Besides many a significant witnesses of history in the form of buildings, the Pune boasts of many a living tradition of knowledge and science. Even the modern science has a historic flavour. One such living monument is Simla House or the Indian Meteorological Department headquarter, situated right in the middle of the city.
The IMD headquarters were originally in Simla. The transfer of headquarters from Simla to Pune was approved by the British Government in 1926. It was thought that the IMD office should be situated in a plain rather than in a hilly area. Pune was chosen for its favourable climatic conditions and proximity to the west coast. IMD shifted base to the scantily-populated suburb of Bhamburda (Shivajinagar) in 1928. This is the reason why the building came to be known as Shimla Office.
The Srushti Mitra award, instituted by the Environment Department, Government of Maharashtra, and managed by Centre for Environment Education seeks to promote environmental awareness and to recognize the most inspiring, creative entries in each category. The awards include a citation and honorarium (ranging from Rs 1000 to Rs 10000 in various categories). The Award was instituted earlier this year on 5 June, World Environment Day.
Former President Dr APJ Adbul Kalam has blessed the award process and in a signed communication encouraged students to take up a variety of projects such as planting and nurturing trees, using biodegradable products where possible, recycling and conservation of water and other recyclable materials at home and at school, taking up energy audits to encourage the use of renewable energy, implementing rain water harvesting etc.
CEE Associate Program Officer Amarnath says “the idea of the award is to encourage students and others to look around, be inspired by the beauty of nature, think about environmental issues we encounter in our every day life, and importantly, to apply our minds on creative ways to solve them and inspire others as well”. Students may send in reports of completed projects and even project ideas.
The category Bal Sahitya category includes writing by adults for children, as well as writing by children for children. You can send in essays, stories, open-letters, articles, poems and even cartoons. The purpose of the award is to enhance understanding and commitment towards conservation. For example, author of the recently launched Sahyadri Adventure double book, Deepak Dalal, has been writing wildlife adventure books for children for over a decade now. On why he started writing for children he says, “Today wild India is under threat. Our national animal, the tiger, is in danger. The purpose of my stories is to kindle a love for nature in you and open your minds to the senseless destruction of our wild places. If my stories gently nudge your hearts and help mould you towards being responsible future leaders, I shall feel fulfilled”. If you are stuck for words, you can try expressing yourself through photographs that make a point. Photographs can be powerful tools for social change. They have led to outrage against war and mobilization to fight pollution, to realizing the wonders of nature. Some organizations use photographs as a major campaigning method. For example, the Blue Earth Alliance believes that “The link between compelling documentary photography and our collective motivation to change attitudes, behaviour, even policies – is strong”. Blue Earth has helped raise almost a million dollars for important issues such as lack of open public spaces, disappearing traditions of fishermen, the role of grandmothers in AIDS-ravaged Africa etc. Sanjay Sondhi, who gave up his career in a multinational engineering company to pursue his love for nature photography, especially of butterflies, moths and other insects, says, “The excitement of capturing the hidden mysteries of nature with the click of a shutter has given me a lifetime of pleasure! And equally thrilling is the sharing of photos with friends afterwards!”
If you have the talent of putting across your thoughts in short smart phrases, you can come up with slogans to submit as entries for the Srushti Mitra Award.
Srushti Mitra Award - Categories for Entries
(a) Environment Projects
Projects may be already completed, currently ongoing or planned. Sub-categories are
A. up to Std X
B. Std XI-XII, Junior, Senior College
Entries should include
Title
Location of project (village/ town, district)
When initiated / planned to start
Environmental, social problem addressed (upto150 words)
Methodology (400 words, 2 to 3 photos)
Achievements and benefits (200 words, 2 to 3 photos)
Who and how many get direct benefits
Photographs showing benefits (2 to 4)
Future plans (200 words)
(b) Environment Photographs depicting nature, good practices to be promoted, harmful practices to be changed or stopped, etc. Submission format:
• Title of photo, date taken
• Up to 100 words description
• Print size 8 by 11 inches, matt finish
• Digital JPEG format, size 7 megapixel resolution, in CD
(c) Environment Slogans in Marathi /English up to 20 words on environmental issues, do’s and don’ts, etc.
