Thursday 31 December 2020

Mother of all Stories: Year-End Message to all My Friends and Students

 


Dear Friends and Students

Finally, 2020 is entering into History. History speaks about Spanish flu, also known as the 1918 flu pandemic. Similarly, Covid-19 gets a Wikipedia Page and will be penned in the Books! Very soon we will erase everything from our hard disk as God gifted us the beautiful short memory!

Though we may remember the Year 2020, soon we will forget people who made this year moving!

In spite of all this chaos,

-         Our Soldiers in the Siachen Glacier at -27oC (Thursday 5 PM 31-12-2020) are protecting Bharat Bhumi! Get Inspired seeing their commitment towards Mother Land

-         Our Health Workers relentlessly worked serving COVID Victims

-         Our Swachh Sramiks ensured clean and hygiene even during the citizen Lockdown

-         Our Honey Collectors risked their lives and gave COVID Protection with Honey & Hot Water

-         Our Coal Miners worked hard in DARK and provided us LIGHT!

-         Our Forest Guards protected our Nature and Animals as we are busy protecting ourselves

Above all

-         Shyam Kishore Singh Gandhi, the Headmaster of a Jharkhand Bankathi Village (Dumka District) School used Loudspeakers to teach in his village as students are not having access to Smart Phones and Virtual access

-         Swapnali Gopinath Sutar, a College Student from Sindhudurg, Maharashtra who aims to become an Animal Husbandry Officer, continued her Education under the makeshift roof

-         Many Village and Tribal Students did not give up their education even during virtual times, managed to reach the nearest Mobile Signal Points: Top of the trees, Remote jungle corners, Peak of the hills, and where not!

Amazing Warriors! Kudos to all these Education Warriors! Education Continued in India and now we are successfully moving to 2021. More Promising Year ahead!

Cheers to a Fruitful 2021! Happy New Year!!

Your Well-Wisher

Ravi Saripalle

Join Inspire to Innovate Storytelling Movement (i2itm.blogspot.com)

Wednesday 30 December 2020

Doubted, Demoted, Rejected! Ordinary People Destroyed! Extraordinary Demonstrates!! Curious? Katalin Karikó, whose research work became the foundation for much Awaited COVID-19 Vaccine!! Read this Story as a matter of Respect and Reverence to this Woman’s Committed Research

 Dear Friends and Students

We have been waiting for the COVID-19 Vaccine right? Vaccine Development is not an Instant Cake Making! It requires a strong established research foundation. The building blocks need to be ready to make advancements in Vaccine making to the COVID.

Katalin Karikó’s years of effort became the foundation of the COVID dose! Today she became the Year of the Woman-2020! Astonishing Researcher! Light in the Dark! Honey is Sweet! But, Honeybees life is not that Sweet!!

The greatness of Honeybee!

Honey bees tap about 20 Lakhs flowers and fly 80,000 km to make half a kilo or one pound (454 g) of honey. A single honey bee makes about 1.5 teaspoons of honey during its lifetime. Distance flew by a bee to collect half a kilo or one pound of honey = 2 Circumferences of Earth! Can you waste honey after hearing this fact?? Impossible right? (http://honeycouncil.ca/)

In my view, Katalin Karikó’s work is similar to Honeybee's! She spent decades developing therapeutic possibilities of mRNA, a component of DNA that is considered to be one of the main building blocks of life. mRNA is the foundation for the Covid vaccine!!

But, life is not that smooth for Katalin. Multiple setbacks, job losses, non-belief in her work but she stood. Convinced about her research.

Karikó (From Hungary) aspired to go to the US (American Dream) as funding and grants are smooth. Karikó, husband and young daughter (2-year-old) left Hungary. She joined Temple University in Philadelphia. She sold her car ($1,200) and stuffed it in her daughter’s teddy bear for safekeeping and moved to the US! 

As part of mRNA research, Karikó's idea to fight disease was considered to be radical and financially risky to fund. She applied for a grant multiple times but every time got rejected. As a result, in 1995, she got demoted in her position. She got diagnosed with cancer at that time. Most lose enthusiasm and leave the research at this stage. But Karikó continued! Though she is a scientist at the University of Pennsylvania, her salary was lower than the technician who worked next to her. She accepted the pay cut, demotion but continued in her research.

Karikó really fought with research and health! Finally, along with her colleague (Drew Weissman), she developed virus-fighting material.

Now Weissman and Karikó, are part of Germany-based BioNTech, who made the covid-19 vaccine in collaboration with Pfizer. She is a senior vice president at BioNTech RNA Pharmaceuticals.

See how life can change? In 2005, Karikó and Weissman published their study on mRNA. They filed a patent and established a company, but nobody was interested. Then, they licensed their technology to a small German company called BioNTech. What a miracle?

How co-founders come together? Is it a plan or an accident? Read this. A chance meeting with Drew Weissman in 1997 due to a shortage of photocopying machines in the department changed the course of her career. He is the co-patent holder of this research!

Personally, as a mother, Kariko is successful too. Karikó is the mother of two-time Olympic gold medalist Susan Francia (Women's rowing).

Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman are having the potential to win the Nobel Prize for Medicine!

Katalin is hoping for mass vaccination to eradicate the virus’s threat! 2021 Wishes her all the best!

Your well-wisher

Ravi Saripalle

Join Inspire to Innovate Storytelling Movement (i2itm.blogspot.com)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katalin_Karik%C3%B3

Source Inspiration: https://amp-cnn-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/12/16/us/katalin-kariko-covid-19-vaccine-scientist-trnd/index.html

Tuesday 29 December 2020

A Genuine Mourning the Death of its Companion by a Swan made 23 trains held up for about an hour, Loss could be Millions! But there is a Message in this Sincerity – An Important Takeaway for the Year 2020!!

 Dear Friends and Students

This is the most interesting article I have read in 2020! We have been witnessing millions of people dying due to COVID in the Year 2020 and Millions of Animals killed and culled out for various reasons! For a moment, we all express our grief. Life becomes normal again. This process became a habit for all of us. But, yesterday something unusual happened in Germany!

2 Swans strayed onto the high-speed railway track between Kassel and Gottingen in Central Germany. One of the Swans died as it touched the power cables. However, another bird (companion) sat beside the body in mourning and resisted the officials in taking away the dead. In the process, Twenty-three trains were delayed for about 50 minutes! Finally, firefighters are deployed catching the living swan, and released her into the river Fuld!

