A LIGHT TO REMEMBER

CSMVS turns green with an LEED-grade certification en route

What started in 2015, with a view to reducing carbon footprint, has culminated in a laudable, holistic, energysaving, sustainable practice.

The Rotary Club of Bombay and CSMVS, Mumbai, joined hands to launch a solar energy project for the museum, generating green energy. RCB was instrumental in getting the museum LEED Certificate – the highest for sustainable practices – issued by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).

The Rotary Club of Bombay believes that Indian culture and heritage need not only be preserved but also enhanced. The evening of April 24th, 2019 saw the unveiling of the lighting of the Museum’s façade and garden which enhances the museum heritage architecture within the art deco precinct of the city, as promised. The project will use bare minimum energy and the LED lights won’t disturb the pre-existing atmosphere or the night birds that have found their homes there.

The CSMVS is Mumbai’s premiere museum, situated in the heart of the city. The year 1904 triggered off an art revolution when the museum was built to commemorate the visit of the Prince of Wales to Bombay. Almost a hundred years later, we are witnessing another art revolution in our country with several corporates taking the initiative to preserve and enhance private museums comprising of works of leading artists as well as preserving India’s national treasures.

The Museum has beautiful Indo-Saracenic architecture with a mélange of Gothic, Mughal, Maratha and Jain styles that are unique to the area. It is also home to over 70,000 exhibits. RCB and its Rotarians know the value of monuments and feel a keen association with them. The sense of belongingness of the Rotarians towards CSMVS was also appreciated by Dr. Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Director General, CSMVS. He said, “The museum doesn’t belong to me, it is ours – of the people of Mumbai, for the people of Mumbai.”

While the LEED certification is en route, RCB has also been instrumental in installing an additional 35 KW of solar panels within the museum premises. This has brought down the energy consumption down by an additional 9.3 percent. he Club also helped increase the rainwater harvesting capacity of the site from 10,000 litre to 40,500 litre, aiming to make the institution self-sustaining. The Club proposed a sewage treatment plant to make optimum use of the water drained into the sink to maintain the building’s gardens and lawns.

While extending a vote of thanks, Rtn. Priyasri Patodia brought to notice the three wheels of every project which work in synergy to achieve the desired goal. “The front wheel is the vision – the foresight of President Jatia for accepting the proposal to illuminate this fabulous heritage structure using this environment-friendly lighting. The second wheel is the donor and facilitator, Rtn. Manoj Israni, for generously donating the entire amount for this grand project and the third wheel – volunteers.”

RCB thanks K Raheja Corporation for sponsoring the evening at the Museum, Dr. Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Dr Joyoti Roy, Bhavdatt Patel and the team at CSMVS for their painstaking work behind the scenes towards maintaining one of the city’s jewels. Thanks also to DGE Harjit Singh Talwar for gracing the occasion with his presence. DGE Talwar was proud of the work being carried out by RCB and appreciated all the Past Presidents who had ensured that the project be completed smoothly. With his amazing Hindi lines, he charmed everyone present at the evening.

 

 

DGE Harjit Singh Talwar congratulates RCB for the miracles
Hearty congratulation and compliments on a wellconceived and brilliantlyexecuted project that illuminates the façade and lawns of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya. While this will reduce the carbon footprint and electricity consumption, it will immensely enhance the public image of the Rotary and its concern for the environment.

The Rotary Club of Bombay is the pride of District 3141 — a legacy of 90 years of service leaving an indelible mark upon the community. I commend all Past Presidents for the commitment and selfless service they have rendered to the needy and the less fortunate, through the various impactful projects, programmes and initiatives in the field of health care, safe drinking water, vocational training and education, to name a few.

Bhavishya Yaan, the eye care centre at Talwada, Jal Jeevan – water ATMs, Masina Hospital upgradation, paediatric heart surgeries, disaster relief… and many more. I appreciate and applaud the charismatic leadership provided by President Vijay and the wonderful work being done by his dedicated team, ensuring that miracles continue to be created in District 3141.

I would like to recognise the unstinting support from a few stalwarts in your Club who have been contributing their might and ensuring that our District flag flutters high in the Rotary world — many of them will continue to support our smart initiatives in the smart year when PE Rtn. Preeti Mehta takes over the mantle of your club — PDG Gulam Vahanvaty, (our pride in Rotary International), PP Rtn. Sandip Agarwalla, PP Rtn. Pradeep Saxena, PP Rtn. Kalpana Munshi, PP Rtn. Ramesh Narayan, Rtn. PP Rtn. Nirav Shah, PP Rtn. Gul Kirpalani, President Vijay Jatia, PP Rtn. Mukesh
Batra… to name a few.

Now it is time to reflect on what your Club has accomplished so far — but also to think of all that you still hope to achieve. As you enter your last decade in marching towards a century of dedicated service to humanity, here is wishing you the very best. Let us work as a team and continue to spread smiles in the community.