Administration and literature are not mutually exclusive

Interview: Authors by Tapan Das Gupta for Meghdutam.com
Leena Mehendale, born in Dharangaon, Maharasthra, had her schooling at Jabalpur MP, and Darbhanga, Bihar. She studied for M.Sc. Physics in Patna, and her M. Sc. Project Planing in Bradford, England. She works at two levels... she writes short stories, poems and dramas for children; she provokes the adults and nettles society by focussing attention on social issues. She is equally at home with three languages Marathi, Hindi and English and becomes a literary bridge by playing the role of translator. She also gives talks on All India Radio and is a good story teller. She is involved in social reform activities.
Leena Mehendale, is an IAS officer, presently working as Joint Secretary, National Commission for Women Govt. of India.Tapan Das Gupta had a tete-a-tete with her at her residence. Excerpts from the interview:
Tapan Das Gupta: How did you begin to write?
Leena Mehendale: I started writing during 1968-71 while at college. The stories I wrote then were mainly ghost stories and they appeared in the college magazine. During this period, I also translated an one-act play Dole (eyes) by Madhuri Bhide, from Marathi to Hindi, for AIR Patna. Dole has a very good story line and I believe its appeal is eternal.
TDG: You seem to work in diverse areas of literature.
LM: I write in four different areas.One -- social writings, I often write in magazines and dailies on women's issues, education, administrative reforms, on socio-political aspects relating to administration, agriculture, health etc. So far, I have contributed more than 300 articles in Marathi, Hindi and English to major publications.Two -- I write short stories, poems, dramas for children. I have a few books for children to my credit. The books are collections of short stories; I am also a nature lover and have written books for children on bird-watching and the flora and the fauna. My perspective is highly individualistic, say my readers. That comment cheers me a lot. Three -- I am a scientists by training and often take time to deliver lectures on scientific topics to college students and adults. My nineteen lectures on 'Atomic Physics' were broadcast over AIR. I also write on Ayurveda, Naturopathy, the holistic theory of health.Four -- I love to translate. I have translated into Marathi, and Hindi from Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, English and Bengali. Sahitya Akademi will soon be publishing my translation of the collection of poems of the famous poet Kusumagra from Marathi to Hindi. I have also translated a book titled "Democracy: Eighty Questions and Answers" from English to Marathi. This is due for publication by the National Book Trust.
TDG: Leenaji, you have a wide range of literary activities. Don't you think the scope of literary creativity is often curtailed by the limitations set by your career as an administrator?
LM: Well, Mr Gupta, I have been asked this question earlier too. It is my belief that the field of administration is not devoid of opportunities for literary creativity. There is ample scope for it. I try to add a story line on the basis of real incidents. In this connection, I can well recall my experience for the rehabilitation of devdasis (temple maids) in Kolhapur, Maharastra, or my writings on Jalgaon sex-scandals, or the sustainability question of big dams. Very recently, I wrote in 'Janasatta' (Hindi newspaper), highlighting the illogic of allowing the escape of Chota Rajan, the dreaded underworld don of Mumbai on the belief that he could be our best defense against Daud Ibrahim. I think the inherent philosophy and thinking that go into these view points are nourished and nurtured by latent creativity. I strongly believe that underlying philosophy is relevant. In face, it is the essential and permanent aspect of literature and it is not correct to regard such writing as "non- literature".
TDG: How do you approach children's literature? Do you believe that all material for children should have 'messages' to convey?
LM: Not all writings need be message-oriented. But wherever possible, I convey the message, directly or indirectly. Often I use a mix of both.
TDG: You often handle scientific topics for children. How do you combine imagination and science in your writings?