You might ask what is the big deal in this? Trains can run over the swan as 23 trains for 50 minutes might have caused millions of economic loss and productivity loss. Why did they halt? I see a different perspective on this issue. Please understand Swan’s life, their qualities, the lifestyle, and bondage. People value our qualities regardless of our Education, Wealth, Beauty, and Power. These 4 are temporary and can be seized at any moment. We have seen many cases in our history: We have seen a few Great Scholars forgot their Knowledge due to Alzheimer's disease or Schizophrenia or Mental illness. We have seen Billion Dollar Enterprises are becoming bankrupt. We have seen most beautiful people suffered from Skin diseases or Physical distortion. We have seen powerful kings or rulers lost their kingdoms or positions in history as well in the modern context. However, great saints are remembered even today all though they do not possess high degrees, no assets, no beauty, and no power! How it is possible? The True answer is "Qualities Matter".

Greatness of Swan

Swans do stay with their partners for LIFE (together forever). Their love for their partners is intense and deep. They are highly possessive about their children. Interestingly, Females eat less when they are separated from their males. (bbc.com/earth/). There was an interesting survey that took place- In Poland, the divorce rate in mute swans is only about 4%.

I am sure German Railways might have taken this decision as a token of Gratitude towards these 2 birds and the sincere mourning of the alive one! Even in the regular context, if the protest is genuine, honest, and candid, people take it seriously. We should learn a few qualities from these amazing animals and birds.

Now I recall, my maternal grandfather used to stay in a Village named Lingalavalasa, Gajapathinagaram Mandal, Vizianagaram District, Andhra Pradesh, India. They used to have a Cow. This incident implanted in my heart. I witnessed it personally. When my grandfather died, this cow was standing beside all of us for hours together, shed tears, did not leave the place till someone forced her. Cows are intelligent and emotive. They also expose their happiness and sadness. Generally, I am expressionless! I don’t get tears even in grief though I quickly respond to sensitive aspects. But, these animals and birds teach us great lessons.

Globally, 2020 was not a great year, to Human Mankind, but also to the millions of animals and birds. This Swan is one of the Victims who lost her companion like many widows who are suffering due to the COVID pandemic.

Life is short. We never know when death is going to come. Let us (as parents, as children, as professionals, a friend, and fellow human beings, as nature’s custodian) all try to fulfill our primary responsibilities at our level best, provided circumstances are in our favor. Whether we can really fulfill it or not is not in our hands. It is in the hands of God!

But, do it Genuine, Millions of People listen to our Voice!! A Swan Proved it! Why Not We in 2021! Welcome 2021 with that mood!

Your well-wisher

Ravi Saripalle

Join Inspire to Innovate Storytelling Movement (i2itm.blogspot.com)

Source Inspiration : https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/swan-mourning-bird-germany-trains-delay-13858410


Friday 25 December 2020

Are You Wearing a T-Shirt? How many times you are wearing it? Shocking Stats Will Change Your Wearing Behaviour!

 Dear Friends and Students

Yesterday my son requested me to buy a T-Shirt! I checked the Material. It was 100% Cotton. Immediately, I agreed. Now I need to re-think before I buy another one! At least, I request him to wear it till it is threadbare or worn. Read this story.

Today I was going through this article by Mark Sumner, Professor of Sustainability, Fashion and Retail, University of Leeds. Shocking Statistics. How irresponsible we wear. After reading this, my understanding of Virtual Waters got increased. A few years back, I published an article on a similar topic but it was more general- You may review it at your leisure-“The need for Virtual Water Credits and Trading System”, Water Supply, IWA Publishing (https://iwaponline.com/ws/article-abstract/15/5/933/27510/The-need-for-Virtual-Water-Credits-and-Trading?redirectedFrom=fulltext)

Now Please understand the issue.

Part 1 of the Problem

The Pace of Fashion is not helping Mother Earth. T-Shirts are responsible for 10 % of Global CO2 Emissions! Depending on the Brand, Cost, we are contributing to this global issue. Good T-Shirts are made of Cotton. However, understand how these T-Shirts are contributing to global emissions

-         25 million farmers from 80 countries, producing 25.9 million tonnes of fiber in 1 year!!

-         Consumes 6% of Pesticides though it Uses 2.4% of world Land

-         70% of cotton comes from Irrigated Lands.

-         Your T-Shirt consumes at least 7000 liters of water whereas Cotton farmer is only consuming 10-20 liters for their daily chores

-         Cotton to Yarn to Kitting to Colouring to Garment Making to Transport to Shop Shelf: Second-Highest Source of Carbon Pollution- an estimated 394 million tonnes of CO2 per year

-         1 T-Shirt produces 2.6kg of CO2, which is equivalent to driving 14km in a standard passenger car

-         Synthetic fabrics are responsible for 35 % of all the microplastics polluting the ocean

Part 2 of the Problem

Did you read these statistics! The most important part is; the number of times we wear T-Shirts is declining. This is the sad part. People laugh at you when we wear old T-Shirts. Am I right? I experienced. Let me share my personal experience. Wipro gifted me a t-Shirt in the Year 2000 when it got listed on NYSE. I am still wearing it. It is 20 years old. Many think I am penny-pincher! Now I am happy with that Title. Mother Earth appreciates me.

Surprisingly, “the average number of times a garment is worn before being thrown away is falling. In the UK, more than £40 billion (US$53 billion) worth of clothing sits at the back of wardrobes”. It is a shocking and eye-opening stat, right?

-         3,50,000 tonnes of clothing ends up in landfill each year

-         90 percent of donated clothes are suitable for racks

These are the ways we can wear responsibly

-         Buy a T-Shirt from Responsible Brands

-         Wear till Worn

-         Go for Plain Colourless T-Shirts

I am sure the new age generation started using Gym shorts, Bermuda Shorts, Knee length shorts, Cargo shorts, etc. I am sure they must be contributing to similar emissions. Please wear them till they are worn.

Become More Responsible!

Your well-wisher

Ravi Saripalle

Join Inspire to Innovate Storytelling Movement (i2itm.blogspot.com)

Source Inspiration: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/commentary/t-shirt-fast-fashion-cost-climate-change-carbon-emissions-13836438

Thursday 24 December 2020

Ryan Kaji, 9 Years Old, Forbes’ 2020 Highest-Paid YouTube Star! Look at Ryan Kaji’s individual perspective outside the earnings!Also, read the story of Dude Perfect Boys! There is no free lunch in this world!

 Dear Friends and Students

Last week when NEWS hit: Ryan Kaji, 9 Years Old, Forbes’ Highest-Paid YouTube Star, earnt $29.5 Million in 2020, the third year in a row, 12.2 billion views for his videos, 41.7 million subscribers, and also made estimated $200m from branded toys and clothing, in just 5 years!!! He is one of the World’s Child Influencers!

The first response I heard from everyone, Wow!! OMG (Oh My God), Just by YouTube Channel we can make 1330 crores in 5 years!!! Eyes are broadened!

If you observe any of his 9 YouTube channels, I see a different perspective. Here I am neither promoting his toy channels esp. as an influencer, paid toys, influencing preschoolers, etc., nor I am against. I am only providing my perspective, the qualities one should possess, the kind of hard work needed, how someone should sacrifice his own childhood to entertain millions of children across the world, how one can work every day while making one toy review per day! This angle intrigued me a lot!

