Manoj Godara, 14 Nov : According to the latest World Health Organization, more than three million children under five die each year from environment-related causes and conditions. This makes the environment as one of the most critical contributors to the global toll of more than ten million child deaths annually.
Polluted indoor and outdoor air, contaminated water, lack of adequate sanitation, toxic hazards, disease vectors, ultraviolet radiation, and degraded ecosystems are all important environmental risk factors for children. Particularly in developing countries, environmental hazards and pollution is a major contributor to childhood deaths, illnesses and disability from acute respiratory disease, diarrhea diseases, physical injuries, poisonings, insect-borne diseases and prenatal infections. Childhood death and illness from causes such as poverty and malnutrition are also associated with unsustainable patterns of development and degraded urban or rural environments. And Sustainable development ties together concern for the carrying capacity of natural systems with the social challenges facing humanity.
Collaborating with the righteous cause of environment preservation, Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36 B, Chandigarh, in collaboration with ENVIS Centre, Department of Environment, Chandigarh, organized an Environment Fest to celebrate Children’s Day. The main purpose of the fete was to create awareness regarding the preservation of environment among school children. More than 182 Students from 17 schools participated in various competitions like PowerPoint Presentation, Poem Recitation, Group Singing, Poster Making, Paper Bag Making and Best out of waste Product. The Chief Guest of the function was Mrs. Madhavi Kataria, (PCS), Chief Manager, (Personnel) MARKFED.
“It takes only small steps to make a big difference. I think the most potent step to be taken towards sustainable development is to march with the children. ‘Catching them young’ and sensitizing them about the impending environmental hazards is as important for them to know as for any rational adult today. Creating a new, climate-friendly energy future is a daunting task. But in reality, small steps by many people will change the world and protect the planet.” Said Dr. (Mrs.) Jyoti Khanna, Principal DSCE-36
In her address, Mrs. Kataria appreciated the efforts of the college in creating environment awareness. “Children are the future of the nation and awareness on social issues among them is the need of the day. Basically this day was instituted with the sole aim of promoting communal exchange and understanding among children, as well as to bring about beneficiary action to promote the welfare of children, all over the globe. Accordingly, the Convention on the Rights of the Child was signed, which has been sanctioned by 191 states. Children are the strongest link between the past and the future to promote sustainable development that meets the needs of the preservation of the environment today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."” she informed the probing participants from various schools before giving away the prizes to the winners.
Sunil, Yamuna, Sunita, Ratna and Goldy, the special guests from Mother Teresa, sector 23 performed the welcome song and echoed their extended connection with the college.
While the young paper bag making participants from Govt. Model High School, Sec 22, Abhilash and Mani Ram expressed their gratitude towards the college for highlighting a concern which truly needed to be branched out in this milieu of globalization and showered their heartfelt praise for their role model Nek Chand ji, the man who dolled up the Rock Garden.”
Dr. Agnese Dhillon, Dean Student Welfare, presented a vote of thanks to the jamboree.