Environmentalist Ashok Mahindru Leads RYAN International School on Earth Day 2013

Ashok Mahindru interacts with Students of Ryan International School on International Earth Day 2013

Well known Environmentalist, Scientist and leading Businessman Mr. Ashok Mahindru, Chairman, Advance Group & Mahindru Charitable Trust interacted with Ryan International School, Sohna Road, Gurgaon students on the International Earth Day 2013. Mr. Ashok Mahindru got the students to take pledge and spread the message of protecting mother earth on International Earth Day on 22nd April, 2013. Through various art and cultural activities, the school joined billions of individuals, communities, organizations, and governments across the globe in the celebration of 43rd Earth Day.

Mr. Ashok Mahindru who has been an advocate of environment friendly technology in businesses said, "Even though humans are the youngest children of mother earth in the animal kingdom, we are the only ones to deliberately disturb the equilibrium of nature. We only try to take advantage of natural resources in the name of progress without caring to return back what we have extracted from earth. While we use technology to make our lives easy, we as responsible global citizen must practise and implement steps for conserving energy, recycle, reduce waste and use Green technology”. “Students should opt for new areas of studies in Green Energy, Carbon Emission & Rating, Alternative and Reusable Resources etc. so they can bring in a positive change in the industry,” added Mr. Mahindru highlighting the role of students and industry. 

Principal Ms Mouna Gupta while addressing the students and teachers said that, "Earth Day showcases collective power of individuals taking action across the world. The objective is to inspire tomorrow's leaders into action and inspire ourselves to redouble our efforts in the fight against climate change. As a small steps towards ecological balance Ryan International School Shona Road Gurgaon has started the concept of organic farming where students do the farming themselves and sell the vegetables to the teachers while using the funds generated from this exercise in creating more awareness regarding environment safety and protection." 

The students and teachers of Ryan International School actively participated in the interactive session with full enthusiasm. Participating students expressed that the session with Mr. Ashok Mahindru has been an enriching experience and vowed to take all the steps in their capacity to protect mother earth. Mr. Ashok Mahindru also expressed his delight for the overwhelming response from students and teachers which further boosts his efforts to continue his advocacy towards the green environment. 

The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. Earth Day Network (EDN) now has over 22,000 partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.

Media coverage:

Ashok Mahindru on Earth Day 2013 - Dainik Jagaran

Ashok Mahindru on Earth Day 2013 - Aaj Samaj

Ashok Mahindru on Earth Day 2013 - Hari Bhoomi

Hindustan Times

Ashok Mahindru on Earth Day 2013 - Hindustan

Ashok Mahindru on Earth Day 2013 -  Navbharat Times

Ashok Mahindru on Earth Day 2013 - National Dunia

Ashok Mahindru on Earth Day 2013 - Punjab Kesari

Ashok Mahindru on if and how India can meet the emissions target set by government for 2020?

Ashok Mahindru after carefully reading and analyzing the CSE (Centre for Science and Environment) report, endorses the few by Sunita Narain, director, CSE and Chandra Bhushan, associate director, CSE. Excerpts from the report - 

Ashok Mahindru highlights the the key sectors power, steel, cement, aluminium, paper and pulp and fertilizers that together account for over 60 per cent of India's CO2 emissions (approx.) There is a perception that India's rising GHG emissions are due to an inefficient industry. But a detailed analysis will tell us that it is not true. Most Indian industry is already efficient in terms of its use of energy and emissions. Technology options for emission reduction stagnate after 2020. There is no way to reduce emissions without impacting growth once we cross the current emissions-efficiency technology threshold, Ashok Mahindru agrees. 

Ashok Mahindru concludes that India must continue to demand an equitous agreement, as the cost of transition to low carbon economies is high. The industrialized world must recognize its historical responsibility so that it can pay us to mitigate. 

Further adding Ashok Mahindru says we must recognize that in the current economic growth model, the options for drastic reductions are few. This is why the industrialized world has not been able to cut emissions meaningfully. 

India needs the ecological space to grow. Simultaneously, the world also needs to reinvent its growth model to be low-carbon. But all this must be understood in terms of cost to the economy.

Ashok Mahindru Prioritises Environmental and Social Concerns for Advance Group

Mr. Ashok Mahindru has taken environmental and social responsibilities to his heart and this reflects in Advance Group's industrial processes and programs. These are aimed at environmentally sustainable development right from conceptual and planning stages.

The group under Mr. Ashok Mahindru is committed to protecting the health and safety of everybody from those who are part of the operations to those who use these products. The operations of the group are carried out with respect and care for both the local and global environment and systematically manage risks to drive sustainable business growth.

The objectives of the organization on issues concerning safety, health and environment as underlined by Ashok Mahindru are: 

• Meet all statutory requirements of the government and ensure that corrective and preventive action in case of a lapse is automatically and immediately taken
• Maintain a secure work environment ensuring proper design, engineering and maintenance of plant and machinery to protect employees and company's assets from risk of injury, property loss and damage resulting from hostile acts
• Provide employees with the capabilities, knowledge, training and resources necessary to instill personal ownership and motivation to achieve excellence
• Conduct HAZOP study and develop emergency preparedness plan. Mr. Ashok Mahindru directly oversees periodic mock runs to ensure effectiveness of the plan
• Mr. Ashok Mahindru has set benchmark of organizational norms for all issues relating to and make continual efforts for improvement. Reward and recognition for all efforts towards improvement present operating conditions shall be formalized
• Being an ecofriendly company ensure that operations and products meet all environmental obligations
• The company addresses social concern through Mahindru Charitable Trust lead by Mr. Ashok Mahindru, a social organization managed by the group
• Other organisations carrying out social responsibility agenda of the company under Mr. Ashok Mahindru are Run For Vision Foundation, Y. P. Mahindru Niramaya Eye Bank in eye donation and eye transplants and Vedic Kanya High School for Girl Child education