How about Energy Efficient Cement Concrete ?

 

Background :

 

Last year, Shri R K Singhji ( Minister for  Renewable Energy ) proposed an ENERGY EFFICIENT BRICK

Ministry is proposing that all government-funded construction projects use bricks certified as energy efficient, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power and New & Renewable Energy RK Singh said on Friday.

Under a new scheme being implemented by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, fired clay brick manufacturers, who lower energy use during their manufacturing process, will be labelled as ‘Energy Efficient Enterprises(E3)’

“It should take around three years for brick manufacturers to implement these energy efficiency reforms, after which we have proposed that any government-funded project such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana use only E3-certified bricks,” Singh said at the launch event for the scheme.

 

( Source : Energy Efficient Construction   /   15  Mar  2021 )

 

 

Dear Shri Singhji,

I urge you to contact Dr. Behzad Nematollahi of Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Digital Construction, csidc@swinburne.edu.au.  at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne , for its development of ENERGY EFFICIENT CONCRETE [ b.nematollahi@sheffield.ac.uk ]

 

  “  Bendable, Green, and Cement-Free Concrete Created to Better Withstand Earthquakes “

      ( Interesting Engineering  / 05 March 2020 )

Extract :

The product is a major improvement on conventional concrete that is not only very rigid but also very polluting. Traditional concrete shatters when being stretched or bent and has a high carbon footprint due to the calcination of limestone to produce its key ingredient, cement.

“Production of this novel concrete requires about 36% less energy and emits up to 76% less carbon dioxide as compared to conventional bendable concrete made of cement,” said Dr. Nematollahi.

The novel material is made of industrial waste products such as fly ash, a by-product of coal-fired power stations. The researchers have also included short polymeric fibers in order to ensure that the concrete can bend but not break.

This makes it ideal for use in areas where natural disasters such as earthquakes are common. “Building in areas vulnerable to that sort of natural disaster is one of the main uses that we can see for this material,” Dr. Nematollahi added.

“Our laboratory test results showed that this novel concrete is about 400-times more bendable than normal concrete, yet has similar strength.”

This is not only great news for disaster-prone areas, but it also great for the environment. 

This study was published in Construction and Building Materials.

 

With regards,

Hemen Parekh  /  hcp@RecruitGuru.com  /  28 June 2022

 

A Surveillance Nightmare we must prevent

 

 

Context :

( A )

 

'An invisible cage': How China is policing the future  /  Eco Times  / 26 June 2022

 

Extract :

 

The more than 1.4 billion people living in China are constantly watched. They are recorded by police cameras that are everywhere, on street corners and subway ceilings, in hotel lobbies and apartment buildings. Their phones are tracked, their purchases are monitored, and their online chats are censored.

Now, even their future is under surveillance.

============================================== 

 

( B )

 

Microsoft President warns Orwell's 1984 could 'come to pass' in 2024 

Extract :

"If we don’t enact the laws that will protect the public in the future, we are going to find the technology racing

ahead, and it’s going to be very difficult to catch up," Smith stated.

"I’m constantly reminded of George Orwell’s lessons in his book 1984," Smith explained in the interview. 

"You know the fundamental story was about a government who could see everything that everyone did and hear everything that everyone said all the time," he continued. "Well, that didn’t come to pass in 1984, but if we're not careful that could come to pass in 2024." 

 

According to research by Comparitech, 54 percent of the world's 770 million CCTV cameras are installed in

China, meaning its citizens may not have a choice. 

In his interview with the BBC's 'Panorama', Smith pointed out that our reality is rapidly catching up with the

fictional portrayal of Orwell's 1984. He called for lawmakers to protect the public against the all-too-real threat

of the technology over the coming years.

