Latest news with #ShivamSingh
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Pune Inc: How a climate activist became a solutionist, founded startup helping you go green
A Pune startup is focusing on sustainability solutions for waste management and water conservation, particularly in Ladakh, where changing snowfall patterns and tourism have increased water scarcity and waste problems. ExploreiT, founded by Shivam Singh, is working on water conservation through innovative waterless toilets and waste management in Ladakh. 'The snowfall pattern in Ladakh has changed and the region suffers from low groundwater. Due to excessive tourism, they have shifted from traditional toilets to modern toilets, which waste a lot of water. Waste is the second-biggest problem in Ladakh because the temperature doesn't allow it to disintegrate or compost,' says Singh, a management graduate from the Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies (SCMS), Pune, with an MBA from XLRI, Jamshedpur. 'It was while completing a project on climate change at SCMS that my interest shifted towards sustainability,' he says. Soon, he would enter an activist mode, visiting schools and colleges to talk to students about climate change. Singh realised that nobody– students or corporates – was in any doubt about anthropogenic global warming and its implication for the planet, 'but the action was still missing'. 'Then, it got into my head that we need to build a sustainability aggregator. The company aimed to provide all the necessary services under one roof. And, that too, at an affordable and effective cost,' says Singh, who is the CEO. By 2023, ExploreiT had become an Amazon for sustainability services. Naman Maheshwari, a chartered accountant, joined as director, strategy and finance. Sathya Natrajan, CEO of the Climate Troopers Foundation, the non-profit wing of ExploreiT, empowers individuals as climate warriors through innovative solutions that draw from his experience in product development, customer success and tech support. India aims to reach net zero by 2070, but according to the Climate Action Tracker, its performance as of September 2024 (the latest available data) was 'highly insufficient'. Startups, such as ExploreiT, have the potential to make a difference, especially with AI-led innovations coming into the sustainability sector. 'We see huge scope all across India, the Middle East, Europe and South Asia,' says Singh. Solution searching through innovations ExploreiT's menu covers services such as reviewing an organisation's environmental standard based on its practices in energy, water, waste, and emissions management, as well as compliance, among others. 'This assessment helps identify opportunities for improving sustainability and reducing the organisation's environmental impact. Since most companies are moving towards Net Zero, they are interested in improvements. Companies also have CSR funds and we guide them through projects like converting a school into a climate-resilient building using eco paint and reflectors,' says Singh. ExploreiT professionals have set up vertical forests and butterfly gardens; electric vehicle infrastructure in the form of bikes, charging stations and battery setups; and building solutions to check urban heat. They install solar panels on campuses and set up resource recycling centres that focus on collecting waste from parks and colleges, among other critical spaces, and converting these into resources using innovations. 'Our data suggests that with a third or half the budget, we can get thrice the impact. Pune has lots of problems, like water, traffic and air pollution. We are working to come up with a solution. With ExploreiT, our journey has shifted from activism to project execution or finding a solution,' says Singh, adding that within the office, they consider themselves solutionists. A challenge for companies such as ExploreiT is a mix of concern and ignorance among people that is best demonstrated during the hectic plantation drives that surround World Environment Day. Six months later, few of the saplings have survived. In most cases, the plants are neither native nor suitable for the environment. ExploreiT is avoiding the pitfall by being mentored by two eminent experts, Dr Erach Bharucha and Dr Gurudas Nulkar. One of their successes can be seen in Camp, where 721 saplings have survived for nine to 10 months. 'I'm pretty sure that there will be some attrition, but I'm also confident that defence lands are going to give us the best results,' says Singh. Another successful project was a plantation in Yerwada's open prison. 'The rationale is to bring back the Western Ghats to Pune and avoid the ornamental plants which do not belong here,' he adds. Young people are increasingly expressing interest in working to save the planet. 'This is a great job, but I think the parental mindset to accept someone venturing out into the green sector is also very important. I come from a joint family, so there was no pressure on me. But this sector is not traditional, so parents need to have a mindset to take risks,' he says. Dipanita Nath is interested in the climate crisis and sustainability. She has written extensively on social trends, heritage, theatre and startups. She has worked with major news organizations such as Hindustan Times, The Times of India and Mint. ... Read More
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Business Standard
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Ravichandran Ashwin receives clean chit in ball-tampering charges in TNPL
Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been cleared of ball-tampering allegations made during a Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2025 match involving his team, Dindigul Dragons, and the Siechem Madurai Panthers. The charges stemmed from Madurai's accusation that foreign substances were used to alter the condition of the ball during their clash in Salem on June 14. However, after a comprehensive internal review, TNPL officials confirmed that there was no breach of rules or evidence of malpractice. Ashwin, who captains defending champions Dindigul Dragons, played a key role in his side's dominant victory in that match, partnering Shivam Singh in a successful chase. Madurai Panthers raise concerns over ball condition The controversy began when the Siechem Madurai Panthers submitted a formal complaint, claiming the ball had deteriorated unusually during their innings. Coach Shijit Chandran alleged that the Dindigul players may have used chemically treated towels to tamper with the ball. He noted that the batters experienced difficulty after the powerplay, describing the sound at contact as similar to hitting "a stone instead of a cricket ball". The complaint was initially directed to the Madurai franchise's CEO before reaching TNPL authorities. TNPL officials find no wrongdoing Responding to the complaint, TNPL CEO Prasanna Kannan dismissed the accusations after reviewing match-day reports. He clarified that the towels in question were standard issue from the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) and available to both teams. According to him, match officials, including the umpires and referee, monitored the ball consistently and had raised no concerns during play. He described the complaint as speculative and lacking any verifiable proof. Kannan also offered Madurai the option to escalate the matter, requesting them to provide concrete video, photographic or testimonial evidence by June 17 if they sought an independent investigation. Ashwin-led Dindigul stays focused amid noise Despite the off-field drama, Ashwin's Dindigul Dragons continued their strong title defence. The side chased down a target of 151 in under 13 overs, thanks to an explosive start from openers Ashwin and Shivam Singh. With back-to-back wins under their belt, the Dragons look well on course for another deep TNPL campaign.
