Chandigarh, December 13: Today, at a Seminar on ‘Wednesdays for Water & Waste Management Campaign’, at Dev Samaj College of Education, over 110 participating Eco Club incharge teachers of city schools and colleges promised to go ‘Go Green’ and make their educational institutions go ‘Waste Free’, with proper introduction of 3 R’s of Refuse, Reuse & Recycle. This was jointly organized by Yuvsatta-NGO, Dev Samaj College of Education and Department of Environment, Chandigarh Administration.

Prominent amongst those who addressed and interacted with teachers included Sh. Anup Gupta, Mayor, Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, Sh. TC Nautiyal, IFS, Director, Department of Environment, CCF, Department of Forests & Wildlife, Chandigarh Administration, Mr. Ashish Shah, Director, Wildecologue, Himachal Pradesh Dr. Agnese Dhillon, Secretary, Dev Samaj College’s Managing Committee, Dr. Richa Sharma, Principal, Dev Samaj College of Education, Mr. Pramod Sharma, Founder, Yuvsatta (youth for peace)-NGO,

Appreciating the initiative Sh. TC Nautiyal stressed on personal reflection and individual action by everyone as the cornerstone for effective management of environmental degradation. He urged everyone to take individual responsibility and do the best possible to reduce the harm being done to the environment. .

Followed by formal address by the Institution and prayer Ashish Shah from Wild Ecologues introduced the teachers to fresh perspectives on water and solid waste drawing inspiration from natural processes.

Shri. Anup Gupta, Mayor of Chandigarh was the main speaker at the valedictory function. In his address he said that the issues that the event raised were very timely. He assured teachers of his support in any action they suggest to improve water and solid waste management. He said he visualises Chandigarh to become a model for whole of India on issues of sustainable water and solid waste management.

Mr. Pramod Sharma, founder, Yuvsatta added that school and colleges are best places to begin talking to students about sustainability as we can instil these practices early and make them into lifelong habits. And the unique ‘Wednesdays for Water & Waste Management Campaign’, show the way to ‘Be the Change’ and ‘Walk the Talk’.

Dr. Agnese Dhillon, Secretary, College Management, Dev Samaj College of Education, appreciated the efforts of the Eco Clubs in the city in organizing such a constructive and enlightening program.

The programme ended with felicitation of participating teachers and fifteen students of Dev Samaj College of Education, who did well in various contests of model-making, video making and flip-charts on environmental themes. Mayor Anup Gupta, also especially honoured one student Ms. Sukhmani Sarang of Class IX at PM SHRI GGMSSS 18 and her father Mr. Sukhminder Singh Sarang for presenting soulful musical melodies on water and women empowerment.