Friends,
Pune MidTown Round table 65 alongwith DSM a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials have a Joint Initiative to Build up a School at THE KHUSH-SHAKTI SCHOOL AT KUSGAON, Near Pune
Read On for a Report by Chairman Brijesh and Fellow tablers of PMRT 65
INTRODUCTION
The Khush-Shakti school is a joint initiative of PMRT 65 and DSM.
About DSM
Royal DSM N.V. is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. By connecting its unique competences in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences DSM is driving economic prosperity, environmental progress and social advances to create sustainable value for all stakeholders. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials. DSM’s 22,000 employees deliver annual net sales of about €9 billion. The company is listed on NYSE Euronext.
• About the DSM composite: DSM’s advanced glass fibre reinforced polyester composite resin delivers ultra-low weight, simple construction elements and provides safety due to its built-in fire-ret ardency properties. The modular building system makes the assembly easy and fast. The set-up of the construction can be executed by only four persons without special power tools and lifting equipment, in significantly short time (2-4 weeks), where traditional construction requires more manpower and time (5-6 months). This concept is easy to transport to remote areas and to erect locally. The materials of the roof, the walls and the interior give the building a modern and high quality appearance. Comfort results from the excellent insulation and protection against rain and wind. Also, the insulation properties of the fibre reinforced material and the insulated steel roof elements are taking care of a good in-door temperature. Durability and weather and corrosion resistance of the material are very good and match those of traditional building materials.
How did it all start?
Sometime around the winter months of 2010, tabler Prashant Dutta, (“Vicki”) got interested in a small village about 15 kms from Hinjewadi, nested in beautiful landscape and overlooking a lake. After some initial discussions with the Sarpanch and the other tablers, he called upon the project convenor, tabler, Manav Verma to plan a visit to the site and explore the possibility of setting up PMRT65’s next school project. After their short visit to the site, the sheer beauty of the location, the affection shown by the villagers and the desire of the table to make it happen, initiated a wave of events that has brought us to this day, when we are close to achieving yet another major milestone in PMRT65’s history.
The First Phase
After an approval from the table, Manav, organized a due diligence trip to the site with architect and 41’er Mazahir along with 41’er Sanjeev Hukmani and Area Chairman, Sanjay Matharani. The purpose of the trip was to take the process a step further, get introduced to the new Sarpanch, Mr. Balasaheb Kedari, meet other leaders of the village and investigate at the top level, the feasibility of building a school at the picturesque site.
The school authorities, primarily the principal, Mr. Santosh Gaikwad, expressed their deep willingness to help in all possible ways to accomplish the task of renovating the current infrastructure and build for future expansion.
At this time, barring a few minor road blocks that were foreseen, the project seemed to be gaining momentum and the enthusiastic tablers began to engage themselves in the project. A visit was then organized by PMRT65 and the then visiting NBS team from Netherlands. (NBS, New Business School had partnered with PMRT 65 in building their school in Karve Nagar, Pune).
Brief History of the school, requirements and photographs
Requirements
1. The school runs from Grade 1 to Grade 7. For Grade 8 to 10, children have to walk about 6 kms to a nearby village. Villagers are scared to send their children, particularly girls alone there. Building classrooms for Grade 8 through Grade 10 is an obvious project.
2. The school is in a very run down condition. To name a few problems, water seepage, no benches, no electricity, insufficient light, blackboards, flooring etc. A lot can be done to improve the current condition of the school.
3. The toilet facility is insufficient and dilapidated.
4. Water supply is from a single tap.
5. Computers/Technology is NIL. (besides a monitor)
6. Playground can be improved with some swings, slides etc
Advent of DSM
DSM was introduced to the Round Table Movement by tabler Nilesh Khandelwal. In the conversations that followed, Nilesh learnt that DSM was looking to setup schools in association with their new partner Kemrock. After a quick synergy match, the two parties decided to investigate the possibility of working together through a joint initiative, where DSM would build the school as a CSR project and PMRT65 would assist in working with the local folk, getting clearances and upgrading the existing infrastructure. With this in mind, the two teams began to collaborate and move things forward.
