http://indiareckoner.net/2014/12/dna-parliamentary-committee-pulls-up-drdo/
India’s premier defence research organisation, Defence Research and Development Organisation’s inordinate delays, corruption and its fancy for reverse engineering has resulted in Parliamentary standing committee on defence raising the red flag on DRDO budget for 2014-15.
Monday, 22 December 2014 – 7:10am IST | Place: New Delhi | Agency: dna
New Delhi: India’s premier defence research organisation – Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) – is under Parliament scanner.
Shoddy research, inordinate delays, corruption and its fancy for reverse engineering have resulted in the Parliamentary standing committee on defence raising the red flag on DRDO budget for 2014-15.
According to documents accessed by dna, the committee has nailed DRDO on several occasions. It has asked DRDO to furnish details on how many new models, weapon systems and engines have been imported in the last 10 years in the name of study and modifications. “DRDO labs are more interested in importing systems, modifying them a little bit, re-labelling them and reselling them to forces,” the panel observed.
Of the 31-member committee, four members have defence background. “Where do you think DRDO stands in our military hardware preparedness vis-à-vis China today?” the committee said. It also asked DRDO to disclose those areas of technology where they are not competitive or behind the curve.
“There is a perception that DRDO is not really fulfilling its role; it is only doing normal non-commercial office work. DRDO should work out what is required by the services… futuristic and does not get outdated before it is introduced into services. People are expecting something extraordinary from DRDO, something out-of-the-box,” it said.dna began its investigations in August this year when Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised DRDO during an address in Kargil. 
“If a project was conceived in 1992, it should not be the case in 2014 we are still saying it will take some more time,” he had said. India, he said, has the potential to be a world leader in defence sector, but was being held back by a chalta hai attitude.
In the last 10 years, the DRDO budget has increased from Rs 3,443.18 crore to Rs 10,868.89 crore (around three times). However, it has completed/closed only 13 projects costing Rs 134.08 crore in 2013 14, while it got 52 new projects, costing Rs 1,651.59 crore from January 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014.
“DRDO’s mandate is to develop products and technologies to modernise our armed forces. It has shown a list of products developed by them. Please also furnish a list of technologies developed,” the committee said.
DRDO’s annual report says that, as on March 31, 2014, it was handling 339 projects costing approximately Rs 45,554.73 crore. Out of these, 37 projects cost above Rs 100 crore, and, in total, account for Rs 38,613.89 crore. This is approximately 85% of active project costs.
DRDO scientists are among the best paid in India. They get incentives like two additional increments on promotion, up to six variable increments on promotions granted on fast track, professional update allowance, opportunity to acquire higher qualifications at reputed institutes and residential complexes.
The committee also asked DRDO about its research on a Gujarat-based Sadhu, Prahlad Jani, who has been living on air. He does not eat and drink. A research on him was carried out in 2003 and 2010 and the committee asked if the outcome can be used in warfare.
Talking to dna, a committee member said on condition of anonymity: “DRDO is doing shoddy research and some parliamentarians seem to be encouraging it by asking how outcomes could be used in warfare. Are you going to deprive Indian soldiers food and water in harsh conditions like extreme heat and cold? It’s disgusting.”
“This is not the only example. Recently, in Pune, they developed a hi-tech chariot to be donated to a temple. Is it what they are supposed to do?” he said.
“There are also a number of irregularities like an institute director buying a Honda CRV for personal use from the institute’s budget, although that car was not fit for that terrain.
“A building construction project worth crores was given to National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) without proper tendering. There are also complaints of misbehaviour and harassment of officials and purchase of expensive tickets from Nagpur, home district of one DRDO institute director,” he said.
DRDO blames it on defence services, finance officers
DRDO has its own woes. They range from lack of testing facilities to infrastructure to shortage of funds to impractical demands of defence services. Another big reason is the rejection of DRDO technologies by defence services, terming them “inferior”, and their ‘preference’ for imported technologies.
A top DRDO official in Delhi said, “Top defence people visit international exhibitions and defence machinery manufacturers where they see the latest technologies. They collect brochures and after coming back, they shortlist good technologies from various options available, amalgamate them and ask DRDO to develop a product or technology. They don’t even bother to study the feasibility of their demands in context with the resources with us. That is one major reason for delay in aircraft and engines.”
