PANCHAAMRITAM 16

ONE

Dr Umesh Zadgaonkar and Alka Zadgaonkar, who heads the applied chemistry research unit at G H Raisoni College of Engineering at Nagpur, claimed their process technology converts plastic waste into of distillates containing gasoline, kerosene, diesel and some other petro-products. All one has to do is to mix the waste plastic with coke and catalysts, which the two claim to have developed, and heat the mixture in a 'specially-designed' container. In the laboratory, they converted three kg. waste plastic into three litres of petrol and related products, though it can be upscaled depending on the requirement. The Nagpur-based couple have received provisional patent from the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). The Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) at Dehra Dun and the Indian Oil Corporation have recently prepared a confidential report on the potential of the new technology, which is being evaluated by petroleum experts. The mixture contains 35 per cent petrol fraction, 25 per cent kerosene fraction and 30 per cent diesel fraction. The rest is a combination of other lubes, Alka Zadgaonkar said, adding that all types of waste plastic have been successfully converted into fuels at the laboratory.

Based on a report by Kalyan Ray in the Deccan Herald, April 20,2003.

TWO

Chennai businessman Shri. Suresh Kamath hired Shri. S.M. Parthasarathy as a trainee programmer in July 1992 mainly because he felt sorry for him -- Parthasarathy's right leg was crippled by polio. But Parthasarathy worked so hard and did so well that Kamath realized that hiring handicapped people wouldn't just be doing them a favour, it could be good business too. Today 40 of Kamath's 475 employees are handicapped. Kamath is also unusual in that he has installed ramps, extra railings and special toilets in his office for the benefit of his handicapped employees. "In fact," says Parthasarathy, now a senior executive in he company, 'Suresh is like a big brother to us. And he never makes us feel that we're different in any way".

Based on a report in Reader's Digest, June 2003

THREE

The Made in India Show organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Sri Lanka last month has generated business inquiries worth Rs. 495 crores. Over 130 Indian ompanies participated in the five-day exhibition. The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Ministry of Industries and the Ministry of Commerce & Consumer Affairs, Government of Sri Lanka supported it. The high point of the show was "Enterprise India" which showcased a varied range of consumer products from garments, textiles, to household products. A CII release said that the "Enterprise India Show" saw an overwhelming response from the Sri Lankanconsumers. The visitor turnout was beyond expectation as it crossed the over sixty thousand mark. After the tremendous response received from the show, CII is planning to hold this event annually at Colombo, the release added.

Based on a report in The Hindu

FOUR

Reuters Health has reported that many people turn to yoga to relieve stress, and new study findings suggest they're doing the right thing. U.S. researchers discovered that after a single session of yoga, levels of the stress hormone cortisol dropped, even in people who were trying yoga for the first time. Dr. George Brainard of the Center of Integrative Medicine of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and colleagues measured cortisol levels before and after a 50-minute yoga session. Brainard and his team found that cortisol levels decreased more after a session of yoga than after the rest period, even on the first day of practice. Further research will have to determine whether the decrease in cortisol after yoga is sustained, and whether that hormonal change has a positive effect on health. "My suspicion is that the answer to all that may well be yes," Brainard said. The research is being presented this week in Philadelphia at the 85th Annual Meeting of The Endocrine Society.

Based on a despatch by Shri. Alison McCook, June 19, 2003.

FIVE

This happened in Madurai, Tamilnadu. Railway employee Kuppan died. His wife Thangam had left Kuppan and had been living with a man named Maari who had a wife already. In 1950, Kuppan brought a woman by name Shenbagam into his life. Kuppan-Shenbagam begot four children. The position at the demise of Kuppan was that legally Thangam was eligible for the settlement money from the Railways. I (Shri. K.S.Subramanian, the then Divisional Accounts Officer), on the other hand, felt, on Dharmic grounds, that the money should go to Shenbagam. An attempt was set in motion to find a just solution. Through the labour welfare inspector, Thangam wss brought to my office. Even before I started explaining things, Thangam firmly declared: “ Sir, I will not touch a pie. This money must go to Shenbagan who has lived with Kuppan for fifteen years and is left with four kids, all of them girls. Tell me what I should do now to that effect. If ever I lay hands on this money, my family and children will be doomed.” Her nobility touched my heart. Thangam signed the papers and received the money only to hand it over in toto to Shenbagam whom I had summoned to my office. Thangam proudly walked out of my office after rejecting my advice to accept at least a small share of the amount for the trouble she took.

An anecdote from a Tamil article by Shri. K.S.Subramanian, former manager, Asian Development Bank. Courtesy: DINAMANI, June 6, 2003.

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