International Energy day

Everything we do is connected to energy in one form or another.

Energy use and supply is of fundamental importance to society and, with the possible exception of agriculture and forestry, has made the greatest impact on the environment of any human activity - a result of the large scale and pervasive nature of energy related activities. Although energy and environment concerns were originally local in character - for example, problems associated with extraction, transport or noxious emissions - they have now widened to cover regional and global issues such as acid rain and the greenhouse effect. Such problems have now become major political issues and the subject of international debate and regulation.

As President Obama rightly said Rising prices at the pump affect everybody – workers and farmers; truck drivers and restaurant owners. Businesses see it impact their bottom line. Families feel the pinch when they fill up their tank. For Americans already struggling to get by, it makes life that much harder. Demand for oil in countries like China and India is only growing, and the price of oil will continue to rise with it. That’s why we need to make ourselves more secure and control our energy future by harnessing all of the resources that we have available and embracing a diverse energy portfolio.

Energy Conservation Projects

The world is moving towards a sustainable energy future with an emphasis on energy efficiency and use of renewable energy sources. A finite planet cannot support infinitely increasing consumption of resources and hence the motto of present times must be to "REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE".

Energy has always been a vital resource in the development of any nation. The prosperity of a nation is measured in terms of per capita energy consumption.

Energy conservation is to monitor industrial energy consumption and to pin-point sources of wastage, In the present energy scenario and the era industrial competition Energy Auditing has become a very important part of any industrial activity.

An Energy Audit Study helps an organization to understand and analyze its energy utilization and identify areas where energy use can be reduced, decide on how to budget energy use, plan & practice feasible energy conservation methods that will enhance their energy efficiency, minimize energy wastage and reduce energy costs.

Today, the world celebrates International Energy Day. Saving Energy is the need of the hour for all men women and children all over the world. There is a scarcity of natural resources and the ways of energy generation will get a set back if the issue is not addressed.

Renewable energy conservation is the process of conserving energy by using energy sources that can be replenished. There are many types of renewable or green energy sources that can be used instead of the sources that have been used traditionally. Solar, water, wind, geothermal, and hydrogen power are all considered renewable because a practically unlimited amount of these resources exist. Other fuel sources, such as coal, oil, and natural gas are not renewable because it takes many millions of years for the earth to produce, and humans use these resources faster than they are created. Participating in renewable energy conservation is done by choosing to use renewable sources of energy instead of sources that are limited.

One of the most common types of renewable energy conservation is the use of wind power. Large windmills have been used for decades to transform the energy of the wind into energy that can be used for electricity. Many power companies partially rely on wind power. Individuals can also install windmills on their homes as a renewable energy source.

Another common type of renewable energy conservation is the use of solar energy. Solar panels use photosensitive materials to collect radiation from the sunlight, which is transformed into energy. In sunny areas, a couple of moderately sized solar panels can often be used to supply all the energy needs of a house. Large solar arrays can be used by power companies as one of their measures to participate in renewable energy conservation.

Saving Power at home is the least we can do, but it will in the bigger picture save the energy consumption of the world by a huge figure. If every one of us do our bit, the earth will be definitely left with energy for our next generation to see and feel.

Here is a list of ten ways of saving energy while at home:

1. Use AC in the sleep mode while you sleep
2. Use Solar Lamp for Studies
3. Charge your Cell phones through USB
4. Use CFL lights
5. Use Magnetic Induction Cookers
6. Switch off the lights of the rooms you are not using
7. RECYCLE - When buying products with packaging, choose packaging that is easily recyclable
8. Use as much Sunlight as possible
9. Don’t spoil water at home Make sure that you don’t leave any tap open while you move out of your home and also ensure that there is no extra wastage of water when at home.
10. Do not unnecessarily switch on the geyser Switching off the geyser in the right time you can save a lot of energy consumption.

An important article
ss India plays key role in building super machine that will offer unlimited energy

LONDON: India is developing the heaviest and the largest parts of the Tokamak, the machine behind the biggest scientific collaboration on the planet, to produce unlimited supplies of cheap, clean, safe and commercial energy from atomic fusion.

The international nuclear fusion project known as ITER, meaning "the way" in Latin, is based on the 'tokamak' concept of magnetic confinement, in which the plasma is contained in a doughnut-shaped vacuum vessel.

The fuel-a mixture of deuterium and tritium, two isotopes of hydrogen-is heated to temperatures in excess of 150 million degrees Celsius forming a hot plasma.

