Waste to Wealth Initiative: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw’s Call to Action for Techies
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the executive chairperson of Biocon Enterprises, made a notable appeal to Indian tech professionals amid the escalating civic crisis in Bengaluru. She urged these individuals to embrace the challenge of turning waste into wealth while striving for a cleaner and greener city.
Kiran expressed that tech talent should encompass civic responsibility. She questioned whether technology could be leveraged to maintain cleanliness in the city, manage traffic orderly, and enhance infrastructure. Drawing a comparison, she noted that if China can utilise robots for garbage collection, sewer cleaning, and traffic management, there’s no reason India cannot do the same. Kiran emphatically stated on social media that techies must answer the call for “waste to wealth and a clean and green city.”
Her message resonated widely, rapidly gaining traction among internet users, who largely supported her viewpoint. One contributor remarked that the concept of “waste to wealth” was particularly compelling: “Your framing is both poetic and practical. Civic technology plays a role in reducing waste, ensuring traffic discipline, and reinforcing infrastructure. Real prosperity emerges when tech innovation is directed towards public services rather than solely private ventures.”
Another user added, “Absolutely! Tech professionals can develop applications for smart waste bins and AI-driven traffic cameras, just like in China. It’s time to make our cities clean and green!”
In contrast, a user pointed out the challenges of rapid implementation in India compared to China. They noted, “China can enforce large-scale implementation overnight, whereas India’s democratic processes result in slower execution, numerous stakeholders, and public resistance.”
Despite the overall support, some users cautioned that not every issue can be resolved through technology alone. It was highlighted that both individuals and government bodies also need to fulfil their responsibilities. One commenter elaborated, “Navigating governmental matters can be particularly challenging for tech professionals. Moreover, technology doesn’t dictate human behaviour. Issues like cleanliness and ethical conduct cannot simply be resolved by creating technological solutions.”
Another user voiced their concerns regarding practical measures: “What practical contributions can tech professionals make? Merely transporting trash to outskirts and rural regions isn’t a viable solution. Given the size of our city and other metropolitan areas, at least 50 waste segregation facilities will be necessary for various types of waste. Additionally, large-scale incinerators will be required for non-reusable waste. All major IT firms should establish such facilities within their campuses. Will they take this step?”
