India’s economic situation is no excuse to cut funding when it comes to institutions of knowledge, said N. Ram, chairman, Kasturi & Sons, and trustee, Madanjeet Singh Foundation (MSF) and South Asia Foundation (SAF), India chapter.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the Green Building of the Madanjeet School of Green Energy Technologies in Pondicherry University.
He observed that in recent years funding had been cut drastically, in sharp contrast to the situation in China, and added that the next government would have to take a critical look at this.
On the occasion, dignitaries recalled the contributions of the late diplomat, writer and founder, SAF, Madanjeet Singh. Vice-chancellor Chandra Krishnamurthy said, “Our university is trying to live up to the ideals and aspirations of Madanjeet Singh.” France Marquet, trustee, MSF and SAF, asked students to be inspired by Singh and showed the audience a clipping of his interviews.
The Madanjeet School of Green Energy Technologies was established in 2010 in an MoU with SAF. The Green Building has been awarded a four-star rating by GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment). The project was undertaken by public sector project consultancy organisation, Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES).
The conservation of all the five elements of nature was incorporated during the construction, said Thilakan, head, Centre for Green Energy Technology in a presentation. Hailing the role of the school in green technology, varsity registrar Indumathi said, “This centre heralds the innovative research in green technology and nanoscience, which is the need of the hour for the country.”
Shigeru Aoyagi, director and UNESCO representative to India, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka, said he would be happy to nominate the school for the status of category-III given by UNESCO.
Among those who attended the event included Navin Chawla, former Chief Election Commissioner, trustee, SAF India chapter, and advisor to MSF; Salima Hashmi, chairperson, SAF Pakistan chapter; Nishchal Nath Pandey, chairperson, SAF Nepal chapter, and trustee, MSF; Syeda Hameed, trustee, SAF India chapter, and senior vice-chairperson, MSF; Kamal Hossain; former foreign Minister, Bangladesh, chairperson, SAF Bangladesh chapter, and trustee, MSF; Prof Veena Sikri, vice-chairperson, SAF India chapter.
