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Sunday, May 20th
Publication: Mid Day
Date: May 5 Page No:19 Edition: Bangalore
Clean and Green
Quality expert Dr Madhav Mehra says it is possible for firms to make money by following eco-sensitive policies BALAJI NARASIMHAN Balaji.narasimhan@mid-day.com
Dr. Madhav Mehra heads a UK –registered charity called World Environment Foundation, which, along with the Bangalore Chapter of the Institute of Directors,
Maini Group and Bangalore Management Association, have formed a citizen forum under the leadership of former CJI M N Venkatchalaiah, national chairman, Institute of Directors. The forum is organizing a human chain to combat climate change in Bangalore at BRV Police Grounds, MG Road, today.
What does this initiative hope to achieve ? MiD DAY spoke to Dr. Mehra and this is what he had to say: World Environment Day has been around since 1972. Do you think there has been any positive impact? There has been a very limited incremental impact, but no trans formational impact. We remember it one day earlier and forget it a day earlier and forget it a day later.
What should companies do to reduce pollution? Companies have to understand that what made them successful in past won’t help them today it is possible for companies to make money by being clean and green.
What is the government’s role? The government is giving subsidy to people who use green energy, but government department are , as usual, very laid back. Also , the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy need to be combined . In the future, all energy that we use should be renewable, so why have two separate ministries? The government should act fast, otherwise, by the time they do something about the environment, our children will have no lungs.
Can good quality go hand in hand with green initiatives? A long time back, I asked a group I was addressing in Chicago one question-if your product satisfies the customer but damages the environment, have you attend quality? Clearly, no . Quality has to be totally eco –effective.
"Dr Madhav Mehra is a phenomenon, nothing describes him better."
Ola Ullsten, Former Prime Minister of Sweden at the 8th World Congress on Environment Management, Palampur, 2006"
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Dr Mehra, I just read your commentary on Satyam....You made one of the wisest observations on board failures I've ever read - "It is difficult to understand something when your salary depends on not understanding it".Brilliant!
Ralph Ward, Boardroom Insider
"Dr Madhav Mehra, has played a significant role to bring about a change in the mindset of the corporate world. India will remember him as a great pioneer who foresaw such a need and strove for inculcating a culture of quality in all spheres of activity."
S S H Rehman Executive Director, ITC Group of Hotels
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"I have known Dr Mehra for the last 8 years in my capacity as the Chairman of the Centre for Social Responsibility,..... Chairman of the S.M. Charitable Trust . I am amazed by the energy, enthusiasm and dedication that he brings to every idea he promotes."
P.N. Bhagwati, Former Chief Justice of India
"Rarely does one come across a legend like Madhav Mehra. I have witnessed his dedication everywhere: building community centres for gaddies of Dhauladhar, hospital and school for slum dwellers in Delhi and addressing corporates on the social role of their business."
Dr Sahib Singh, Ex-Chief Minister, speaking at SM Medical Centre, 13.04.04"
"Had Dr Madhav Mehra just been the founder of the IOD, that in itself would have been a piece of work tat the present and future generations would cherish. But by establising so many other organisations, he has really ensured that we respect him as a pioneering figure of all te good that Indian business is striving for."
Javed Husain, Professor and former Dean of Engineering
"Address of Dr Mehra was a unique experience. I aspire to listen to him again and wish Dr Mehra can find time to address youth in the colleges."
MK Yadav, Hindustan Zinc LTD
"Dr Mehra has given a unique dimension to CSR. His interpretation is particularly relevant to us and we must invite him once again to address our top executives"
Hon'ble Carlton Davis, head of Jamaica's Civil Service"
"Dr Mehra's passion comes alive from his speeches"
Uma Arora, Chairman Idam Learning
"Dr Madhav Mehra's keynote address was the most thought provoking"
N A Patil & R B Rajpune
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