For e.g. look at the following video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDggFtzMvys

The way Ryan communicates, continuous smiling, appealing voice, convincing words, timely response, no fear before camera! We should appreciate his entrepreneur and creative traits. Remember he is only a 9-year-old boy. I never expected from a 9-year-old. It is not an easy journey to reach there. I am sure, he might have practiced at least 3-4 hours per 1 toy review or rehearsal for 1 video! Virtually, he is making 1 toy review per day. It means, he has to learn the process of unpacking, usage, play, and explain. He is going through the amazing Educate-Engage-Empower process in every review. Is it not a management practice? He must be working day and night to produce review after review and video after video.

Life lesson for many students: When a 9-year-old is making such a hard effort to entertain the audience and going through the painful process, there is always learning for you right? Can we excel in our own world and prove ourselves?

Of course, behind the boy’s performance, there are always relentless efforts of parents (Ryan was born in the US, to a Vietnamese mother, Loan Guan (used to work as a teacher) and a Japanese father, Shion Guan- used to work as structural engineer). Ryon channel is having 30 production members, working on animation, video making, and production.

Similarly, The Dude Perfect boys (Coby Cotton, Cory Cotton, Garrett Hilbert, Cody Jones, and Tyler Toney) made history! These 5 five former high school basketball players met while studying at Texas A&M University. They were all roommates and excelled in TRICK SHOTS. Dude Perfect is worth $30 million, annual pay is around $12 million from YouTube itself!! Their shots are with basketballs, footballs, ping-pong balls, or baseballs, etc. Few examples like a half-court shot in basketball or a ping-pong ball bouncing off a wall into a cup (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeG1ftTmLAg) and many amazing fetes. Their channel is having 54 million subscribers.

When you watch these videos, they are entertaining.

My Dear Students, My heartfelt Message to you.

ENTERTAINMENT is like a DUCK. IT STAYS CALM ON THE SURFACE BUT PADDLES HARD UNDERNEATH. During the lockdown, many students are enjoying these videos and getting entertained. It is fine to some extent. But remember, it should not become a habit and kill your valuable time. Remember, these people are making lifetime earnings with their talent. Now your time to prove yourself.

Get Inspired!

Your well-wisher

Ravi Saripalle

Join Inspire to Innovate Storytelling Movement (i2itm.blogspot.com)

Source Inspiration: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/dec/18/ryan-kaji-9-earns-30m-as-this-years-highest-paid-youtuber

Wednesday 23 December 2020

Richard Montañez, how an Immigrant Janitor (cleaning toilets) without High school became Vice President of Multicultural Sales for PepsiCo America (the holding company of Frito-Lay) and inventor of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, Inspiring Intrepreneur & Rags to Riches Story

Dear Friends and Students

Today I received a message from one of my Friends Guru Sangameswar (Former Sr. Executive of Infosys) to share this amazing story, written by thehustle.com.

I am not going to write in sentences as it occupies space and time. But if you read these words, you would appreciate it.

Grew up in California with father, mother, grandfather, 11 children, a one-bedroom labor camp. first-generation Mexican immigrant, an all-white school, cannot speak English. Dropped out of school, working in fields, washing cars, picking weeds, etc. 1976, a neighbor asked him to apply for a Janitor job in a company (Frito-Lay plant, the parent company of PepsiCo). Unable to read or write, the 18-year-old got a job. After selection, Grandfather said, “Make sure that floor shines, And let them know that a Montañez mopped it!”

Aimed for best Janitor and proved! Made room fresh all the time, believed in what he is supposed to be! During free times, he used to observe the plant, watching crunchy snacks! Once the CEO sent a video message to all 300000 employees “to act like an owner”. Inspired by this, Montañez started thinking like an owner. After 10 years working in this, out of curiosity, one day he asked the salesman to explain the sales process.

Once he saw a store where all plain stuff- Lay’s, Fritos, Ruffles, and next to them Mexican spices. He got an idea looking into this order. Why not make Frito-Lay spicy!!

One day he went to the production facility, took some plain Cheetos, and went home, added chili powder and other “secret” spices. He gave it to his family. Wow by the Family!! He got the eureka moment.

He thought I need to reach this to CEO directly!!! Intrapreneur needs that courage. Took the phone number from the directory. He rang. read the excerpt of the hustle story

“Mr. Enrico’s office. Who is this?”

“Richard Montañez.”

“What division are you with?”

“California.”

“You’re the VP overseeing California?”

“No, I work at the Rancho Cucamonga plant.”

“Oh, so you’re the VP of operations?”

“No, I work inside the plant.”

“You’re the plant manager?”

“No. I’m the janitor.”

The Assistant gave the phone to the CEO. And CEO said, “Hello, this is Roger”. Asked for an appointment to explain the product. He said, give me a Business Pitch presentation after 2 weeks!!

26 years old, not able to read and write well. Wife helped. Copied 5 paragraphs from some book, he filled 100 plastic baggies with his homemade treats sealed them with a clothing iron, and manually drew a logo and design on each package!!!

Bought a $3 tie, stepped into the boardroom. First statement” “a janitor presenting to some of the most highly qualified executives in America”

At some point, one question: How much market share we can get it? No idea…..He OPENED ARMS and said THIS MUCH!!!

CEO said, we have an opportunity and Opened his ARMS and said this much. We will go with this..

1992, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos released. Became one of the most successful product launches in Frito-Lay history, a multi-billion-dollar snack today in the market

Over a 35-year career, the former janitor became vice president!!

Now teaches MBA classes at a nearby college! Someone asked do you have a Ph.D.? He said, Yes, I do have a Ph.D. I’ve been Poor, Hungry, and Determined- P H D.

Thank you the hustle for posting such an inspiring story!! Become Intrapreneur in your own organization! Money is the by-product! Montañez estimated net worth of $14.4 million!!

Don’t judge the book by its cover!! Ideas are costly! Ideas come from sweeper to senior executive!

Get inspired!

Your well-wisher

Ravi Saripalle

Join Inspire to Innovate Storytelling Movement (i2itm.blogspot.com)

Source Inspiration: https://thehustle.co/hot-cheetos-inventor/

Tuesday 22 December 2020

Can NEP-2020 identify next Srinivasa Ramanujan, with an Argument that he Failed or Absented in Non-Math Subjects, in spite born Genius? Can we create a Provision at least for few genius minds outside regular accredited degrees?

Dear Friends and Students

Today is National Mathematics Day 2020. It is observed on the occasion of Mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan on his 133rd birthday!

All we know is Ramanujan is a genius mathematician. But he did not care much for sophistication, similar to Beethoven of Music! He loved mathematics so much but did not focus much on other subjects. July 28, 2014, there was an article titled “Did Srinivasa Ramanujan fail in math?” There are so many arguments but one of them is about his Intermediate marks sheet in 1907. Those days it was called the First Examination in Arts. His register number was 1198- the sum is 1 again. He got 38/200 in English, 34/100 in Sanskrit, 85/150 in Mathematics, 0 in Physiology and History (believed he did not attend the exam).