The temperature within the gigantic machine will, therefore, reach 10 times the temperature at the core of the Sun. Strong magnetic fields will be used to keep the plasma away from the walls.

India will be one of the significant creators of the Tokamak which will weigh 23,000 tons-as heavy as three Eiffel Towers-with a plasma volume of 840 cubic metres.

The main feature of the 180 hectare ITER site in Cadarache, southern France, is a man-made level 42 hectare platform that would be 1 kilometre long and 400 metres wide, and compares in size to 60 soccer fields.

The Tokamak Building will be slightly taller than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Beginning December 2015, the first of the ITER cryostat's components will arrive on site from India.

ITER project ranks as the most ambitious science endeavors of our time. Building began in 2010 in France where 34 nations are collaborating to realize the ITER project's First Plasma in November 2020.

ITER says as part of India's in-kind contribution to the project, these 54 segments are among the largest and heaviest of the whole Tokamak assembly.

They will have to be pre-assembled into four sections before being transported to the Assembly Building. The workshop will be built and operated by the Indian Domestic Agency. ITER-India is the Indian Domestic Agency responsible for the delivery of components.

As stipulated in the agreement that the ITER Organization and the Indian Domestic Agency signed on 19 April, this small "territory"-the size of a football field-will be made available to the Indian Domestic Agency.

When India joined the ITER project in 2005, the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR) at Gandhinagar was entrusted by the government of India with managing participation in ITER.

The strength of ITER-India now stands at 83 permanent and 10 contracted staff.

In addition, about 20 engineers hired from different engineering service companies work on the ITER-India premises.

India said: "At present, the focus of ITER-India activities is the completion of the remaining design work. ITER is a unique opportunity for all of us to show that fusion can be a credible and sustainable alternate energy source for human civilization. Especially for countries like India and China, with huge population, fast-growing economies and consequently enormous energy demands and against the backdrop of depleting fossil fuel reserves and CO2 emission concerns fusion can be a lifeline."

Source :
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-29/science/38902912_1_iter-project-cadarache-first-plasma
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.312850792118973.66208.209591805778206&type=3
http://www.multi-science.co.uk/ee.htm
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/blueprint_secure_energy_future.pdf

Carrot – Raw Mango Sesame Salad :

Sliver carrot, mango and cucumber. For salad dressing:

Mid-Summer Italian Bread Salad)

1 clove garlic 1 (1 pound) loaf Italian bread 1 cup chopped tomatoes 1 cup cucumber - peeled, seeded and chopped 1 cup chopped red onion 1 clove garlic, minced 2 cups chopped fresh basil 1/8 cup chopped fresh thyme 1/4 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Source:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Mid-Summer-Italian-Bread-Salad/Detail.aspx

Beetroot Chickpea Salad

Soak chickpeas overnight, drain and cook till soft. Grate beetroot and chop cucumber into small pieces. Heat olive oil in a kadai, add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add split black gram dal and let them turn red, add curry leaves, green chilli and pinch of hing. Turn off heat and combine the seasoning with cooked chickpeas, beetroot and cucumber pieces. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and a dash of lime.

Source:
http://www.sailusfood.com/2008/04/21/quick-easy-summer-meals/

Thandai

1 litre milk 1 can sweetened condensed milk 30 almonds blanched 6 tsps whole pumpkin/sunflower seeds (unsalted) 1 1/2 tsp cardamom powder 3 tsps rose water (optional) Crushed ice Rose petals to garnish

Preparation:

1. Grind the almonds, sunflower/pumpkin seeds, cardamom powder and rose water into a fine paste in a food processor.
2. Add the milk, condensed milk and crushed ice to the paste and blend well.
3. Strain the drink through a fine seive or muslin and serve in glasses, granished with rose petals.

Source:
http://indianfood.about.com/od/drinkrecipes/r/thandai.htm

Summer Corn Salad Recipe

5 teaspoons olive oil, divided 1 tablespoon lime juice 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce 1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn, thawed 1-1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 cup finely chopped cucumber 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried basil 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions

• In a small bowl, whisk 4 teaspoons oil, lime juice, salt and pepper sauce; set aside.
• In a large skillet, cook and stir corn in remaining oil over medium-high heat until tender. Transfer to a salad bowl; cool slightly. Add the tomatoes, cucumber, onion and basil. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat.
• Let stand for 10 minutes before serving or refrigerate until chilled. Sprinkle with cheese just before serving.