“What they see in these exhibitions is imported technology where countries like the US, Russia and France have in-house raw materials building and manufacturing facilities. In India, we have to import even small components. This is one reason for the delay and increase in project costs,” he said.
http://headlinestoday.intoday.in/programme/bombay-high-court-drdo-motorised-chariot-temple-rath/1/404682.html
Dear Sir,
SUBJECT : DRDO CHIEF ON CONTRACT
REFERENCE
Hon’ble Sir,
With regards, I would like to draw your kind attention towards letters under reference. The press release of PIB, MOD is regarding – Avinash Chander to Continue as DRDO Chief on Contract after Superannuation.
Following facts are conclusive form the above letters.
Questions
Sir, on behalf of Government would you like to reply to the nation being a technocrat-cum-politician, how much it is justified to have DRDO Chief on contract basis for one and half year.
The scientific community and employees are very much surprised from this decision of Government and this will lead frustration among the scientific community of DRDO. In the interest of nation and the DRDO, I kindly request to you to remove the Shri Avinash Chander as DRDO Chief and setup High Level Committee to inquire all the complaints against Shri Avinash Chander pending before the Government (PMO & MOD)
Regards
Prabhu Dandriyal,Copy enclosed:
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Defence
28-November-2014 18:48 IST
Avinash Chander to Continue as DRDO Chief on Contract After Superannuation
The President is pleased to retire Dr. Avinash Chander, Secretary, Department of Defence Research & Development (DOB: 06.11.1950), in the Ministry of Defence from Government Service with effect from 30.11.2014 (AN) on attaining the age of superannuation.
The appointment of Dr. Avinash Chander beyond his date of retirement i.e. 30.11.2014 for 18 months would be on contract basis, with the same terms and conditions as he would be entitled to Secretary (DRD) before the date of retirement. His contractual term will end on 31 May 2016.
N Ao/DM/HH
PTI | November 28, 2014, 19.11 pm IST
New Delhi: India’s premier defence and research organisation DRDO’s chief Dr Avinash Chander was to retire on November 30 but will continue to occupy the position on a contractual basis till May 2016.
“The President is pleased to retire Dr Avinash Chander, Secretary, Department of Defence Research & Development (DOB: 06.11.1950), in the Ministry of Defence from Government Service with effect from 30.11.2014 (AN) on attaining the age of superannuation,” an official statement said on Friday.
It said “the appointment of Chander beyond his date of retirement, November 30, for 18 months would be on contract basis, with the same terms and conditions as he would be entitled to Secretary (DRD) before the date of retirement.”
His contractual term will end on May 31, 2016. Asked if this was the first time a DRDO chief will go on contract, sources said there had been instances when chiefs have been given “extraordinary” extensions.
The DRDO chief also holds the post of Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister and the Secretary of Department of Defence Research and Development.
Chander joined DRDO in 1972 after completing graduation in Electrical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi.
He obtained MS in Spatial Information Technology from Jawharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Hyderabad. Chander is the chief architect of Agni series of ballistic missile systems.
Development of Agni range of missiles under a highly-restrictive international control regimes was possible only out of his technology forecast, perspective planning and relentless efforts, DRDO officials said.
Government having best IAS to govern and run the government machinery, for that, time to time government order published to take care the smooth functioning of various departments.
Sometimes they observed that the orders are manipulated for wasted interest by various departments.
Recently DOPT published an order for “Grant of extension/re-employment to Central Government servants beyond the age of superannuation F.No.22/35/2011-EO (SM.II) dated 24th September, 2014”
In Para 1 of above order “The ACC has observed that in some of the cases, the Departments are not taking timely action to reconstitute the Departmental Peer Review Committee (DPRC) and are unilaterally extending the service of the officers beyond the age of superannuation without first obtaining approval of the ACC.”
Sh Narendra Modi ji canceled 4 scientists of DRDO’s extensions on 31st October 2014 but since August 2014. He was expressed his view that flag of research sectors should be in the hand of young achievers.
