Delivering his keynote address Mr. Maira said:

Transcription

1 Launch of EMPI co-founded India s first Water focused integrated research and innovation platform with Indian Government, EU, Canada and other global support EMPI co-founded ReserWater Innovation Foundation (RWIF), India s first water innovation platform which was launched by Mr. Arun Maira, Member Planning Commission, Government of India, at the India International Centre, New Delhi on 11th April RWIF is a collaborative effort of ETI Dynamics and Vittal Innovation City (EMPI Innovation Park) but the Foundation will be structured as a separate Not-for-profit society aiming to bring about significant change in the water sector within India and globally, by being the first such multi-location and multidisciplinary cluster. It is the commitment of the respective organisations to make significant environmental and socio-economic impact. The Foundation will have 5 major centres of excellence with a pan India and a global presence. These include: (1) Research & Innovation that focuses on core scientific research; (2) Water Resource Mapping & Management that focuses on data and modelling; (3) Socio-Economic that focuses on water policies, governance, disputes and pricing; (4) Industry Solutions that focuses on technology transfer and numerous services including finance; and the (5) Big Impacts centre that will focus on major initiatives such as Smart Grid, Smart Water and major initiatives such as the cleaning up of the Ganges. Delivering his keynote address Mr. Maira said: the innovations we need are collaborations and local collaborations between stakeholders in which people must be at the center; and thus and therefore we have proposed as you may have seen the new model. What we [the Government] are proposing is a PPPP model, where people is the first element. We need innovative models in which people become the centre of governance, the beneficiaries as well as the proposers of the solutions. I am honoured to launch something which has been underway for quite a while. I must say that it is something to honour as well, that so quietly and humbly, you first produce something that you will launch. Speaking at the launch Mr. N. Vittal, Chairman Vittal Innovation City and former Telecom Secretary Government of India said RWIF will develop models of financing and innovation to find long-term solutions to water problems in India. Water is not free and the poor should be able to pay for it. We are

2 developing systems where the cost of ownership is taken into consideration. The less privileged will be able to earn, to afford this basic need. The very fact that we are in different locations, should allow us to find solutions that suit the local level. The very strategy of this cluster is to balance good economics and good politics." Mr. Sanmit Ahuja, Chief Executive ETI Dynamics stressed in his presentation that India has abundant water, but it is not managed well. RWIF will develop interventions that put the society & communities in charge of managing their water resources. The Foundation also exchanged four collaboration agreements: (1) with Southern Ontario Water Consortium (signed by Brenda Lucas Operations Manager), to accelerate collaboration between Ontario s knowledge in water sector and India; (2) with European Business & Technology Centre (signed by Poul Jensen Director), an EU programme to accelerate collaboration between European water technology institutions and Indian project developers; (3) with Canada-India Water Training Consortium (signed by Dr. Brent Wootton Consortium Lead Co-ordinator), to develop training curriculum and offering for water sector in India; and (4) with Friends of Vrindavan (signed by Shrivatsa Goswami ji), to provide a holistic clean water solution for the holy city of Vrindavan. Mr. Alok Sharma, Director Vittal Innovation City requested Mr. Maira to unveil the Foundation logo and launch the website. He went on to explain the concept of the Foundation s logo design that depicts integrated management through a large drop of water and diversity with numerous smaller droplets. The central tree trunk within the logo symbolises hope and future. Over 150 people representing numerous segments of the Water industry participated in the launch. There was substantial international interest in the Foundation. Earlier in the evening Mr. Pankaj Saran, Director Vittal Innovation City welcomed a number of Ambassadors, High Commissioners and other senior representatives of the diplomatic corps for a special Roundtable that was chaired by Mr. Maira and Mr. Vittal. Speaking at the Roundtable, the Head of Delegation of the European Union to India, Ambassador H.E. Joao Cravinho stressed upon collaboration with the Centre of Excellence on Water dispute resolution that the Foundation is planning to establish. He said I very much hope that we can work with the Centre, so that we don t have to wait for years to end the water resource related conflicts in countries around the world He extended his congratulations and excitement on what all can be done. Ambassador of Israel to India, H.E. Alon Ushpiz mentioned of Israel s approach to water management. He said What we can do with India is to try to create technologies and adapt them to local environments. He went to extend his co-operation with India in the water related area. Congratulating the Foundation stakeholders, H.E. Bernard Philip, Deputy High Commissioner of Australia to India said We [Australia] have gone through similar situations [of water adversity] at times, and learnt some painful lessons. We know that technology is central [to finding solutions]. Ms. Sara Wilshaw, Minister (Commercial), Canadian High Commission said Water is a global commodity, it is important to us all. Canadian companies have implemented technologies like drip