 

MY  TAKE :

 

 

And that future is scary, to say the least

 

For any government, such a SCARING SURVEILLANCE of its citizen, is enticing

 

For sake of NATIONAL  SECURITY, some surveillance of its citizen is unavoidable- it is necessary

 

It is for the reason of balancing the two opposite requirements of National Security vs Citizen Privacy, that

 

I urge all stakeholders to adopt a MIDDLE / COMPROMISE solution as suggested by me in my following email :

 

Balancing : National Security vs Personal Privacy……………. 19 June 2021

 

 

===============================================

With regards,

Hemen Parekh /  hcp@RecruitGuru.com  /  28 June 2022

 

CC :

Shri Ashwini Vaishnawji ……..( av.odisha@sansad.nic.in )

Shri Shri Kiren Rijiju ……  …..( kiren.rijiju@sansad.nic.in )

Shri Anurag Singh Thakur …( anuragthakur.mp@sansad.nic.in )

Dr. Jitendra Singh ……………..( drjitendras@gmail.com )

 

Thank You, Amitabh Kant

 

Thank You, Amitabh Kant

 

It is not often that one gets to acknowledge the achievements of a retiring Government officer and say :

“  Good luck to you – and continue to contribute to nation’s well being “

Amitabh Kant , who retires ( 30 June ) as CEO of NITI Aayog is one such officer

I had an opportunity to meet him in person just once ( 05 Sept 2015 )

This was in connection with my suggestions re modification of the “ Make In India “ portal to enable Foreign Buyers of Indian goods / services,  to be able to search “ suitable “ Indian Manufacturers / exporters  and send them inquiries ( - a feature to enable a two-way dialogue )

But , today , I got  reminded of him when I read the following news report :

Ø  PM-EAC for patent system rejig to fast track grants   /  ET  /  25 June 2022

Extract :

It is quite possible that PM EAC do not know that Shri Kant realized this need ( to speed up examination and grant of patents ),  some 7 years ago ! And took specific action as evident from following e-mail exchange :

 

 

From:  Amitabh Kant [mailto:amitabhk87@gmail.com]

Sent:  Sunday,  July 19, 2015   10:49 PM

To:    Hemen Parekh

Subject: Re: INNOVATIONS AND PATENTS

 

Dear Hemen,

Thanks. I am working on it. Recruiting 1000 additional examiners on war footing .

Will bring pendency to 6 months in  18 months time. 

Ak 

 

This made me send following e-mail to Shri Kant :

INNOVATIONS AND PATENTS

Amitabh Kant amitabhk87@gmail.com

 

Dear  Amitabh ,

This is indeed heartening  !

As per Patent Office Annual Report ( 2013-14 ), 196 patent examiners managed to " dispose off " ( grant + refusal ), some 11,411 applications ( 58.2 / examiner / year )

If this number goes up 6 times ( 200 + 1000 ), may be they could dispose off 36,000 applications in 6 months - as against 42,951 applications filed during 2013-14

I wish you all luck with such a massive recruitment drive

But with just ONE employer in the entire country, it would be extremely difficult to find so many suitable / experienced examiners

I suppose, Patent Office will, simultaneously launch an equally massive " Training " program

It may be worth considering outsourcing of preliminary internet-based search of existing " Prior Knowledge ", without revealing to the " Subcontracted Party ", any finer details of the applications

with regards,

hemen

 ( source :   Thank You, Shri Amitabh Kantji    /   15 Jan 2022 )

 

Adieu , Dear Amitabh ,

 

May God grant you good health so that you may continue to serve the country

 

With regards,

Hemen Parekh  /  hcp@RecruitGuru.com  /  27 June 2022

 

 

 

Super-Power of Software Exports ?

 

 

 

Dear Web Master / Developer Team (  Niryat-suport@gov.in ) :

 

I just visited https://niryat.gov.in , from where , I am sending this e-mail

 

I could not find any link to REGISTER  !

 

Hence, there is no way to obtain a USER NAME and PASSWORD  !

