What do you do when lights are switched off during the Earth Hour? “Take my family to the park or the terrace, and discuss ways to save the earth,” said Anil Sachdeva, one of Delhi's several residents observing Earth Hour this evening.
The initiative by the Worldwide Wildlife Fund to observe Earth Hour has struck the right cord among many Delhiites who are switching off lights for an hour as a symbolic gesture, to support the cause of saving the environment.
Residents of Rohini and DLF Luxury Homes are among those who have decided to switch off lights for an hour. “I have requested all 10,000 residents, and the feedback has been mostly positive. I hope they follow it,” said R.C. Kamboj, president of Rohini RWA.
“We put up banners and taught our students about the various problems affecting our planet through things like movies and peer-teaching where older children spoke to younger children on the dangers of the environment,” said Mona Datta, a teacher of Vasant Valley School, one of the 102 schools who signed up for the Earth Hour campaign.
“We are shutting down all the lights in our college, which are otherwise on all evening to be shut during Earth Hour. We have requested students and the college hostel to switch off lights, which has not been made mandatory, as it is examination period,” said Shehnab Sahin, a third year student of St. Stephen's, one of the 26 Delhi University colleges participating in the campaign.
{{/usCountry}}“We are shutting down all the lights in our college, which are otherwise on all evening to be shut during Earth Hour. We have requested students and the college hostel to switch off lights, which has not been made mandatory, as it is examination period,” said Shehnab Sahin, a third year student of St. Stephen's, one of the 26 Delhi University colleges participating in the campaign.
{{/usCountry}}Multinationals, such as Coca Cola, HSBC Bank, Nokia, Infosys, Yes Bank and Hewlett-Packard have also decided to switch off all lights, irrespective of whether it hampers their work, and causes them losses. PVR Cinemas is also participating. However, “movies will continue to run,” said Rahul Singh, vice-president, PVR Cinemas. “Lights will be kept to the minimum.”
At DLF Luxury Homes, residents will gather for a candlelit potluck dinner during that hour. They will be surrounded by paintings on newspapers, which children will make on the theme.