It seems DRDO’s technocrat mafia took it as challenge a start playing their gimmick the recent example of appointment of Dr. Pushkar Raj Scientist ‘G’ ,Director, DTC (Defence Technology Commission) secretariat DRDO HQ, New Delh.
The DRDO Internal Order No O14.066 dated 26-SEP-2014 stated that “authority has approved appointment of Dr. Pushkar Raj, Scientist ‘G’, as Director DTC Secretariat, at DRDO HQ, with immediate effect. This appointment is for a period of 03 years from the date of assumption.
Now the best part of above order is as per official records Dr. PUSHKAR RAJ Sc G, HQ_DTC SECTT’s date of birth is 20-Jul-1955, than how can DRDO authority appointed him beyond the age of 60 years without approval of ACC.
Only GOD knows that how DRDO is running, there is no rules following by DRDO, in one LAB director is purchasing wine from poor tax payers money, other Lab Director is busy in manufacturing silver chariot for religious ceremony costing 2.5 crores from again poor tax payers pocket, DG Sh Avinash Chander busy to please his shisya first promoted, than made her Director of Lab by superseding and ignoring numbers of senior scientists, not only this Chander recruited her husband as Scientist ‘G’ and made him Director,QRS, DOP is busy to help his sister to harass genuine scientists by issuing charge sheet, also helping his corrupt friend directors for harass whistle blowers, everywhere you will find despoliation/ vandalism in DRDO.
When head is corrupt then who will run the show honestly – only GOD, Modi Ji or now Parrikar Ji can save our premier defence organization.
Jai Hind
Hope this mail finds you in a hale and healthy mood.
S. SANDEEP KUMAR, November 24, 2014 17:04 IST THE HINDU
“it is going to be the future, it will be a fight against one technology over the other, than the conventional man against man wars,” DRDO Director General Avinash Chander said.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Director General Dr. Avinash Chander underscored the need for a policy to induct unmanned combat systems into the armed forces and make them an integral part.
Many advanced countries, especially the United States, are focusing on developing unmanned security systems and the DRDO is working on different unmanned combat system projects for aerial, underwater and surface applications.
Presently, projects on unmanned reconnaissance aircraft and combat aircraft and others are underway but there is a need to evolve a policy for inclusion of such systems into the armed forces. It is going to be the future, it will be a fight against one technology over the other, than the conventional man against man wars, said Mr. Chander.
Strengthening biochemical capability
Sensing a potential threat through dreadful viruses, bacteria and other bio agents, the defence organisation is working on strengthening biochemical capability by developing vaccines for detection and protection.
“We have developed a vaccine for detection of HINI flu virus and are working on detection of anthrax in association with department of food research. They are still under clinical evaluation and we need to get clearance. It is a long process,” said Mr. Chander, who was in the city to lay the foundation for the Centre of Excellence in Composites at V.R. Siddhartha Engineering College in Vijayawada on Monday.
Akash MK-II missile
Sharing details about the upgrading of Akash MK-II surface-to-air missile, he said Akash, in its present form, was very successful and met with the aspirations of the armed forces. “It has got a very good hit rate and now efforts are on for enhancing range and it is still on the drawing board,” he said.
On other projects, the DRDO Director General said the organisation was setting up a centre of technology for robotics at Jagadalpur and there are plans to set up 10 such centres for propulsions etc at Mumbai, Chennai and other locations in the country in the next five years.
The objective was to inculcate research interest among students and DRDO will be funding such centres, he added.