Events
• Initially, Mr. Vikram Sharma coordinated with the PMRT65 team to get the sanctions for executing the project.
• The DSM team comprising of Mr. Abhijit Dixit, Mr. Sean DSilva (Director Business Development), and Mr. Mohan Nair (Project In-Charge) visited the site and were very excited about the project. In a meeting that followed, project coordinators were appointed and timelines were laid down. DSM’s nutrition program was also discussed in which the company would introduce fortified rice to the daily meals of the children and monitor the improvement of their health over a period of time.
• The Agreement: DSM & PMRT65 formally signed off the agreement on the 8th April-2011 in PUNE at the Marriott Hotel. Mr. Rajiv Chopra President DSM India signed the agreement on behalf of DSM while 41er’s Nikunj Mehta and Sanjeev Hukmani, both trustees of PMRT65 signed on behalf of PMRT65.
• Role of RTI
o Agreement with school and ZP (with safe guards for access to site to DSM for 5 yrs.)
o List of upgrades (Demolition, painting, plaster, flooring etc)
o Interface with Zilla Parishad and the Gram / school
o Architect drawings
o Local Approvals to build
o Gram/Zilla approval to fence off the school (Access path)
o Total site management during the project
• Role of DSM
o Rest of the site (toilet, kitchen)
o Benches
o Fencing
o Landscaping
o 2 x composite buildings
o Feeding operations
o Maintenance operations
• Important Time Line & Events:
o April 8th Sign contract with Mr. Rajiv Chopra in Pune
o Jun 14th Complete building and site
o Aug 15th Inauguration
• Cost
o RTI contributes Rs 3 Lakhs
o DSM contributes for their scope.
Bhoomi Pooja
• Work Starts Onsite: After plenty of discussions, arguments, plan changes etc, work got underway at the Khush-Shakti School. Workers assembled there as the raw material began to flow in. Being the first school project that I have been involved in, the experience has been quite over whelming. From the first time we visited the school to the current state of the project, I truly believe: “where there is a WILL there is a way.” In spite of all the heated discussions with the villagers on various issues and amongst us, the project is well under way and slightly behind schedule. DSM has been quite particular on the timelines and to meet them, they even have their own workers (senior professionals) at the site.
• PMLC 53 Contribution: Chairperson, Nirali Verma and her team worked tirelessly and raised Rs. 1.5L through a cookery fundraiser hosted by Ms. Tarla Dalal. This amount shall be used to renovate the existing structure at the school.
Some Pictures of the School/Bhoomi Pooja/ Felicitation of DSM officials and the new Block
• The project is nearing completion amidst great excitement and pride amongst the tablers and DSM personnel. This has truly been a great experience for both parties and encouraged each one to contribute in some way towards RTI’s motto: “Freedom through Education”
Planned Events
• 16th Jun, 2011: DSM plans to have an internal get together at the site to celebrate the completion of the project and formally handover the school to the authorities. This also coincides with the re-opening of school for the Monsoon session after the summer vacation.
• 15th Aug, 2011: DSM plans to formally announce the project on this date. This event will attract all senior DSM employees from all over the world and this event will be covered extensively by the media.
Acknowledgements
• Sanjay Matharani, Vice Area Chairman, Area III
• Brijesh Khanderia, Chairman, PMRT65, 2010-2011
• Prashant Dutta, Secretary, PMRT65, 2010-2011
• Manav Verma, Project Convenor, PMRT65, 2010-2011
• Prakash Bhootra, Treasurer, PMRT65, 2010-2011
• Nilesh Khandelwal, PMRT65, 2010-2011
• Nirali Verma: Chairperson, PMLC53
• Mazahir Mahadwala, 41’er PMRT65
• Sanjeev Hukmani, 41’er PMRT65
Reported By
Hamir Sampat
MKRT 181
RTI
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