Renewable Energy Jobs

It was music to my ears to see this piece of news. Renewable energy jobs have doubled in Germany in the last 3 years. More surprisingly Biomass accounts for 56% of the renewable energy jobs. The German success story is an example of what sound government policy can do stimulate investment and economic growth. Figures show that nearly 15% of Germany's electricity consumption is from renewable sources.

It is increasingly becoming clear that green energy is win-win situation. The old argument that green energy is more expensive and therefore not viable does not hold water.

Is our ministry and new and renewable energy listening? Is India doing enough? We will find out in a few years...wouldn't we???

The Promise of Biogas

With payback periods between 1.5 and 3 years, I wonder why Biogas projects are not popular on a larger scale.

Cricket Wars

The behavior of BCCI sponsored IPL has been appalling to say the least. Ever since its formation, IPL's commisioner Lalit Modi, has been ruthlessly focused on one thing and that has been the total destruction of its competitor, ICL. Any cricketer who remotely associates himself with the ICL will face his career threatened everywhere else. County cricket, international cricket, commentary boxes the list goes on and on...

Microsoft is just about to cough up $1.4B in Europe for breaching the anti-trust laws in that continent. I wonder if India has any anti-trust laws. Because, if it does not, it is a damn good time to have one. Because what the IPL is currently doing is inhibiting free trade not only within India, but also in other countries...

BCCI is the only organization that is going benefit from the failure of the ICL. Let there be no mistaking that. It goes without saying that BCCI is employing unfair trade practices to ensure the failure of the ICL. What has surprised me is the muted reaction from the ICL on this front...I wonder why???

And the Confusion Starts

A new study by researchers associated with princeton study has found that corn based Ethanol may not be the solution for world's climate problems. This study underscores the complexity of the global warming problem. The new study claims that land usage patterns are likely to change causing increasing destruction of existing forests. Infact, the study claims that corn based ethanol is likely to release twice as much carbondioxide into the atmosphere as gasoline. The renewable fuels industry has already begun questioning the results of the study. Their contention is that the study too "simplistic" and fails to put the issue of deforestation into context. Let the blame games begin!!!

Govinda! Govinda!

It is tough enough to play professional tennis. It is tougher if you are woman and you are Indian. Apparently a Tirupati advocate has filed a case against Sania Mirza for allegedly disrespecting the Indian tricolour during the Hopman cup in Australia.

Controversy has followed Sania Mirza forever. So this is nothing new. However, it is unfortunate that the controversies have driven her towards not playing tennis inside India for the foreseeable future. No wonder, Indian parents do not want their children to focus on sports during their formative years. Even if you are successful, what do you get? Harassment in the purest forms...

I am absolutely certain that nobody would have complained if Sania had been scantily clad in an Indian movie shaking her hips along with Nagarjuna for a Telugu masala song. We would even possibly have our Tirupati advocate standing in the queues outside one of the theatres desperate for a ticket.

I find the refusal of the Indian media to provide some sort of moral support for Sania Mirza astounding. When are we ever going to realize that she is just a kid pursuing her passion and trying to fulfill her dream. When are we ever going to realize that she is an inspiration for thousands of kids to take tennis as a sport and possibly one day win a grand slam tournament. When are we ever going to realize that if we just let her focus on tennis, maybe, very maybe, she can have a half decent tennis career.

I don't know about others...But here is a whole-hearted supporter of Sania Mirza.

YOU GO GIRL!!!

Black Sea Oil Spill

We are still reeling from the effects of the Bay area oil spill. Now there is second one that is even much bigger. We have now spilled 1.3 million gallons into the Black sea. I wonder who is responsible for cleaning up this disaster. Increasingly, it looks like an oil driven economy is not sustainable anymore...

Bay Area Oil Spill

Human error seems to be the cause of the oil spill under the Golden Gate Bridge. The ship, known as Hanjin, brushed against the bridge; leaving a gaping 100 feet gash resulting in a 58,000 gallon spill. The clean up cost for the state of California has probably already run into the millions, not to mention the amount of environmental damage. Further proof that oil is way more expensive than we think...