Chandigarh, April 22: Today, celebrating the ‘World Earth Day 2023’, in style the three-day 3^rd Glokal Children’s Peace Fest 2023 concluded at Dev Samaj College of Education in which over 200 students from tricity schools participated along with prominent dignitaries like Shri Debendra Dalai, CCF cum Director, Department of Environment, Chandigarh Administration, Smt. Jayshree Sharma, Philanthropist cum Chairperson, Piccadily Square Mall, Prof. (Dr.) Agnese Dhillon, Secretary, Prof. Richa Chhibber, Principal, Dev Samaj College of Education, Mrs. Taruna Vashisht, Principal, Manav Rachna International School and Mr. Pramod Sharma, founder, Yuvsatta (youth for peace), Chandigarh.

The programme started with colourful one world-one sky kites flying under the guidance of Kite master Davinder Pal Sehgal, Earth Day Fashion Parade in which children came dressed on environmental themes and face-painting with messages of living in harmony with man and nature alike.

Addressing the gathering the Chief Guest Sh. Debendra Dalai shared, the theme of this year’s World Earth Day is ‘Invest in Our Planet,’ which means subsidizing the efforts to save the earth. And today all young participants should resolve to shun the single use of plastic, reduce, recycle waste, conserve water, walk and pedal for short distances, plant more trees, cut on fossil fuel consumption and reduce consumerism. Mr. Dalai added that all schools in our city, the burial jail, is already carbon neutral and soon Chandigarh will become the first carbon neutral city in the country, which is a matter of pride for all its residents.

Mrs. Taruna Vashist, Principal of Manav Rachna International School emphasized that World Earth Day reminds us of our collective responsibility to be green, think green and act for green living in action and spirit.

During the day with students of Eco Clubs of St. Joseph’s Sr. Sec. School, a plogging:anti-litter drive was also organized at Mini Lake, Sector 42, Chandigarh. The Department of Forests and Wildlife also sponsored a special Chandigarh bird park visit for participating students.

The programme ended with prominent participating dignitary’s felicitation the winners of today’s following face-painting and fashion show participants;

Environmental Fancy Dress Contest-the best five participants: Ms. Aadita Kapila, Carmel Convent School, Mehal of Gurukul Global School, Divanshi of St. Joseph’s Sr. Sec. School, Tejal Chauhan & Viraman of Mount Carmel School.

Face-Painting contest- the best three teams: Myra & Sonakshi of Sacred Heart Sr. Sec. School, Kanush & Aska of Gurukul Global School, Ishita and Akshara of St. Joseph’s Sr. Sec. School, Chandigarh.