Surat Speaks - Dr Ami Yagnik emphazises on public participation.....

“I am personally concerned about lack of active participation of Citizens for environmental issues.”  Says Dr. Ami Yagnik as she expresses her views on environmental issues of our city.

Dr. Ami Yagnik, a medical doctor with MS degree by profession, is not only involved in social programmes for helping needy as a doctor, but she has been working with a zeal, for environmental causes and social issues as well. I have seen her and her group of like-minded people, working and helping citizens clean their institutions after the natural calamities like flood like a common citizen. A medical doctor, with keen interest in solving social and environmental problems, is a rare combination.

Her concern for environment and its conservation is something that makes her stand apart among many. As one of the senior member of women wing of prestigious SGCCI she has been working untiringly for the conservation of environment. She is actively working with SMC – Surat Municipal Corporation on solving the issues of solid waste management by creating awareness in the people.

"I am personally concerned about Public awareness and participation to prevent further degradation of environment by selecting sustainable options for celebration of festivals like use of eco-friendly materials, curtailing noise pollution by limiting use of mikes etc.  If everyone starts thinking about preserving and nurturing environment in whatever way possible in our day to day life, only then there is some hope for us."

She further states that Solid waste management by waste segregation at source and following principles of reduce, reuse and recycle is the need of an hour.

“Massive campaign for public participation is required.” She stresses with great concern.

The issue of lack of public participation, as raised by Dr Ami, is undeniably one of the root causes of the environmental issues troubling our Surat. It has been well recognized by even World Bank, that most of the vital issues, can be solved in no time, if there is active participation from people.

“People must take ownership of their own city and what is happening within. Unless we all together decide to change our city for better as far as its environment is concerned and work hard to make it happen, it will remain just a fancy talk.”

Could not agree more with Dr Ami Yagnik….!

Himanshu Padhya

Honk them up….deaf them up!

Sometimes, we are astonished by the problems that a city subjects its citizens to. A problem, so simple to solve becomes something no one can solve….and everyone suffers. Keep on suffering, and do nothing…!

It is about the choice we make. All surties would agree, that driving on Surat roads, is like fighting a war. Even fighting a war is easy sometimes. And I am not talking about the traffic jam or reckless driving or any other issue that decrease your speed and safety.

Anyone coming to Surat for the first time feels this in minutes. Deafening Nosie of vehicular horns, without any particular reason or emergency, dominates the urban roads. Almost everyone, driving any vehicle is honking for no reason. There is absolutely no exception to this behaviour. The noise, is so loud, it is beyond limits.

This culture astonishes everyone. A city, which is one of the most developing at global scale, had total disregard for this issue. Almost everyone, has accepted this noise. We have given up. And not that we are unfamiliar of its ill effects…!

Hitendra Patel, a surti, and resident of Pal, Adajan shares his views. A businessmen by profession, Patel expresses his views on prevailing noise pollution condition of the city with great concern.

He completely agrees, that the behaviour of common people, of honking the horn for no reason, is harming the citizens. Drivers, hawkers…and most of all, pedestrians. Everyone knows that this unnecessary noise causes hypertension, stress, high blood pressure….road rage in drivers….

“The entire city is on edge. Something needs to be done, and very fast.” Patel adds firmly.

“Strict laws, putting ban on honking within the limits of entire urban area are required. Honking and sirens, are only for emergency response vehicles like ambulances. The mix traffic condition of our city, is such that, there is no requirement of unnecessary honking, as the speed is comparatively low.”

It’s like, we all are on a mission. To register our presence by noise. We all want to honk each other….

Honk them up, deaf them up!

Surat speaks - Niket Shastri, a young environmentalist shares his views.....

 “Surat is in the state of constant transformation. We are facing threat of floods, heat wave and extremities  of seasons which is the result of  climate change and man - made disturbance  created in natural environment of Surat city….” Says Niket Shastri as one of the citizen of the city.

He further shared the information on various ‘AWS’ established in the city…..

“Under the AWS ( Automatic Weather Station) Project  there are ten – 10 ‘AWS’  installed  in various zones  of the city. These stations provide continuous data at every 15 minutes interval, for following parameters…..

1.Temperature(Range- 40 to 123.8 ° C)

2.Relative  Humidity(Range 0 to 100% )

3.Wind speed(Range 0 - 250 K mph )

4.Wind Direction(Range 0 to 359 ° )

5.Rainfall(Range -100mm / hour ) 

“The analysis of past records may forecast and give rise to  a warning  for any unusual  circumstances. It also provides  sms alerts if data exceeds the  set boundaries like rain fall above 50 mm in 15 minutes , 10 meter level at causeway or  45 degree temperature. Such alert or warning systems will enable authorities to prepare for the unavoidable natural disasters.” Shastri further adds.

Shastri, a senior assistant professor in physics department of SCET – Sarvajanik College of Engineering & Technology, is not only a dedicated teacher, but he is also an environmentalist. For more than fifteen years, he has been associated with various institutions, NGOs and projects working for environment protection and conservation including ‘Kaliedoscope, Surat Nature Club and NSS. His recent efforts in reducing noise pollution of vehicular horns under the banner of NSS, are being widely accepted and have been receiving accolades from all walks of life.

“Surat must continue working to become adaptive, ensure adequate security, effectual mobility and high capacity to the inhabitants and stakeholders. The launch of this strategy is not the end but rather the beginning of the city in becoming more resilient.”

Shastri promises to continue efforts from his side and keep motivating his students for the cause.

Thank you, Prof Niket for your contribution. Looking forward for more…..

Himanshu Padhya