LM: I think I can best explain that by referring to two dramas for school children broadcast over Radio Pune. One play brings out the need to preserve the high mountains and greenery to catch clouds for the rains, otherwise mankind shall be doomed. In the second play, a clever teacher unfolds the magic and enchantment of mathematics to children and makes the children enjoy the subject.
TDG: Please comment on the role of translation in a pluri-lingual and multi-cultural country like ours.
LM: Translation is a major unifying force. My experience as a translator is really wonderful. In spite of the variety or plurality of Indian Languages, I found the same meter can be adopted in case of poetry. I found the same types of phrases, sentiments and allegory, conveyed in identical way in different Indian languages. If the translators keep these things in mind, the translated works will surely be novelty for the readers. I would like to highlight one incident in which I was also associated. This came about like this. My son Aditya translated a story from Std 1, Balbharti for the displaced tribal children of the Narmada Valley who belonged to the Bhil-Pawri community. Bhil-Pawri is their mother tongue. They were resettled in a village Somawel and their children were encouraged to attend school but the medium of teaching was Marathi. The children, for obvious reasons felt that they were not coping with the dual task of learning Marathi and also acquiring the skills to read and write the language too. Aditya translated the Balbharti story in Bhil-Pawri language with the help of two Bhil-Pawri students of that school -- Kirta Lalji Basawe and Dilip Thoga Padwi. Later we got the text printed as a book and included in it the alphabets with Bhil Pawri words which Aditya had collected. The copies of the book were distributed to all children of that village and they still enjoy reading it. This was the famous story of the donkey and his burden. The entire book was written using Devnagri script but Bhil- Pawri language. See how one language is integrated to the students with different mother tongue. Here lies the beauty of translated works.
TDG: What are your suggestions for budding writers, especially writers for children?
LM: Children's literature should be closer to the children's point of view. There should be elements of humor, drama, surprise that capture the child's attention. The writing should be socially relevant too.
TDG: Do you think internet is weakening reading habits among children?
LM: No, but internet can become an alternative to reading. I feel internet should be made available in regional languages, specially in a multi-cultural country like ours.
TDG: Meghdutam organized an online poll on the best authors of the century. Sarat Chandra Chatterjee topped the poll, followed by Bhagwan S. Gidwani and R K Narayan. What is your choice for India's novelist of the twentieth century?
LM: I dare not name only one single author. There are several authors like Sarat Chandra Chatterjee, Rabindra Nath Tagore, Amrita Pritam. There are a few authors in Marathi literature like G. N. Dandekar, G.A Kulkarni, Durgabai Bhagwat and P. L. Deshpande. I can name one from Gujarati literature -- Gulab Das Broker. Besides there are authors like Prem Chand, Sankrityayan, Adyeya, Phaneeshwar Nath Renu or the anti-establishment writers like Maheshwata Devi. Of the Indians writing in English, Ilike Vikram Seth. I would name 'The Last Pass' of Prasher which is also an impressive anti-establishment writing and work of Anita Agnihotri, or Laxmi Kannan among the recent writers. Together they reflect the variety that India is, the message of unity in diversity.
TDG: What are your plans for the future?
LM: Let me see. I have no particular plan as such but there are possibilities. I don't know how far I will be able to fulfill them. I am preparing a book on star watching -- a guide to the layman who wants to study the sky and the stars at random without telescope. A book on atomic Physics targeting students as support study which will also interest the common man is something that I want to work on. I am preparing a book on dams for the teenagers. I am also planning to write on sericulture and women's issues.
TDG: Bubbling with plans. May they come true.
LM: Too many things to work on! Well, that gives meaning to life.
TDG: Let all your dreams come true.
LM: Thanks. Such good wishes help to keep up the spirit.
TGD: You are welcome to write for Meghdutam.
LM: Great. I would enjoy it.