Source :
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Summer-Corn-Salad

Car Bazzar - Indian Car Sales Figures & Analysis

If Maruti sneezes, the entire auto industry catches a cold. It’s unfortunate that worker issues at Manesar resurfaced, hitting Maruti’s volumes very hard. This episode resulted in the industry recording its lowest ever cumulative sales in over 2 years @ 171,668 units. Despite that, and the subdued market sentiment, 4 manufacturers had a reasonably good August 2012. Details below.

UVs (MUVs & SUVs combined) had only just overtaken sedans in the Indian car space; they’re now 75% ahead in volume. At 46,810 units, the UV category has also recorded its best month in history.

For other manufacturers, a 50K month would mean year-long celebrations. For Maruti, it’s a completely forgettable result. I must add, the company’s labour relations are shockingly unstable for a market leader in one of the most important industries. A damaged manufacturing base saw their production turn topsy turvy. The Alto is made at Gurgaon and should have been unaffected. However, your cheapest product is rarely a priority when times are bad. Maruti clearly pushed the production of other cars. Gurgaon products like the WagonR, Ertiga, Eeco & Omni experienced no hiccups and brought the volumes home, despite 3 of them being petrol-only models. Whatever limited production Maruti had at Manesar was routed to the facelifted Ritz that was launched yesterday. Regular heroes like the Swift & Dzire had their wings clipped due to obvious reason. Maruti recently let word out that it intends to focus on “bigger cars”. Well, ZERO customers for the overpriced Grand Vitara & Kizashi ought to have woken someone up.

Some of that Verna magic must be rubbing off on the Elantra. The Team-BHP Review spoke of the car’s neutral nature. That combined with the snazzy looks, high equipment levels and low pricing strategy see the Elantra take the lead in the D1 sedan segment. Quite an achievement when every other 10+ lakh Hyundai has ended up as a failure. Has the product matured, or is it the brand? I think it’s both. The Verna & i20 are the other Hyundai’s who continue to run while the market walks. On the flip side, the 2012 Sonata is a dud just like its predecessor, while the Eon & Santro are feeling the heat of the economy. Potentially first-time car buyers are sticking to their motorcycles, I suppose.

Tata takes back the No.3 spot from Mahindra, it’s an absolute fist fight in here! The Indica sisters put up a good show, while the cheaper + repositioned variants keep the Sumo above the 3,000 level. The all-rounded Manza is performing way below what it should; proof that Tata’s brand & marketing work against it.

The Bolero, Scorpio & XUV500 continue to dominate their respective segments. It just amazes me how a 15 lakh product like the XUV sells 4,000 units for the 2nd month in a row. It’s equally amazing that Mahindra – and not Maruti or Hyundai – has proven that an economy brand can succeed in the premium segment. Ignore the Verito passing the 2K level. It’s still cheap, outdated and puts people off. The car will be back where it belongs soon.

Toyota was primarily a utility vehicle company in India and, 15 years from the time of entry, its real performers are still UVs. The Innova & Fortuner have a superb August. A matter of huge concern : the sedans & hatchbacks simply aren’t selling as much as expected. Even with a diesel engine option, the Liva can’t reach the 2,000 milestone. The Etios barely manages to outrun the Indigo and hasn’t been able to capitalize on the Dzire’s lack of supplies either. The market makes it obvious that it won’t buy cars on brand name alone.

The Figo makes a noticeable recovery with a ~30% spike over the May – July average. Yet, there is not much else to cheer about at Ford. The Eco-Sport could be the next big thing here, if priced realistically of course.

Chevrolet also has only the Beat (diesel) making its cash registers ring. By gross turnover however, the Tavera might be the most significant product to Chevy. In my Cruze facelift review, I wrote how it’s a mediocre sedan, save for that awesome diesel engine. The market appears to agree while the competition has also upped its game. No surprise that the Cruze has its worst month ever (except for May 2012 when production was being moved over to the facelift).

Honda remains as unpredictable as ever. The City has a decent month at 2,500 cars and, along with the Brio, gives the company ~90% of its sales volume. Strange how the grossly overpriced CRV overtakes the Accord for perhaps the first time and comes within an arms length of the Civic. This shows how flawed their 10+ lakh strategy is. The irony : their sub-10 lakh cars are now all well-priced, but they just aren’t able to move enough metal.

