Across Seven Seas and Thirteen Rivers

18 Feb 2020 I am truly inspired to watch the faces of some 300 school kids on their annual sports day. Age group 2-14 years. They exude so much confidence and hope. They come from the economically weaker section, many from families with records of domestic violence.  The school provides education, cooked food, clothing, books, shoes, and medical assistance, free of cost. Parents are also present in large number to cheer the kids. Mothers and teachers had their races too. It is held in a public park in Kolkata in a convivial ambiance.  I am delighted to be present as the chief guest and say a few words to the kids. Here are a few photographs.

At the outset, this essay identifies the three prime contributors to global warming. These are fossil fuel burning, deforestation and livestock farming. Globally, fossil fuel burning generates 64% of human greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation 18%, and livestock farming between 13% and 18% (estimates from UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (Skeptical Science, n.d.). Within its limited scope, this essay chooses next to focus on how to reduce greenhouse gas emission due to livestock farming. Because the other two triggers, namely, fossil fuel burning, and deforestation, have already attracted substantial media attention. Thus,   this essay   does not discuss the ways of reducing greenhouse gas emission due to fossil fuel burning and deforestation even though those two are essential too. Instead, it chooses the third of these three prime contributors, namely, the livestock farming sector and narrates how livestock farming contributes significantly to human greenh...

I felt humbled and privileged when the City and Guilds of London Institute conferred upon me its highest award of Fellowship in 2014. The award was conferred by invitation.  The award was in "recognition of my outstanding professional and personal achievements, and in particular for my outstanding contribution to the field of civil engineering in India and my unswerving commitment to education and young people".  A t a glittering ceremony held at the Plaisterers' Guild Hall, One London Wall, London, on 16 April 2015, t he Chairman of the Board of City & Guilds, Sir John Armitt formally handed over the certificate of award. That was a proud moment for me. Here are some photographs of that memorable occasion that the corporate office of the City & Guilds sent me later. The award ceremony was followed by warm fellowship and a ceremonial lunch. Receiving the award certificate from the Chairman Sir John Armitt with the CEO Chris Jones reading the citation...

         Paramesh Ranjan Dhar – An Eulogy By Hirak Sen   [Delivered  at a memorial meeting organized by the Alumni of Imperial College London based in Kolkata (lovingly known as the Old Centralian) o n Saturday, September 9, 2017, in Room #150, at the Bengal Club] I will remember Paramesh Ranjan Dhar, or Parameshda to most of us, as a man 1.       of elegant style 2.       of inconspicuous charisma 3.       of finely tuned interpersonal skill 4.       of charming social skill 5.       of bold romanticism 6.       of outstanding marketing skill, and last but not the least, 7.       of preeminent expertise in pile foundation engineering.   In what follows, I will exemplify these with a few anecdotes from his life that I was a privileged witness to. B...

   He is dancing, bouncing and shuffling. He is gyrating around his opponent, with his graceful footwork, lightning speed, great power and remarkable stability.  I focus my binoculars on Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) the reigning World Heavyweight Champion. In his blue-striped white trunks, red gloves, and hand-painted boxing shoes—not a mark on his face—his stance straight and unorthodox, he looks the picture of confidence. He is defending his title against challenger Brian London, the European Heavyweight Champion, aka the British Bulldog. London in his orthodox classic stance, white-striped red trunks and red gloves—his face bearing marks of many past bouts—feet shoulder distance apart planted firmly on the mat, he looks rugged and courageous. Ali is dancing and gliding like a figure skater and London responding to his gyration with minimal footwork. They are already 90 seconds into Round 3. This is happening at Earls Court Center in London. A magnificent arena wit...

Louvre Pyramid illuminated at night  (Attribution: Creative Commons Attribution from Wikimedia Commons) I first visited the Louvre several decades ago when I was still a postgraduate student in structural engineering. I revisited the place last month. In between, in the 1980's, a large glass and metal Pyramid, surrounded by three smaller pyramids, was constructed in the central courtyard (Cour Napoleon). At the time the design was unveiled, most critics perceived this as an unwelcome intrusion of modernism into  traditional architecture. The design attracted much adverse criticism and like every other person affiliated to the construction industry I too was aware of the raging controversy. However, I told myself then to withhold my opinion until I have seen it with my own eyes because still pictures often do not convey the truth. Louvre Pyramid at daytime  (Attribution: Creative Commons Attribution from Wikimedia Commons) During the intervening years, in 2...

I am privileged and humbled to receive the 'Keith Eaton International Award 2012" from John Nolan, President of the Institution of Structural Engineers. This was at a sit down dinner attended by some 150 members of the Institution from all across the globe held at Radisson Blu Hotel in Edinburgh on 19 July 2012. Receiving the award from John Nolan, President of IStructE