The Hindu
05-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Shivam steers Dragons to convincing victory
Shivam Singh's unbeaten half-century (82 n.o., 50b, 5x4, 5x6) powered Dindigul Dragons to a convincing seven-wicket win over Lyca Kovai Kings in the opening match of TNPL-9 at the Sri Ramakrishna College ground here on Thursday. Chasing a moderate target of 150, opener Shivam started cautiously before seamlessly switching gears and delivering some lusty blows. Shivam, who was dropped on one, found able support from R. Vimal Khumar as the duo added 64 runs for the second wicket. The opener cut, swept and pulled en route his half-century. Once he crossed 50, he cut loose and closed out the game in style by smashing pacer Govinth for consecutive sixes as the defending champion romped home with 16 balls to spare. Earlier, Dragons' skipper R. Ashwin opted to field first, and his bowlers backed up the decision with a disciplined effort to restrict Kovai Kings to 149 for eight. Only B. Sachin put up a fight for the home team, scoring 51. The openers lacked intent and struggled to score boundaries against Ashwin and pacer Sandeep Warrier. Sachin and Andre Siddarth then came together for a 62-run alliance for the third wicket to set a platform for the Kings. Sachin was the aggressor in the partnership and was strong off the backfoot, targeting the square region behind the wicket on the off-side. However, a mix-up between the duo meant Andre was run out in the 13th over. From there, the Dragons struck at regular intervals to restrict the two-time champion to a below-par total and kickstart its title defence on the right note. The scores: Lyca Kovai Kings 149/8 in 20 overs (B. Sachin 51, Warrier 2/27, Ashwin 2/33, Periyasamy 2/30) lost to Dindigul Dragons 154/3 in 17.2 overs (Shivam Singh 82 n.o., Shahrukh Khan 2/26). Friday's match: IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans vs Chepauk Super Gillies (7.15 p.m.).
Time of India
23-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Rae Bareli youth defies odds, scales UPSC with AIR 73
1 2 Lucknow: Defying odds, Shivam Singh cracked UPSC Civil Services exam in 2023 after four failed attempts. But as it was not to his expectations, Shivam continued and scaled merit list with 73rd rank this time. The 28-year-old from UP's Rae Bareli also overcame financial constraints. His father, Ram Naresh, runs a small roadside stationery shop in Rae Bareli. "It was difficult but hard work and perseverance paid off. My father providing us best education helped me reach great heights," said Shivam, under training at the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics, Palasamudram, Andhra Pradesh, after he cracked UPSC 2023 with AIR 877. A resident of Dalmau block in Rae Bareli, this was Shivam's sixth and last attempt for UPSC. "This was my last hope and I was expecting a rank under 100. In 2021, I secured the 38th rank in UP PCS and joined as SDM Gorakhpur. For three years — 2019, 2020, and 2022 — I couldn't qualify for prelims, and in 2021 I failed to clear the mains," he said. Shivam, the younger of two siblings, said, "In UPSC 2023, my performance in mains was below par, while I scored good marks in the interview. I evaluated my performance and found gaps in writing answers. Then I practised a lot and improved my writing and got the results," said Shivam. A mechanical engineer from IIT Dhanbad, Shivam said, "Though my father has a small business, he had great vision for his sons. Despite meagre income, he sent us to the best convent schools in our district and then took a loan to support my brother's education. I was fortunate as I got a fee waiver for my engineering."