VW wouldn’t have imagined that the nobody’s of yesterday (Renault & Nissan) will be a mere 300 – 400 cars behind so soon. Also, the Renault-Nissan combine has overtaken VW-Skoda. In my books, the Vento is still the C2 diesel sedan to buy, yet the car sold merely 1,500 units (for the 2nd month in a row!!). The 3-cylinder Polo isn’t doing much better either, and has hardly dented the Swift & i20 in the manner it intended to. On the other hand, the Jetta has its best month in 6. Just like the Sonata, the new Passat is a dud as its predecessor was. A sheer genius from Hyundai – Arvind Saxena – has recently taken charge at VW sales. It will be interesting to see what changes he brings.

Renault overtakes Nissan & Skoda, both, and has VW firmly in its sight. The competent Duster is clearly enjoying its USP as the only monocoque (SUV) game in town, even if the higher variants are steeply priced. If the Scala is launched at a good price this Friday, Renault seems all set to overtake VW & Honda. What a difference one quarter – or rather, two relevant products – can make. Renault should forget about the Fluence & Koleos, focussing entirely on the Pulse, Scala & Duster instead.

Nissan has the Evalia just as Renault has the Duster. If priced competitively (read = significantly cheaper than the Innova), the Evalia can make serious inroads into the commercial segment. The Sunny has a decent month, albeit the Micra needs serious attention from its mother. 1,100 units is a flop show by a petrol + diesel hatchback with a 4.xx lakh starting price.

The only manufacturers that Skoda is ahead of are Fiat & HM....that’s not saying a lot, is it? It’s an absolute bloodshed at Skoda. Sure, the Fabia & Yeti have done poorly as always. But even regular performers like the Laura & Superb don’t impress. The Rapid is such a competent sedan and is sold at a VFM price too. It’s unthinkable that the sales should be any less than the more-expensive-and-identical Vento.

Fiat looks like that terminally ill patient whose condition deteriorated even further. HM, well, have its oldest (Ambassador) and newest (Pajero Sport) to talk about. The Pajero Sport is the second best selling Rs. 20 lakh vehicle this month.

Source:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian-car-scene/125994-august-2012-indian-car-sales-figures-analysis.html

The world's first home 3D printer

The Cube is the world's first home 3D printer. It takes five minutes to set up and costs just over £800, but should you buy one? Our reviews editor, Daniel Bennett, put the printer through its paces and created some rather fetching objects. Here's how it works...

1. Search for a design

Hundreds of models that you can print are available from Cube’s own site, Cubify.com. Or for a wider selection of 3D items that aren’t specifically designed to be printed on the Cube (but will work), visit Thingiverse.com. They’ll download as .STL files, which will then be converted by the Cubify software into .CUBE files.

2. Convert and build

First load your design into the program. Then adjust its scale or orientation. There’s a ‘heal’ button that will address any areas that are beyond the printer’s capabilities. The ‘build’ button then creates the set of instructions needed to create the item – at this point it will work out any support structures not included in the design needed to build the model. Then hit ‘Print’!

3. Glue and begin

The printer comes with a special glue that needs to be spread on the print platform in a thin layer. This enables the melted plastic to stick to the metal plate. The printer then lays down your design line by line. Instead of making everything solid, each design is hollow with a grid-like structure filling the gaps, making efficient use of the plastic-loaded cartridges.

4. Time to cool off

The design, like the vase shown in the video below, is built up by laying melted plastic down on top of the stuff that’s had a few seconds to cool and solidify. Once the printer is finished the metal plate descends and will need 10 minutes to cool down before it can be touched. The touchscreen then tells you when it’s safe to snap the finished article off the platform.

This vase took about 3 and a half hours to make, but we've sped up the video so you can see the whole process in just over a minute.

Cube Features

Plug and play simplicity

Voted MAKE magazine’s “easiest to use” and “most reliable” 3D printer. Straight out of the box - you can get started immediately with the Cube's simple setup. Just plug it in and start. The only 3D printer certified for safe at-home use by adults and children.

Print in ABS and PLA

Now the Cube prints in two materials. Not only in strong recyclable ABS, but also compostable PLA. Learn about recycling Cube materials here.

Print in vibrant colors

The Cube uses material cartridges in 16 different colors including vibrant colors, neutral colors, metallic silver and glow in the dark.

Print anything up to 5.5" x 5.5" x 5.5"

... or 140mm x 140mm x 140mm. You get 25 free 3D files with your Cube. You can also browse the shop, or get files online.

Goodbye cables, hello Wi-Fi

The Cube 3D printer has Wi-Fi so loading is a breeze. Send your prints to the Cube from your computer.

