Chandigarh, October 21: Today Yuvsatta-an NGO with support of Department of Environment, Chandigarh Administration launched a ‘Green Diwali Campaign’, from Government Model Sr. Sec. School, Sector 19C, Chandigarh. Santosh Kumar, Director, Department of Environment, Chandigarh Administration was the Chief Guest on the occasion. And over 1000 School students participated.
Dr. BS Makkar, Medical Director of Yuvsatta addressing the students in the morning assembly of the School said that ‘Go green this Diwali’ seems to be the slogan of the environmentally & health conscious people. He further shared “for most children lighting of firecrackers is the highlight of Diwali. Brighter the sparkles, louder the noise the greater the thrill!! But little do people realize that in our increasingly populated and polluted cities, the temporary joy of watching the firecrackers is soon replaced by the intense air pollution caused by these. The toxic substances used in the firecrackers release toxic gases that are harmful to the health of all living beings. The high level of noise generated by the crackers cause immense suffering to birds and animals. Besides, Diwali crackers are dreaded by the sick and the ailing. Sadly, few of us realize that the firecrackers used on Diwali are mostly made by very young children. Since the substances being handled are extremely toxic many of these child labourers get sick and die in their early teenage years.”
‘More and more people are seeing bursting firecrackers as environmentally irresponsible form of entertainment’ added Santosh Kumar. He also said that “We are not against the traditional way of celebrating Diwali in which the homes are decorated with lamps and people having fun with sparklers and less polluting firecrackers.” He also mentioned that while Diwali is one of the most awaited festivals in the nation, it is also a time of heavy air and noise pollution, especially with firecrackers. In a refreshing change however, he expressed his satisfaction that Chandigarh people are coming forward to celebrate Diwali – sans pollution.
On the occasion School students also spoke about ill-effects of firecrackers and also staged a skit on observing ‘Green Diwali’. Later Santosh Kumar along with Principal Mrs. Sukhneer Sekhon honoured around 15 students for their overall best participation in the programme. And students took a pledge to celebrate only “Green Diwali” this time.
In the end Pramod Sharma, Coordinator, Yuvsatta added that to involve more and more people in ‘Green Diwali Campaign’. in next ten days volunteers of Yuvsatta will be reaching out directly to 25,000 students in eleven prominent Schools of the city.