डी आर डी ओ पिछले दो सालों में बायो डायजेस्टर तकनिकी के बारे इतना ढिढोरा इसलिए पीटा क्योंकि एक तो इनके पास और कुछ डेवलप नहीं हो पा रहा था और दूसरा डी आर डी ओ द्वारा डा सेल्वामूर्ति को नंबर दो के पद पर बिठाना।
डा सेल्वामूर्ति डी आर डी ओ के मुख्य मिशन के नहीं थे वो तो लाइफ साइंस जैसे विषय से संबधित थे जोकि एक डी आर डी ओ का एक मुक़्तलिफ़ कार्य था परन्तु डा सेल्वामूर्ति के प्रोपगंडा स्पेसलिस्ट होने के कारण उन्होंने डी आर डी ओ के मुख्य मिशन से डी आर डी ओ को भटका दिया और सब अधिकारी नाम व् पैसे के कारण डा सेल्वामूर्ति के पीछे हो लिए। मंत्रियो और बाबाओ व् फ्लिम स्टार्स के साथ फोटो सेशन और टेक्नोलॉजी ट्रांसफर के नाम पर कम्पनियो से साठघांट और साथ में टेम्परोरी ड्यूटी का मजा लेने के लिए डी आर डी ओ मुख्यालय के सब अधिकारी डा सेल्वामूर्ति के जाल में फँस गए। डा सेल्वामूर्ति ने बहुत से डीम्ड यूनिवर्सिटी को डी आर डी ओ लाइफ साइंस बोर्ड के माध्यम से करोड़ो रूपए बांटे तथा उनसे अपने लिए व् अन्य डी आर डी ओ अधिकारियो के लिए मानद उपाधि ली व् कुछ अपने चापलूसों को पी एच डी करवाई।
बायो डायजेस्टर तकनिकी का कई बार डी आर डी ओ ने विभिन्न स्थानो में लोकार्पण करके देश के बहुमूल्य पैसो का जम कर दुरूपयोग किया।
One World South Asia
India’s DRDO develops eco-friendly toilets
Tripti Nath/ OneWorld South Asia Jul 23, 2012
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) dedicated to enhancing self reliance in defence systems, has demonstrated exemplary versatility by developing eco-friendly bio-toilets for soldiers for human waste management in high altitude regions.
The low temperature at high altitude halts and delays the natural biodegradation of human waste and leads to its accumulation which is an environment hazard.
The painstaking research spanning a decade involved study of the science of bio digestion. It began in 1998 and was carried out by a team of DRDO scientists who camped for 16 months in harsh weather conditions in Antarctica and identified psychrophilic bacteria that can withstand both summer and winter temperature. The bacteria were then brought back to the laboratories where they were cultured and their kinetics studied.
After DRDO installed 200 units of bio digesters in high altitude areas such as Siachen and Ladakh for its jawans and word spread about the advantages of bio toilets, the Planning Commission evinced interest in the technology developed by DRDO. The technology has been adapted successfully for use in all terrains.
Dr W. Selvamurthy, DRDO’s distinguished scientist and Chief Controller of Research and Development, said, “The Lakhsadweep Islands were facing water borne diseases and had approached the Planning
Commission for a solution. What began as a solution for jawans turned out to be a gift to society. The bio toilets are a blessing in rural India where only 30 per cent of population has private toilets.”
Not just this, big brother America is taking interest in the bio-toilets. Coming month, Dr Selwamurthy alongwith Dr Lokendra Singh, Scientist G and Director, Life Sciences, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior, will be travelling to Seattle in the United States to make a presentation to the Bill Gates Foundation as Bill Gates is reviewing the technology of bio toilets.
The presentation alongwith the exhibition of the innovation will be made at the invitation of the Bill Gates Foundation which is holding a global competition for best global solution for human waste management.
Dr Selwamurthy is confident that this will become a global technology. “ It is a unique IP (Intellectual Property. We have patented this technology not only at the national level but also at the international level.”
Better known as bio digesters, the toilets were conceptualised as DRDO’s solution for decomposition of biological waste generated by soldiers deployed in high altitude areas.While 12,000 units in Lakshadweep islands are using DRDO developed technology , the railways which have faced severe criticism for stinking platforms and unsightly human waste littered tracks , are also using these toilets.
As of date, eight trains are running with 436 bio toilets based on DRDO technology in 191 coaches.” As part of the green intitatives promised in the Railway Budget for 2012-’13, the Ministry of Railways will provide 2500 bio toilets in its coaches. By 2016-17, the new railway coaches will completely switch over to bio toilets.
