Requests and Suggestions to Academic and Technical institutions

The Director

Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology

(Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Govt. of India)

Thanjavur (TN)

Sub: Request for providing assistance and lead to establish potato based processing Agro industry in this district which is country’s larger potato producing area

Sir,

Regarding the above subject, I would like draw your kind attention that the twin districts of Farrukhabad and Kannauj (in central part of Uttar Pradesh) are largest potato producing centre with over one hundred cold storages to store them for a period of 6 to 8 months because of its perishable nature. Potato’s yield is quite unpredictable and sometimes it zooms to the level of no space in the storages and also fluctuating market trend. This situation causes setback to lot of medium and large scale potato farmers. It is pity that despite tall talks since past twenty five years, none of the potato based industry has been established here for ensuring farmers’ security and generating employment. Sometimes the situation reaches so grim that poor highly indebted farmers loose their entire savings and assets for want of its demand in the stable market. It is with this view we are requesting you to kindly furnish us details of your institution’s activities to train our entrepreneurs and also guide as what kind of potato based Agro industry can be established at this place. If government of India is assisting and having some thrust project in this regard for developing this potato farming into potato based production and processing industry to boost the economy and morale of farmers and agriculture laborers, kindly let us know. Thank you very much for your anticipated guidance and cooperation in this regard.

Sincerely yours

(Akmal Husain)

CEO (Kannauj Action Plan)

R/O Ismailpur (Gursahaiganj)

Dist. Kannauj (UP) 209 722

Dated: 14^th April 2010 email:kannaujactionplan@gmail.com

The Coordinator

District Science Club

S. B. S. Intermediate College

Kannauj

Dist. Kannauj (UP)

Sub: Request for arranging Popular Environmental Awareness lecture at your College

Sir,

Having discussed over the phone, I feel privileged to convey you that during my forthcoming visit in the area / District (September 27^th to 30^th 2009) I would like to deliver Environmental Awareness lectures at your esteemed institution on the following topics:

Ecological Concerns, an Overview: Concepts, Status and Strategy,

An Overview of Biodiversity in Indian Context (with particular emphasis on Marine Biodiversity)

I shall be highly grateful if you kindly arrange these lectures for presentation to the senior level students and the faculty members through the overhead projector (computer system) arrangement. Thank you very much.

Yours sincerely

(Akmal Husain)

CEO (Kannauj Action Plan)

V & P: Ismailpur, Gursahaiganj

Dist: Kannauj (UP) 209 722

Cell: 9003173400, 9455721616

Dated 10^th September 2009 email: kannaujactionplan@gmail.com

The Principal

P.S.M. Post graduate College

Kannauj

Dist. Kannauj (UP)

Sub: Request for arranging Popular Environmental Awareness lecture at your College

Sir,

Having discussed over the phone, I feel privileged to convey you that during my forthcoming visit in the area / District (September 27^th to 30^th 2009) I would like to deliver Environmental Awareness lectures at your esteemed institution on the following topics:

Ecological Concerns, an Overview: Concepts, Status and Strategy,

An Overview of Biodiversity in Indian Context (with particular emphasis on Marine Biodiversity)

I shall be highly grateful if you kindly arrange these lectures for presentation to the senior level students and the faculty members through the overhead projector (computer system) arrangement. Thank you very much.

Yours sincerely

(Akmal Husain)

CEO (Kannauj Action Plan)

V & P: Ismailpur, Gursahaiganj

Dist: Kannauj (UP) 209 722

Cell: 9003173400, 9455721616

Dated 7^th September 2009 email: kannaujactionplan@gmail.com

Copies also to: 1) The Principal Nehru P.G. College, Chhibramau, Dist. Kannauj (UP),

2) The Principal, other degree colleges in District.

Appeal to Principals of Intermediate & Degree Colleges of District Kannauj (U.P.)

Sub: Regarding conducting essay/debate on current topics in your esteemed

institution & to involve students in environmental awareness campaign

Sir/Madam

First of all let me get you introduced: myself Akmal Husain resident of Ismailpur (Nr Gursahaiganj) had been local student till intermediate (passed in 1972 from B.S.S. Inter College, Sikandarpur, Dist. Kannauj). Started career as Chemistry Lecturer at Nehru College (three decades ago) & currently working as Senior Scientist / Joint Director (Zoological Survey of India under Ministry of Environment & Forests Govt. of India at Chennai).

In view of increasing importance of Environmental concerns (like Global Warming, Industrial & Environmental Pollution, Deforestation, soil erosion etc), it is quite imperative that closer interaction & involvement of students, teachers & the society at large should be developed as is the agenda of the Govt. It is well known that such widespread activities are well in action in the southern & western parts of the country (T.N., A.P., Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat etc). But, we see that our contribution is not as desired. Although, there is sufficient thrust on environmental education through prescribed syllabi, but it further needs interactive programs like essay competition, group discussions, case studies (of a particular area / place). In this regard smaller projects (of 4-5 students) can be devised for studying facets of environment.

Also, students (including teachers) are also very much desired to remain well aware & involved in local problems, issues and development schemes (being run by govt. agencies). The objective & the dimension of the education of 21^st century, is now quite different than that of the past. Students of degree & intermediate classes should be involved in studying local issues & problems & fair assessment of the situation such that recommendations & suggestions can be addressed through debates & essay competitions. It is well established fact that despite heavy achievements of technology (particularly information technology), our district in its set up & functioning is far behind the target. This results in substandard education at all levels which hampers the future career prospects of a majority of students.

In order to address these problems, I will suggest & request to my friends (Heads of Educational Institutions) to begin with periodically conducting essay competitions / debates & group discussions on current topics mainly concerning the local issues as follows:

Local environmental problems: Issues & role of students, teachers & gram panchayats,

Forestry: Its role in environmental protection, N.G.Os. & students’ role/ participation to increase and protect forestry,

Power (Electricity) crisis in the district: Its impact on general life, agriculture produce, industry etc & suggestions to cope up the situation,

Right to Information: Its use for public welfare, awareness to masses, attitude of the Govt. machinery in its implementation & public opinion,

Corruption in society & governance: Its causes, media & public’s collective efforts / responsibility to check the menace,

Development schemes of Central Govt. (like NREGS, IAY, PMGSY etc): Public monitoring of its implementation & addressing related problems and issues,

Awareness & Monitoring of welfare schemes (old age, widow, handicapped etc pension & relief): Efforts to bring efficiency & transparency in its distribution.

While conducting these essays / debates, we will make it possible to reward the winners & runner up with distribution of prize & citation. The programs can be arranged as suited to you with the intimation to us. Further suggestions & queries can be made to us in this regard. Thank you very much for getting me involved in such welfare means & innovative process.

(Akmal Husain)

Sr Scientist/Jt. Director Moef, GOI)

Dated: 20^th August 2009 email: akmalhusain@yahoo.com

Copies to: 1) The District Magistrate and 2) Dist. Inspector of Schools (DIOS) Kannauj (UP)