the best bilateral research meetings that I attended. Intense and enlightening research discussions among some of the best Indo-German research groups. I am glad that I could attend and contribute to the success of this meet, even in a small way,” Pranay said.

 

“Hats off to Prof Ravi Xavier Fernandes, Sumit Agarwal and TERI and IGSTC for creating an excellent platform, successful coordination and organization,” he added. 

 

Thunder, rainbows and chasing frogs

  

Thunder, rainbows and chasing frogs

 First published on March 30, 2008

 As we reach the end of the rainy season, it is time to look at life during this period: the rains which we loved as kids and the things we did in the season. The things we miss, as we are away from the falling rains in a faraway land.

 The rainy season starts in June and ends in October. Rains, starting in the last week of May, bring with them a respite from the summer heat. May is the period when the school holidays end and it is back again to school for the children.

 The rainy season is on its last leg as we approach October. It is time to say goodbye to the rains as we head towards the middle of the month. It is time for the Goan farmers to collect the paddy from the fields. Paddy fields which turned green at the start of the rainy season in June have now turned golden.

 The rainy season blesses Mother Nature with an abundance of water and the greenery in the rainy season is worth going miles to see. The vast swathes of green paddy fields are sometimes mistaken as grass by an alien visitor and the reverse is also true when vast tracks of barren lands of wild grass are taken as paddy fields.

 Cattle graze on the grass as rains lash day in day out in the rainy season. Raindrops, which many Indians miss in faraway lands. Rainy days when floods come calling in and with the floods follows the inundation of the paddy fields. Flood water overflows the roads and makes them unsafe for driving.

 Floods, which gave us an eagerly awaited school holiday. Rainy days, when we use to sing the Marathi poem, urging the rain to come. Rain, not just in a trickle but in a gush to flood the plains.

 The Marathi primary school opposite my house has since ceased to function, making way for a government-run library. But like me and many of my neighbors and classmates in school, we share many a childhood memories at the Marathi primary school, although I did not attend it myself.

Breaking the roof tiles with a cricket ball, playing pebbles on the school wall and inside the gallery. It was also an indoor cricket stadium for us and sometimes an indoor football pitch all rolled into one.

 The Marathi school also dished out our first lesson of voting at the age of 18, ink on our fingers which we showed to our friends and well wishers that we had voted for the first time.

 The first rains made football a slippery exercise in the barren paddy fields but then falling on the ground had its own thrill. The continuous rains gave us extra stamina to play football. And then who can forget the sliding tackle, which came about not out of design but through the sheer slippery surface, which gave us the biggest thrill during rainy day football.

 On the cricket front, overcast weather meant that the ball would swing in the air and that was the only occasion, we could swing the ball and believe that we were playing in overcast English conditions.

 The rainy season was the time to burn the cashew nuts over charcoal. The odor of burning cashew seeds, sending odourous messages to neighbors far and wide.

 With many families shifting to gas stoves over burning wood, the thrill of having cashew nuts from the charcoal is lost these days.

 The first showers of the season invariably came during the last week of May or the first week of June. It was the time that we were getting ready for the school season and we eagerly awaited the rains but detested the thought of returning to our school after a long holiday of close to two months.

 Tradition has it that it is healthy to receive the first rain on your head. How far it holds good, I have my doubts.

 The first rains bring with them a gush of wind. A gush of wind, which used to bring quite a few mangoes tumbling to the ground. My favorite hunt was for the Mancura (a variety of mango). My highest catch in one day was a dozen of them.

 The rainy season was a time to catch fish in the ponds after draining the water and keeping it at bay through muddy embankments. I for one entered the muddy water once to catch fish and have never experienced such a thrill again. The freshwater fish which I took home as part of my share, was not to my liking nor of a flavor that my families relished.

 The rainy season was the time when the cow dung smell from the nearby cowshed became unbearable. A time, when friends and relatives gave our place a skip. Their vehicles had to be washed if they visited our place.

 The first rains were also a time for catching frogs. Frog legs which I tasted for the first time as a teenager, and then fell for, only to give the practice a skip after realizing the damage the killing of frogs was doing to environment.

 Armed with a torch, knife and plastic bag we accompanied the seasoned campaigners to the traditional hideout of the frogs. The croaking of the frogs made our hunting expedition easier.