Policy framework for carbon trading on anvil

Business Line
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Wednesday, Oct 30, 2002
http://www.blonnet.com/bline/2002/10/30/stories/2002103002280600.htm

Policy framework for carbon trading on anvil
Financial Times Ltd.
(From Business Line)
Our Bureau
KOLKATA, Oct. 29.

THE Centre has decided to formulate a detailed policy framework for carbon trading by domestic companies with overseas organisations or foreign Governments and prepare guidelines for carbon audit.
Ms Leena Mehendale, Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and also Executive Director of the Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA), told Business Line here on Monday that an inter-ministerial committee had been established recently to formulate the proposed carbon trading policy framework. She said the Ministry of Science and Technology had been assigned the status of a nodal agency for the proposed carbon trading policy implementation.
The committee, which is working on the policy framework, has representation from the Ministries of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Industries, Science & Technology and Power. She said the team was expected to ready the policy framework within the next three months.
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Welcome Address by Ms Leena Mehendale OCF 2003

Winrock International India newsletter
Burn Calories, Not Fossil Fuel

As one entered the Talkatora Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on 15th January 2003, what certainly left you numb was the echoes of over 3,000 school students shouting slogans of oil conservation in unison.
The Oil Conservation Fortnight (OCF), an annual event of the Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) was inaugurated on 15 January 2003 in various cities all over the country. In Delhi, the event was kicked off by a Welcome Address by Ms Leena Mehendale, Executive Director, PCRA, who reinforced the importance and effectiveness of PCRA’s role in promoting oil conservation in the country, since its inception in the year 1976.
Dr Sahib Singh Verma, Hon. Union Minister of Labor, GOI, inaugurated the event and with a beaming smile emphasized the importance of each individual’s efforts in (howsoever minute) promoting oil conservation. He also stated that "Over two-thirds of our petroleum requirement is imported; this amounts to over Rs 70,000 crores, which we have to pay in foreign currency. As a suggestion, if we can save a tenth of this amount, that is Rs 7,000 crores, then we can provide all the necessary amenities such as electricity, water, education, etc. in several villages across India."
This was followed by a unique expression of unity and solidarity as over one thousand students joined hands with each other and led by Dr Verma, formed a Human Chain enveloping the entire stadium. The officials of PCRA, MPNG and other petroleum companies like Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum, IBP and Bharat Petroleum were also roped into the chain, leaving smiles on everyone’s faces.
The Honorable Minister was then ushered outside the Stadium where he flagged off the PCRA Publicity Van. This is a well-equipped Van, which will travel in and around the vicinity of Delhi spreading the message of oil conservation during the fortnight.
The Inaugural event of PCRA’s OCF ended with lip-smacking snacks for the children and the various officials and guests present. Indeed a day to remember!
Similar activities were undertaken in various cities all over India. PCRA conducted various activities from January 15-31, 2003. These involved students from various schools in quizzes, debates, essay competitions, street-plays, and painting competitions. The launch of the Publicity Van and the installation of banners to arouse the interest of children and the youth on the subject were also some key activities.
For more information on PCRA, look up http://www.pcra.org
PCRA initiated the ‘Oil Conservation Week’ in 1991, which has now grown to the ‘Oil Conservation Fortnight’ since 1997.

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awareness on energy conservation

