Environment

Caring for the elderly

Published

10 years ago

August 31, 2015

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Supported by Bangar Trust / Shree Cement Limited, ?Pronam? is a joint initiative between the Kolkata Police and The Bengal for reaching out to the senior citizens of Kolkata and addressing their concerns pertaining to their safety and security, health, legal matters, etc.

There are approximately 81,00,000 senior citizens in India and nearly 30 per cent of these senior citizens stay alone. Various surveys have revealed that a sizeable chunk of this population face serious concerns related to their safety, security, health, legal problems, etc. Often, these senior citizens are physically incapacitated in some way or the other, which prevent them for visiting a police station or any other agency for their safety and security. Many a times, they are not able to receive appropriate medical attention in times of crisis and sometimes, certain legal issues pertaining to property and other matters leave them at a total loss as far as redresses of these problems are concerned.

With the object of attending to these problems, ?Pronam?, a joint initiative between the Kolkata Police and The Bengal (a NGO), was launched on June 27, 2009. The project began to function from July 1, 2009. To follow the objectives and to stand besides helpless and depressed senior citizens, the Kolkata Police has extended their powerful hand accompanying with The Bengal who has the same philosophy and objectives to protect the senior citizens of the city. In this changing society, senior citizens who are neglected and tortured by the family members became alone, helpless and depressed. They have become vulnerable target to the criminals. At this situation, ?Pronam? immerged to stand by the side of helpless senior citizen of the city. Pronam is working for the senior citizen with the belief and realisation that the community can also play a vital role in problem solving. As of today, total registered members of Pronam are 12,463 and existing members are 11,474.

At present Shree Cement Limited is funding the overheads and administrative expenses for the functioning of Pronam office. Shree Cement Limited sponsors the staff salaries, office expenses and monthly overheads on a monthly basis. The miscellaneous expenses for the smooth functioning of the Pronam project is also reimbursed by Shree Cement Limited to The Bengal. Initially when ?The Bengal? initiated the Pronam project with Kolkata Police, the construction of the office, fixtures and furniture, office equipment, etc. have been done with the financial assistance of Bangur Trust of HM Bangur who is also serving as Chairman of The Bengal

Infrastructure
A permanent office-Senior Citizens Emergency Coordination Control Room-has been set up within the campus of Ballygunge Police station and is acting from July 1, 2009. Manned by specially-trained staff, Pronam is working for senior citizens with the help liaison officers of 65 police stations. This 24-hour helpline is basically for senior citizens who are above 60 years of age and staying within the jurisdiction of Kolkata Police.

Nature of services
Medical services: Eminent doctors, specialists and 59 hospital authorities are within the network of Pronam. They are cooperating Pronam for providing emergency medical help, free-health check up programme, free consultation and awareness programme to Pronam members. Hospital authorities are providing special discount to our member. Apart from this, five diagnostic centres and two medicine shops were enlisted. They provide discounts to Pronam members. The support that instantly came forward from different hospitals, nursing homes, and diagnostic centres made all the difference. One ambulance is remained stationed at Pronam office for 24 hours. Specially trained civic police are attached with the ambulance. In addition, three NGOs provide ambulance service if required.

Health check up: A total of 3891 members used these services for 376 times. Safety & Security: There are a set of liaison team comprising of one A.S.I and 1 or 2 home guard or civic police in every police station of Kolkata Police. This liaison team visit the homes of the members frequently to conduct a security audit as well as to ascertain and solve other problems, if any, faced by the members relating to their health or any other important issues and also keep Pronam office informed about every matter. They take action according to the instruction of A.O. Pronam.

Uniform police officers visit the residence of Pronam member to protect them from the easy attack of criminals and hooligans. This is the best result of the method of community policing of Kolkata Police.

Legal help: Pronam is also providing legal help/advice free of cost whether it is criminal or civil through an eminent lawyer who is convener of Pronam Project Psychological wellbeing programme: Pronam has arranged various entertaining programmes such as picnics, dramas, cultural programmes, sports, walk for a noble cause, watch world cup cricket semifinal and final, etc. for the members and their psychological well being. They also organise debate competition, puja darshan, Vijaya Sammeloni, annual cultural programme for felicitating liaison officers or other police officers. Quarterly magazine, Shesh Theke Shuru, was published with the writings of Pronam members. The cover page of the 1st edition of the magazine was drawn by Jogen Chowdhury, Hon?ble MP of West Bengal and Working President of The Bengal. Members have participated for 174 programmes of Pronam and enjoyed a lot.