 The rainy season was the time when the ladies’ umbrellas came out in force. The multi-colored umbrellas were a sight to behold. Men came out with their long black umbrellas. The workers wore special rain protection made from coconut palm leaves while working in the fields.

 The lightning which came also used to send a chill down our spines and the memory of a young couple dying in our paddy field haunted us whenever lighting struck.

 The multi-colored rainbow making its presence in the sky was another sight we used to behold. A rare occurrence, and as and when it happened in the sky we used to shout in excitement.

 The snakes were also driven out of their habitat when rain water entered their holes. They were sighted on the roads and even entered houses.

 The winds also brought trees down and blocked traffic, and fire brigade personnel would come calling in to clear the roads and sometimes come to the aid of people whose houses were damaged by falling trunks and branches.

 The rainy season is a time for festivals, and one that is eagerly awaited is the feast of St John the Baptist. During the festival it is the practice for newly married couples to hand a bottle or two of coconut feni, a local liquor, to the village boys celebrating the feast.

 It was a time for young children to have a taste of cashew feni. Feni burned over a candle and given in a tablespoon drove away the cold blues. Cashew feni, is still a medicine used to get rid of colds and coughs for many a Goan in the rainy season.

 The celebration ended with a litany and whatever money was left from the donations were gathered and then given to the local church or the local clubs in the evening

 In the rainy season the beaches become deserted and so are the restaurants on the beach. Only a few functions; Foreign tourists too are few in number, with the sun playing hide and seek in the rainy season.

 As we travel far away from our native land, we miss the greenery, the people and all the things we relished in our childhoods. But then you have to forsake some things in pursuit of new experience and challenges.

Karate training on Benaulim beach by Agnelo Rodrigues in Indian state of Goa in April 2009

Ros Omelette Chicken Pau at Tados Restaurant in Doha Qatar

Ros Omelette is one of the popular street foods in Goa. Usually sold on gaadas (Local stalls) which serve chicken or mutton gravy served with omelette, onion, lime and Pao (Goan local bread).

Ingredients

For the Chicken Pieces marination:-

•  Xacuti masala Paste (See recipe notes below for recipe link.)
•  500 grams Chicken pieces (see recipe notes below)
•  1 tsp Salt
•  1/2 Lemon juice

For the Green Masala Paste:-

•  1/4 cup Corainder leaves
•  2 Green chilies (roughly chopped)
•  8 Garlic cloves (roughly chopped)

Other Ingredients for the Ros:-

•  3 tbsp Oil
•  1 large Onion (Sliced)
•  Chopped coriander

For the Omlette:-

•  10 Eggs (or as required)
•  2 large Onion (finely chopped)
•  Salt (as required)
•  2 Green chilies (finely chopped)
•  Oil (as needed to make the omlettes)

To Serve:-

•  12-15 Goan Pao (See recipe notes below for homemade recipe)
•  Onion (finely chopped)
•  Lemon Slices (as required)

Instructions

Prepare the Ros:-

1 Prepare the Xacuti masala and keep aside. (See recipe notes below for the recipe link to Xacuti masala paste).

2 Wash the chicken pieces. Apply salt and lime to it. Make a paste of ingredients mentioned under ' For the Green Masala Paste'. Apply this paste to the chicken pieces.

3 Mix well and leave aside for 30 minutes.

4 In a vessel add the oil, saute the onion. Add the marinated chicken pieces. Cook for about 10 minutes.

5 Add water just sufficient enough to cover the chicken pieces, bring it to a boil for about 10-12 minutes.

6 Add the ground masala paste. Cook for another 12-15 minutes.

7 Add the chopped coriander leaves. Ros is ready to be served!

Prepare the Omelette:-

8 Add in the eggs, salt, chilies, onions .

9 Mix well.

10 Prepare omelettes as required.

11 Make all omelettes till all the omelette batter is utilized.

Prepare Pao (if baking at home):-

12 See recipe notes below for the pao recipe link.

13 Freshly baked Pao.

Assemle Ros, Omlette &Pao:-

14 Serve the ros on top of omelette. Serve with onion , lime and Pao.

15 Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

For preparing this Ros to be eaten specially with the omlette and pao,  I prefer to make it with the chicken wings, bone pieces and chicken neck pieces etc... This is usually how the gaadas in Goa do it (local Goan Ros omelette stalls) with very few small chicken pieces. All the chicken bones etc give a very good flavor to the Ros

Time for cycle sharing starts-up in India

Cycling in and around Goa is it a possibility? The response  i got was overwhelming. Most of the city dwellers went the extra mile to dwell on the benefits of cycling and the cycling groups they have joined. The village folks on the other hand, said cycling on Goan roads with the increase surge is traffic is  not an advisable thing.