3 irrigation in parts of India with tremendous success. We would be extremely happy to collaborate [with the Foundation]. Mr. Karl Edberg, Counsellor for Environment, Climate Change and Energy, at the Embassy of Sweden said We can learn from you, and you can learn from us. We welcome the initiative and have ideas how to put politics, civilisation together in a competitive way. We all can do the work together. Other representatives from Belgium, Singapore, Kenya, Slovenia, Poland were keen observers and expressed desire to collaborate. Representatives from various countries, including the EU, Israel, Canada, Kenya, Sweden, Belgium, at the Ambassadors' roundtable chaired by Mr. Maira and Mr. Vittal. Arun Maira, Member - Planning Commission, Government of India, speaking at the launch of ReserWater Innovation Foundation

4 Dr Brent Wootton of Canada India Water Training Consortium signing collaboration agreement with Mr Pankaj Saran of ReserWater Innovation Foundation and Mr. Vittal from Vittal Innovation City European Business and Technology Centre signing a collaboration agreement with ReserWater Innovation Foundation Ms Brenda Lucas of Southern Ontario Water Consortium signing collaboration agreement with Mr Vittal on behalf of ReserWater Innovation Foundation

5 About Vittal Innovation City Vittal Innovation City comprises 2,650 acres of land located just 50 minutes from Bangalore International Airport. The site has been acquired by Global Emerging Markets, a US$3.4 billion alternative investment group, with offices in London, New York and Paris. VIC, promoted by EMPI Innovation Parks, is India s first green technology & IPR safety zone focusing on environment, aerospace, defence and electronics, and integrating industry, design, research and education, together with a high quality environment for working, living and learning. A strong focus on corporate social responsibility will include skills development opportunities for the local community. Eminent industry professionals and academicians promote the initiative. The Chairman of VIC, N.Vittal, is a former Secretary at the Ministries of Telecommunications and Information Technology, and is one of the architects of the reforms in those sectors, which led to India's emergence as a competitive player in the new global economy. He was recently awarded the Padma Bhushan for his exceptional contribution to India s development. A world class global advisory board is headed by one of India s most respected entrepreneurs, Narayana Murthy, Chairman Emeritus of Infosys Technologies, and includes Nandan Nilekani, Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority, and Ajai Chowdhry, a founder & Chairman of HCL Infosystems, one of India s leading technology enterprises. About ETI Dynamics ETI Dynamics is a UK headquartered, international economic development focused firm. The organisation is highly multi-disciplinary in its skills and has an expertise in applied economics. It organises itself in two divisions: i. Economic Modelling to bring innovation in new economic models ii. Asset Management to channel real investment capital into projects Its areas of focus are: environment (water, air, waste, land), energy, transport, healthcare, technology, media & creative and agriculture. The geographical focus is on Asia, Africa and Middle-East. ETI Dynamics has instituted the India Water Impact Summit, a major water focused platform jointly with the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K), European Business & Technology Centre (an EU programme) and a number of other partners. The platform will act as the country s only multi-disciplinary forum that brings together Policy makers, academics, research institutes, industry, agricultural sector, technology & engineering, banking & finance and civil society to discuss major water related issues within the country, propose solutions and act on them.