As per the system, he did not pass if this marks sheet is right. In my view, the current examination system is to identify the best average, provide them a path to progress, and eliminate the below average. It is not sufficient to identify the Genius. It is unfortunate that we don’t have a system to provide a degree for Genius! Do we have it? Am I missing anything?

Average parent like me is unable to dare beyond the examination system for our children, provide a non-accredited path, and prove that they can survive. The current education system promotes Horizontal Learning and less Vertical Learning. We need to have a system that gives provision for both horizontal learning or vertical learning based on the user’s choice.

Can we award a Ph.D. without a degree (not honorary) based on the outcomes? Not at this stage. We should pass some Horizontal Learning Degree to reach there. Even in 2020, still in many jobs, Master of Science (MS) by Research or Master of Science through Work Integrated Learning Program (BITS M. S) is not considered to be equivalent to traditional M.Tech!!! But, You can obtain a US/Canada Visa as they consider it a premium degree and accepted by World Education Services!! What an anomaly!

Generally, Vertical minds don't have an ambition in life, but a thirst for discovery, inventions, and new theories. If we don’t recognize them, they are silently ignored. The same theory is born somewhere else in the world. Then we realize at that time. We need faculty from horizontal minds and vertical minds regardless of their Degrees. The education system needs to adopt this culture. A grassroots Innovator can be a good demonstrator than a great Ph.D. Is it not?

Don't judge a book by its cover. Hope you understand! Recognize people beyond degrees and give them an elevation path! Can National Education Policy 2020 promise and promote this culture? Time to answer.

Hoping for change with NEP 2020

Your well-wisher

Ravi Saripalle

Join Inspire to Innovate Storytelling Movement (i2itm.blogspot.com) 

 Source Inspiration: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/did-srinivasa-ramanujan-fail-in-math/article6254934.ece

Monday 21 December 2020

What does Sachin Tendulkar Play? After reading this, you might be thinking How ignorant I am, Right? Read this!!

Dear Friends and Students 

What is Sachin Famous for? What does he play? I asked this question when I was conducting the "Inspire to Innovate Storytelling" Session for young Engineering students!

I could see a lot of students laughing loudly and giggling at each other! I can clearly see & hear, what they are thinking about me. I didn’t budge. I still genuinely asked students to respond to my question. Then slowly, reluctantly, one by one started saying, “Cricket Sir, Cricket, Cricket….”.

Then I opened my presentation and showed the following data, which I received long back to my WhatsApp from Unknown. Assuming the following data is right and accurate, I showed it to the audience.

When Sachin made his test debut

Sehwag was 10 years old’

- Vijay was 5 Years old

- Ojha was 3 Years 71 days’ old

- Raina was 2 Years old

- Pujara was 1 Year 9 months

- Kohli was not born

31 years back, Sachin made his First Test debut against Pakistan in 1989 at the age of 16 years and 205 days. He managed to score 15 runs in the first innings. This is the first time he got to bat. As you all aware, he scored 34,000 runs total in test and ODIs together. (indiatoday.in)

After making this presentation, I could see a drastic change in the faces! The way they seat! Few are looking interested, few looking intriguing, and Few seeing each other…. I could observe sea change in the audience!

Again I asked my audience, what is Sachin playing? Maybe they understood that I also know little cricket and few cricketer names, all 575 sitting in the auditorium (don’t worry, it was before lockdown) became pin-drop silence.

After some time, one boy rose courageously, still, I can see the glow in his eyes, beautifully answered “Sachin Played with Commitment, but not Cricket!! Had he has taken it as sheer sport and fun, he could have not played with 6 players mentioned above! Sachin played with Commitment, Sachin played with Determination, Sachin played with Dedication!”

Beautiful answer from the Young Engineering Student right?

Will you inherit these qualities from Sachin, while enjoying his Cricket if your goal is outside Cricket?

Think Big!!

Your well-wisher

Ravi Saripalle

Join Inspire to Innovate Storytelling Movement (http://i2itm.blogspot.com)

Saturday 19 December 2020

Human Urine Can Be Cleaned! Human Excrete can be Used Intelligently! Sustainability Taking New Routes!

Dear Friends and Students

Do you know an adult produces 500 liters of urine & 50 liters of feces in a 12-month period, enough nutrients to produce around 250 kg of cereal! Interesting thought Right!

Danish Company Aquaporin A/S has developed a new system that uses proteins called aquaporins. “The Aquaporin Inside® Drinking-Water Membranes are the only membrane in the industry to use aquaporins – nature’s own water filters – to filter drinking water. The result? Great tasting drinking water that’s healthy, refreshing, and filtered naturally.” (https://aquaporin.com/company/).

Water Filter Technology

Aquaporins were discovered by Peter Agre in 1992, won a Nobel Prize in 2003. This company is using aquaporins to purify water on a large scale – in industries, in homes, and even in space.

Now NASA is seriously considering this technology to use in International Space Station (ISS). As you know, “in ISS, every drop of moisture, from humidity to urine, has to be filtered and reused. But the current system is very heavy, has to be replaced every 90 days, and fails to filter out certain contaminants, according to NASA”.

In nature, these proteins allow plant roots to absorb water from the soil. The same proteins help to filter about 170 liters of fluid per day. How beautiful God's creation! Nature’s Potential?

More than 2 billion population do not have clean drinking access. More than 55% in Europe directly take water from the Tap. Every year 37.7 million people in India are affected by waterborne diseases. It is found that aquaporins remove over 95% of microplastics and micro pollutants in wastewater, using much less energy than traditional systems.

Innovative Toilets

On the other hand, EcoSan (Ecological Sanitation) Toilet-Urine Diversion (UD) and Composting Toilets are promising. The EcoSan toilet is a closed system that does not need water, so is an alternative to leach pit toilets in places where water is scarce or where the water table is high and the risk of groundwater contamination is increased. One advantage of separating urine from feces is to reduce potential odors as well as prolonging latrine life.

Please watch the video by UNICEF https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV-1To9DkJQ

The third potential innovation is the Arborloo system. An arborloo is a simple type of composting toilet in which feces are collected in a shallow pit and a fruit tree is later planted in the fertile soil of the full pit. Currently, they are experimenting with moving the Arborloo system so that once the pit is full, the tree can be planted. Later again after some time, the same system can be moved back there.

These innovations are necessary to make World sustainable. There is a lot of scope for startups in this space. Hope more innovations are on the way!!

Will, you contribute either in research, business, or awareness?