]The Minister for Rural Development, Mr Jairam Ramesh, has given a go ahead for installation of bio toilets in 1000 village communities (gram panchayats) with a budget of Rs 400 crore. At the launch venue located only 15 kilometre from the Wheeler island where Agni V was successfully test fired early this year, the Minister for Rural Development promised that under the recently launched Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Campaign) , his ministry will ensure that all gram panchayats are covered in the next 10 years.
As of now, India has 2,40,000 gram panchayats.”
The DRDO distinguished scientist said, “ To begin with, we have installed six twin bio digester toilets in Odisha in eastern India. The Ministry of Rural Development will identify these 1000 villages communities and ensure that every village home gets a bio toilet.”
Dr Selwamurthy is satisfied that DRDO is discharging its corporate social responsibility. “ Our technology has a spin off. It is now going to States. The Minister for Urban Development has recommended that new housing societies being developed in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra, instal bio toilets.”
DRDO’s versatility has earned it praise from the Union Minister for Rural Development, Mr Jairam Ramesh. While launching the eco toilet project based on DRDO’s bio digester technology in Dhamra in Odisha’s
Bhadrak district last month, the minister said that bio toilets can do to rural sanitation what Agni has done to India’s external defence. He said that the DRDO developed technology for bio toilets can bring a significant change in the quality of life of people, mainly in rural areas and help them lead a healthy life.”
Dr Selvamurthy agrees that the bio digesters will prevent the dehumanising practice of manual scavenging and meet its objective of discouraging open defecation and improving sanitation conditions. Open defecation is a huge problem in India and Sikkim is the only State that boasts of zero defecation in the open. Sixty per cent people in the world who have to go outside for toilets are from India.
The senior scientist, who has been part of the DRDO’s growth story for almost four decades, said that one toilet would cost Rs 15,000 but the cost would be borne by the Ministry of Rural Development. “Looking at the cost benefit analysis, it is not very expensive. It will prevent deaths that are caused by water borne diseases. A large number of children die due to water borne diseases. The durability of the whole system is 25 years. We have given it to 45 Indian companies for capacity building. We are willing to give it to other countries also. Industry will implement it under the Quality Assurance of DRDO. We are only monitoring it.”
Kasturi Ray Express News Service – BHUBANESWAR Published: 24th June 2012
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in a first of its kind attempt, will launch, not missiles, but bio-toilets for use by civilians. Scheduled to be dedicated to the nation on Sunday at Dhamra, 64 km from Bhadrak district, the bio-toilets project was conceived by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with Ministry of Rural Development.
With the objective of reducing open defecation and increasing sanitation, the project has been based on DRDO’s Bio-Digester technology developed by Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE), Gwalior, and Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), Tezpur, two constituent laboratories under DRDO.
The technology was used to decompose biological waste generated by soldiers deployed in high-altitude regions such as Siachen and Ladakh. It degrades and converts the human waste into usable water and gasses in an eco-friendly manner. The generated gas can be utilised for energy/cooking and water for irrigation purposes. The process involves the bacteria which feeds upon the fecal matter inside the tank, through anaerobic process which finally degrades the matter and releases methane gas that can be used for cooking, along with the treated water. Highlighting the technical aspects and features of bio-digester technology, Dr W Selvamurthy, Chief Controller (R&D Life Science & International Cooperation) stated, “The bio digester technology is an innovative and cost effective solution for a mega problem of water pollution and health hazard due to open defecation.
The effluent coming out of the bio digesters is odourless and harmless and could be used for gardening and irrigation as well. Minister of State (I/C) Statistics and Programme Implementation and Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Srikant Jena and Minister of Rural Development and Drinking Water and Sanitation, Government of India, Jairam Ramesh are expected to be present at the inauguration.
The research body held a meeting with the RD Minister introducing him to the new technology and desired it be adopted in the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) that funds construction of toilets in rural households. Earlier, DRDO and FICCI had entered into a MoU for DRDO-FICCI Accelerated Technology Assessment & Commercialisation (ATAC) programme.
The DRDO-FICCI ATAC programme is a unique initiative of DRDO and FICCI that aims for commercialisation of cutting edge technologies developed by various DRDO labs for civilian applications. The RD Ministry will be implementing bio- toilets in its sanitation campaign providing privacy to rural folks apart from dealing with waste management. CTRAN Consulting, a BASIX group company dealing with sustainability solutions, has provided techno-managerial coordination for this project.