 

But the only FORM which I see on the landing page ( home page ) , asks me to LOGIN , by filling in these details  !

https://niryat.gov.in/login?next=http%3A%2F%2Fmoc%2F&_=2

 

I am stumped !

 

There seems no other link through which I can even ENTER this portal to view its CONTENT / STATISTICS

 

This is very FRUSTRATING

 

Worse, what would a FOREIGN COMPANY executive ( who wishes to IMPORT from India, certain products ) think when he visits this portal !

 

I am sending to our CABINET MINISTERS, a copy of this e mail

 

I request you to reply to me on >   hcp@RecruitGuru.com

 

 

 

With regards,

 

Hemen parekh

 

www.hemenparekh.in

 

24  June  2022

 

 

Context :

 

PM Modi Launches NIRYAT Portal to Access Export Records, Inaugurates Vanijya Bhawan/News18/23 June

Extract :

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, June 23, launched the NIRYAT portal, which will dedicatedly deal with the import and export analysis of India.

NIRYAT, or the National Import-Export Record for Yearly Analysis of Trade, has been launched by the government to provide important real-time data to all stakeholders, Modi said after launching the portal. NIRYAT has been pegged as a one-stop platform for stakeholders for easy access to critical information related to India’s foreign trade by the Centre.

Launching the NIRYAT portal, Modi said, “The government has been working towards ensuring ‘Citizen-Centric Governance’ for the last eight years and today we have taken another important step in this direction. Today, the country is getting a gift of a new and modern commercial building and NIRYAT portal." Union minister of commerce and industry Piyush Goyal was also present during the event.

“This new Vanijya Bhawan and NIRYAT portal represent our aspirations of an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. It will bring positive changes in the field of trade and commerce, especially for MSMEs," PM Modi said after launching the NIRYAT portal.

Users can log in to the portal with their usernames and passwords and access all import export data of the country easily.

“From this portal, important information related to more than 30 commodity groups exported to more than 200 countries of the world will be available. In the coming time, information related to district-wise exports will also be available on this. This will also strengthen the efforts to develop the districts as important centers of exports”, the Prime Minister said.

The NIRYAT portal is aimed to “facilitate further strengthening of India’s financial sector in line with the 3Ts of Trade, Tourism and Technology," as per the government.

“Despite global disruptions last year, India exported a total of $670 billion- Rs 50 lakh crores. Exports are vital to a country’s progress. Initiatives like ‘Vocal for Local’ have also accelerated the country’s exports," Modi said on the day. The government is working to promote ease of doing business and boost exports, Modi said adding new domestic products like handlooms are reaching new markets.

===================================================

 

 

 

 

Chasing Mirage of E-Transmission ?

 

Context :

[ A ]

 

Piyush Goyal suggests customs duty on digital exporters  /  TNN  /  16 June 2022

 

Extract :

 

India’s move to play hard on extending tax moratorium on e-commerce, including transmission of films, printed matter such as books and journals, video games, software , movies and music , has taken the developed world by surprise with government officials suggesting that ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSIONS  should come under the TAX NET as developing and poor countries are losing upward of $ 15 BILLION annually

   
After the recent decision at OECD on common minimum tax on MNCs avoiding tax across geographies, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday suggested a similar move for e-commerce

“ I would like to suggest a SIMILAR EFFORT be made on CUSTOM DUTY component across the world to at least allow the developing countries to share such small portion of the SUPER PROFITS and HUGE BENEFITS that these few big tech companies are enjoying “, he said at WTO

  
He said global DIGITAL GIANTS are avoiding levies.

“ While small exporters of PHYSICAL PRODUCTS like textiles, handloom, clothing, foot wear, mainly based in developing countries , are facing both domestic taxes as well as custom duties , the BIG DIGITAL EXPORTERS are being exempted from custom duties due to the moratorium “

“ While the scope is to be decided, it could include everything from NETFLIX to TELEMEDICINE , e-Commerce and DIGITAL PAYMENTS , where ELECTRONIC  TRANSMISSION is involved “, said Biswajit Dhar, a professor in JNU.