Choose from 5 colors

Pick the Cube body color that suits you - classic Silver or new White, Magenta, Blue or Green.

Cube software

The Cube ships with easy to use software that preps your files for printing. Available for Mac or Windows.

25 designs with every Cube printer

Your Cube 3D printer comes with 25 free 3D files designed by professional artists.

Source:
http://cubify.com/cube/

Software

Description:

Comes with software to create .CUBE print files

Windows requirements:

Cube software runs on 32 and 64-bit Operating Systems:

• Windows XP Professional or Home Edition with Service Pack 3
• Windows 7

Windows & is required for ad-hoc WiFi Print Job submission – if not already installed, the Cube Software installer will automatically install the Microsoft .NET 4.0 Framework

Mac OSX requirements:

Cube software runs on Mac OSX 10.8

Minimum hardware requirements:

A PC with these minimum requirements will be required to run the Cube Software:

• Processor: Multi-core processor - 2GHz or faster per core
• System RAM: 2 GB
• Screen Resolution: 1024x768

Warranty

Description:

90 days parts and labor

Natural Tips For Fair Glowing Skin In Summer Season

1. First of all try to drink lots of water because it not only keep your body hydrated but also remove toxins from your body.Water requirement during summer season is increased because a lot of water is lost due to excessive sweating during summer season.So try to drink daily at least 12-14 glasses of water.
2. Make a paste of banana and milk and apply on your skin for 15-20 minutes and wash it off with cold water. It will give you soft and glowing skin.
3. For smooth, supple and glowing skin blend a half cucumber and 1 table spoon of yogurt in mixer then apply this of your face and neck. After 15 minutes rinse off with fresh water.
4. For naturally glowing skin in summer season try to daily wash your face with rose water. Its natural cooling properties make it an excellent toner for the hot summer season.
5. Mix cucumber juice and watermelon juice in equal proportions and apply on face and neck.Keep this mixture at least for 20 minutes then rinse off with cold water.
6. Make a paste of papaya Pulp and lemon juice and apply on your face for 15-20 minutes and then wash it off with cold water.It will give you smooth and glowing skin.
7. For soft and glowing skin you can also make a home based pack by 2 table spoons of mashed papaya,1 table spoon of honey and 1 egg white.Mix them well and apply on your face and neck.Leave this for 15 minutes then rinse off with cold water and feel the freshness of soft,smooth and glowing skin.
8. Massage of Coconut water on the skin also give you supple and glowing skin.
9. Don`t forget to weekly exfoliate your skin with a good scrub.You can also make a good scrub at home by 4 to 5 table spoons of gram flour(besan), a pinch of turmeric(haldi), 5-6 drops of rose water and milk or yogurt. Mix them well to form a paste and use it to exfoliate your face and neck
10. Lemon is a natural bleaching agent and can help remove the tan from your face. Lemon contains ascorbic acid due to which it can easily bleach tanned skin. Simply squeeze a lemon into a dish. Soak a cotton ball into the lemon juice and apply it all over your face and neck. Lemon is also considered best to give you glowing skin.Although Lemon is supposed to be a natural bleach but be aware that it dries the face. That`s why apply a good moisturizer or almond oil after washing off lemon.
11. For fair and glowing skin even in summer season massage your skin with mixture of lemon juice and honey because both Honey and Lemon are best natural bleaching agents for sun tanned skin.
12. For fair glowing skin apply natural moisturizers such as milk cream, yogurt or honey to your skin everyday and keep it for 15-20 minutes and then scrub it off with besan flour.
13. Every night wash your face with cold milk because it cleanses your skin, removes the dead skin, moisturizes the skin and give you smooth and Fair glowing skin even in summer season.

Some precautions and useful Tips:

• Always apply a good sunscreen 30 minutes before you step out.
• Avoid direct exposure to UV Sun rays and make use of hats, sunglasses and full covered dresses.
• Try to stay indoors between 11am and 3pm because during this time period sun’s rays are the strongest and can have an adverse effect on your skin.
• Wear loose fitting cotton clothes to release the trapped moisture so that your skin can breathe.