Bio-digester would cost Rs 15,000 (approx) and plans are afoot to launch it in thousands of gram panchayats.
15th October 2013
Esteemed government leaders, scientists and sevaks gathered together today to officially inaugurate the new eco-friendly, bio-digester toilets built at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh through the cooperation and hard work of DRDO, FICCI and Ganga Action Parivar. These toilets, which provide an environmentally-friendly and sustainable solution to the major sewage crisis India is facing, are the beginning of a partnership between these three entities which will help to bring eco-friendly toilets throughout the Ganga River Basin. In the first stage alone, 5,000 toilet blocks will be built hand-in-hand along the banks of Ganga in Uttarakhand.
To dedicate this historic step towards a clean and green India, many top leaders from both the Uttarakhand state government as well as the Central government alongside top scientists and directors, including:
Shri Aziz Qureshiji, Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand
Shri Pritam Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Uttarakhand
Shri Surendra Rakesh, Hon’ble Minister of Social Welfare and Transport, Uttarakhand
Shri Satpal Maharaj, Hon’ble Member of Lok Sabha and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Defence
Shri Harish Rawat, Hon’ble Union Minister of State, Parliamentary Affairs, Agriculture and Food Processing Industry, Government of India
Shri Nirankar Saxena, Senior Director, FICCI
Dr. Lokendra Singh, Director of Life Sciences, DRDO
Shri S. Radhakrishnan, Director, DI2TM, DRDO
Shri R. Krishnan, Director – HR, BHEL
Shri S. Sundaresh, Chief Controller, R&D (ACE&SI), DRDO
The Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand praised the resolve of the DRDO, FICCI, GAP and the Parmarth family in its dedication to environmental protection and the betterment of India’s homes, villages, towns and cities. He recognized how building toilets in public places and girls’ schools will not only help the state in remaining clean but will also be a great facility for tourists and pilgrims. In addition, it will help save women’s dignity and promote women’s education, thus toilets are a must across villages and cities.
Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, founder of Ganga Action Parivar, spoke on how it is everyone’s right to live with dignity, and thus current practices related to sewage management, such as manual scavenging, must be eliminated. Pujya Swamiji detailed how lack of toilets in villages, girls’ schools and elsewhere is a true curse on society, as it creates innumerable difficulties in so many lives. Women in villages must wait until it is dark to go to relieve themselves, causing many stomach and bowel issues and diseases. To protect their dignity, they must stand up every time a person or a vehicle passes by, and to avoid this women often walk out into dark areas and jungles to go to the bathroom – a very dangerous practice.
Pujya Swamiji also spoke about how building toilets is necessary for maintaining Gangaji’s purity and cleanliness, and that by building eco-friendly toilets within the Ganga Basin will not only help keep the environment clean, but will help our culture shine everywhere.
“Open defecation is blot on our culture.” – His Excellency, Dr Aziz Quresh–Governer Of Uttrakhand
“Toilets are a must for saving women’s honour.” – His Excellency, Dr Aziz Quresh–Governer Of Uttarakhand
“For environmental protection and the promotion of cleanliness, both industrial and spiritual institutions must come forward.” – Harish Rawatji
“Cleanliness of the environment and Gangaji will radiate our culture.” – Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji
DRDO unveils eco-friendly complex based on bio-digester tech – The Economic Times
PTI Feb 26, 2014,
NEW DELHI: DRDO is achieving many successes on technology front and is being recognised for the facilities it has developed for the welfare of people, Avinash Chander, Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister, said today.
Chander, who is also Defence, R&D, Secretary, appreciated the efforts of DRDO while inaugurating Anusandhan Vihar, a self-contained residential complex at DRDO Estate
The 5.4-acre eco-friendly complex consists of 56 Type V & 56 Type IV accommodations sports and children park facilities, a DRDO statement said, adding that the highlight of the complex is that it is first ever residential complex based on DRDO-developed bio-digester technology for sewage treatment.
“The entire water is recycled for various purposes including treated flush water for arboriculture, soft water for bathing and washing purposes each of 2-lakh litre capacity and treated water of 80000-ltr per day capacity for drinking and cooking purposes,” it said.
