‘Save Water’ theme resonates at ‘Person of the Year’ Award function

India’s ‘moon man’ Dr Mylswamy Annadurai, director, ISRO, Bengaluru, said the media, grassroots workers, educational institutions and research agencies should work in tandem for the benefit of society at The Weekend Leader – VIT Person of the Year (2016) Award Function at VIT University, Vellore, on Saturday.

Speaking after presenting The Weekend Leader – VIT Person of the Year (2016) Award to Biplab Ketan Paul, founder of Naireeta Services Private Ltd, Ahmedabad, Annadurai said technology has to benefit people.

Dr Mylswamy Annadurai, Director, ISRO, urged the media to showcase the works of people working for the development of community (Photos: H K Rajashekar)

“Technology does not mean going to the moon or mars (alone), technology is enabling people and (Biplab Ketan) Paul’s technology has made fertile 40,000 acres of barren land,” he said.

Biplab developed Bhungroo technology, a unique water-harvesting system that stores rainwater in underground reservoirs for the irrigation needs of farmers during the dry months.  His technology is now being used by farmers around the country and internationally.

Annadurai, who shot to fame as ISRO’s project director for Chandrayaan I, India’s first moon mission, on a lighter note sought to link Chandrayaan’s discovery of water on the moon, and Biplab’s mission to provide water for the farmers.

Award Presentation: (From l to r) D Ashok, Dean, VIT Buisness School, P C Vinoj Kumar, Editor, The Weekend Leader, Biplab Ketan Paul, Mylswamy Annadurai, G V Selvam, Vice President, VIT University, N Jayasankaran, Advisor, VIT Business School

He appreciated VIT for creating greenery in the campus and its efforts to clean Palar River, and added that the media should showcase the works of people like Biplab.

In his acceptance speech after receiving the Award, Biplab said the award meant a lot to a person like him “who works day in and day out in the fields without any recognition or support.”

Biplab Ketan Paul delivering his acceptance speech after receiving the award

He said his work gave him satisfaction. “When you bring a smile on the face of a farmer, it gives satisfaction and happiness. Innovation is nothing if it does not serve the needs of the community,” he remarked.

Biplab said his mother who was disappointed when he chose the development field, is now proud of him because of his service to the farmers.

G V Selvam, Vice President, Vellore Campus, VIT, delivering the presidential address

During his presidential address, G V Selvam, Vice President, VIT University, Vellore Campus, spoke about the impending global water crisis and said measures like rainwater harvesting, desalination of seawater, cleaning and linking of rivers need to be undertaken to offset the situation.

Selvam lauded the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clean River Ganga and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s feat in linking the Godavari and Krishna rivers.    

Biplab was presented with citation and cash prize of Rs 25,000 along with the trophy

“In VIT we have 14 sewage treatment plants and the recycled water is used for landscaping and flushing toilets. Rainwater is collected at a lake inside the campus - it is the only lake in Vellore which has water even during summer,” he said.

In his introductory address, P C Vinoj Kumar, Editor, The Weekend Leader, said all the recipients of The Weekend Leader – VIT Person of the Year Award had contributed to the betterment of people’s lives in one way or another.

Dr Mylswamy Annadurai along with G V Selvam addressing members of the media after the function

“It is important to give – to give our talent, give our money, give our time, for the benefit of the underprivileged. Even giving a smile or saying a kind word to someone is an act of giving,” he said.

Dr D Ashok, Dean, VIT Business School, Dr Anand A. Samuel, Vice Chancellor, VIT University and Dr N Jayasankaran, Advisor, VIT Business School, also spoke at the function. – TWL Bureau