Pronam arranged ?Puja Prikrama? VIP cards on Durga Puja days and also puja darshan in volvo buses. Pronam arranged to send greeting cards on Bengali New Year and Vijaya Dashami. In 2011, a Sharadiya Shuvechacha card was designed with the paintings of members on the cover page of the card. In the last two years, the cover page of Bijoya / Sharadiya Shuvechacha Card were printed by the paintings of the Hon?ble Chief Minister of the West Bengal for Pronam members. During members? birthdays, Pronam distributes birthday greeting cards to its members. Due to increase of number of Pronam members in a huge quantity, a pol

icy was taken by the Kolkata Police and The Bengal to organise division-wise annual programme of the year. An annual get-together programme for members was held on August 3, 2013 at Calcutta University Centenary Hall. Annual get-together programme of other divisions will be held shortly.

Awareness programme: Pronam arranges around 2-3 trainings/workshops each year. Trainings are imparted by by the experts of different NGOs such as Help Age India for Liaison Team of Pronam of different PS of Kolkata police for the awareness of rights and problems of senior citizens.

Pronam also arranges to send senior citizens to participate in different walkathon, seminars, etc. They attended seminars on ?The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizen Act 2007? and also a panel discussion on ?National Policy on Senior Citizens?. The members also participated in the walkathon for International Diabetes Day, World Kidney Day, Dementia Solidarity, World Abuse Day, Save the Children programme, Anti Sound Cracker Campaign, Celebrating Worlds Health Day, Blood Donation Camp, Celebrating Worlds Environmental Day, and seminar on Worlds Senior Citizen Day, seminar on Knee replacement, panel discursion on National Policy on Senior Citizens, a discursion on Entitlement of Senior Citizens, consultative meet of Human Rights and Gender Dimensions, etc.

They arrange to and fro transport services for Pronam members from local PS to the venue in different programmes. One member of liaison team of the police station accom?panies them to look after their safety.

Condolence: The organisation also send condolences by offering wreath to the deceased person whenever any of its members expires.

Conclusion
The Pronam Project has achieved grand success with the direct involvement of The Bengal and Kolkata Police as a protector of the senior citizens. With this initiative, The Bengal has got recognition as a successful partner of ?Community Policing? of Kolkata Police.

Coordination of Kolkata Police & The Bengal
All activities of Pronam are under direct supervision of Debasish Roy I.P.S. Addl. C.P. (III) Kolkata Police & Lakshmi Narayan Meena, I.P.S. Jt. C.P. PRB Kolkata Police. Kolkata Police is providing services like transportations of Pronam members and support in respect of all printing matters and maintenance of computer of Pronam office.
The Bengal is supervising the administrative work and also different activities and services provide by Pronam. There are three conveners of Pronam who are Committee members of The Bengal are also supervising the work of Pronam. The staffs inside Pronam Office are appointed by The Bengal and also the expenses incurred for the staff and maintenance of Pronam Office is born by The Bengal. The Bengal is funding at each and every programme by various means and also shares the expenses of printing.
Kolkata Police and The Bengal do not bear any financial expenses or provide any financial assistance directly or indirectly to its member and also do not accept any kind of donation. Pronam is providing services free of cost.
To run the Pronam Project successfully Pronam Team members i.e. the Senior Officers of Kolkata Police and Coordinators of Pronam Project hold a meeting twice in each month to discuss about the work and its improvement.
The Senior Officers of Kolkata Police and the representative of The Bengal meet occasionally with the representatives of Hospitals and Nursing Homes authorities who are tied up with Pronam Project to uplift this Project and to maintain cordial relationship with them.

Development of Pronam project
Seventeen police stations from West Bengal Police were added with Kolkata Police in the month of September 2011. Naturally those added police stations came into the network of Pronam Project. Due to some constrains of immediate functionaries of Pronam in the added area in the same procedure Debasish Roy, I.P.S. Addl. C.P. (III) Kolkata had introduced a Pilot Project in the added area. It was first introduced at Parnashree PS area as an experimental basis. The motto of the Pilot Project is self-help project. For this purpose, a Group Leader and Deputy Leader were selected unanimously amongst the members who would act as a liaison officer of the PS. This idea became grand success and as a result all police stations of added area came into the orbit of pilot project.

Decentralization: In the object of providing services of Pronam Project more successfully, a decentralisation of Pilot Project was introduced at Garfa PS on May 4, 2013 by dividing the total area of Garfa PS. Two leaders were selected from each of the cluster for taking care of members health as well as psychological wellbeing and safety security. This was on as experimental basis.