Hair care tips:

• Hair gets frizzy due to exposure to UV rays and excessive styling. It’s a common myth that only curly and wavy hair is at a risk of getting frizzy.
• Make sure to leave the conditioner on for at least 5 minutes. After rinsing, gently wipe wet hair with a towel. Rub a coin-size drop of anti-frizz serum (for straight hair) or cream (for curls)

Shower tips:

• A cool water shower cools the body and skin temperature and retains oils and moisture in the skin. Don’t dry the skin roughly with a towel. Gently pat it dry. Do leave some moisture on the skin so that when you apply the moisturizer the skin can absorb it fully and seal it in
• Try and catch a shower twice a day, to feel cool and refreshed

Source:
http://www.bhtips.com/2011/07/best-natural-tips-to-get-fair-glowing.html

Tips for Buying Used Cars

There are so many do's and don'ts when it comes to buying a used car. In fact you have to take care of a lot more things than you do when getting yourself a brand new car. So be prepared before you start the car buying process. Try to get as much information as you can from reviews, from your near ones and compare options.

Settling on a Model

Think about your needs, your budget and your driving habits. Study about different car models, prices and its technical specifications. Finally settle on a model which suits your lifestyle and image. It will help you to narrow your choice down, when you test drive a few different cars of the same model. You can easily compare their conditions and pick the correct one without any doubt. The age of the car is very important.

Payment Options

If you are depending on a finance company for payment, do search for good finance companies, their interest, monthly payment options, duration of loan etc and evaluate with your budget. There will be so many advertisements to lure you. Try to understand the following aspects before you apply for a loan.
! The actual price of the vehicle,
! The amount you are going to finance,
! The monthly Payment & duration,
! The total amount you should pay (Your loan, including service charge and interest + the initial payment).

Buying Locations

You can buy a used car from different outlets: Car dealers; who sell both new and used cars, direct from the owners, pre-owned (second hand) car showrooms etc. Buying from a dealer will be an advisable option rather than from a second hand car dealer. The cars from dealers will be systematically inspected and moreover they will offer you service and maintenance warranty. You can also insist on confirmation to tax and pollution test. Verify the dealer’s authenticity i.e for how long he has been in this business and try to get references of his already satisfied customers.

News paper advertisements and other classifieds section will lead you to individual owners. Enquire the reasons for selling the car, how the car was used, and get permission for the car to be checked by your mechanic. Try to find out whether the car has been in any accident and always make sure that its condition is stable. Sale of cars from the owner will be on an "as is" basis and he may not offer you any service and maintenance

Test Drive

Test- driving is an essential part of car buying process. Always take the car for at least a 3-4 km test drive. Drive the car in different types of roads and observe your comfort levels during the drive. Make sure the engine starts rightly, the steering is not vibrating and there is no unusual sounds and vibrations. Vibrating steering means a front end trouble. Apply brakes properly at the speed of about 30-50 km to check that the car stops in a straight line. Check that the speedometer and mileage recorder is working. Clutch should be smooth in its operation. When releasing the clutch, the car should move gradually without uneven jerks. Try each gear and note whether the car jumps out of gear. At the end of the test-drive, park the car on clean ground and look for oil leaks from the engine or gearbox.

Things to check

Having finalized the car of your choice, now comes the main part of buying. i.e checking the car and its documents. You can spend some time checking the following things:

• The first parameter is the year of registration of the car. A 3-5 year old car that has traveled 14,000 to 18,000 Km a year are prime buys.
• Check the Odometer reading of the car and calculate with the year of manufacture. Important thing to remember is that there is a possibility of Odometer tampering irrespective of a mechanical or electronic odometer.
• Check the engine, it should be smooth starter. A well maintained engine would not produce any unusual noise and emit blue or black smoke while accelerating. Also check for oil spouting from exhaust.
• If the Tyres are not in a good condition, there is a chance of bargaining for up to 1000 rupees. Look for the wear and tear and also the alignment. Check bushings, springs and sounds from the bearings. Wheel bearings can be expensive.
• Check the bonnet and look whether the car has been repainted or not. Check for acid wear and tear around the battery areas, it indicates the car has not been maintained by the earlier owner.
• If the battery is not new, there is another chance of decreasing the price of the car by 2, 500.
• If the seller claims, there is an audio system in the car, check if its in working condition.
• Check on electrical components, lightings and dippers, cabin lights, hind lights and reverse lights and their workings. Check the AC by taking a round in the afternoon, check how it functions with a/c on / off climbing a slope.

Documents

Checking all the Documents properly before the final payment is a must. Always ask the seller for the Registration papers. These documents are required to transfer the vehicle ownership. The certificate also provide the purchaser a chance to confirm vehicle ownership. Confirm the seller is the first owner of the car.

