Mr. Nikul Shah
He is part of the management committee at Raheja Classique 5. He, along with fellow members, has played an integral role in waste management at his society. From our experience, we have realized that he is practical in his approach and he has a meticulous way with numbers.
GCF Team:
Tell us about yourself
Mr.N
I am from Ahmedabad. I have a B.text.(Tech) degree from MS University, Vadodara 1971. After having worked in Ahmedabad for many years, I came to Mumbai in 1983 ls and since then I have lived here. I have worked with many leading textile mills in Mumbai and Gujarat, mainly at Mafatlal Group for over 30 years from a Trainee to GM Exports. I have travelled extensively to many countries.
In 2002, I entered a more innovative line with my son, in his own IT startup. I took up sizeable responsibility in the field of Commerce and HR. As we expanded, we sold the start up to another company, where I took charge as President, HR and Commerce. I got a HR Leadership Award in 2011 as part of Employer branding Awards, India. I retired in 2012 at the age of 63.
Since retirement I have dedicated more time in formation of a provisional managing committee at Raheja Classique 5 and became the first secretary. Mr. Mittal became the next secretary. We focused mainly on Fire safety, Installation of CCTV camera, and waste segregation related issues.
In Fire Safety we addressed issues like formation of an ERT (emergency rescue team) of members, awareness program for the team and members, installation of additional fire safety devices, carrying out mock drills at regular intervals etc. We have set up about 100 cameras in our building for the safety of our members.
We took up waste segregation much before it was a hot topic with the BMC. We took a few months to excel at segregation and then with the help of Mr. Kedar we took on composting and dry waste recycling. There has been a lot of support from committee as well as all members of society in all our initiatives.
GCF Team:
Have you ever noticed the issue of waste any time before in your career or personal life?
Mr.N
Initially I was not serious about this topic, but through education via media campaigns, I took it up with my MC colleagues and launched waste management in our society. We started with few individual houses and then moved to the entire building.
GCF Team:
Do you think different generations have different perspectives about waste management?
Mr.N
The previous generations from 50-60 years ago were unknowingly doing waste management.
There was no concept of ‘waste’ as such since many items were reused and recycled.
“Fata hue kapde se bhi chaar chaar cheezein ban jati thi” says Mr Shah.
GCF Team:
Do different generations have different patterns of consumption?
Mr.N
Of course! Older generations had less requirements / consumption and hence less generation of waste. The current lifestyle world over produces more wastage as unnecessary consumption /purchases has resulted in generating huge wastage.
GCF Team:
Can you comment on your habits?
Mr.N
My wife and I take our own cloth bags when we go shopping or reuse the plastic bags we collect at home. We also try and give empty dabbas back to restaurants wherever possible.
GCF Team:
Any routine or habit you do every day and chose it for a specific reason?
Mr.N
As I daily routine, I go for morning walks, pranayama /exercise followed by prayer.This routine has been set, especially after my retirement keeps me fit and calm.
GCF Team:
Do you consider yourself organised? If yes, please explain.
Mr.N
Typically, I am very organised. I am very particular about things I do. My approach is also very methodical.
GCF Team:
Do you read and would want to recommend any book?
Mr.N
I am not a habitual reader. I read mostly on current affairs, magazines and entertainment etc.
GCF Team:
What would your friends or partner describe you?
Mr.N
I would be described as soft spoken, cool headed, methodical, systematic, analytical and also a very family-oriented person.
GCF Team:
If you have a platform to send a short message to 1 million people?
Mr.N
Be calm and forgive. Life is very short.
— I am trying to practice this myself —