pune news :- COEP, YCMOU get help for energy conservation

The Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (Meda) recently provided financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh each to the College of Engineering, Pune and Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU), Nashik. The aid was a part of Meda's scheme to implement energy conservation demonstration projects in government, semi-government and urban local bodies.

The scheme, which has been implemented for the first time in the country, was started in March this year. It focuses on replacement of old and inefficient equipment in government buildings with energy saving equipment, thus saving 25% to 30% energy."There is scope for 25% to 30% energy conservation in government and semi-government buildings, which often have equipment that are 30 years to 35 years old. Replacing this equipment with energy-saving equipment can save up to 30% energy," said a Meda official.

Hence, this demonstration project that provides government and semi-government buildings with the funding required to replace the existing equipment with that which saves energy, such as Energy Star labelled air conditioners and timers for streetlights, among other things.

Under the scheme, government offices can send proposals to Meda, after which they would be given a financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh each. The scheme also talks about providing technical assistance for conducting a detailed energy audit of the building through a Meda-empanelled energy audit consultant. Use of renewable energy based equipment and energy monitoring devices is also promoted in the scheme.

"Many a time, streetlights are manually operated and thus, often remain on even when it is not needed. Timers for streetlights ensure that they are automatically operated, and turn off when need be, thus saving 10% to 20% energy," the official said.

The COEP had sent four proposals to MEDA, one being the replacement of electrical geysers in its hostel with solar water heaters. "Apart from replacing old tube lights, they would also replace the old fans with new, energy-efficient fans. The old fans use up to 100-120 W of energy, while the new ones would consume about 60 W, thus saving considerable amount of energy," he said.

The Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University will now install 86W LED streetlights, thus saving 60% to 70% energy. "In addition, they would replace the old tubelights with energy efficient ones. Previously, one such old tubelight would consume 52W of energy. The university has asked for replacing the exiting tubelights with T 5 tubelights. One T 5 tubelight consumes 28W energy, thus saving about 30% to 40% of it," the official added. In addition, all the electric geysers here will be replaced with solar water heaters.

Besides, the Meda has proposed provide financial assistance up to Rs 20 lakh to municipalities, municipal corporations and Maharashtra Jivan Pradhikaran for improving energy efficiency of water pumping and streetlighting by installing energy saving devices and energy monitoring systems.

SOURS :- TOI

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PUNE STUDIES :- Soon sex workers in Pune will flaunt university education

At a time when education is becoming big business, here's an example of a university that believes in taking learning to the masses and not differentiating between its students. In a bid to rehabilitate and empower marginalised sections of society like sex workers and transgenders, the Nashik-based Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) is introducing certificate courses for the community at minimal fees.Dr R Krishnakumar, vice-chancellor of the university, said that it was his idea to start these courses. He said he had made a promise to the Governor at the time of his appointment that he would start courses to rehabilitate these marginalised sections of society.

"We started a pilot project in Nashik for sex workers, where we first introduced them to the basics through a preparatory course for six months. It taught them the alphabet, basic arithmetic and communication. We planned to later move them to short-term certificate courses, but the response wasn't good as the brothel owners or senior sex workers didn't cooperate and forbade the girls to attend our programmes," said Krishnakumar.Refusing to give up his efforts after the experience in Nashik, the V-C decided to take up the initiative in the city. He contacted several NGOs working in the sector and set up meetings with brothel owners in the city to convince them about the importance of the programme.

"To our surprise, brothel owners here agreed and even wanted a programme for sex workers as they knew this means of income wouldn't last forever. Through talks, we realised what their needs were and we have decided to start a short-term preparatory course for them as well as some of the sex workers, who have never been to school," said Krishnakumar. "Later we will introduce short-term certificate courses for the girls which would be credit based and, if they wish, the credits can be transferred and they can continue to do a diploma course as well."

Ask him about employment prospects after the course and he admits they are not too bright. "We do realise the stigma attached to these students and that's why we will focus on empowering them to take soft loans from nationalised banks and starting their own business. We believe in giving them the expertise and skill sets as well as the confidence to take this important step," said Krishnakumar.

Another area of interest for Krishnakumar was starting vocational courses for the transgender community and helping them set up small manufacturing units. "We are currently contacting peer leaders from the community and identifying pockets in the city where they are based. Our counsellors and trainers will go into these areas to teach them and we are working out the details," said Krishnakumar.