Blue book( Registration Certificate)- Check if it is a duplicate or not. Check with the RTO for further authentication. Check Engine No and Chasis number are matching with the Numbers in the Registration Papers. Check the state of registration, mentioned in the papers. The state mentioned in the paper should be the state where you are planning to use the car. If not make sure that the seller do the necessary things to transfer the registration to the state that you are planning to use. Check for the RTO Tax receipt.

Insurance Certificate- This is the most important certificate of the car. Check for any prior accidents claims. This certificate is a must for any transfer by RTO.

Pollution Under Control certificate - This is a must for transfer of name.

BMC or Municipality certificate, if applicable. This is absolutely necessary if the car is registered in a municipal area.

Road Tax: Ensure that the seller gives you the papers related to road tax or clears all payments before he sells the car to you.

Other Documents: If you are planning to buy a used car that was bought on finance by the seller, remember to collect the following documents in addition to the above-mentioned ones. Try to get the original invoice of the car from the owner.

NOC (No Objection Certificate): NOC issued by the finance company. This document ensures that the finance company has no claim on the car anymore.

Form 35: You must keep a copy of this form duly signed by the financier.

Source:
http://auto.webindia123.com/tips.asp

The Cleanest Village in Asia, is in India

When I first heard of Mawlynnong’s claim of being “The Cleanest Village in Asia”, I knew I had to plan a trip to see it. The village is at a distance of around 90 km from Shillong, and the road leading up to it has some of the most panoramic and breathtaking views in the country.

Nestled in the pristine East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya the residents of this picturesque village along the Indo-Bangla border have learnt to live at harmony with Mother Nature and might very well become an example that urban folk should emulate.

Till over a decade ago this village was practically unknown to tourists until Discover India magazine accorded it the Cleanest Village status in 2005. As one walks around the narrow zig-zagging paths of the village one is astounded by the clean well maintained black tarmac and the spotless front-yards and sidewalks of the bamboo stilt houses. There are stylish bamboo dustbins everywhere and separate compost pits in various pockets of the village for organic and inorganic wastes. Polythene use is completely banned and so is smoking.

There are public toilets which the villagers themselves maintain and everyone takes part in the ritual weeding, sweeping and cleaning of the gardens and roads which happens every evening. Even the children are taught from an early age to keep their surroundings clean and they don’t hesitate to pick up the odd piece of garbage on the road and put it in the bin. The village is well supplied with an efficient localized water supply and sanitation system.

Just outside the village on the passing river is situated the amazing living roots bridge which speaks out for the ingenuity of the people. It is over 200 years old and was constructed by tying the roots of two banyan trees and maneuvering them to get entangled in such a way as to create a passage over the stream. The Sky-view tower on the eastern side of the village is a tall structure built on the support of a tree with bamboos and gives a wonderful view of the Bangladesh plains.

For the discerning traveler there are many unmapped trails that one can explore around the village full of little waterfalls and sacred forests abounding in flora and fauna. The guest houses in the village are basic tree houses built on top of stilts that almost jut out into the adjacent forest. Staying in them is an experience in itself.

There is a lot urban society could learn from Mawlynnong and its environmentally conscious citizens. The self sustaining models though rudimentary have very strong foundations and have more to do with behavior and customs that the peoples have adhered to and upheld. With the increasing influx of tourists the challenge for Mawlynnong is to maintain its culture and also educate outsiders with their ways. Do you think modern cities in India can replicate what the citizens of Mawlynnong have done? With better technology and infrastructural support Indian cities can certainly take Mawlynnong’s concepts forward and create self sustaining environment systems with minimal damage to the eco-systems. All we need are more responsible and conscientious citizens who will take up the cause of the environment.

Mawlynnong can be reached by road and it is roughly a three hour drive from Meghalaya’s capital, Shillong. The nearest airport is Guwahati, in Assam, which is around three hours from Shillong and is well connected with major metros.

Source:
http://www.thebetterindia.com/4377/the-cleanest-village-in-asia-is-in-india/#

MARKETING INITIATIVES

Bharat Petroleum has endeavoured to constantly improve its share of the customer’s mind and heart, delivering experience and creating genuine customer value. We’re providing you with a glimpse of all the initiatives our businesses have taken, aiming to set our sights for a glorious future.

RETAIL BUSINESS INITIATIVES

Retail SBU is consciously working towards attracting customers to our ROs by providing added value to them, both in fuel and non-fuel areas. Various initiatives, some of them pioneering efforts, have been introduced based on need gaps articulated by customers.