Further, my friends from the coastal belt, who have been into cycle renting business bemoaned the fact that the trade  is no longer a lucrative every since renting of two wheeler bikes has caught  on the fancy of local and international tourists.

I had two days to kill in Amsterdam, and what better way than to pick up a cycle and off you go. I cycled along parks, street markets, taking in the sights. Riding lazily; not because I wanted to, but it had been years since I had cycled. This is late in the afternoon. Anyway, not long after, I was exhausted. So I stopped to get something to eat. Leaving the cycle resting against a wall. And while I was picking up food, and I am sure it was a burger, I noticed this group of four kids. Before I could realise it, one of them just darted towards the cycle, picked it and off he went. I ran after him but Jesus, I was slow and tired and just couldn’t catch up. I remember walking that day till my thighs hurt.

The kid literally just picked up my cycle and left. Me running behind him, arms flailing htat was three years back. Peter my local guide said that around 50 percent cycles are stolen or never returned.

He went to say that on account of parking fees for cars people in the city preferred cycles and two of them – one for long drives and the other for city travel.

But the cycle concept is yet to take off in Indian cities and towns.

It’s time to explore into the world of cycle-sharing startups in India and how to retrieve the lost bicycles which is the biggest headache of the trade.

Clients aren’t returning cycles they are supposed to. So cycle-sharing start-ups in India like Yulu have they got a future in India and more specifically in Goa.

That is the reason Yulu have a team of "bike screeners" whose job is a combination of retrieving, cleaning, and maintaining the rides. Yulu also has a contract with a security firm they call upon when getting a cycle back is "difficult,” and the company files police complaints hoping to "deter repeat behaviour." Yulu isn’t alone. 

Yulu's vision is to reduce traffic congestion by providing a scalable, affordable, efficient and clean solution for the first mile, last mile, and short distance commute. We strongly believe that short commute mode can be made more Efficient, Affordable and Green, thereby ensuring that future generations will have a healthy environment to live. We want to replace big personal vehicles with a smaller form factor that does not require fossil fuel.

They are using IoT technology to create a vast network of shared dockless bicycles that can be rented easily by a user-friendly app in pay per use business model. We are a mission-driven company based out of India with a solid founding team and big ambitions. At Yulu we believe that every day is a mission and success is exciting when its attained with fun and as a team. If you want to solve the problem of traffic congestion, reduce pollution, positively impact the society, let's have a conversation to partner in our journey to shape a new India for our future generations

India is a strange country for any regular cycling endeavour, but cycle sharing startups, both Indian and Chinese, are making a go for it. All of them believe that outside of China, India is the largest market, on the cusp of exploding. And whoever gets this market first has a several billion dollar+ opportunity. The Chinese market is just a few years old but is expected to reach $3.8 billion by 2019. What’s not to like? We could be here in no time. Rolling in money.

But what works in China will not work in India or successful concept of cycle-sharing in Europe is not feasible for Indian conditions if we explore the cultural and practical aspect of cycling. Like, where does one even begin with our kind of infrastructure?

Dr Shekar Salkar's 'stunning tests' add to more confusion over fish Formalin,

The FDA appears not be serious in testing the fish for the deadly chemical. In the absence of a fool proof method the impression that corruption prevails gathers added momentum.

DR Shekar Salkar, practicing  oncologist  has raised serious doubts on the ‘Screening tests’ conducted by FDA, here goes his video and the tests conducted by him on the local and from fish coming to the state from outside Goa.

The results are stunning by his own admission.

Please don't try to gloss over serious health issue. It is better to see on the side of caution and not be blinded with political affiliations. Truth shall and must prevail at all times.

So it means that the FDA tests at the Goa border posts are of no significance, if one goes by Salkar’s assertions.

So it means that the confirmatory test are only foolproof and rest are just eyewash.