As per a study carried out by Defence Terrain Research Laboratory, the ecological balance of the area is maintained because the complex has adequate amount of greenery, it said.
DRDO said it has signed MoUs with various states, Union Territories, FICCI and Ganga Action Plan for installation of more than 18000 bio toilets across the country based on the bio-digester technology.
Over 10000 bio-digesters are being installed in various types of passenger coaches of the Indian Railways.
Today at the final day of the Kumbha Mela, Vivek Oberoi took a pledge for the construction of the first 2 toilet complexes being built by a partnership between Ganga Action Parivar, DRDO and FICCI. Led by Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, the Founder of Ganga Action Parivar and President of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh, Vivek performed puja, yagna and a ceremonial “bhoomi puja” blessing for bricks to be used in the eco-friendly, bio-digester toilet complexes. The first toilet complex built by the partnership of Ganga Action Parivar, DRDO and FICCI was inaugurated at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh by the hands of the Honourable Governor of Uttarakhand; the second toilet complex was inaugurated at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh, by the hands of revered saints of all the world’s religions at a huge “Environmental Protection for World Peace” event held on November 3, 2012 in honor of Pujya Swami Chidanandji’s 60th birthday. Now, further complexes are being built throughout Uttarakhand, and plans are underway for construction in Uttar Pradesh as well, including here in Allahabad. The 2 toilet complexes sponsored by Vivek will be located here in Allahabad and in the sacred teerth of Badrinath.
Last night, on February 25th, at the Ganga Action Parivar Camp, Pujya Swami Chidanandji showed a film which had been made on the need for toilets. The lack of proper toilet facilities is not only a major factor contributing to pollution in Ganga, Yamuna and all rivers, but also is a source of violence, fear and illness in girls and women. Embarrassed to go to the toilet in the daytime, they suffer innumerable ailments from holding until the dark of night. Then, in the dark of night, they fall prey to wild animals and violent men. Hence, the toilet program initiated by Pujya Swamiji is an answer to problems faced by Mother Ganga, Mother Yamuna and all the young and old girls and women living on their banks.
Said Pujya Swami Chidanandji: “Every time we drive and I see women and girls having to jump up in the middle of answering nature’s calls due to shame of passing cars, it hurts my heart and I feel that we are inflicting great physical and emotional violence against our “Matri Shakti” by not providing them with safe, available places to go to the toilet. Also, lack of toilets is one of the main reasons for young girls dropping out of school, so we are committed to building toilets in schools so our young girls can continue their studies. Our temples purify our minds and thoughts, but a toilet is necessary for the body. Just as temples are crucial for spiritual health, so are toilets crucial for physical health. That is why, after decades of building temples, I am now focused on building toilets.”
Said Vivek Oberoi: “I am so glad to be part of such an important initiative which not only helps keep Mother Ganga clean but which also is seva for all of our mothers and sisters — of every age — who don’t have access to toilets and must brave the jungle and rapists in the dark of night. Giving our women the dignity they deserve is our duty.”
Members of Ganga Action Parivar explained that currently, much of India’s sewage is disposed of within water bodies such as the Ganga. The Ganga is deluged with nearly 2 billion liters of human waste a day, while being the sole source of drinking water to a population approximating that of the United States, Canada and Russia combined. The resulting public health crisis has taken a tremendous toll. According to the World Bank, 21% of communicable diseases in India are related to unsafe water. Of these diseases, diarrhea alone is responsible for over 1,600 deaths each day.
The DRDO-Developed Biodigester uses no chemicals and requires no electricity, nor moving parts. Rather, the biodigester tanks provide an oxygen-free environment within which harmless bacteria dissolve all sewage. What’s left is clear, 99% pathogen-free water, which is rich in agricultural nourishments, and odor-free methane gas which can then be utilized as a fabulous source of energy. Cars have been developed which can reach a top speed of over 180 kph which are fueled for an entire year from the biogas produced from the sewage of just 70 homes. A consortium of Japanese auto makers reports that this fuel can potentially cut carbon emissions by 75%.