Your well-wisher

Ravi Saripalle

Join Inspire to Innovate Storytelling Movement (http://i2itm.blogspot.com)

Source Inspiration: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/15/tech/space-tech-aquaporin-filter-spc-intl/index.html

Monday 14 December 2020

The World’s Scariest Journey to the School! After Reading this Story, Decide, how much Responsible You Should Be?

Dear Friends and Students

Today I typed “Toughest Student Life in The Himalayas in Google Search”. Then I got following YouTube Documentary. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEJpkEctSEA . It got 28 lakh views!

Then I typed “Funniest Pranks in India in Google Search”. Then I got multiple videos. Few junk videos got attracted 1.1 crore views. I am leaving it to the student’s discretion, right or wrong!

I decided to dedicate this story to all those student warriors, taking the arduous journey for the cause of education. These documentaries must be shown in every school, to every student above 5 years old. Every student must realize how happy or difficult after seeing these difficulties. Recently I read somewhere that after lockdown, the average number of hours glued to smartphone got increased to 4 - 7 hours, most of the time, for online games! Please think twice about whether it is worth it or not!

I wish you will read the following story narrated by Free Documentary Channel. I am just copying as it is so that the essence of the story is not lost. This is the story of Father Latak and Son Motup. Motup is studying in Boarding school. Father has to drop his son and return back home. I appreciate the Documentary Cameraman and Voice-Over Storyteller. Hats off for making such a documentary in that treacherous setting!

Context Setting

It takes 4 days to reach the School. I am sure it is another 4 days for the father to return back home! In my view, Latak is the real father. Motup is the true son. They are the real heroes. Amazing effort by the Cameraman who covered the entire 4 days’ journey and concisely showing to us. This place is engulfed between Pakistan in the west and China in the North and East! Father did not fatigue in spite of carrying luggage and children. Back in the home, the mother does not have any clue whether they reached safely or not. They are purely dependent on God! Unless you are spiritually bound, you cannot survive there. We must appreciate the scarifies of these amazing parents! If there is an award called “Father of the Year”, these people should receive it. Father’s Day has to be celebrated here but not in Holiday Resorts!

After reading till here, I am sure, you would take another few minutes reading the actual story by the channel. Please do read and watch the documentary.

Jai Ho- जय हो- జై హో

Your well-Wisher

Ravi Saripalle

Join Inspire to Innovate (i2i) Storytelling Movement (Follow at http://i2iTM.blogspot.com)

Narration by the Channel As-Is (Source https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEJpkEctSEA):-

“Twice a year the forbidding journey to the boarding school is necessary. Father Latak, looks to the sky and attempts to predict how the weather will develop. Only when he is sure that no storm is brewing, he starts to prepare the children for the trip over the river. It is a route that is so notorious, that it even has a name: Chadar- the path over the cloak of ice.

One last time, his ten year old son Motup, plays in front of their hut. Motup is one of the few kids who regularly leave the village in order to attend one of the the better schools in town. Then the family gets ready for the long trip. The mother has sewn thick wool socks for the father and the children, and Tebean prayers and mantras are recited for protection along the way. Then the trip begins, where the children muss trust completely the experience and skill of their father.

The first steps, only a few kilometres until the frozen river, seem easy for the family. But father Latak recognizes immediately that the spring has come early this year and the sun has already began to compromise the ice. This is not a good sign, since the thinner the ice the more dangerous the trip becomes.

Latak goes before the children and tests with a stick before each step on the ice. Often the ice cracks a bit, but the ice remains whole. Latak knows that no one should travel the Chadar without a good reason. But the education of the children is a good enough reason to take on the risks involved. He knows that if he goes first and the ice carries his weight, that it will also carry the weight of the children. If it does not, it will be he that will fall in the icy water and not his two children.

At the same time, Latak, Motup and the other members of the crew must keep a close eye on the mountains. The massive mountain ranges on both sides of them seem to be a scene form a picture book, peaceful and lordly. But there is danger lurking. At any given time, an avalanche can break out. Many times before people have been caught by avalanches here. In the mean time the sun has already thawed the middle of the river. But since there are steep rocks right and left, Latak must now search for a new path for them to continue on. He leaves Motup behind him and luckily finds a way. It is a 20 cm wide path on the rocks at the edge of the river, and up to ten meters high. They need almost an hour, skipping from rock to rock until they finally reach an area where the river is again covered with ice.

Now they must find a place to set up camp as soon as possible before it becomes dark and the temperatures sink to as low as -30 degrees Celsius. Latak knows a cave where they will be protected and finally be able to get some rest. They must gather their strength because the most dangerous part of the Chadar still lies before them. The ice is almost completely melted. Only a 50 cm wide strip borders right and left the ice-cold water, making the river absolutely impassible. Rocky overhangs above the ice block the way.

Father and son must now crawl its way to school. Father Latak tests his way over the ice on his belly. After any progress made, he pulls his son by their hands to him. There are countless dangerous situations that make this way to school so unpredictable. But after four days it is over, they have reached their goal; the city of Leh and the school.”

Saturday 12 December 2020

Believe in Your Coach/Mentor- World’s Fastest Man’s Perspective about Coach!

Dear Friends and Students

I don’t need an introduction to World’s Fastest Runner- Usain St Leo Bolt. Born on 21 August 1986 (34 years), considered to be the greatest sprinter of all time. An eight-time Olympic gold medallist, the only person with titles for three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012, and 2016) is considered to be the most successful athlete. He got a nickname as "Lightning Bolt”, from his name and speed! His parents used to run a small grocery store. In spite of this, He was focused and determined about his goal.

Surprisingly, Bolt got suffered from scoliosis, a condition that has curved his spine to the right and has made his right leg 1⁄2 inch (13 mm) shorter than his left (nytimes.com). As a result, his left leg remains on the ground 14 percent longer than his right leg! You would be surprised to hear this. In fact, it runs counter to conventional wisdom. Generally, an uneven stride tends to slow the runner. But, not in the case of Bolt! Biomechanics research has not yet confirmed how it is helping him!!

Bolt got retired in 2018! Bolt is an innovative entrepreneur. Now, he co-founded an electric scooter company named Bolt Mobility and a yet-to-be-released mobility devices company named Bolt Nano. His scooter is innovative, allows bag, shopping, and mobile phone storage. It can reach up to 30 MPH. Usain Bolt's net worth is around $90 million. Sportswear Puma alone pays $10 million per year. Money is the by-product of hard work.(investopedia.com).

Recently, Bolt was asked, are you going to coach anyone? Listen to the Bolt’s humble reply- As of now, I am not having those qualities. Maybe in the future! Coaching needs the highest level of patience. I was not having it. However, my fatherhood is helping me to develop that Quality-Patience. His child’s name – Olympia!!

Bolt’s coach was Glen Mills. Their partnership yielded eight Olympic titles. Bolt believes, “As a coach, you need to tell the same thing again and again”. You should admire bolt for the following - “the respect and trust with Mills during his career and how that respect was important to his reaching the highest level of athletics”.