(d) Environment Bal Sahitya stories, poem, cartoon, article series etc on environment, in Marathi or English. Sub-categories:
1. Bal Sahitya Junior (by children upto 16 years)
2. Bal Sahitya Senior (by adults writing for children)
Notes for Submission of Entries
Provide complete name, age, address, phone no. , email ID
Entries may be submitted in CD or by email
Sub-categories may be made for evaluating the entries and honorarium reallocated.
Signed declaration stating that submitted work is the sender’s original work should be enclosed
Entries will not be returned; organizers may use these for environmental awareness.
Employees/ relatives of employees of Environment Dept, Govt of Maharashtra, MPCB, CEE not allowed to participate
Send entries before 30th September 2010 to:
Srushti Mitra Awards, Centre for Environment Education
A 10 Garden Estate, 167/1 Nagras Road, Aundh, Pune 411007
Phone: 020-25887009
Email ID for entries srushtimitra@gmail.com
More information at http://www.tinyurl.com/SrushtiMitra2010
SUNMEET SINGH
YOUNG INDIAN with the Common Objective of Standing undivided as “One” Against Terrorism.BHARAT MA KE CHAR SIPAHI HIND MUSLIM SIKH ESAI Its top Agenda is to stop discrimination amongst different religions, castes, creeds, promote the territorial integrity of India and to instill confidence in the minds of the targeted youth and students wean them away from the patronage of fundamentalist organizations.
STUDENTS AND YOUTH is the beginning of a realization deep within all of us that Our Nation and its Pride are of utmost importance to each one of its citizens. STUDENTS AND YOUTH each letter Symbolizes its strength which portrays India as a nation stimulated by unparallel growth Driven by young and fresh ideas and spearheading a revolution that is going to set Examples for Generations to come.Each one of us can be a part of this revolution which will unlock the keys to a vibrant economy a stable political system and a peace loving NATION and if INDIA is to set on such powerful credentials.
STUDENTS AND YOUTH UNION offer a platform to every young Indian to channelise your talents, voice your opinions and Emerge as a leader and moreover a responsible citizen.
OUR VISION We Pledges to bring together a new awakened and Enthusiastic young nation called India; India has a tremendous Store house of Knowledge, Intellect and potential which rests in her youth. We believe that if all this is put to right use for India’s Growth and Development, India will soon outshine some of the major superpowers in the World.What is required is a Joint and Collaborative Effort, a Platform which can shape our thoughts and Ideas into action.COME JOIN US
The first section transferred to Pune began functioning by the end of March, 1928. The first All India Weather Report was published from Pune on April 1, 1928.
The IMD building was completed in June 1928and was inaugurated by the Governor of Bombay, Sir Leslie Orme Wilson on July 20, 1928 in the presence of the Sir Cecil McWatters, who was the acting member of the Governor General’s Executive council. The heritage building was designed by Messrs Stevens and Partners and built by Pallonjee and Sons. A sum of Rs 2 lakh was allocated over 1926-27 to acquire ten acres of land from the then Bombay government and construct the buildings. The main building was inaugurated on July 20, 1928, by Sir Leslie Orme Wilson, the then governor of Bombay, in the presence of A C McWatters, an acting member of the Viceroy’s Council.
By mid 1928 the staff was shifted from simla to Pune. The city continued to be the headquarters till the second World War in September, 1939. So that’s why we call the building Simla Office.
The building now houses offices of the additional director general of meteorology (Research), deputy director general of meteorology (Agrimet), deputy director general of meteorology (Surface Instrument), deputy director general of meteorology (Weather Forecasting), deputy director general of meteorology (Training ).
The architectural plans of the building were drawn up by M/s Stevens and Partners and the observation-cum-clock tower was designed to have a square cross section with its diagonals aligned north-south and east-west.
No comments:
Post a Comment