World's first canal top 1 MW solar project

World's first canal top 1 MW solar project is on Narmada branch in Gujarat state in India. It was commissioned within 1000 days of conception. The power plant is located at Chandrasan village near Mehsana 45 kms from Ahmedabad. It generates 1.6 million units of electricity every year. The fact that the panels are built over  the canal is meant to ensure that around 9 million litres of water does not evaporate. Solar plant has been set up at the cost of 17.5 crores rupees by US-based Sun Edison. The entire length of SSNL canal network in Gujarat is around 19,000 kilometres. According to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, "Even if 10 per cent of it is used for this type of projects it could generate 2,400 MW of clean energy annually."
The project will eliminate the need of 11,000 acres of land required for a solar project of this magnitude and save 2 billion litres of water annually, officials have said. 
The plant has been made on a 750-metre stretch of the Sanand branch canal of the Sardar Sarovar project.
The project has been developed by the Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited (GSECL) and was inaugurated in April 2012. 

Gujarat which accounts for 66% of India's total solar power, also boasts of another solar park in Charanka village in Patan, where over 2,965 acres, rows of photovoltaic cells or solar panels have been laid out to harness the sun. They generate 214 MW of electricity every day-more than China's 200 MW Golmund Solar park.

Piplantri village - Respecting females leading to overall development

Piplantri is a village in Rajsamand district of Rajasthan state in India. There is a unique tradition of planting trees on birth of a female child which is opposite to most cases we hear about of female foeticide and other female crimes in the country. People in this village plant 111 trees on birth of a female child. To prevent these trees from insects and pests villagers plant aloe-vera near these trees. This initiative was started 6 years back and as of now there are 252000 trees growing in full bloom and 2.5 million aloe-vera plants growing under these trees. As a result village has commercialized aloe-vera plantation and sell aloe-verea cream,juice etc. This information is available on website "www.piplantri.com". Due to this unique tradition this village is seen as a role model for declining female sex ratio and going to be self sustainability.

Hari-kuyo: Festival of broken needles

It is a 400 years old Japanese tradition with roots in Buddhism. I believe in the underlying ideas of being thankful for my work, and for the tools that I worked hard to achieve my goals. I can not pretend to fully understand this tradition but I think that taking time to pause, reflect and look forward towards another year of thoughtful and improved stitching recognizes the value of humility and the sense that I can not do anything completely alone. I need these small needles and I am thankful for them. They have earned their rest..

In the Hari-Kuyo ceremony, Japanese women gather once a year on Febuary 8th at Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples to thank their worn out needles and pins for good service.

It is also a time to value the small, everyday objects of daily living and to wish for progress in one’s needle work. In what is known as the Festival of Broken Needles, women gather to offer a funeral-type service by laying the needles to rest in soft jelly cakes or tofu. This burial is meant to bring rest to the needles and wrap them with tenderness and gratitude. This practice reflects the animist belief that all beings and objects have a soul.

See more images of the Memorial Service for Snapped needles at http://kikuko.web.infoseek.co.jp/english/harikuyo-wakamiya.html

Further to the idea of laying the needles to rest for good service is the idea that women have many secret sorrows in life. These sorrows are often passed to the needles during long hours of stitching and the needles are thought to take on the burden of some of these sorrows, thus taking them away with the stitching that they do. This “rest” is brought to the needles in appreciation for their faithful service.

Another aspect of the ceremony is the consideration for “the value of small things.”  The concept of Mottainai, or not being wasteful, is related to the usefulness of the needles. These small but important tools would give long, useful service throughout the year. They were not to be lost or wasted  nor carelessly replaced.
Every effort has been made to be sure that this information is accurate. Any inaccuracies or ommissions are the fault of this author, but are respectfully offered for correction.

Rickshaw with gears

Kanak Das(39) of Assam designed a Rickshaw with gears in it due to which it runs faster by applying less energy. Mr. Das claims human energy is saved by 25% due to this new design. Also it has spring under the seat which is used to inflate tires. As the rickshaw moves up and down air is stored under the seat which is later used to inflate tires in case of need. Rickshaw's sprocket has 44 teeth.

Kaohsiung stadium, Taiwan - Totally solar powered

Taiwan recently finished construction on an incredible solar-powered stadium that will generate 100% of its electricity from photovoltaic technology! Designed by Toyo Ito, the dragon-shaped 50,000 seat arena is clad in 8,844 solar panels that illuminate the track and field with 3,300 lux. The project will officially open later this year to welcome the 2009 World Games.

Building a new stadium is always a massive undertaking that requires millions of dollars, substantial physical labor, and a vast amount of electricity to keep it operating. Toyo Ito's design negates this energydrain with a stunning 14,155 sq meter solar roof that is able to provide enough energy to power the stadium's 3,300 lights and two jumbo vision screens. To illustrate the incredible power of this system, officials ran a test this January and found that it took just six minutes to power up the stadium's entire lighting system!

The stadium also integrates additional green features such as permeable paving and the extensive use of reusable, domestically made materials. Built upon a clear area of approximately 19 hectares, nearly 7 hectares has been reserved for the development of integrated public green spaces, bike paths, sports parks, and an ecological pond. Additionally, all of the plants occupying the area before construction were transplanted.

Non-sports fans in the community have a lot to jump up and down for as well. Not only does the solar system provide electricity during the games, but the surplus energy will also be sold during the non-game period. On days where the stadium is not being used, the Taiwanese government plans to feed the extra energy into the local grid, where it will meet almost 80% of the neighboring area's energy requirements. Overall, the stadium will generate 1.14 million KWh per year, preventing the release of 660 tons of carbon dioxide into atmosphere annually.

Sholai CLOAAT school - self sustainable school

Sholai school is located in Palani hills, 18 kms from Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. It is a self sustainable school which produces its own electricity (micro-hydro,solar,wind energy,bio-gas) and food without external aid. Its a 100 acre campus in beautiful natural surroundings. It was established by British-born Bryan Jenkins in 1989 as an organic farm. It is at an altitude of 3800 feet. Children between the ages 3 to 19 years study here.
CLOAAT - Center for learning, organic culture and appropriate technology.

Products produced by the school are -
* Organic Arabica High Altitude Coffee
* Organic Cheeses and Ghee
* Organic Black Pepper
* Organic Vegetables and Fruits

Bertha - World's largest tunnel boring machine

Affectionately called Bertha, world's largest tunnel boring machine; Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) has 51 feet diameter, 400 feet long and weighs 9.5 million pounds. It is built by Herrenknecht AG. It needs 12000 kilowatts of energy to run its massive cutterhead.