MUMBAI: NDTV and Grundfos Pumps India Pvt Ltd (Grundfos India) turned the spotlight on the looming energy crisis this World Environment Day with the Mission Energy Sessions – a platform for prominent energy experts, policy makers and industry leaders to highlight issues; recommend solutions for industry and the new government; and focus on energy efficient ideas for the future. Actor Abhay Deol felicitated winners of the NDTV Grundfos Mission Energy Challenge, which saw 100 contenders competing to achieve highest energy and monetary savings. This was India’s first televised eco-challenge, conducted in association with CII, and winners included Larsen & Toubro Ltd, Vadodara; Indian School of Business, Mohali; Kesoram Industries Ltd [Cement Division], Sedam and homeowner Ameetsinh Vaghela.

Held at the Taj Palace, New Delhi, many prominent personalities including actor Abhay Deol, who is building an eco-home in Goa; Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General-  Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Government of India; Saurabh Kumar, Managing Director - Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL); Naina Lal Kidwai, Executive Director & Country Head – HSBC and Former President – FICCI; Ranganath N K, Managing Director -  Grundfos Pumps India; Jorgen Bjelskou, Group Public Affairs Director – Grundfos; Dr Sunita Narain, Director General - Centre for Science and Environment (CSE); Mili Majumdar, Director, Sustainable Habitat Division – TERI; Beroz Gazdar, Head Sustainability - Mahindra and Mahindra; Krishan Dhawan, Chief Executive Officer - Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation; Dr Prem Jain, Chairman - IGBC - CII; Samit Aich, Executive Director – Greenpeace, amongst others participated in the informative sessions.

Supporting the cause, Abhay Deol, said, “It is a great initiative by NDTV and what I liked most about it was it showcased great innovations, which gives so much encouragement to these people. I already have a shopping list for my home after coming here. It’s inspired me and if I am investing in it myself then it will encourage those who are making these.”

Vikram Chandra, Group CEO, NDTV said, “Over the years NDTV's programming has brought focus on a number of social issues through a multitude of campaigns. This campaign is an attempt by us to create awareness around energy conservation and I am glad that we are able to highlight viable solutions that can be adopted, both at an individual level as well as at a national level.”

Ranganath N K, Managing Director, Grundfos India said “We partnered with NDTV to promote energy efficiency in India through the Mission Energy campaign on TV. This is a first of its kind initiative and was aimed at sensitizing all the stakeholders on the importance of energy conservation.  In the last five months, this campaign has had a considerable impact on various stakeholders like the Government, industry, educational institutions, as well as individuals. People are waking up to the fact that energy conservation is critical to ensure we bridge the demand - supply gap in India. Not only this, there are savings in costs as well - for the individual and for the nation. India has still a long way to go till it can completely bridge the energy deficit. Being energy efficient will help us achieve this at a lower cost to the country. We at Grundfos along with NDTV are happy to have helped increase the awareness and the momentum through Mission Energy.”

The event marked the culmination of the NDTV-Grundfos Mission Energy Campaign, which was launched earlier this year to create awareness about the importance of energy efficiency and encourage individual efforts towards conservation. The Grundfos Mission Energy Sessions were conducted with the aim to not only discuss issues but also suggest plausible solutions. While the first session focussed on highlighting gruelling current issues, suggestions from the panellists on policy changes etc, the second session drew attention to innovations in energy efficiency that can play a vital role in solving some of India’s energy problems. This session showcased some unique and viable innovations to facilitate energy efficiency in your homes and organisations. The last session concluded with shortlisted participants from the Mission Energy Challenge (conducted by NDTV in association with CII) discussing "It’s All About ME – The Power of An Individual” and presentation of awards to winners and Runners Up.

NDTV-Grundfos Mission Energy is supported by CII as Knowledge Partner, TERI as Content Partner and Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation and AEEE as Energy Efficiency Partners.