Although many see it as a BARGAINING CHIP, to get a better deal in some OTHER AREA during the negotiations here, officials indicated the moratorium must be lifted sooner or later.

According to WTO rule,  even ONE COUNTRY can hold back a decision on any issue

 

[ B ]

WTO breaks a 7-year negotiating drought, agrees on all issues including fisheries subsidies / ET / 17 June 2022

Extract :

It was also agreed to find a final solution to the issue of continuation of moratorium on imposing customs duties on electronic transmission of goods by the next ministerial conference of the WTO or not later than March 2024.

===================================================

MY TAKE :

I am reminded of the Government’s effort to :

Ø  Regulate / Control , use of plain / ordinary,  shortwave / medium wave RADIO transmissions

Ø  Earn a few lakhs of Rupees through such control

Way back in 1960, every year, I had to stand in a queue at the Vile Parle post office, to pay up Rs 5 / 10 , and get my RADIO USAGE LICENCE booklet , get stamped for one year renewal

If , during the course of the year, I purchased  another ( could be even, portable ) radio, I had to go to the post office , fill-up a form / pay another Rs 5 / - and get the window-clerk to “ add “ that entry in my license !

The “ Controls “ in relation to a CORDLESS PHONES , were more stringent

( Read at :    Once Upon a Time………. 08 June 2020   )

 

I suppose, at some point of time, someone in Government realized that it was simply IMPOSSIBLE to regulate radio transmissions ( of course, only WHO owned HOW MANY radios – but no way of knowing or controlling WHO was listening – tuning in – to WHICH radio station and for HOW LONG )

When TV transmissions started ( during 1972 Asian Games held in Delhi ? ), no one in the government, dared to find out WHO / HOW MANY , were watching those VIDEO TRANSMISSIONS !

 

FAST FORWARD 50 YEARS ( 2022 )

 

The “ E Transmission “ eco-system comprises of mind-boggling numbers of :

 

#   Device Manufacturers

    ( Smart watches / Mobiles / Tablets / Laptops / PCs / TVs / Alexa / SIRI etc )

     Before long, every home will have 50 / 100 gadgets-appliances-bulbs etc.,

     connected to Internet ( IoT )

     Of course, before long, all the vehicles too will be connected to Internet – and

     after a few years, all MEDICAL DEVICES too, will be connected to Internet

     

     How  long before Houses – Clothes – Food ( Roti – Kapda – Makan ) get

     connected to Internet  ?

 

#   Internet Service Providers

     ( ISPs – MSPs – Telcos - Starlinks – LiFi – Search Engines – BIG TECH etc )

 

#   E-Transmission Software Manufacturers

     ( Op Systems - Apps – 5G – 6G - etc )      

 

 #  E-Transmission Hardware Manufacturers

     ( Transmission Towers – transmission equipment  etc )

 

When Billions of people ( soon, everyone on the Earth ) are “ receiving – forwarding - transmitting “ , Trillions of bytes of CONTENT ( sound – sight – smell – touch – taste etc ), EVERY SECOND , to ANY ONE else on the earth, how will any government  find a way to “ TAX “ such e-transmissions ?

Besides Neuralink of Elon Musk, several companies are working on :

Transmission of thoughts / commands to devices, by people , simply “ thinking “ !

That transmission could be across state borders – right around the earth ( or even space ? )

 

MORAL of the STORY :

 

Dear Shri Piyush Goyalji,

 

Before the next WTO round in March 2024 , please use this “ time gained “ to figure out how to use this “ Bargaining Chip “ to get the DEVELOPED COUNTRIES to agree to grant to any Indian Citizen who applies,  a 5 year “ Work Permit “ in those countries

 

With regards,

Hemen Parekh  /  hcp@RecruitGuru.com  /  20 June 2022