ISSN 0972-3102, December 2003, Vol 4, Issue 3 winrockindia.org
INTERVIEW
"PCRA has generated sufficient awareness on energy conservation"
Interview with Leena Mehendale, Executive Director, PCRA
What is the current scenario regarding energy conservation in the country? How has the scenario changed over the past few years? Over the last four to five years, and especially in the last two years, the demand for petroleum products has increased tremendously. The question is now of supply. Our domestic finds of crude oil have not increased, and we are importing a lot of crude oil, and then we are refining that imported crude. So, the refining capacity has increased. Therefore, today we are in a position to meet whatever be the demand. In a way you can say that there is no supply shortage of petroleum products. But, for importing we have to spend foreign currency. So, the whole scenario in the petroleum sector is that we have good amount of foreign exchange, we have good amount of crude in hand, and a range of petroleum products. Of course, the demand will also rise in the coming years. And, as the demand rises, we will be in a position to meet the demand. In this scenario, there is a lot of importance of oil conservation. The importance comes under three factors. One, since conservation is linked to efficiency and efficient energy utilisation, it leads to economic development. Two, it is most important for maintaining global competitiveness. And three, conservation of oil is also very important for environmental considerations. So that is where conservation stands today.
How successful has PCRA been on the energy conservation front? PCRA has been able to generate a sufficient amount of awareness on energy conservation, especially when we regularly conduct ‘oil conservation fortnight’ events. For the last five to six years, we have maintained the tradition of conducting a survey before and after the event. The survey reports strongly indicate that whenever we have the oil conservation fortnight, the awareness levels for the need of conservation goes up. But usually such surveys are restricted to a very small period of 15 days. So this time around, we are going for a survey, which will give us a total assessment of the amount of awareness created throughout the year. Definitely, we find that there is awareness created, especially due to the two new programmes that PCRA has launched. One on the AIR FM channel, and the other on the national Doordarshan channel. We find that every week there are about 300-400 people who are writing to us and giving some kind of feedback. This means that at least these many people are listening to the programmes and listening to our messages and they are getting sensitised on the subject of energy conservation. Again, what happens is that such impacts take place in steps. The first stage is that people should listen to our messages. The second stage is when they understand the message that we are trying to communicate, and understand the bigger issues involved. The third is when they like the particular concept or issue involved and its importance.
What steps is PCRA taking on the consumption and production side? On the consumption side, we are conducting training programmes in the typical sectors such as transport, agriculture, domestic, and commercial. On the producer side, wherever there are manufacturers, we try and interact with them and tell them the need to promote energy conservation. Definitely, PCRA is also trying to get into meetings and dialogue with various associations of manufacturers and other stakeholders in order to discuss energy conservation aspects with them. In that sense, PCRA and BIS are the agencies, which are playing the role that is complementary to each other. Often, we all work together.
What are PCRA’s activities in the R&D area?Ideas are generated within PCRA. All the departmental heads sit together and think it over and our minds are attuned to this direction 24 hrs a day. One example which I can give is when we travel on the highways, somewhere we pay a toll tax. Say, when I travel from Delhi to Mathura, I will pay Rs 35 while going as well as coming back. Now it struck us why we should pay this amount while going and coming and experience undue stopping both the time. Instead, we should pay at one place and make the roads freer (as about 99 per cent go and come back unless someone is shifting base). So if we charge the entire amount in one go, it can be charged at one place. This will save a lot of fuel, and also save the government a lot of capital cost. So, such ideas are first generated. Many times we also call meetings of sector experts. Recently, we called a road transport committee meeting where we also called the transport commissioner, people from research institutes, CRRI, and even DTC, to get ideas about conservation opportunities, in addition to sharing their experiences. We have a screening committee for screening R&D project proposals. This is fairly well-represented, with members from IIP, EIL, BPCL, IOC (R&D), LERC, TERI, DST, and our own people.

Fuel saving to be part of school college syllabi

http://www.puneeducation.net/local/archives.htm

EDUCATIONAL NEWS
20.03.2003
Fuel saving to be part of school, college syllabi
Pune: What is a fuel? What is energy? What are the current reserves of exhaustible energy? What is the need for fuel conservation... These are just some of the issues that secondary school students as well as graduates, irrespective of their disciplines (art, science or commerce), will soon be addressing in their classrooms. For, under a central government initiative, a course in energy conservation is being designed for ninth standard and second-year bachelors' degree students.
Given the rising oil prices in the global market and the declining oil reserves, the best alternative is to educate youngsters in the judicious use of all energy sources," explained, Leena Mehendale, as joint secretary and executive director of Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA),which comes under the ministry of petroleum and natural gas.The initial directive to this effect came from the human resources development ministry, said Mehendale, a Maharashtra civil servant, on deputation to the ministry.
While a committee, comprising Sujata Phadke from the SNDT university; L. Chandrashekaran, manager, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd; agricultural scientist Rajesh Urkude; and A. Kaushik from PCRA, are working on the syllabus, a workshop will be held in April for course writers. "The idea is to invite maximum participation from all corners of the country," said Mehendale, who is on a visit to the city.
The PCRA has also decided to involve school students from across the country to conduct surveys, mostly in rural areas, on energy usage and conservation -- both in agriculture and domestic purposes.

