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Himansha Singh
Co-founder at Craste| Sustainable materials| Climate Action| Crop waste management| India's first E0 agri panels| Green Building| Agritech| Building solutions| BBSRC fellow, Cambridge University| Raman Fellow, IISc
Dr. Himansha Singh is a scientist and entrepreneur, recognized for co-founding Craste, a startup focused on sustainable solutions for agricultural waste. Craste aims to combat the environmental issues caused by crop residue burning in India by converting this waste into eco-friendly products, such as organic packaging and furniture materials. This initiative not only addresses pollution but also supports farmers by providing them with an alternative income source.12
Academic Background and Achievements
Dr. Singh completed her PhD and postdoctoral studies in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Cambridge, where she specialized in drug resistance and multidrug efflux pumps. Her research contributions earned her the CSAR PhD Students Award in 2017, and she later received a prestigious Raman Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore.12
Role at Craste
At Craste, Dr. Singh emphasizes the principles of circular economy, focusing on maximizing efficiency while minimizing waste. The company has developed innovative techniques to utilize crop stubble, which is often burned, to create value-added products. This not only helps reduce carbon emissions but also provides a sustainable alternative to timber, thus fostering environmental conservation.23
Personal Insights
Dr. Singh is passionate about exploring various fields beyond science, including history and culture. She advocates for early-career women in science to overcome gender biases and maintain confidence in their abilities.1
Highlights
🌿 Union Budget 2024: What's in it for a Greener India? 🌿
Whilst the budget had mixed reaction especially for middle-income sector, I dwelled into what's in it for the sustainability sector and here are a few key points-
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Boost for the EV Industry 🚗⚡️ Custom duty cuts on lithium, cobalt, and other rare earth minerals are set to energize the EV sector, making battery production more viable
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Empowering Startups 🚀 The abolition of the angel tax on startup investments and the doubling of the Mudra Loan ceiling to ₹20 lakhs are game-changers
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Regional Development & Food Security 🌽🏙️ Establishing vegetable growing clusters near major consumption centers will streamline logistics, enhance food security, and promote regional development.
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Climate-Resilient Agriculture 🌾 The introduction of 109 high-yielding, climate-resilient seeds for 32 crop types marks a strategic step towards climate adaptation in agricultur
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Carbon Markets & Climate Finance 🌍💸 Announcements on forming carbon markets, establishing a climate finance taxonomy, and preparing a transition pathway are pivotal steps toward achieving Net Zero, driving investments into sustainable practices.
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Renewable Energy Expansion ☀️🏡 Expanding the list of capital goods for solar energy production and continuing the solar rooftop scheme, aiming for 1 crore households, will boost the renewable energy sector.
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Innovative Urban Solutions 🚇🏢 Transit-oriented development plans for 14 large cities address urban congestion and sustainability
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Energy Storage Policy 🔋⚡️ The introduction of a pumped storage policy for electricity storage emphasizes the importance of renewable energy transition and state-level engagement.
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Natural Farming Initiative 🌱👩🌾 Promoting natural farming with 1 crore farmers within two years is an ambitious move.
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Advancing Small Nuclear Reactors (SMRs) ⚛️🏞️ SMRs are poised to expand nuclear energy economically across remote areas, prioritizing safety and sustainability.
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Facilitating EV Exports 🌍🚗 New policies and incentives will make EV exports easier.
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CSR Fund Utilization for Internships 📚🏢 Allocating 10% of CSR funds for internships in 500 companies aims to bridge the gap between education and employment, fostering future-ready skills.
While the budget lays a strong foundation for a sustainable and innovative future, effective implementation and addressing areas of concern, such as employment generation and crop insurance, will be critical.
Time will tell whether the Union Budget is a forward-looking blueprint that integrates sustainability, innovation, and economic growth or schemes without undertaking execution strategy.
Irrespective, let's all continue to work together towards a greener, more sustainable future! 🌱💡
#UnionBudget2024 #Sustainability #Innovation #EVs #RenewableEnergy #ClimateAction #Agriculture #Startups #India #GreenGrowth #Craste
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