1. Automation for Sure – Responsibility towards Stakeholders
2. Rural Retailing– Become the growth leader in rural markets
3. SmartFleet Program – Fostering Loyalty
4. Non-Fuel Offerings – Delivering Convenience
5. Dealer Panel Meetings – Partnering in Business
6. PFS Platinum – Driving Differentiation

LPG BUSINESS INITIATIVES

The marketing activities of Bharatgas are primarily targeted towards enhancing safety awareness, customer engagement of various types and scales, health promotion, training and skill development of staff, imparting technical knowledge and promoting LPG in rural areas.

1. Beyond LPG
2. Bharatgas Customer Community
3. Social Service
4. Skill Augmentation Program of LPG Distributors’ staff
5. BMCG: An Innovative Solution to Metal Cutting
6. Bharatgas keeps the countryside green

AVIATION BUSINESS INITIATIVES

sector in India is going through massive upheavals like new airports, modern facilities, private airlines, private airports, new international airlines, more passengers, permission for fuel import etc., impacting our business and posing huge challenges. Today, BPCL’s presence is at 36 airports and it enjoys a market share of 23%, the majority of business coming from international airlines. BPCL have been the preferred suppliers of some of these airlines for more than 80 years, due to brand positioning and continuously upgraded services on a sustained basis. Aviation realizes that the promising path to long term prosperity in a commodity market is to make a differentiation in customers’ experience.

1. Paperless Invoicing
2. Apron Fuel Management System
3. Technical Tie-up
4. Investment in Greenfield Airports for Exclusive Fuelling Rights:
5. Network Expansion
6. Joint Venture to Undertake Into-plane Refueling (ITP):

LUBES BUSINESS INITIATIVES

Major initiatives undertaken by the Lubes BU are as under:

1. Rural awareness programs
2. MAK thru’ Service initiatives
3. Foray into semi-synthetic/ new generation oils
4. Branding initiatives
5. Expanding horizons
6. Technical Updates
7. Building a robust network
8. International presence

GAS BUSINESS INITIATIVES

BPCL has been an early entrant into the Gas business and would like to fuel its growth by providing another alternative energy option to its vast customer base.

The latest discovery made at Mozambique helps BPCL in fulfilling its growth plans in the long term. BPCL aims to grow in the Gas business from over 1 MMTPA currently to 6.5 MMTPA within the next 5-6 years. The driver of growth would be availability of LNG, re-gasification capacity and transportation infrastructure to reach the gas to customers. As domestic supplies are limited, LNG needs to be imported into the country to bridge the gap.

I&C BUSINESS INITIATIVES

I&C’s marketing initiatives have exclusivity, primarily due to the uniqueness of the business and the diverse range of products. I&C conducts regular customer awareness seminars on varied topics like energy, as part of its customer service strategy.

Hedging services are being offered for important/large customers, allowing them to keep the prices of our products constant. A few pilots have been carried out with our Naphtha customers and similar benefits can be extended to other major customers.

BPCL’s participation in CGD Networks

PNGRB has plans to roll out bidding rounds for setting up CGD networks in Cities and Districts in various parts of the country to cover areas which can be supplied by the pipeline network which is also developing. BPCL has been pursing CGD networks on partnership with other entities in order to share the investments and the risks. With more clarity in policy and availability of indigenous gas for Domestic PNG and CNG segments, it is also planned that few of the city gas networks would be developed by BPCL on its own, subject to attractiveness and robustness of returns. BPCL, along with GAIL and GSPC, had already promoted 4 CGD Networks viz. IGL in Delhi, MNGL in Pune, CUGL in Kanpur and SGL in Gandhinagar.

LNG By Trucks

BPCL started the LNG by truck initiative with commissioning of the pilot project at General Motors Halol. BPCL partnered with INOX and carmaker General Motors India Ltd (GMI) to develop LNG facility at the Halol car manufacturing plant using cryogenic storage and distribution solutions. A robust LNG distribution, storage and re-gasification system was developed and Tools such as Hazop, QRA were employed to formulate the Emergency Management Plan and Standard Operating Procedures. After GMI many more customers have been contracted. This initiative will enable customers to reduce their carbon footprint and reinforce the commitment of BPCL towards a cleaner tomorrow.

Other Initiatives

BPCL is in the process of securing Re-gasification capacity at various terminals in India. Studies are being undertaken for examining the feasibility of setting up an LNG Terminal at Mangalore by BPCL, ONGC and Mitsui.