Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
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Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

The new Nalanda University campus at Rajgir in Bihar, remodelled after the 1,600-year-old Nalanda Mahavihar, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2024, marking a significant revival of the first residential university in the world, originally founded in 427 CE by Emperor Kumara...

The new Nalanda University campus at Rajgir in Bihar, remodelled after the 1,600-year-old Nalanda Mahavihar, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2024, marking a significant revival of the first residential university in the world, originally founded in 427 CE by Emperor Kumaragupta.Steeped in historyThe world’s first residential university gained its name from ‘nalam’ (lotus) and ‘da’ (to give), symbolising the blossoming of knowledge.Green campusRevival of the university gained momentum in 2006 after Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, then President of India, proposed its reestablishment. The architectural design was chosen on the basis of a global competition and the jury, consisting of architects including Liu Thai Ker, chose Pritzker Prize laureate and Padma Vibhushan late BV Doshi’s firm, Vastu Shilpa Consultants, as the winner of the design competition.The new campus, built at an initial cost of Rs 18 billion and spread over 485 acre, merges eco-friendly architecture with ancient Vaastu principles. The campus is among the largest in India and its commitment to sustainability is evident in its net-zero green campus, which includes a 6.5-MW DC on-grid solar plant, a 500-kld water treatment plant, a 400-kld water recycling plant and 100 acre of water bodies with an innovative 1.2-MW AC biogas-based waste-to-energy plant. Indeed, the new campus of Nalanda University symbolises the revival of an ancient institution and serves as a beacon of modern educational excellence and sustainability.A Forest of MemoriesSmritivan Earthquake Memorial is on UNESCO's 2024 list of the most beautiful museums.The Smritivan (Forest of Memories) Earthquake Memorial Museum in Bhuj, Gujarat, has been honoured as one of the world’s seven most beautiful museums globally by UNESCO’s Prix Versailles Award for Architecture and Design. It is the first museum in India to receive international recognition for adherence to local culture, environmental conservation and sustainable practices.Situated on the Bhujiyo Dungar (a small hill) on the outskirts of Bhuj and spread over 470 acres, it is the first earthquake memorial in the country. The site features the world’s largest Miyawaki forest, with around 0.5 million trees, 50 check dams adorned with plaques bearing the names of the victims of the 2001 earthquake, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale, which claimed close to 13,000 lives and affected 890 villages. The museum also includes a special theatre that offers a realistic simulation of the earthquake experience using sound, light and vibration along with a 360º projection. The architect was Rajeev Kathpalia from Vastushilpa Sangath LLP while the exhibition design and curation for the museum was done by Design Factory India.Design intentThe hill’s steep slope posed a challenge in constructing a building that blended with the landscape as the hill holds cultural significance to the community and constructing a large-scale box contrasting with the hill was considered inappropriate. So, the natural contours of the hill were incorporated into the design.Resilience and regenerationAs Smritivan was planned to be a pilgrimage site for bereaved families of the victims, each element of the museum, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022, stands as a symbol of Gujarat’s resilience in the face of adversity and focuses on regeneration and hope for a better future.- R SRINIVASAN      

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Ajmera Realty launches tree drive on Environment Day

Ajmera Realty & Infra India marked World Environment Day with a large-scale tree plantation initiative—Plant-with-Purpose—across its projects in Mumbai and Bangalore. The drive was inaugurated at Ajmera Manhattan and Ajmera Greenfinity in Wadala, with senior company officials and residents in attendance. The campaign encourages residents to embrace eco-conscious, self-reliant lifestyles by growing useful plants and trees within their communities. Horticulture expert Devendra Bhekar guided residents on creating and maintaining green spaces. Ajmera Realty planted over 500 trees..

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Twaron®-reinforced tyre powers Brunel’s solar race car

Teijin Aramid’s Twaron® with circular content will debut in Bridgestone’s race tyres for the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, supporting the Brunel Solar Team’s Nuna 13 car. This marks the first use of the recycled-content aramid in a high-performance race tyre. The Twaron®-reinforced belts help enhance durability, reduce rolling resistance, and maintain lightweight strength—critical for the 3,000-km solar race across Australia. Bridgestone combines this with ENLITENTM tech and other recycled inputs to maximise environmental and performance outcomes. Teijin Aramid, a..

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Building Material

Kamdhenu Paints launches new wood coating range

Kamdhenu Paints has launched a comprehensive premium wood coating range designed for both interior and exterior applications. The collection includes high-performance solutions like Kamwood 2K PU for a rich matt or high-gloss finish, Kamwood 1K PU for clarity and stain protection, and the Kamwood Melamyne system for a smooth, durable finish. Also featured are Kamwood Wood Stains, which enhance wood grains with vibrant colour, and NC Sanding Sealer for high-build grain filling. The range is supported by Kamwood Thinners for ease of application and optimal finish. Saurabh Agarwal, MD, ..

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