Chandigarh, January 28, 2009: today, around 100 NSS volunteers of Govt. College for Girls, Sector 11, in a cycle rally pedaled from their College to Sukhna Lake and back to observe the ongoing ‘OIL CONSERVATION FORTNIGHT’. The rally was jointly organized by Indian Oil Corp. Ltd., NSS Unit of GCG-11 & YUVSATTA, to propagate ‘Conservation of Oil & Gas for a Stronger India’.
The rally was flagged-off by Ishwar Singh, IFS, Director, Department of Environment, Chandigarh Administration. Expressing his deep concern for the fast depleting natural resources he said that sooner we realize the importance of Gandhian mantra of Conservation, better will be the outcome for all of us, specially the youngsters who’re our 100% future. He further said that Chandigarh is a small city where people can easily walk or pedal for shorter distances and can enjoy good health plus at the same time this will help save precious petroleum products.
The students were caring placards with slogans like ‘SAVE OIL & GAS FOR A BETTER TOMORROW, CONSERVE OIL & GAS FOR A STRONGER INDIA, INDIAN -GAS BACHAO, DESH KO PRAGATISHEEL BANAO, YARA GEDDI NA MAR YUHI-TEL CHALE EK AUR ZUUNI’, ‘CONSERVE OIL FOR POLLUTION FREE CITY & PROSPEROUS INDIA’.
Presiding over the programme Rajesh Sharma, DGM, Indian Oil Corp. Ltd. said that from January 15th to 31st, the fortnight is being observed by the public sector oil and gas companies in India as ‘Oil Conservation Fortnight’, to focus public attention on issues of oil and gas conservation and environment protection. Funds thus saved could be utilized for developing infrastructure, and providing social care and education. He also said that the net oil import bill (import of crude oil and oil products minus export of oil products) rose to around $63.52 billion in 2007-08 and India imports almost 75 per cent of its crude oil requirement. According to government estimates, imports will make up almost 85 per cent of the total crude oil demand by 2012.
Addressing the students Promilla Kaushal, Principal of the College said that students should make it their habit to observe 3 mantra’s; 1) Observe a weekly vehicle free day, 2) Use more and more Bicycles and 3) Walk or use Cycle for Shorter distances.