The objective is to establish an awareness driven campaign with the primary aim to elucidate the importance of clean environment through school children and the youth. Children have to undergo the worst side-effects of environmental problems such as air-pollution and harmful effects of usage of plastics, polythene and other toxic pollutants, causing grave danger to their health, as they are the most sensitive to their surroundings.
“This campaign has been orchestrated to create a general awareness among the youth of our country about the impact of the perilous condition that we are living in and its repercussions few years down the line.” says Mr. G S Singhvi, chairman organising committee.
Singhvi also thinks children need to learn to safeguard our environment as they are the future generations of the country and play a prominent role in protecting the environment. “The campaign is the need of the hour. We want the children to be aware about their actions and the impact they have on the environment and to take a pledge to conserve it. There is an urgent need to add to the environmental inheritance that we will be bestowing on our future generations to come.”
A range of activities have been planned under the campaign which will take place from November 2016 to April 2017. The agenda of the campaign comprises inter-school short play competitions, wall painting activity, presentation of the pledge signed by one hundred thousand students to the President of India, students’ address by Prime Minister Modi, rally at Rajpath of 5000 students and plantation drive.
“We will be conducting a play and a workshop on use of recycled material in the following two months. I personally think that cleanliness can be facilitated, if start introspecting about our usage, re-usage and recycling.”
A participating school from Delhi, Ahlcon International School will conduct a couple of activities to raise awareness among students and parents.
Ashok Pandey, Principal at the aforementioned school , says, “We will be conducting a play and a workshop on the use of recycled material in the following two months. I personally think that cleanliness can be facilitated, if we start introspecting about our usage, re-usage and recycling. At the same time, we also need to think about our consumption behavior and how much wastage we are creating.”
Talking about the problems faced by students during the recent smog seen at the capital, he says, “Many students and adults faced the burning sensation in eyes and breathing difficulties which was alarming.”
Dr. Meenu Walia, Director Director-Medical Oncology & Haematology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, mentions that along with other diseases, there could be an increase in the number of lung cancer cases even among non-smokers, if the increasing level of pollution persists. “During the recent smog, there was an increase in the number of patients suffering from various skin allergies. It was a difficult time for patients suffering from asthma as well and if the pollution continues, it can lead to cancer as well.”
She also talks about various measures people can undertake to avoid such health hazards. “People living in the metro cities are advised to use masks to cover their face. They should also prefer using public transports to keep the air pollution levels minimum. Organisations carrying trash should also cover the transports carrying the waste as much of the pollution is also caused by these.”
The panel members comprised G S Singhvi, chairman organizing committee, Swachh Paryavaran Campaign, Gopal Jiwarajka Sr. Vice President, PHD Chamber, and Alok B. Shriram, former president PHD Chamber, Anil Khaitan VP PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Subramanian, Rotary Governor District 3011 and Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary General, PHD Chamber who successfully addressed the media on the theme of conserving and protecting resources and environment.
Swachh Paryavaran aims to address the severe crisis of foul air and contaminated water on a war footing, which is also the major reason behind the depletion of vital nutrients among growing children. The campaign will have youth, school students, PSU’S, corporate houses, government organizations, UNIC, UNESCO, and NGOs actively participating.
“Swachh Paryavaran” entails not only ensuring cleanliness, but also a pledge to build a better tomorrow for our generations to come. For the same reason, PHD has got the slogan going, Swachh Hawa Shudh Jal, Swastha Rahega Hamara Kal.