After reviewing the decentralisation of pilot project of different PSs multiple cluster, a formation plan was adopted at all the police stations of South Suburban Division/South West Division. Till date, Pronam has succeeded to utilise the valued resources of 78 honourable member who are providing services voluntarily.

Concrete

India donates 225t of cement for Myanmar earthquake relief

Published

2 months ago

June 17, 2025

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On 23 May 2025, the Indian Navy ship UMS Myitkyina arrived at Thilawa (MITT) port carrying 225 tonnes of cement provided by the Indian government to aid post-earthquake rebuilding efforts in Myanmar. As reported by the Global Light of Myanmar, a formal handover of 4500 50kg cement bags took place that afternoon. The Yangon Region authorities managed the loading of the cement onto trucks for distribution to the earthquake-affected zones.

Concrete

Reclamation of Used Oil for a Greener Future

Published

2 months ago

June 16, 2025

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In this insightful article, KB Mathur, Founder and Director, Global Technical Services, explores how reclaiming used lubricants through advanced filtration and on-site testing can drive cost savings, enhance productivity, and support a greener industrial future. Read on to discover how oil regeneration is revolutionising sustainability in cement and core industries.

The core principle of the circular economy is to redefine the life cycle of materials and products. Unlike traditional linear models where waste from industrial production is dumped/discarded into the environment causing immense harm to the environment;the circular model seeks to keep materials literally in continuous circulation. This is achievedthrough processes cycle of reduction, regeneration, validating (testing) and reuse. Product once
validated as fit, this model ensures that products and materials are reintroduced into the production system, minimising waste. The result? Cleaner and greener manufacturing that fosters a more sustainable planet for future generations.

The current landscape of lubricants
Modern lubricants, typically derived from refined hydrocarbons, made from highly refined petroleum base stocks from crude oil. These play a critical role in maintaining the performance of machinery by reducing friction, enabling smooth operation, preventing damage and wear. However, most of these lubricants; derived from finite petroleum resources pose an environmental challenge once used and disposed of. As industries become increasingly conscious of their environmental impact, the paramount importance or focus is shifting towards reducing the carbon footprint and maximising the lifespan of lubricants; not just for environmental reasons but also to optimise operational costs.
During operations, lubricants often lose their efficacy and performance due to contamination and depletion of additives. When these oils reach their rejection limits (as they will now offer poor or bad lubrication) determined through laboratory testing, they are typically discarded contributing to environmental contamination and pollution.
But here lies an opportunity: Used lubricants can be regenerated and recharged, restoring them to their original performance level. This not only mitigates environmental pollution but also supports a circular economy by reducing waste and conserving resources.

Circular economy in lubricants
In the world of industrial machinery, lubricating oils while essential; are often misunderstood in terms of their life cycle. When oils are used in machinery, they don’t simply ‘DIE’. Instead, they become contaminated with moisture (water) and solid contaminants like dust, dirt, and wear debris. These contaminants degrade the oil’s effectiveness but do not render it completely unusable. Used lubricants can be regenerated via advanced filtration processes/systems and recharged with the use of performance enhancing additives hence restoring them. These oils are brought back to ‘As-New’ levels. This new fresher lubricating oil is formulated to carry out its specific job providing heightened lubrication and reliable performance of the assets with a view of improved machine condition. Hence, contributing to not just cost savings but leading to magnified productivity, and diminished environmental stress.

Save oil, save environment
At Global Technical Services (GTS), we specialise in the regeneration of hydraulic oils and gear oils used in plant operations. While we don’t recommend the regeneration of engine oils due to the complexity of contaminants and additives, our process ensures the continued utility of oils in other applications, offering both cost-saving and environmental benefits.

Regeneration process
Our regeneration plant employs state-of-the-art advanced contamination removal systems including fine and depth filters designed to remove dirt, wear particles, sludge, varnish, and water. Once contaminants are removed, the oil undergoes comprehensive testing to assess its physico-chemical properties and contamination levels. The test results indicate the status of the regenerated oil as compared to the fresh oil.
Depending upon the status the oil is further supplemented with high performance additives to bring it back to the desired specifications, under the guidance of an experienced lubrication technologist.
Contamination Removal ? Testing ? Additive Addition
(to be determined after testing in oil test laboratory)

The steps involved in this process are as follows:
1. Contamination removal: Using advanced filtration techniques to remove contaminants.
2. Testing: Assessing the oil’s properties to determine if it meets the required performance standards.
3. Additive addition: Based on testing results, performance-enhancing additives are added to restore the oil’s original characteristics.