How did Bolt used to believe his Coach?

Read this carefully – “‘If coach [Mills] tells me tomorrow you are going to wake up and run eight seconds, I’ll believe him’,” he said. “That’s how much I believe in my coach because he has proven himself to me.”

Students, hope you got the essence. Believe in Your Coach/Mentor!

Your well-wisher

Ravi Saripalle

Join Inspire to Innovate (i2i) Storytelling Movement (Follow at http://i2iTM.blogspot.com)

 

Source Inspiration: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20201212/i-could-coach-usain-bolt-weighs-possibility-technical-role-fatherhood


Friday 11 December 2020

Rise Husk- A New Age Waste to Wealth Transition Tool: SEAT (Spanish Automobile Manufacturer) Considers it as Alternative to Plastic!

Dear Friends and Students

Approx. 680 million tons of rice is grown and approx. 120 million tons of rice husk produced every year across the world. Roughly it contains 97% silica. It produces ash at 700°C and its melting point is at ~1,440°C, proves a good insulation material. Now you can imagine its potential. (frontiersin.org).

Rice husk can provide power to communities. 940 million (13% of the world) do not have access to electricity 3 billion (40% of the world) do not have access to clean fuels for cooking (ourworldindata.org). Husk Power Systems is born (in Bihar) seeing these heart-wrenching statistics. Created a system to turn rice husk into electricity, that is reliable, eco-friendly, and affordable for families that can spend only $2 a month for power. It is started by Gyanesh Pandey, Manoj Sinha, Ratnesh Yadav, and Charles W. Ransler, who met attending different schools in India and the United States. They made multiple experiments and finally started Husk Power Systems (huskpowersystems.com)

Now, SEAT, a Spanish Automobile Manufacturer, is testing the use of rice husk as a substitute for plastic in its new Leon car, especially in the hatchback. It is lighter than plastic! It is a non-petroleum based product. It is going through load tests of up to 100kg. If this works, you would see multiple other by-products of Rice Husk. India produces approx. 24 million tons of rice every year. Assuming 20% of this becomes husk, approx. 5 million tons of husk is produced in India. Bihar alone produces 1.8 billion kilograms of rice husk per year. If it is not used properly, most of it ends up rotting in landfills and emitting methane, a greenhouse gas.!

For Students: Recently one student asked in our discussion: What is the paddy harvesting process? Just for information- Rice Plant->Harvesting (->Rice Straw)->Paddy Drying->Paddy Storage->Milling (Husking (husk)->Polishing(bran))->Milled Rice (knowledgebank.irri.org).

Proposal to Rural Professional Students: You are all living closer to Nature! Can you think of another innovative idea using Rice Husk? Think Big. Waste to Wealth is the Only Mantra.

Your well-wisher

Ravi Saripalle

Source Inspiration: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/seat-testing-recycled-rice-husks-as-plastic-replacement-in-its-cars.836726

Thursday 10 December 2020

12-hour shift, every day, 365 days, No Holidays, Un-Paid Cost-Effective Engineers Could Save Britain from Flooding!

Dear Friends and Students

What an Amazing Headline, right? Every entrepreneur would love to recruit such Engineers. This is not a hypothetical statement. This is a fact!! Yes, it is a fact. You should read this and appreciate these Civil Engineering Soldiers!

In West Devon District, England, the tiny stream has been blocked by 13 dams, creating pools and half-meter-wide canals! Another surprising thing, these dams remove pollutants from water. They filter harmful phosphates and reduce floodwater peaks. These 21st-Century Water Engineers are protecting towns from flooding. These dams in California have dated back to 1,000 years ago (treehugger.com). This number is astronomical! They are more sustainable and powerful than modern constructed dams, right?

These Engineers did not pass out of MIT or Oxford or IIT! They learned from their families. They learned from Nature. They learned from God!

Can you guess who are these Engineers? Yes, they are Beavers! They play an important role in establishing and maintaining wetlands. Beavers build dams across streams to create a pond where they can build a "beaver lodge" to live in. Beavers do not hibernate and remain active throughout the winter. Beavers build up underwater caches of branches and twigs to serve this purpose. The lodge has a sleeping and resting chamber within, accessed by any number of underwater entrances. (Sciencingsciencing.com).

You would be surprised to hear this. A lone beaver is capable of felling an 8-foot tree in 5 minutes (animals.mom.com). If you try to destroy the Beaver dam, they reconstruct it on the same day, working 12 hours’ day! Please do not experiment and check their patience!! They weigh 13-35 kg and has large teeth. They spend most of the time eating and building dams. Beavers also dig canals to bring water from the large bodies of water to their feeding area. (livescience.com).

Beavers are vegetarians, eat leaves, roots, and bark, etc. They are social and live in groups. They can swim for 24 hours!

Beavers, the Great Civil Dam Construction Engineers! Please, Love, Appreciate, and Protect the Nature!

If you want to see how Beavers build dams, please watch the BBC documentary-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyNA62FrKCE

Your Well-Wisher

Ravi Saripalle

Source Inspiration: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/aug/08/dam-it-how-beavers-save-britain-from-flooding

Wednesday 9 December 2020

Tvasta: A Final Year Project Became a World-Class Industrial 3D Printing based Concrete House Construction Company

Dear Friends and Students

*A 600 sqft house constructed in 3 weeks & for half cost in IITM Campus by IITM 2016 batch Mechanical Students and later became the Co-Founders of Tvasta* (Parivarthan Reddy, Adithya Jain, Santhosh Kumar, and Vidyashankar C)- https://tvasta.construction/about-us/.

*Input:* 2D Building Plan

*Output:* 3D Printed House

*Material Input*: Proprietary Concrete Mix developed by the Team, Lighter, Stronger, Sustainable, Less Carbon footprint

*Material /People Not Required*: No Bricks, No temporary structure (scaffolding), Less Labour

*Traditional Method:* Concrete Setting Time: 21 – 48 days

*3D Printing Process*- Green Strength in a few minutes and Structure Ready by 7-10 days

* Tvasta’s Concrete 3D Printer*: Make in India by Avant Grade Systems

* Tvasta’s Digital Construction Modeling Platform*: A Proprietary Tool developed to serve as a reliable connection between the technological elements of the Civil Engineering Industry and the field of construction 3D printing

Friends, Approx. 600 million people are expected to make urban India their home by 2031, a whopping 59% increase from 2011. Micro-Apartments are futuristic. Additively Manufactured Houses (3D Printing) is the solution. It reduces labor costs as low as 1/5th when compared to traditional construction practices.

*Look at the statement*: 2000 sqft house, less than week construction (1/8 of time for the functional house), creates only 1/3rd of the waste than the traditional process, allowing the architect to explore more complex structural designs, 20% of the standard cost. Is it interesting?

