NAGPUR: The Honourable Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, Shri Nitin Gadkari Ji inaugurated India’s first Shashwat Bharat Setu – Winning Net Zero exhibit developed by The Eco Factory Foundation (TEFF), in Nagpur on Sunday. This Centre provides a cutting-edge experience dedicated to showcasing sustainable lifestyles, solutions, and practices from people to the planet that can lead to Net Zero India.

Anand Chordia, the founder of The Eco Factory Foundation, explained various concepts like the ‘waste to wealth, water management, energy conservation, and how to reduce your carbon footprint, the importance of the circular economy, achieving sustainability in rural, urban, industrial and individual sectors, and how to become Net Zero at large.

While addressing the gathering, Gadkari Ji congratulated and praised the unique initiative, stating, “Many congratulations to The Eco Factory Foundation for putting up such an exceptional exhibit. The Shashwat Bharat Setu has touched upon very crucial points that will revitalize our environment and in turn our planet. The Shashwat Bharat Setu exemplifies the concept of ‘waste to wealth,’ providing sustainable solutions that benefit the environment and create livelihood opportunities for communities.” He further expressed his hope that the center would inspire the nation to contribute to making India a Net Zero country.

Founder of TEFF, Anand Chordia, reflected on this historic moment, stating, “The development of Shashwat Bharat Setu – winning Net Zero Exhibit – was driven by our intention to create awareness and inspire everyone to adopt net zero and sustainable lifestyle with ease. I firmly believe that the Shashwat Bharat Setu is the true bridge that will guide India to achieve net zero. We hope that the center reaches and inspires many to join us on this journey towards a sustainable future.”

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This was the case yesterday, with the start 20km from the bivouac of Chami and the finish 500 meters away after a 453km special stage. This first loop should damage the standings, both on the bikes, where many riders are missing waypoints, and on the four-wheelers, where the gaps at the finish are quite substantial.

Once again yesterday, the battle raged between the two-cylinder bikes in the motorbike category. But for once, one of the three race leaders was missing at the finish. It was Pol TARRES who, following exhaust problems on his Yamaha 700 Tenere, crossed the finish line almost 13 minutes after his team-mate Alessandro BOTTURI, the day’s winner.

The Italian clawed back two minutes from his compatriot Jacopo CERUTTI, who came very close with navigation problems at the end of the course and even a crash, fortunately not serious for him and his APRILIA 660 Tuareg. As a result, BOTTURI is now just one minute behind CERUTTI overall. Even though he will open the track the next morning, he has gained a certain advantage over his rival and friend. Behind, even if Alessandro RUOSO places his Yamaha 700 Tenere in 4th position ahead of the BETA of Francesco MURATORI, first in the 450 class, it isn’t easy to know exactly the final classification of the stage as many riders admitted to having missed one of the last waypoints of the course. The Motorcycle Jury therefore had a lot of work to do to confirm the standings. Finally, a word about Joan GARCIA PEDRERO, the rider of the HARLEY DAVIDSON PAN AMERICA 1250. The Spaniard, who suffered a fuel pump problem, preferred not to take any risks and avoided the dunes. He nevertheless made it to the finish and despite a few hours’ penalty, he remained in the race.

Pierre-Louis LOUBET and François BORSOTTO are having similar days on four wheels, as they once again won their APACHE. It was their fourth stage victory and one that has enabled them to move up three places in the overall standings. At this rate, the Corsican could be in the top 3 before the end of the rally: “It’s a shame we had a problem on the third day because when everything’s working, you’re in for a treat.” The day’s victory goes to François BORSOTTO, who handled the complicated navigation at the end of the rally very well. The N°260 crew relegated the second SSV of Ricardo SOUSA and Jorge BRANDAO to almost 30 minutes. However, the Portuguese didn’t spare any effort on their CAN AM, but to no avail. They finished one minute ahead of the Pick-Up TOYOTA of Belgians Pascal FERYN and Kurt KEYSERS, themselves three minutes ahead of Hungarians Imre VARGA and Jozsef TOMA also on TOYOTA. The third car was the TOYOTA of Dutchmen Teun STAM and René BARGERMAN, while the third SSV was that of Portuguese drivers Rui and Bernardo OLIVEIRA.

As for the race leaders, Gautier PAULIN and Remi BOULANGER, they placed their APACHE in 7th position at 00:43:20 overall. The runner-up in the Motocross World Championship, taking part in his first Rallye-Tout-Terrain behind the wheel, admitted at the finish that he had found it very difficult to manage his nervous state following a navigation error.

Indeed, this extraordinary champion has always been used to seeing races decided by seconds. He therefore finds it hard to accept conceding minutes. But he still had a smile on his face at the finish and readily admitted that he would have to get used to the philosophy of this new discipline.

The first truck to join Chami was Tomas TOMECEK’s TATRA. The Czech, driving solo in his truck was around 8 minutes ahead of the SCANIA of Dutchmen Aad VAN VELSEN, Michel VAN VELSEN, and Marco SIMMONS and 45 minutes ahead of the GINAF of
Belgians Cedric FERYN, Bjon BURGELMAN and Tom DE LEUW. In the meantime, following problems on this 7th stage for the various leaders at the top of the table, TOMECEK is now in 3rd position in the provisional car-truck general standings.

