Architects, builders and entrepreneurs should collaborate with biologists, ecologists and chemists to take up more challenging roles to conserve environment, said T.S. Srinivasa Murthy, Director of Environment, Government of Tamil Nadu. He was talking at the World Environment Day function, organised by Rotary Club of Madras Southwest, here on Saturday. “Can we take a leap from the green building concept? Can we mimic nature? Can we move ahead in terms of technology such that nature gains priority?” he asked the gathering.
Mr. Murthy presented the Green Chariot Award for Environment Protection of the Club to The Raintree Hotel – an ecotel hotel that has incorporated best practices in waste management, energy efficiency and environment commitment.
Deepa Sathiaram of En3 Sustainability Solutions was presented the ‘Outstanding LEED Professional' award for working on projects including the new Secretariat complex. Talking about the greatest challenge in working as LEED consultant for the Secretariat building, she said it was working against the deadline. “The green building design starts from the beginning itself. The concept in each building is different and design implantation takes a lot of time,” she said.
Twenty five-year-old architect Niket Shah received the ‘Youngest LEED professional' award.
Naresh Gupta, Chief Electoral Officer, presented the Vocational Excellence Awards. Vijay Kapoor of Derby Clothing and K.R.V. Ramani, Chairman and MD of Sabari Group of Hotels, received the ‘Employer-Employee Relationship Award.'
Vijay Kapoor, who started as tailor on 200 sq ft space and went on to open Derby outlets in different locations, said the best of their inventions came from least expected quarters. “Team work has been vital to the success of my company. Give freedom and allow mistakes,” he said. President of Rotary Club of Madras Southwest and Director-Vocational Services P.V.R. Krishna Rao spoke.