*Future Potential:* 3D printing construction to reach $56.4 million by 2021! Is it Promising?

*Appeal to Final Year Engineering Students*:

Tvasta is an outcome of a Final Year Mechanical Engineering Project!! Now we are Dec 2020. It is time for the selection of your final year projects. Please plan something futuristic!! Please don’t compromise on the quality of the project.

Who knows, it becomes bread for your future!! Hope You agree with me. Wish your final year project becomes another Tvasta! Even if you get *CAMPUS PLACEMENT*, request you to keep the best possible efforts and bring great solutions out of your final year project.

Your well-wisher

Ravi Saripalle

Source Inspiration: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/companies/this-startup-will-build-your-house-in-three-weeks-at-half-the-cost/articleshow/79614197.cms

Monday 7 December 2020

Google is going to Make You More Responsible and Your Language More Respectable!

Dear Friends and Students

Is it sounding great! Yes, Google is going to set your language standards! Google is going to correct your hateful or negative behavior! Google is going to encourage Content developers with more positive or constructive comments! 

*Shortly Google is going to bring in a feature which tells users to be more respectful when they post a comment on any video on YouTube*

I read another article on *“How Trolls Are Ruining the Internet”*. It made an important definition-*The people who relish this online freedom are called trolls, a term that originally came from a fishing method online thieves use to find victims*. These trolls are increasing their intensity from demotivating to vulgar, to obscene, to threats, etc. This is not a good sign. The world of content is revolutionizing education and communication. At the same time, this kind of negative content derails the whole spirit and takes us back to the stone age.

“A Pew Research Center survey published two years ago found that 70% of 18-to-24-year-olds who use the Internet had experienced harassment, and 26% of women said they’d been stalked online”. *The key traits of trolls are: narcissism, psychopathy, sadism*, etc. (source: https://time.com/4457110/internet-trolls/)

*Proposal to Google or Facebook or Twitter or any Giant Content Transmission Organizations*

Before the Internet era, this kind of negativity was limited or contained locally, never used to spread outside the sphere. However, the Internet has changed the behavior. Any negativity spreads at a speed of 100 times more than positivity.

It is good to see a wonderful initiative from Google, warning users before submitting message. I have a proposal: *Same software can be extended to every article, every image, every communication on the internet- Maybe Google can do the sentiment analysis and give a rating on the right top of the article. Finally, it becomes the user’s discretion, how they want to view or use that content. This concept is already used in Movie Content (e.g. Only for Adults, or for 18+ Years, etc.)*.

*Similarly, every article or message should have the Sentiment Number displayed (Positive Content, Neutral Content, Negative Content)*. Using Machine Learning, this sentiment analysis becomes more smart based on individual users, particular websites or particular groups, etc.

This kind of software spreads more positivity, universal brotherhood, and happiness! Thank You, Google for the great initiative. We look forward to the implementation of the above proposal too.

Your well-wisher

Ravi Saripalle

Source Inspiration:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/79605411.cms?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TOIMobile&utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Saturday 5 December 2020

Moment of Indian Pride! A Teacher is Teaching the World about Happiness in Giving! The Giving Pledge by the Founder of the Award, inspired by Teaching-Family

Dear Friends and Students

It is a proud moment for the entire Indian teaching community. *A village Govt. Zilla Parishad Primary School teacher (Ranjitsinh Disale, Paritewadi, Solapur, Maharashtra, India) won the US $1 million (whopping 7 crores) Global Teacher Prize 2020!* This is the *First Achievement!*.

He made history by sharing half of this amount (3.5 crores) with the other 9 finalists. This is the *Second Achievement*.

*Another Interesting Aspect in the Award Constitution and Happiness in Giving*. To know more, You must know about * Sunny Varkey*

As you know that this award is given by Varkey Foundation! *Surprisingly Varkey Foundation founder is an Indian Origin Philanthropist.*

*Sunny Varkey is a Founder of the Global Teacher Prize!* His parents were both teachers (source: hindustantimes). He is born in Ranni, Kerala, in 1957. His family migrated to Dubai in 1959 from Kerala. They opened a school in Dubai for Indian ex-pats. However, Sunny and his sister studied in India till 1970 and later moved to Dubai. He faced hardship while he was studying in India.

Sunny Varkey is the founder and Chairman of global advisory and educational management firm *GEMS Education*, which is the largest operator of private kindergarten-to-grade-12 schools in the world, with a network of 52 schools in 4 countries. Today Sunny is a billionaire but The Giving Pledge is in-built in his heart!

*Is it not a pride moment for all of us as the Award Donor and Award Winner are running a common thread- Happiness in Giving!!*

Ranjitsinh Disale, was recognized for his efforts for promoting girls' education and triggering a *Quick-Response (QR) Coded Textbook Revolution in India* (en.unesco.org).

*Proposal to Teachers:*

Ranjitsinh could do this great effort while teaching in a remote village. He created the QR revolution for NCERT books!

*If one Ranjitsinh can make the difference, we have 1 crore teachers across India*. 87 lakh teachers are teaching in schools! Our teacher population is equivalent to Sweden or UAE or Hungary or Austria type of country’s population. What kind of wonders we can make if every teacher acts like Ranjitsinh!!

Ek Baar Sochiye!

Teachers, *Applications and Nominations for the 2021 Prize will open online in January 2021.* Please apply at https://www.globalteacherprize.org/

Your well-wisher

Ravi Saripalle

Friday 4 December 2020

Inspire to Innovate Storytelling Movement Celebrates 10 Years! My Gratitude Message to You

Dear Friends and Students

On the occasion of 10 years celebration of the *Inspire to Innovate Storytelling Movement*, Please spare 2 minutes of your valuable time and listen to my gratitude message for all your wonderful support.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZw91TB18CA

This initiative is supported by Industrialists, Founders of various Institutions, Academicians/Administrators, Employees, and primarily Student Communities at large.

*This 10 years successful Journey could not have been possible without few pillars in my life*

I personally thank *Dr.A.L.Rao Garu*founding member and former COO of Wipro Technologies who mentored me while I was with Wipro.

I thank *Dr. Raghava Rao Garu* who gave me career confidence during my graduation.

I profoundly thank *Prof. P. Somaraju Garu*, Secretary Gayatri Vidya Parishad, who invested in this mission for the last 10 years and gave me freehand to establish Center for Innovation and Incubation at GVP almost 10 years ago without any major expectations and freehand to run this storytelling movement simultaneously.

I profusely thank *Hon'ble Chairman, AICTE, Prof. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe ji*, who patiently reads each and every story and inspires me with his comments

I thank Vice-Chancellors, Founders, and Principals of various colleges, and faculty who are helping me in forwarding these stories to their respective college students.

I thank all my WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, LinkedIn communities, patiently reading and suggesting!

I respect my teacher who is bringing direction to my family.

