The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), in partnership with the National E-Governance Services Ltd (NeSL), launched an electric bus on its campus today. This initiative, part of NeSL”s Sustainability Programme, highlights a mutual dedication to advancing clean energy solutions and lowering carbon emissions. The event signifies a notable step in IIMB”s ongoing efforts toward environmental sustainability and was attended by prominent figures from IIMB, NeSL, and Canara Bank, including Shri Debajyoti Ray Chaudhuri, Managing Director and CEO of NeSL; Smt. Nivedita E.P., Executive Director of NeSL; Shri Bhavendra Kumar, Executive Director of Canara Bank; Prof. U. Dinesh Kumar, Director In-charge of IIMB; Prof. Haritha Saranga, Chairperson of the Sustainability Taskforce at IIMB; Prof. M. Jayadev, Dean of Administration at IIMB; and Rohit Jaisingh, CEO of the IIMB Development Foundation.
During the event, IIMB and NeSL recognized Canara Bank employees for their outstanding contributions to digital and green initiatives, honoring them as “Green Warriors”. These employees received Certificates of Merit across various categories, including the top performers in the Gold Loan portfolio and Vehicle Loans, as well as teams from Retail, Gold Loan, and IT/LAPS divisions.
In his address, Shri Debajyoti Ray Chaudhuri welcomed the IIMB community and emphasized NeSL”s commitment to fostering sustainable mobility and digital advancements. He stated, “Electric vehicles are not only eco-friendly but also more energy-efficient than fuel-based transport.” Chaudhuri pointed out the ongoing support NeSL provides to IIMB”s green initiatives, including the installation of solar panels and fast-charging EV stations, which aim to establish a comprehensive sustainability framework on campus.
He expressed hope that the electric bus would serve as a symbol of environmental stewardship, inspiring visitors to take action beyond the confines of IIMB. Chaudhuri also mentioned NeSL”s Digital Document Execution (DDE) initiative, India”s first paperless execution and digital storage platform for financial contracts, which has significantly reduced paper usage while enhancing cost efficiency and transparency.
Prof. U. Dinesh Kumar, during his opening remarks, expressed appreciation for the collaboration with NeSL and Canara Bank, reaffirming IIMB”s commitment to sustainability. He highlighted initiatives such as solar energy generation, EV infrastructure, and rainwater harvesting, commending the administration and real estate teams for their efforts in constructing recharge wells throughout the campus.
Prof. Haritha Saranga elaborated on IIMB”s integrated strategy for managing water, energy, and waste. She noted that the 100-acre campus is home to more than 25,000 trees and numerous bird species, showcasing a vibrant natural ecosystem. She detailed the water conservation efforts, revealing that the rainwater harvesting systems capture 1.43 million liters annually, elevating the groundwater table and allowing borewells to supply 20% of the campus”s domestic water needs.
Additionally, she outlined IIMB”s plan to achieve Net Zero emissions across Scope 1 and 2, supported by solar water heaters, a biogas facility, and extensive rooftop solar systems. On waste management, she mentioned Padcare, a start-up incubated at IIMB”s NSRCEL, which has developed innovative technology for recycling sanitary waste, effectively reducing reject waste to just 5%. Over the past five years, the institute has successfully decreased its overall carbon emissions by 10%.
Shri Bhavendra Kumar, Executive Director of Canara Bank, reflected on the bank”s 120-year history and its significant presence in Karnataka. He praised the collaboration with NeSL, highlighting how innovations like the Digital Document Execution platform have transformed gold loan processes, cutting down time, costs, and paper consumption. Kumar noted that Canara Bank now offers over 300 online banking services and is actively strengthening partnerships with fintech companies and startups. He emphasized that the bank has integrated Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into its risk management framework to address the challenges posed by climate change.
