Environment Protection Act 1986

Background:
In the wake of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, the Government of India enacted the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 under Article 253 of the Constitution. The purpose of the Act is to implement the decisions of the UN Conference on Human Environment of 1972. The Act is an umbrella legislation designed to provide a framework for Central Government coordination of the activities of various Central and State authorities established under previous laws such as the Water Act and the Air Act.

Definitions:
Meaning of different words used under this Act are-

(a) "environment" includes water, air and land and the inter- relationship which exists among and between water, air and land, and human beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-organism and property;

(b) "environmental pollutant" means any solid, liquid or gaseous substance present in such concentration as may be, or tend to be, injurious to environment;

(c) "environmental pollution" means the presence in the environment of any environmental pollutant;

(d) "handling", in relation to any substance, means the manufacture, processing, treatment, package, storage, transportation, use, collection, destruction, conversion, offering for sale, transfer or the like of such substance;

(e) "hazardous substance" means any substance or preparation which, by reason of its chemical or physico-chemical properties or handling, is liable to cause harm to human beings, other living creatures, plant, micro-organism, property or the environment;

(f) "occupier", in relation to any factory or premises, means a person who has, control over the affairs of the factory or the premises and includes in relation to any substance, the person in possession of the substance;

(g) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act.

Tech Mahindra

Tech Mahindra is a global integrator and business transformation consulting firm specialized in telecom industry.
Tech Mahindra has been the chosen transformation partner for wireline, wireless and broadband operators in Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America. Majority owned by Mahindra & Mahindra, one of the Top 10 industrial houses in India, in partnership with British Telecommunications plc (BT), world’s leading communications service provider, Tech Mahindra has grown rapidly to become the 6th largest software exporter in India (NASSCOM 2007) and the second largest telecom software provider from India (Voice & Data 2007).

Milestones:
1. 1986: Incorporation in India
2. 1987: Commencement of Business
3. 1993: Incorporation of MBT International Inc., the first subsidiary outside India.
4. 1994: Awarded ISO 9001 by BVQI.
5. Acquired Axes Technologies (India) Pvt. Ltd, including its UK and Singapore subsidiaries.
6. Name changed to Tech Mahindra. Also formed JV (Joint Venture) with Motorola under name Canvas M in the same year.
7. 2007: Acquired iPolicy Networks Ltd.
8. 2009: Tech Mahindra declared highest bidder for Satyam with an offer of Rs. 58/share for 31% stake in Satyam.

Tech Mahindra Foundation:

Founded in June 2007 to help underprivileged, especially children, as well as espouse the cause of women's empowerment in education. The Foundation also supports women empowerment programs through vocational, technical and professional education at all levels. Tech Mahindra Foundation is spawning new ways to transform society by supporting education and women empowerment programs, and bring its benefits to the displaced and dispossessed. The Foundation has tie-ups with non-governmental organizations (NGOs, not-for-profit ventures) based in Delhi-Noida, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Revenue Graph:

During FY (Fiscal Year) 05 Tech Mahindra had 210.4 million dollar ($ mn), which went up to 648 million dollar during FY06 and much higher up to 934.7 million dollar during FY08. Due to recession in market companies revenue had decreased to 231.9 million dollar in March 09.

Broadband internet in India

Broadband means increase in the bandwidth of communicating channels. In computer networking and other digital fields, bandwidth refers to as a data transfer in bit per sec or bit/sec. Thus wider the width, greater the information carrying capacity. Bandwidth depends upon the types of data transferred and to some extent on the medium too. For example, a broader band is required to carry speech, a still broader is required to carry music and much broader is needed to carry videos.

Relating to data transfer, broadband networks are those in which data are transferred in multiple pieces simultaneously to increase effective rate of transfer. Presently Broadband in India can be access through DSL ( Digital Subscriber Line), Cable modem and Wireless technology.

Major Broadband players in India:

1. Airtel: Airtel is the leading private broadband service provider across 95 cities in India with approximately 9.92 lakh broadband customers as on December 31, 2008. Airtel uses fiber copper wire for networking using ADSL 2+ technology (a type of DSL).

In April 2009, Airtel launched 16 Mbps broadband on DSL in the country. Till date it is the fastest Broadband in India for general public. Airtel customers will have to pay nearly 3000 rupees to access 16 Mbps speed. Other than this company has many limited and unlimited plans to attract the customers. Standard plans ranging between 500 to 600 rupees, depending upon the area considered.

Now Airtel also entered the wireless internet market with Wireless USB modem and data card.