The Great Power Race ends

The race finally comes to an end. The projects have been completed and the final reports submitted. The winner gets crowned at the COP16 in Cancun, Mexico. We are among the top 10 green campuses of the world with others from India, China and the US.
Irrespective of the result, everyone emerges a winner. Each campus and each student who participated in the race, through their registrations and the completion of projects have shown their commitment towards the environment and towards building a greener future.

For us, this was a unique opportunity to showcase our continuing efforts to make our campus green. It was a medium to network with other people working towards the same goal and mutually share our resources and ideas. We completed 50 projects through the course of the competition. We studied the current systems, management plans, conducted eco-audits, energy tours, plantatons, clean-up drives, awareness campaigns, competitions, exhibitions, celebrated green diwali, saved a beach, etc. among other activities. We thank everyone for their support and dedication!

The race may have ended, but our efforts won't. Giving way to the next big plan on our agenda for this year.

This Quark, we introduce for the first time, a dedicated panel of green events focusing sectors like Clean Energy, Green Buildings, Agricultural Efficiency, Rural Electrification and Urban Waste Management.
This Quark, we GO GREEN!

Quark 2011 - Initiatives

This will provide a perfect platform for the participants, professionals and policy makers to come together and deliberate on the solutions to the chronic problems of the society and the world today. It also creates an ideal environment for spreading awareness about the development sector and usage of clean and efficient energy. We plan to organise guest lectures, exhibitions and workshops on renewable energy, environment protection and sustainability. Apart from these events, we will aim at making the festival sustainable, spread awareness and reduce the environmental impact as far as possible.
The events include GanGreen, Eco-Architect and Bhagirath.

We invite everyone to indulge in this technical extravaganza. Registrations now open!

Let us GO GREEN !!

Green Diwali

Diwali is meant for new beginnings so we, the students at BITS Pilani- K.K.Birla Goa Campus pledge to celebrate a Green Diwali. Diyas lit on the moonless Diwali night signifies the end of darkness, ignorance and the beginning of light that enlightens all. This Diwali, we choose to enlighten all about the hazards posed to the environment by the boisterous celebrations of Diwali.

Eco friendly crackers

One can, of course, try and burst fewer crackers or none at all. But if you’re one of those who just can’t celebrate Diwali without sending a few rockets into the sky, then opt for the eco-friendly variety. These crackers are made up of recycled paper and the sound produced by these crackers is under the decibel limit defined by the Pollution Board. These crackers produce paper fluffers and different color lights instead of sound on bursting.

Get the traditional feel

Light diyas in the true spirit of Diwali, rather than opting for electric illumination which will only use up electricity. Though earthen lamps need oil, the quantity required is very less and it burns for at least 3-4 hours.

This will help you save electricity and also add a traditional stroke with social responsibility in the festival.

Gifts go organic

Go green this Diwali and gift your family and friend from an organic store.These days there are plenty of options in organic gifts from exotic food items to cosmetics and personal use items to bags and clothes. Go one step ahead and wrap your gifts in handmade or recycled paper, jute or cloth bags.

Decorate the eco-friendly way

Opt for natural decorative items like flowers and leaves instead plastic decorations which are detrimental for the environment. Fresh flowers, foliage and floating candles can be used to decorate the house. Rangolis and alpanas are more traditional ways to decorate the courtyard.

Reduce Energy Consumption

The festival of lights puts a considerably heavy load on electrical energy sources that are already overloaded. The use of electric lights to adorn homes, business establishments, monuments and roads requires a huge amount of electricity. The older tradition of burning oil lamps is a possible alternative to electric lights - even though it does use oil, the duration of the lamps is shorter.

Be generous and donate

Diwali can be a great time for recycling and donating unused items lying around the house. Often there are a lot of clothes and toys that are no longer in use.

It is hoped that this articles will encourage you to celebrate a green Diwali, where there will be an explosion of joy without crackers!

Wishing all readers a Happy Diwali and a Prosperous new Year!!!