On-site oil testing laboratories
The used oil from the machine passes through 5th generation fine filtration to be reclaimed as ‘New Oil’ and fit to use as per stringent industry standards.
To effectively implement circular economy principles in oil reclamation from used oil, establishing an on-site oil testing laboratory is crucial at any large plants or sites. Scientific testing methods ensure that regenerated oil meets the specifications required for optimal machine performance, making it suitable for reuse as ‘New Oil’ (within specified tolerances). Hence, it can be reused safely by reintroducing it in the machines.
The key parameters to be tested for regenerated hydraulic, gear and transmission oils (except Engine oils) include both physical and chemical characteristics of the lubricant:

Kinematic Viscosity
Flash Point
Total Acid Number
Moisture / Water Content
Oil Cleanliness
Elemental Analysis (Particulates, Additives and Contaminants)
Insoluble

The presence of an on-site laboratory is essential for making quick decisions; ensuring that test reports are available within 36 to 48 hours and this prevents potential mechanical issues/ failures from arising due to poor lubrication. This symbiotic and cyclic process helps not only reduce waste and conserve oil, but also contributes in achieving cost savings and playing a big role in green economy.

Conclusion
The future of industrial operations depends on sustainability, and reclaiming used lubricating oils plays a critical role in this transformation. Through 5th Generation Filtration processes, lubricants can be regenerated and restored to their original levels, contributing to both environmental preservation and economic efficiency.
What would happen if we didn’t recycle our lubricants? Let’s review the quadruple impacts as mentioned below:
1. Oil Conservation and Environmental Impact: Used lubricating oils after usage are normally burnt or sold to a vendor which can be misused leading to pollution. Regenerating oils rather than discarding prevents unnecessary waste and reduces the environmental footprint of the industry. It helps save invaluable resources, aligning with the principles of sustainability and the circular economy. All lubricating oils (except engine oils) can be regenerated and brought to the level of ‘As New Oils’.
2. Cost Reduction Impact: By extending the life of lubricants, industries can significantly cut down on operating costs associated with frequent oil changes, leading to considerable savings over time. Lubricating oils are expensive and saving of lubricants by the process of regeneration will overall be a game changer and highly economical to the core industries.
3. Timely Decisions Impact: Having an oil testing laboratory at site is of prime importance for getting test reports within 36 to 48 hours enabling quick decisions in critical matters that may
lead to complete shutdown of the invaluable asset/equipment.
4. Green Economy Impact: Oil Regeneration is a fundamental part of the green economy. Supporting industries in their efforts to reduce waste, conserve resources, and minimise pollution is ‘The Need of Our Times’.

About the author:
KB Mathur, Founder & Director, Global Technical Services, is a seasoned mechanical engineer with 56 years of experience in India’s oil industry and industrial reliability. He pioneered ‘Total Lubrication Management’ and has been serving the mining and cement sectors since 1999.

Concrete

Charting the Green Path

Published

3 months ago

May 13, 2025

admin

The Indian cement industry has reached a critical juncture in its sustainability journey. In a landmark move, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has, for the first time, announced greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity reduction targets for 282 entities, including 186 cement plants, under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023. These targets, to be enforced starting FY2025-26, are aligned with India’s overarching ambition of achieving net zero emissions by 2070.
Cement manufacturing is intrinsically carbon-intensive, contributing to around 7 per cent of global GHG emissions, or approximately 3.8 billion tonnes annually. In India, the sector is responsible for 6 per cent of total emissions, underscoring its critical role in national climate mitigation strategies. This regulatory push, though long overdue, marks a significant shift towards accountability and structured decarbonisation.
However, the path to a greener cement sector is fraught with challenges—economic viability, regulatory ambiguity, and technical limitations continue to hinder the widespread adoption of sustainable alternatives. A major gap lies in the lack of a clear, India-specific definition for ‘green cement’, which is essential to establish standards and drive industry-wide transformation.
Despite these hurdles, the industry holds immense potential to emerge as a climate champion. Studies estimate that through targeted decarbonisation strategies—ranging from clinker substitution and alternative fuels to carbon capture and innovative product development—the sector could reduce emissions by 400 to 500 million metric tonnes by 2030.
Collaborations between key stakeholders and industry-wide awareness initiatives (such as Earth Day) are already fostering momentum. The responsibility now lies with producers, regulators and technology providers to fast-track innovation and investment.
The time to act is now. A sustainable cement industry is not only possible—it is imperative.