By Gauranga Das
ISKCON’s Govardhan Eco Village (GEV, http://www.ecovillage.org.in) won Smart Cities India Award in the “Smart Village Award” category for being a sustainability project in Wada district of Maharashtra. On behalf of Govardhan Eco Village, Nimai Lila Das, Chief Sustainability Officer went to receive the Award. The Smart Cities India Award ceremony took place in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India on May 12, 2017. Over a hundred entries were received at the second edition of the awards with 15 winners under 12 categories. To evaluate the nominations, a blind jury system was used, which comprised of experts in various fields but none of whom knew each other, thus making the entire process very unbiased and transparent. Each of the members of the jury rated the projects and the winner was decided based on the cumulative score. In the Smart Village category, GEV & Ecosoft were joint winners, both of whom scored equal points
The Smart Cities India awards is an annual event designed to felicitate, recognize and encourage individuals, policy makers, companies, government bodies and associations working behind the successful execution of the mammoth dream of developing 100 smart cities and rejuvenation of 500 cities in India. The awards are given in various categories including the smart city project, safe city, smart ICT, Green Buildings, Architectural design, smart urban mobility, smart energy, smart village, smart water and solid waste management. The smart village award category recognizes village project that integrates upgradation and upliftment of various (socio-economic, infrastructure, etc.) facilities for making life smooth and accessible for the villagers. Projects executed may include but not limited to infrastructure, mobility and transportation, energy, education, safety and surveillance, health etc.
The Smart Cities Award Ceremony was part of the Mega Event organized by the India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) and the Exhibitions India Group. The three-day event hosted over 400 global exhibitors from around 40 countries across 20,000 square-metres of exposition space on the themes of Buildings India, Solar India, Transport India, Smart Cities India and Water India. Along with the expo there was also a three day conference and other key programmes including the CEO Speaks, Mayor’s Conclave, Smart Cities India Awards, Smart Village Conclave and Youth Leadership Summit. GEV also participated as one of the panelists in the Smart Village conclave which was focused on bringing together individuals, institutions, Government, industry/Technocrats, NGOs, etc. to bridge the urban rural divide and provide best practices, learnings or case studies which the other villages can replicate or learn from.
Govardhan Ecovillage is a farm community and retreat centre spread over a scenic landscape of 100 acres at Galtare, Wada situated 110 km North of Mumbai, India. Since its inception in the year 2003, Govardhan Eco Village has made steady progress in Organic farming, Cow protection, Rural Education, Rural development, Alternative energy, Eco friendly constructions and Sustainable living. GEV illustrates ‘Simple Living & High Thinking’ – a principle which is so succinct, yet profound, and formed the basis of life in the bygone age of wisdom.
Comments