The International World Environment Day (June 5) witnessed many organisations with an aim to create awareness and find ways to counter the menace of pollution swinging into action.
It is about time all Delhiites joined hands to take action, considering that Delhi has been tagged as the ‘most polluted city’ in the world.
The Hind Bhartiyam Foundation in association with Kavi - The Poetry-Art Project ran an unusual campaign for World Environment Day which saw the Tihar Jail inmates learning to plant a sapling with a piece of poetry dedicated to the ones they most love and revere.
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This seven-day-long campaign, which kicked off last week, invited people from every strata of society to unleash their creativity and support the very idea of conserving the planet.
The campaign, called ‘Let’s Regain Delhi’s Clean Air’, aimed at bringing people together for the cause and motivate them with handmade planters created from recycled bottles, made by Kavi The Poetry-Art Project.
The team’s plantation expert Rishi, who held a workshop at Tihar last week where he explained the process to the inmates, said, “Our idea is to conserve the environment and motivate people. After numerous workshops on problems pertaining to environment, the campaign will travel across the city with the intent of floating an idea about making the capital city pollution free.”
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“When prison inmates can exhibit such passion in doing their bit for the Earth, what is stopping free citizens of the city from being a part of this drive so as to drive their message for keeping Delhi green?” asked Shamim Akhter, founder of Hind Bhartiyam Foundation avers.
Madhuri Balodi, co-founder of Kavi The Poetry-Art Project, revealed her own view on the issue. “Convicts were extremely happy being part of this endeavour. They scribbled beautiful lines wrapping in their sentiments. They will be gifted the same lines engraved on planters with a sapling later on.”
Students from various colleges, people from slum areas and women working for this green cause stepped up to participate in the ongoing campaign with the intention of fighting pollution.
The initiative was also hailed by celebrities who have been actively involved in social causes. Actor Kalki Koechlin was impressed with the recycling initiative. “I do hope more people take inspiration from such endeavours and go the green way,” the actor said.
Jairam Ramesh, an active environmentalist and former Environment Minister, appreciated the move. “I am happy to see young volunteers working for a cause and I request all to support them and make the city pollution free,” he said.