Keekli Reporter, 28th March, 2015, Shimla
Lights Off from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm was the highlight of the day. Lights were to be kept off in Christ Church, Town Hall and Gaiety Theatre for an hour to celebrate the Earth Hour Day !!!
Save Earth by conserving energy; go that extra mile to switch off the lights when walking out of the room, an initiative undertaken by HIMURJA and WWF here today to mark the Earth Hour Day and apprise the people of the growing importance of saving energy. Earth Hour Day began in 2007, when lights were switched off for the first time in Sydney, Australia, and since then it has grown manifolds with countries all over engaging actively to take constructive methods to conserve energy, while adopting more greener and cleaner methods. Honorable Chief Minister Raja Virbhadra Singh initiated action with a signature campaign at his residence and urged people to observe complete power off in the evening from 8.30pm to 9.00pm. Himurja Chief Executive Bhanu Pratap Singh presided over the function as the chief guest who was accompanied with Executive Engineer K.L. Thakur.
The exhibition held on Ridge showcased different products for energy saving, including solar energy based items such as lanterns, lighting systems, torches, toys, inverters among many more other items on display. The aim of this fair was to make people aware of different sources to save energy.
Another attraction of this exhibition was some energy efficient items displayed by Jaypee University students whose engineering feats and amazing talent was reflected in the projects presented. A student from JPU invented a machine similar to a helicopter which could carry up to five kilos weight and travel a distance of five kilometers. “It is of great help in case of floods or any type of natural disaster to provide food etc”, said the young engineer. An alcohol detector application on mobile was also invented by a student which could detect excess alcohol intake as well as send the same information and location of the doer to his family members. A young boy of sixteen had brought a working model of a car which could run 870 km per hour, and he was working on the real model to make it viable for all.
Shimla’s young and upcoming engineers had prepared few spell bounding inventions. A bystander viewing the exhibits, Archana from Delhi said, “I am amazed to see how these young boys and girls can think so much beyond our time. It is just marvelous”. Sushant, Abhishek and Anubhav, all from St Edwards School said in unison that they also wanted to become like these boys and learn how to make such wonderful things. A retired engineer from IPH, Mr Sharma was all praises after going through the inventions.
To enlighten and educate children a painting and a slogan writing competition was also organized by WWF, which was sponsored by Himurja. Few very interesting slogans were written by the students and paintings were equally compelling. All the participant received certificates while those standing first, second and third received books.
Arti Gupta, Coordinator, WWF said that it is imperative for children to understand the uses of alternative energy and adopt them in their lives. By educating children we can educate a household she added and thus save energy through proactive means. She further added, “This is a global event that happens every year to save environment. It started worldwide in 2007 and in India since 2009. This is a movement to switch off non-essential lights”. She further added that our plan is to switch off lights between 8.30 to 9.30 pm of iconic buildings mainly Church and Gaiety Theatre. We have planned a band performance in the evening, who will disseminate the message of saving energy. A cyclotron and marathon was also organized last Sunday at Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chandigarh and Solan to spread the message of conserving energy.
Winners of the Slogan Writing
First – Simran, JCB School, New Shimla
Second – Amandeep Kaur, Blue Bells School, Dhalli
Third – Ankurika, Portmore School, Shimla
Fourth – Aayna Khanna, Auckland House School, Lakkar Bazar
Winners of the Painting Competition
First – Ankita, DAV School
Second – Piyus Rajta, Blue Bells School, Dhalli
Third – Mandeep Saundh, Auckland House School, Lakkar Bazar
Fourth – Ishita Dogra – Dayanand School, Shimla
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