Dr Shekhar Salkar statement

Recently we had the misfortune of our beloved fish being taken away from our plates. All thanks to the detection of formaldehyde in a Screening test conducted on site by FDA Officials which turned out positive. A confirmatory test in the FDA Laboratory later on the same day showed the formaldehyde content of the samples to be below the detectable limit of 4 parts per million and safe for human consumption. The hurried declaration of the ‘SCREENING’ Test and Hyperbole in public debate has caused much confusion and threatens many livelihoods and indeed our very way of life in Goa.

In Medical parlance doctors are aware of Screening tests and Confirmation tests done for each disease. Doctors do not rush to declare the Diagnosis without having both test results in hand for fear of causing more harm than good.

The Screening test is designed to detect maximum possible cases and does repost quite a few FALSE POSITIVES. These are then weeded out by Confirmatory tests.

In the instant controversy the Screening test was reported positive and RESULT revealed to the public rather than wait for the Confirmatory test. This has set in motion a huge debate and eroded the faith of the public.

Being a man of science I decided to conduct an experiment using the same Reagent as used in the Screening test by FDA on FRESH Catch fish from Caranzalem. The results are stunning. Please see for yourself and decide

People’s reaction on social media

How will Dr Shekar Salkar explain that formaldehyde in fish was within permissible limits if the confirmatory test was false positive. Such an observation was also made by Ibrahim to prudent when the FDA conducted the test.  May be Dr Salkar can throw light on the same as well as clarify within permissible limits in case of formaldehyde since he is an expert on cancer. Looking forward to be educated.

“This is a request to Dr Salkar to request to provide a way out to test the fish coming from outside Goa. What confirmatory test should be done in such a situation? Or else it means we succumb to the pressure of Ibrahim who is politically well connected with all politicians thus making people susceptible to cancer. Dr Salkar has a responsibility to provide a quick solution much more so as he well connected with the ruling dispensation,” says Jovito Lopes, a former Red Cross of India volunteer, a retired teacher and Journalist.

Does it mean that the FDA tests at the Goa border posts are of no significance? Does it mean that the confirmatory test has to be done? This is in line with Ibrahim's contention.  Only Dr Salkar will be able to explain this since the tests at the border are screening tests. i don't know if this screening if mine is also false positive. What I know and Dr Salkar will admit is that overall cancer cases are on the rise. What preventive measures have been in place should be made known by Dr Salkar because preventive medicine is not at all lucrative. What pays today is curative - promoted by the drug industry to corporate hospitals.

Goans have been supplied this kind of fish for the past six years as can be seen from the photograph of them Fisheries Minister Avertano with Ibrahim and then ministers and party leader. The mastermind is very well connected with the political class. Please don't try to gloss over serious health issue. It is better to see on the side of caution and not be blinded with political affiliations. Truth shall and must prevail at all times.

Broomwork needed at Cuncolim Municipality

A junk vehicle of Cuncolim Municipal Council waiting permission to be sent to the scrapyard.

 A junk vehicle of Cuncolim Municipal Council waiting permission to be sent to the scrapyard.
 Citizens charter

 Landry Mascarenhas chamber, chairperson of Cuncolim Municipal Council

 Premanand Velip Alias Ballikar

 Chris, an employee of CMC, no identification tag

 Vehicles of Cuncolim Municipal Council parked next to the historic Martyrs Chapel

 Vehicles of Cuncolim Municipal Council parked next to the historic Martyrs Chapel

Vehicles of Cuncolim Municipal Council parked next to the historic Martyrs Chapel

 Vehicles of Cuncolim Municipal Council parked next to the historic Martyrs Chapel

 Park for children or garbage dumping dump?

 Garbage bins outside the chieftains memorial

  The side view of historic martyrs Chapel Cuncolim

  The side view of historic martyrs Chapel Cuncolim

  The side view of historic martyrs Chapel Cuncolim

 Vehicles of Cuncolim Municipal Council parked next to the historic Martyrs Chapel

 A cycle meant for collection of garbage lying at the entrance of Cuncolim Municpal Library behind CMC building.

  The entrance of Cuncolim Municpal Library behind CMC building.

 The side view of historic martyrs Chapel Cuncolim

 Garbage behind Cuncolim municipal council building

 A view of historic martyrs Chapel Cuncolim

  A view of historic martyrs Chapel Cuncolim

  A view of historic martyrs Chapel Cuncolim