I love my family members for all their support and bearing with me all these years

*I wish the vibrant student community come and join this Inspire to Innovate Storytelling Movement and redefine their goals*

If you want to read these stories directly, you can access then at any of the following platforms

*Telegram App:* https://t.me/joinchat/L1QXvhcBxzQGeYQoOCbJnw 

*Blog:*  http://i2itm.blogspot.com/

*LinkedIn:* https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravisaripalle/

*Facebook:* https://www.facebook.com/saripalle.ravi

*Twitter:* https://twitter.com/RaviSaripalle

I am getting a lot of requests to add members to WhatsApp communities. However, we restricted it to a few communities due to my bandwidth limitations. Hope you understand.

Your Well-Wisher

Ravi Saripalle

Thursday 3 December 2020

I made this Wooden Fan. Can you Please Make me go Viral! The Best of Prototyping Ability and Social Media Strategy!

Dear Friends and Students


Today I received the above picture from one of my LinkedIn contacts! We need to appreciate this from multiple aspects. *First, if you closely observe the picture, the prototype is on an industrial scale. A Fan manufacturer develops such prototypes as part of their Design Thinking Process (Empathy, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test). Second, a humble boy is appealing. I am assuming he developed it on his own. Third, the social media caption! It became viral!*

India declared 2011-2020 as Innovation Decade! We are at the flag end of the decade (Dec 2020). There is a lot of work to be done. We need to promote Grassroots Innovators. They are the backbone of our country’s innovation growth.

National Innovation Foundation is working towards this cause. Every year NIF is conducting IGNITE awards. *You all must visit the following NIF website and appreciate these kids’ creative power*. Let me share 2019 IGNITE award ideas. Congratulations to all the following winners and their creative ideas.

Solar ironing cart, Vinisha Umashankar; Visually challenged friendly toilets, Baibhav Parida; Expandable food plate, Padmashree G.; Insect killing dustbin, Tanmay Kumar Sethi; Modified broom with dust collector for cleaning the ceiling, Swadha Krishn; Plate with inbuilt detachable glass, Vishwa Goswami; Quick finger duster for whiteboards, Archit Aryaman; Fast drying shoes, Devjit Prasad Majhi; Intelligent staircase, Anuj Mishra; Innovative shading tool for drawing, Raktim Das; Easy cleaning water tank, Sidhant Kumar; Stapler for leaf plate making, Suyash Patel; Spill-proof Kaangri, Asim Sikandar Mir; Perspiration absorbing shoe, Syeeda Banoo; Sickle housing first aid kit, Kishan Hanuji Thakor; Sleep-walking detector and preventer, Shivam Amritesh; Semi-automatic flower garland maker and packer, Surya A.J., Venkateswaran S. and Venuram R.R;

Like this, they are giving awards from 2008 onwards. These are real business ideas. They have every potential to commercialize.

*Proposal to Schools: Every school should have one weekly session (3 hours session) on Design Thinking. Currently, it is introduced in Engineering. However, it has to be introduced at the 8th Std level itself. This becomes a game-changer in taking the innovation mission forward*

Your Well-Wisher

 Ravi Saripalle

 i2itm.blogspot.com

 Source Inspiration: http://nif.org.in/ignite-award-function/23

Wednesday 2 December 2020

All these years I thought Bata is an Indian Company! Is it my Ignorance or Powerful Brand Penetration of Bata? Excellent Case Study to Read!

Dear Friends and Students

I have been wearing Bata products for decades. I always thought it is a local brand till I read the story of Sandeep Kataria (49), Indian CEO of Bata elevated as Global CEO.

 *Just to give you the background of Sandeep*, did his Chemical Engineering from IIT Delhi (1987-91), PGDBM from XLRI (1991-93). Started with Kimberly-Clark Lever Pvt. Ltd as Brand Manager, Hindustan Lever, Unilever, Pizzahut UK, Yum Restaurants as CMO, Vodaphone Director, Bata India CEO for the last 3.5 years!

Coming back to Bata's story, it is a Switzerland-headquartered footwear major! *It is founded by Tomas Bata in 1894, a Czech entrepreneur often called the Henry Ford of the footwear industry. It is a family-owned business.*

 *Can you guess how many pairs Bata produce annually? * It is whopping- 18,00,00,000 (18 crores or 180 million shoes). Do you know how many stores they have? 5,800 stores, 22 manufacturing facilities across 5 continents/70 countries, operated by 35,000 employees.

As we are from India, we have obvious curiosity, *how many are sold in India?* It is 5 crore pairs and they serve 1,20,000 customers every day! It means, 4,38,00,000 (4.3 crores) customers visited yearly.

*How big footwear market across the world?*

Indian market is 2.2 billion pairs per year! It means every person in India buys 2 pairs per year! Do you agree? The global footwear market size was valued at $365.5 billion in 2020 and is estimated to reach $530.3 billion by 2027 (source: alliedmarketresearch.com/footwear-market). It means, worldwide, every person on average spends $52 (3,800 rupees) per year on footwear. Of course, it is not the case with lower-middle and middle-class people. Luxury footwear accounts for most of the pie.

*My Proposal to Tata*

*When Tata is successful in Salt to Steel*, why Tata International (Footwear division of Tata) is not penetrating deep into Indian style footwear? This could be big opportunity right? Tata Group can plan big!

*My Childhood Ignorance!*

In my childhood, I used to think BATA is a TATA company Maybe, the name synonym worked out for Bata in penetrating deep into the Indian market? I may be wrong! Of let, their platform named *Surprisingly Bata* is a super success. Anyways, I appreciate Tomas Bata for establishing an organization, which is still growing after 126 Years of its establishment. Hats off to their Marketing and Branding Strategy!

Congratulations Sandeep Kataria! Wish you success in this new Journey.

*We have a new addition to the Global Indian CEOs list- Arvind Krishna - CEO, IBM Group, Sundar Pichai - CEO, Google LLC & Alphabet INC, Satya Nadella - CEO, Microsoft, Shantanu Narayen - CEO, Adobe Inc., Ajaypal Singh Banga - CEO, Mastercard, Jayshree Ullal - CEO, Arista Networks, Rajeev Suri - CEO, Nokia Inc., George Curian - CEO, NetApp, Nikesh Arora - CEO, Palo Alto Networks, Dinesh C. Paliwal - CEO, Harman International, Sanjay Mehrotra - CEO, Micron Technology, Laxman Narasimhan - CEO, Reckitt Benckiser*

Best wishes to all Indian born CEOs! India going places

Your well-wisher

Ravi Saripalle

http://i2itm.blogspot.com 

Source Inspiration: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/retail/an-indian-to-lead-bata-for-the-first-time-in-126-years-of-history/articleshow/79502853.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst&fbclid=IwAR0hd4_grzBa1v14fGkpBiWr4Xi1KZmOXDzlLiOV1A0YF7gb7y4wQcgI9zg