What is eco-friendly electricity?

When we say eco-friendly electricity, we generally mean its generation causes least disturbance to eco system, like electricity from wind, Solar, bio-gas etc. Even the hydro electric projects pollute the eco system, though marginally with the production of methane gas. Then what should be eco friendly electricity? What is the function of eco friendliness in transmission and distribution of electricity? All These thoughts would have remained utopian had I not made a trip to Kolkata, West Bengal in India. I have never been to Bengal earlier and that’s why I accepted the itinerary, though it was not flexible. This is an old city. Nostalgia of British raj is still here. It is located in eastern India on the east bank of the River Hooghly. The colonial city was developed by the British East India Company . The city was the capital of the British Indian empire till 1911 when it was relocated to Delhi. Kolkata witnessed a fast rise as the second city of the British Empire in the 19th century accompanied by the development of a culture that was a merger of European philosophy with Indian tradition. The city is also noted for its revolutionary history, ranging from Indian struggle for independence to the leftist Naxalite and trade union movements. The city of Club football, Trams, The first in India where electricity generated for commercial purpose ie. Sindra Pong in the 19th century. etc. Labelled the "Cultural Capital of India", "The City of Processions", "The City of Palaces", and the "City of Joy", Kolkata has also been home to luminaries such as Rabindranath Tagore, Subhash Chandra Bose, Mother Teresa and Satyajit Ray. etc A lot of other credits are to be boasted of like the place where the cream of Indian society lives (d) etc…

The electricity sector in the city is in dilapidated situation. Near to the place where I had my lunch, the above electric post is seen erected. Mind it ,it took more than 15 minutes for me to ascertain whether electricity is flowing or not …… i.e. whether the line is live or not. The nearby posts are also silimar. I enquired the watchman of the Hotel, who in turn enquired with the electrician of the building. They pay all respect and attention to me as if I am from their power utility, came for inspection. The electrician led a 5 member team (Electrician- The leader, the guard of the hotel-Personnel security officer, Driver of my vehicle –guide, my host-the silent and the unfortunate person to witness all the out of Agenda works, and myself.)Finally we find the line live and there is no wonder for them to have an electric line like this. At one side huge amount is pumping to power sector by the Government of India, and at another side it is being wasted. It’s high time to realize that we are pumping the hard earned money to leaky buckets. Mere capacity addition will not help to tide over the power crisis in India. Equal effort should be given to reduce the electricity losses. As a thumb rule, for every addition of 100 MW to the system in India, The net result would be around 50MW only. Thinking all these, I travelled through the busty street of Kolkotta. This is a city ruled by a single political party for more than three decades together. No sign of flags of political parties are seen .Why? No explanation from my host who otherwise gave me a clear picture of labour unrest in the Industrial sector in the State. The scene of a bare footed Rickshawala, pulling 4-5 persons in the hot climate of about 35 degree pulled my heart. My thoughts travelled past as we crossed the Hooghly River. One of the most notorious incidents of the 18th century was the trial and execution of "Nuncomar" or, more correctly, Nanda Kumar (d. 1775), who had been the governor of Hughli and had been appointed collector of Burdwan in place of Warren Hastings, which resulted in a long-standing enmity between the two . In 1775, when Hastings was Governor-General, Nanda Kumar brought accusations of corruption against him, accusing him of accepting bribes and other abuses of power. These were taken up with enthusiasm by Hastings' rivals on the Governor General's Council. Whilst this matter was still awaiting investigation, Nanda Kumar was indicted for forgery of a deed, condemned and executed. There was a strong suspicion that the charges had been invented by Hastings, and that he had put pressure on the judges to pass sentence of death. At this date it was far from clear whether or not English law applied in Calcutta, and it was extremely rare for the death penalty to be applied for forgery even in England. Warren Hastings and the Chief Justice, were both impeached, and were accused afterwards of committing a judicial murder. Hastings Impeachment ended with his acquittal in 1795 after a seven year trial. Ok let’s forget about the past, don’t be a pessimist………. be positive or B positive? .In every name, I find the use of B, the second letter, though Bengalese are second to none. B for Bengal? B for Backward state? B for Banarjee, the Mamta? B for Budhadeb Bhatacharya? B for Basu, The Jyothy? With these mixed thought, I arrived the International terminal, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International terminal, Kolkota for my onward journey.Here also I find a B. B Stands for nothing else………….. Bose, the Nethaji.

The Oblations

The oblation (Shraddh) is the ceremonies and rituals performed for the departed souls of dead ancestors. It is believed that the souls will attain peace by the rituals performed during the anniversary days. It is Yama, the god of death in Hindu mythology, who explained the importance of Shraddh. The rituals are usually performed under the guidance of a learned person or priest. To remember the ancestors is something to do for the descendants. This can be done informally in one's own private time. The ancestry goes as far to the first humans. It then could go through the different stages of evolution. Before the first human and the first life form there was the interaction and compounding of matter to make the conditions to allow life to begin its progress. Before the existence of matter there was emptiness. These are all points derived from evidence, postulations and assumptions. Still, besides this many varied theories on this existence have been passed down by soothsayers, seers, oracles, scholars, and those who are involved in religious, spiritual, mystical affairs. All give more meaning and hold many interesting ideas on the details of creation, existence and interrogatives related to these topics.

The Solitude place at Haridwar where I usually offer oblations to my beloved father. The Ganges is believed to be the most sacred and is also a lifeline to millions of Indians who live along its course and depend on it for their daily needs. It has also been important historically: many former provincial or imperial capitals (such as Patliputra,Kannauj,Kara, Kashi, Allahabad, Murshidabad, Munger, Baharampur and Kolkata) have been located on its banks. The Ganges was ranked among the five most polluted rivers of the world in 2007 with fecal coliform levels in the river near Varanasi more than one hundred times the official Indian government limits. Pollution threatens not only humans, but also more than 140 fish species, 90 amphibian species and the endangered Ganges river dolphin The Ganga Action Plan, an environmental initiative to clean up the river, has been a major failure thus far, due to corruption and lack of technical expertise,lack of good environmental planning, Indian traditions and beliefs,and lack of support from religious authorities.