Women take up fuel conservation cause

Women take up fuel conservation cause

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/02/11/stories/2003021106750400.htm
The Hindu
Online edition of India's National NewspaperTuesday, Feb 11, 2003
By Our Staff Reporter
NEW DELHI FEB. 10. Over 500 women on bicycles, mopeds, motorbikes and scooters participated in the first Save Oil Two-Wheeler Women Rally organised by the Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) here on February 8. The event, which was part of the Oil Conservation Fortnight 2003, seeks to combine the message of Oil Conservation with that of Women's Empowerment.
Held under the aegis of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the rally sought to impress that "women have moved out from the stereotype `ghar ki bahu' and have established their own identity.''
The Executive Director of PCRA, Leena Mehendale, said in view of the women's rise, her organisation, which is basically into conservation, decided to associate itself with the cause of "women's empowerment'' as well.
The rally, that was flagged off by Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ram Naik, who flagged it off at Talkatora Indoor Stadium. During the nearly one-hour duration, the motorised two-wheeelers covered a distance of 9 km through Park Street, Shankar Road, Upper Ridge Road, Simon Bolivar Marg, SP Marg and Willingdon Crescent before returning to Talkatora Stadium. The cyclists covered 2 km through Park Street and Shankar Road before returning to the venue.
The winners of the rally received an LML Freedom DX bike as a mega prize and an automatic washing machine, microwave and oven-toaster-griller as first, second and third prizes.

Energy Audit in KSRTC

'KSRTC fleet among largest fuel guzzlers'

Our Bureau
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Nov. 19

Business Line
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publicationsWednesday, Nov 20, 2002

A FIELD study carried out by the Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) has revealed that the fleet maintained by the public sector Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) returned an average mileage of 3.9 km per litre of fuel compared to the all-India average of 4.48 km.Presenting results of the study at a national seminar on `Energy conservation in the transport sector', Mr C. Jayaraman, State Co-ordinator of the PCRA, said that fleet utilisation in KSRTC during 2000-2001 has been found to be 78.2 per cent compared to 93.7 per cent and 99 per cent returned by its counterpart organisations in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
The comparable occupancy figures were 4.53 per cent for KSRTC, 69.9 per cent for Karnataka and 61.34 per cent for Andhra Pradesh.
Further, the employee/bus ratio in KSRTC was also on the higher side - 7.8 compared to 6.1 in Karnataka and 7.15 in Andhra Pradesh.
Presenting another paper on energy conservation strategy in the transport sector, Mr T. Elangovan, Director, National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (Natpac), suggested intensive promotion of the public transport system as against personalised transport which have been found to relatively consume much higher levels of energy.
Paved footpaths and cycle tracks should be provided along major roads for use by conventional modes of transport such as bicycles.
Other strategies mooted include implementation of one-way regulations, wider use of signages, enforcement of parking restrictions and traffic management measures for ensuring a freer flow of traffic.
Similarly, road surfaces could be improved and busy commercial streets declared vehicle-free zones to save on fuel.
Developing a multi-modal approach for mass transport system was also another practicable suggestion for implementation, he said.
In her paper on `Potential of inland water transportation and energy conservation', Ms B.G. Sreedevi, Head, Engineering Division, Natpac, has advocated the shifting of a section of cargo from the road to inland water sector by utilising the potential of the existing waterways.
Concerted effort from all concerned would be required to ensure increased efficiency in the sector by enabling it to overcome systematic drawbacks such as comparatively low speeds.
Ms Leena Mehendale, Executive Director of PCRA, said that the association would extend training to drivers on energy conservation in the future.
PCRA will extend all assistance to bring out energy conservation literature in all regional languages.
Earlier, inaugurating the seminar, the State Electricity Minister, Mr Kadavoor Sivadasan, said that a conscious decision to reduce transmission loss and larger recourse to compact fluorescent lamps would lead to significant savings in electricity consumption.
The national seminar was organised jointly by the Energy Conservation Society in association with PCRA, the Energy Management Centre (EMC), Natpac, KMML, the State Committee for Science, Technology and Environment (STEC) and the Kerala Government.