An NGO Research Institute dedicates itself for Sustainable Rural Development; carries out breakthrough research : NARI,Phaltan,India
"Thank you for spreading the word around. We are a small rural NGO and hence spreading the word around by well wishers like you helps."
Anil K Rajvanshi, Ph.D.
Director
Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI)
There is never a barrier if we want to do some things in life. Here is a similar example of research institute cum NGO in India which is striving for sustainable rural development.It is also a wonderful example of commitment by a person of great character and sacrifice, Anil K. Rajvanshi.He is one of those Indian's who left a very lucrative career in U.S. to come and work for rural development in India(find more about him at the end of the article). Under his esteemed guidance NARI recieved high accolades for its award winning research work on developing a low grade ethanol lantern. This project won the prestigious Globe Award which was given by HRH Crown Princess Victoria on 3 June 2009 in a ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden.This lantern can be used in a two way manner- cooking as well as lighting for the rural household. These lanterns are environmental friendly and also produceds light equivalent to a 100 watt bulb. More can be know from about the insittutes research from the following list of achievements on renewable energy:
- NARI has pioneered the development of an extremely efficient multifuel lantern called Noorie for rural areas. The pressurized mantle lantern produces light output equivalent to that from a 100 W light bulb and can run on ethanol, diesel and kerosene. Presently the work is going on in running a modified lantern on a very safe mixture of 50% (w/w) ethanol-water. These lanterns have been test marketed in India, Europe and USA. 
- A novel technology to increase survival of tree seedlings in arid regions has been developed. Solar energy is used to collect water from soil, which is then fed to the seedlings. Data for the last 5 years has shown 100% seedling survival. NARI is on the lookout for interested agencies/NGOs who can take this up on a large scale.
- NARI has developed technologies for production of fresh water from sea and dew. Interesting concept of large-scale desalination of seawater has been developed. Similarly a concept of condensing dew for fresh water supply has also been developed.
- NARI has developed a motor assisted and hand operated rickshaw for physically handicapped persons. It is christened as MANHARA. It can carry one person to 20 km in one battery charge and at speeds of 8-10 km/hr. MANHARA is undergoing testing and evaluation.
- Recently a policy paper has been written on the whole issue of cooking and lighting R&D strategy for India. Also another publication discusses the issue of rural development for the poor. Similarly a lead editorial article in Times of India was published on the issue of making farms produce energy. NARI scientists also presented a thematic paper on the strategy for biofuels at a recently held National Conference on Oilseeds.
- NARI has recently published a paper on the use of nanotechnology for rural development. It is shown in the paper that use of high technology can accelerate the rural development. This is a novel concept which is being taken up by various organizations world over. NARI's paper on cooking and lighting energy R&D strategy was the forerunner of this concept and formed the basis of how R&D should be conducted for rural development.
- After the recent Tsunami tragedy in southern India, NARI was requested to provide inputs on possible technologies for disaster management. Consequently a short note on these technologies have been prepared. This has elicited favourable response from media and government.
The list of achievements is unending and they are actively carrying out research in the fields of agriculture, renewable energy and Animal Husbandry.
The institute looks for volunteers who can work as research trainees and also encourages people to join the institute.(institute has a MOU with University of Florida to take interns in engineering)
for more information: http://www.nariphaltan.org/nari/about_work.php
The institute accepts donations and cotributions both in cash and kind.The Institute has a Tax exempt status under Section 35(1)(ii) of the Income Tax Act which results in contributions and donations to the Institute being 100-125% tax deductible (100% for individuals and 125% for companies). NARI is also registered under Foreign Contribution Regulatory Act and hence can accept foreign donations.
