“Chairman’s Message to the World!”
माता भूमि: पुत्रोहं पृथिव्या
“Earth is my mother and I am her son.”
The earth is to be protected & nurtured like a mother. We are all her children, and she is the mother of all of us.” Such notions existed long before today’s research & technology-driven world. Finding their roots in ancient Indian Vedas, legendary scriptures like Shrimad Bhagwadgita, and age-old practices by the elderly of the Indian households, ideas of #sustainability did not just exist back then. They were practiced as a way of life! However, In an era where climate change looms large and the necessity for #sustainableenergy solutions has become imperative, the spotlight turns to innovative enterprises spearheading the charge towards a greener future. Among these pioneers stands a beacon of hope – a solar power enterprise revolutionizing the energy landscape and offering a fresh perspective on #globalsustainability. This is where Mr. Vineet Mittal found a burning inspiration to turn the tables for the greater good. His vision of an organization that protects our planet from its degrading state gave birth to Avaada – one of Asia’s most recognized Solar Energy giants. Avaada is not just a corporation engaged in powering the future of people, it aspires for a sustainable future and promote harmonious existence with nature.
Declining Health of Our Planet
Our beautiful planet, which we share with other flora & fauna, is struggling to cope with the climate change & environmental degradation problems. Life, especially in cities, has become arduous. The air, water, even the land is no longer pristine – something which were given to us in abundance by Mother Earth. Post industrialization, environment started degrading dramatically. In fact, Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) levels in London during the 1950s peaked and were responsible for cardiovascular diseases & decreased life expectancy. This has only worsened over the years. While the life expectancy has been boosted due to medical advancements, threats to the environment still prevail. And, negative results are already manifesting. So, what exactly went wrong? Is there a clue mankind has been missing all this while? Let us find out.
Man & Environment: A Causal Nexus “World has enough for everybody’s need but not enough for everyone’s greed”
Man & the environment are inseparable entities of nature. They are bound to interact. However, we are yet to ‘re-learn’ how to interact with our environment. The furniture at your home comes from a cut-down tree, the plastic water bottle floats in the river, and emission from your car pollutes the air. ‘These are modern needs’ one might argue. Yes, they are. But, did we ever balance our karma? Did we give back to the environment more than we took from it? Answer such questions and you will get a hang of the concept of Sustainability.
Ancient Indian society was aware of the complex interactions between humans and the environment. They even knew about the outcome depending on our actions. This was the reason they talked about living in harmony & peace with nature. For instance;
ॐ द्यौः शान्तिरन्तरिक्षं शान्तिः
पृथिवी शान्तिरापः शान्तिरोषधयः शान्तिः ।
वनस्पतयः शान्तिर्विश्वेदेवाः शान्तिर्ब्रह्म शान्तिः
सर्वं शान्तिः शान्तिरेव शान्तिः सा मा शान्तिरेधि ॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
“Let there be balance in the space !
Let there be balance in the sky !
Let there be peace on the earth !
Let there be calmness Let there be !
Let there be growth in the plants !
Let there be growth in the tree !
Let there be grace in the Gods !
Let there be bliss in the Brahman !
Let there be balance in everything !
Let there be peace and peace !
Let such peace be with everyone of us !”
Though, we missed the point when we discarded such crucial universal values, and began existing for our comfort. This is what Avaada is changing.
Avaada: Bringing in New Perspective on Sustainability
Avaada’s business philosophy is based on a higher purpose- to ensure actions and spreading of the wisdom of sustainability for the well-being of nations, communities, & households as a collective. The founding team & employees at Avaada believe that sustainability should not just be another CSR fad. Rather, it should be a common Global value that nudges people to make this world a better place.
Building on this core philosophy, Avaada Energy has scaled its operations to 1 GW as of 2019-20. The company has already mitigated millions of tons of annual Carbon emission into the atmosphere via its innovative Solar Power projects. People at Avaada believe that every positive change begins at grass-root level.
To make this world a cleaner & greener place, all we need to do is practice a lifestyle where we are not straining our environment. “Solar Power is one way to do it,” states Mr. Mittal. “The other ways might include, say, using earthen or copper pots for potable water, using public transport or e-vehicles. Even cultivating a sense of oneness & belonging with nature wherein we respect it with all our hearts can work wonders,” he continues. He borrows his wisdom from ancient Indian texts. “We don’t need to learn anything new. All we need is to re-learn. The wisdom of sustainability was well known to our ancestors,” he remarks with a smile.
India & Its Sustainability Efforts
Achieving sustainability remains a challenge for our nation. Air pollution, water pollution, energy needs, deforestation & transportation pose biggest challenges to this goal. For instance, India is highly dependent on coal and thus having higher emissions. With a rapidly growing population of approximately 1.3 billion people, it will be difficult to contain carbon footprints. Hence, India needs to become energy efficient and shift to more renewable sources of energy. Solar Energy s is a promising solution with mammoth 750 GW Potential which can be harnessed. “If we can harness it to the maximum, India will be a Leading Solar Energy Giant in the world,” states Mr. Vineet Mittal.
Making Our Sustainability Efforts a Success
Let us take time to stop, ponder & reflect. If we become conscious of every action we take, we will be able to take corrective measures collectively. And, this must prevail at individual as well as business level. Mr. Mittal advocates the idea that businesses must be driven by a higher-purpose, something that he has practiced at Avaada himself. That would be the key to the most tedious global challenges.
