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United News of India
5 days ago
- Business
- United News of India
On World Environment Day, Singareni announces complete ban on plastic usage
Hyderabad, June 5 (UNI) On the occasion of World Environment Day, with the global theme 'Let's put an end to plastic pollution globally', state-owned Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) on Thursday declared a complete ban on plastic usage across all its areas, including the Hyderabad office. Singareni Chairman and Managing Director N. Balaram made this impactful announcement, emphasising particularly that plastic bottles must not be used under any circumstances. At a plantation drive held in the office premises at Singareni Bhavan here, Balaram stated that the company has already been undertaking various eco-friendly measures and in some areas had reduced plastic use. However, aligning with this year's global slogan, the company is now enforcing a total ban on plastic-made items like bottles, plates, and similar materials across its offices, mines, and departments. He appealed to all officials, employees, and workers of the organisation to extend their support to this initiative and advised them to minimise the use of plastic even at home. Balaram shared that he has personally planted over 19,000 saplings across Singareni areas out of his deep commitment to environmental conservation. Inspired by this, the company's directors and employees have also begun actively planting trees, which he described as an encouraging development. He urged every individual to plant at least three saplings and informed that SCCL would distribute saplings free of cost to all those interested. He noted that three decades ago, temperatures in the Singareni regions used to rise above 50 degrees Celsius during summer. Thanks to the extensive plantation efforts by SCCL, many of these saplings have now grown into forests, helping to bring down temperatures to about 40 degrees Celsius. In contrast, in Naini, Angul district of Odisha, where SCCL operates a coal mine, local residents have reported temperatures exceeding 50 degrees. Hence, he mentioned that Singareni is now ready to undertake large-scale plantation activities in that area as well. The event was attended by Executive Director (Coal Movement) S.D.M. Subhani, General Manager (Marketing) N.V. Rajasekhar Rao, and other senior officials and employees from various departments. The CMD also presented prizes to winners of the essay competition conducted on the theme of environment and distributed jute bags to all participating employees. UNI KNR RN
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
SCCL enforces total plastic ban, steps up green drive
Hyderabad: On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) announced a complete ban on plastic use across all its operational areas and offices. SCCL chairman and managing director N Balaram made the announcement on Thursday, stating that plastic water bottles and other plastic items would no longer be permitted within the organisation under any circumstances. Speaking at a plantation drive held at Singareni Bhavan in Hyderabad, Balaram said the company had already taken several eco-friendly initiatives and had reduced plastic usage in some divisions. However, in line with this year's global environmental theme, SCCL is now enforcing a total ban on plastic products such as bottles, plates, and similar materials in all its offices, mines, and departments. Balaram urged all officials, employees, and workers to support the initiative and further advised them to reduce plastic usage in their homes as well. Highlighting his personal commitment to environmental conservation, he said he had planted over 19,000 saplings across Singareni over the years. This gesture, he noted, has inspired many company directors and employees to actively participate in tree plantation efforts. He appealed to everyone in the organisation to plant at least three saplings, and announced that SCCL would distribute saplings free of cost to all those interested. Reflecting on the company's long-standing green initiatives, the CMD recalled that three decades ago, summer temperatures in Singareni used to exceed 50°C. Due to sustained plantation drives, many of the saplings have matured into green belts, bringing temperatures down to around 40°C. In contrast, Naini in Odisha's Angul district, where SCCL operates a coal mine, still sees summer temperatures rising above 50°C. Recognising this, Balaram said SCCL will now extend large-scale afforestation activities to Naini as part of its broader environmental commitment.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Time of India
Devotees flock to Digha as Jagannath temple inauguration countdown begins
1 2 3 Digha: Devotees started arriving in Digha and security was increased in the coastal town on Sunday as the countdown for the inauguration of Jagannath Dham on Akshaya Tritiya began. The sound of shehnai was heard everywhere, along with the chanting of mantras. Contai ASP Shubhendra Kumar said: "A checkpoint has been set up at Digha Gate. The stretch from here to the Odisha border will be manned by police." Traffic curbs will be in place in Old Digha from Monday. The National Highway 116B stretch from Old Digha, which leads to the temple complex, will be regulated from Monday to Wednesday. Around 800 policemen have already been deployed. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata Rituals leading up to the consecration — which include 1 crore mantras — began, presided over by Puri Jagannath temple chief servitor Rajesh Daitapati, Iskcon vice-president Radharamn Das and 60 other Iskcon devotees. The worship of Jagannath's seat was completed, and the deities of Jagannath, Balaram, Subhadra and Sudarshan were bathed in milk. Other deities in the temple, including Lakshmi, Bimala and Satyabhama, were also given a milk bath. Bipraday Chatterjee, joint secretary of Digha Hoteliers Association, said the temple inauguration had led to a huge demand for local hotels, which had been booked in advance. Roads from Old Digha to New Digha have been decorated with colourful lights by Chandernagore artisans. Several light gates have been installed. The nor'wester on Saturday night, however, caused on of these to collapse on the road, causing traffic snarls. The administration quickly removed the fallen gate, and no injuries were reported. The temple, which was proposed by CM Mamata Banerjee in 2018, has taken shape on a 20-acre site in Bhagirathpur mouza, around 360m north of the seashore and east of New Digha Railway Station. It is entirely modelled after the Jagannath temple in Puri. It primarily has Kalinga architecture, characterised by pyramid-like spires and intricate sculptures. The Nagara style of temple architecture is also evident. The stones used were brought from Bansi Paharpur in Rajasthan, known for its pink sandstone. The temple was shaped by 400 labourers from Rajasthan, its neighbouring belts and Odisha. Unlike the wooden idol in Puri's temple, the Jagannath temple in Digha will house a stone idol for worship. A wooden idol will also be present, which will travel to the aunt's house during the Rath Yatra. A Chaitanya Gate is being constructed on NH116B, in front of the main entrance of the temple. In the sanctum sanctorum, Vimana, which is approximately 65m high, one will find the Ratnavedi, where Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra are enshrined. The installation of the idols from Rajasthan on the Ratnavedi was completed in mid-March. Railways cancels special trains: A railway notification announced cancellation of the Howrah-Digha and Panskura-Digha EMU specials, which were scheduled to operate from April 26 to May 5. South Eastern Railway, via its social media handle, stated that the trains "have now been cancelled with immediate effect until further notice due to lack of rake and operational constraints". The late cancellation has drawn strong criticism from Trinamool Congress, which said these EMU specials were intended to run during the Jagannath Temple inauguration to assist people in reaching Digha easily. Railways has not commented on the matter. tnn