In the classic race, after a day off, the serious business resumed with three regularity zones and 149 km to cover, or links. Eric and Tom CLAYS are still in the lead in their 1986 TOYOTA BJ73. The Belgians are ahead of their compatriots René
DECLERCQ and John DEMEESTER in their 1980 BOMBARDIER Iltis. Austrian Peter BRABECK-LETMATHE completed the podium, alongside Frenchman Jean Michel GAYTE in a 1998 MITSUBISHI Pajero.

On Wednesday 10 January 2024, the AFRICA ECO RACE caravan heads east towards the village of AMODJAR. The 390km special stage is 100% sand, which could prove complicated given the current heat in Mauritania, which is well over 30 degrees.

STAGE 7 RESULTS BIKES

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION BIKES

STAGE 7 RESULTS CARS-TRUCKS

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION CARS/TRUCKS

Text, Photo & Video Credits: Africa ECO Race 

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The workshop was conducted under the able guidance of a resident, Malinee Rana, and was supported by the Managing Committee of the Society. Kids were captivated by the creative aspect of molding their own idols and were taught the artistry and patience required in the whole process of making idols of their favorite Lord Ganesha.

Throughout the workshop, discussions revolved around the importance of responsible celebrations and the need for widespread adoption of eco-friendly practices. Children were left with not only eco-friendly idols but also a deeper understanding of the significance of sustainable choices.

The clubhouse reverberated with chants of GANPATI BAPPA MORAYA by all present after the children proudly displayed their creation of an eco-friendly idol of Lord Ganesha. The workshop served as a catalyst for change within our housing societies.

The Ganga Nebula Society’s initiative towards sustainability is commendable, and such efforts should be encouraged and replicated in other societies as well. The workshop was a step towards creating awareness among children and their parents about the importance of eco-friendly practices and responsible celebrations.

News Headline: Ganga Nebula Society Promotes Eco-Friendly Celebrations with Workshop on Making Ganesh Idols for Kids.

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So, what better way to help than to team up with these companies and support them by using their services and products in your own life? In this guide, we’ll tell you how you can live a sustainable life while supporting the companies that do the same.

What Are Eco-Friendly Companies?

If you’re new to this idea, you’re probably wondering what makes a company sustainable. The general idea is it’s an organization that regularly participates in green activities to ensure that all products, processes, and activities function while meeting all current environmental concerns. They’re making tweaks to their company to eliminate waste and operate without harming the planet.

Companies can become environmentally friendly by creating green products, storing products sustainably, giving back to the community, and recycling, among other strategies. Many environmentally friendly companies exist. One of which is the outdoor clothing company Patagonia. They pledge to donate 1% of sales to conservation efforts. There’s also Allbirds shoes, a 100% carbon-neutral business that doesn’t release harmful chemicals into the atmosphere.

Most environmentally friendly businesses will inform the public that they’re sustainable, and you’ll often see it listed in their mission statement or on a page on their website. You can also check to see if they’re certified with a B Corporation certification or similar, proving they’re trying to improve the world.

If you’re a business owner who also wants to make a difference for our planet, then you can implement many environmentally conscious initiatives at your workplace. That may include taking all printers out of the office so you can go completely paperless or starting a carpool program so your staff can take fewer cars to work. You could also evaluate your current vendors and choose those supporting green initiatives.

Use Eco-Friendly Products Around Your Home

You have many options when you purchase products for your home, so why not try to buy them from sustainable companies so you get the same great product and you’re helping the world? For instance, if you’re looking to buy new furniture for your place, look online for sustainable furniture companies, like those that upcycle their pieces or make them out of recyclable materials. These great products are just as comfortable as any you’ll buy elsewhere. You can follow this same shopping logic when it comes to any purchase.

It’s also important to be cautious when cleaning your home and not use substances that can hurt the environment. Luckily, many sustainable companies, like Seventh Generation and Branch Basics, produce non-toxic chemicals that will make your home as clean as any other product.

Just about everything you do can be done more sustainably, from your devotion to the decorations for your celebrations and get-togethers.

Buying products is not the only way to make your home more sustainable. You can also make improvements around the house, like switching to low-flow showerheads, installing solar panels, and buying green appliances.

There are also things you can do outside in your yard, like joining the native plant movement. This is a movement where people are trying to add more plants that are native to their area because of the benefits that doing so provides. Native plants require less water and fewer resources to thrive and are healthy for the local wildlife. This great initiative helps the environment in new, inventive ways.

Eco-Friendly Travel

There are also opportunities to be more eco-friendly and support sustainable companies while you’re out and about. Start by looking into the idea of purchasing an electric vehicle from the growing list of car companies adding them to their feet. An electric car eliminates the need to use gas and fossil fuels that release toxic chemicals into the air when burned. While you’re still using electricity, the negative impact is far less devastating.

When summer comes, and it’s time to take that family vacation, you can continue your eco-friendly ways. Choose a direct flight to your destination to eliminate the need for layovers because it takes a lot of energy and gas for that plane to take off each time. You can also do your part by packing lighter, so the aircraft has less weight, making it more energy-efficient. Once you get to the destination, if it’s safe, then opt to use public transportation. Although buses may be big, they often use cleaner fuel sources than automobiles.

As you research potential hotels, look for chains that prioritize sustainability, like those that try to save waste and plastic by ditching the plastic key cards in exchange for keyless apps on your phone. Many hotels may also stock their food menus with locally sourced options that are typically made with fresher ingredients and support local vendors. Do your research, and you’ll find some sustainable hotels at your destination.

These are just a few ways to adopt a more eco-friendly life while supporting genuinely caring companies. Spend time researching before your next purchase, and you’ll do a great service for our planet.

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