For making a Donation visit : http://www.nariphaltan.org/nari/donation_main.php
About the Director Dr.Rajvanshi
After obtaining B.Tech. and M.Tech. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from I.I.T. Kanpur in early 1970’s, Dr. Rajvanshi went to USA to pursue a Ph.D. degree at the University of Florida in Gainesville, U.S.A. He received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering in 1979 with specialization in solar energy and then taught at the University of Florida for two and half years before returning to India in 1981 to join NARI.After which he nurtured the institute to the present structure.He has more than 160 publications, some of them in prestigious national and international journals, seven patents, three chapters in books and two books (one on spirituality and other on his experiences as a student in 1970s in US) for more on his achivements refer to http://education.vsnl.com/nimbkar/biodata.html
Indi Proff
http://indiproff.blogspot.com/
http://junctiont.blogspot.com/
Old posts by Indi Proff on NARI: http://indiproff.blogspot.com/2009/06/know-about-nimbkar-agricultural.html
Know about Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute,Phaltan
Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute, Phaltan, Near Pune, India
Before going into details , I want to tell all the people of India once again that we are research ignorant and self sufficient in research.
The way this institute works is what one should be wary of, being a NGO it today raised the eyes of all the researchers in the country about its mission and sustainablility.Its mission is simple , sophisticated research and sustainable rural development.They use the moderns tools and equipment of science and techology for effective rural development. The situation of the institute in the Phaltan Village makes it more rural and villagers friendly. The institute may seem to be small but it is more than sufficient and effective with respect to research and technology.Below you can find some more information from its website
Details
"The Institute is housed in spacious buildings (total covered area is about 3500 m2 ) and has about 40 hectares of farm with year-round irrigation facilities for research purposes. NARI also has well-equipped laboratories with sophisticated analytical instruments and computational facilities, a full-fledged workshop, an animal husbandry laboratory, an A Class Weather station and an excellent chemistry laboratory. Most of the hardware is fabricated in the workshop. The Institute has a small, though well-stocked library with about 6000 books and subscribes to about 60 periodicals (both national and international) in the areas of agriculture, energy and animal husbandry.
The Institute is recognized by Shivaji University, Kolhapur for the purpose of granting Ph.D. in Energy Studies. The Institute actively collaborates with researchers in other organizations and institutes such as NFCL, NCL, BARC, TIFR and BAIF, UF (USA) and UNE (Australia). Recently NARI has signed an MOU with University of Florida (UF), Gainesville, USA to provide internship to students in engineering. Students from US, Europe and Canada come periodically to do their internship in agriculture and rural development. The institute welcomes such interns.
The Institute has staff of about 40 out of which 15 are research personnel including 5 Ph.Ds in the areas of agriculture and engineering. Most of the funding for NARI in the past came from sponsored research projects from Govt. of India agencies like MNES, ICAR, CAPART, ICICI, DSIR, KVIC etc. Recently, international agencies like United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rockefeller Foundation, European Economic Commission (EEC), ACIAR (Australia) , E&Co ( New Jersey) have funded projects at the Institute. NARI also undertakes sponsored research from private companies and organizations in selected areas of agriculture, renewable energy and animal husbandry. "
This institute also provides internship for students and encourages Volunteers for various research activities in the field of Agriculture, Animal husbandry and renewable energy.
There are a few good descriptions and interesting facts about the institute by the past interns, which can be seen in the website. The most inspiring people in this institute are the Admirable Founder, President and Director: B.V.Nimbkar, Dr Nandhini Nimbkar and Anil.K.Rajvanshi. My salutes to their belief systems, dedication and research work carried out till now.
Fact file
Website :http://www.nariphaltan.org/nari/
Founded in 1968
Place : Phaltan a village in Maharastra ,India(100 km from Pune)
Recent Achivement: Won the Prestigious Global Sustainability Research Award in Stockholm.It won the award for its work on developing Lantern cum Stove using 55-60% of water ethanol mixture as fuel.
I hope that my small write up will enlighten some aspiring minds inclined towards the field of research.
by
Indi Proff
http://indiproff.blogspot.com/
Next post : Details of IISc Centenary celebrations
(Note: Some details are taken from NARI website and Times News Paper for sole purpose to provide credible information and not to degrade or disregard their services.If anyone feel objected with this post please report @ indiproff@gmail.com)
