In a move to sensitize masses on environment conservation, The Pioneer organised a painting competition as a special campaign on environment awareness at ONGC Green Hills in Dehradun on Saturday. More than 120 students from different Government schools overwhelmly participated in the competition. Students who exhorted their painting skills were also felicitated by the distinguished guests in the function.
The function began with the painting competition and participants were divided into two categories viz sub-junior and junior category. Neha Thapa from Balika Shiksha Sadan bagged the first prize under sub-junior category whereas Sameer Balkani from Prathmik Vidhayala Chander Nagar won the first prize under junior category. The students who exhibited their exceptionally well skills were also felicitated and Gulnaiz Parveen, Subhaha, Nakul Kumar, Jyoti Verma, Megha and Maimum too won prizes.
The chief guest for the function was ONGC General Manager and Head, Corporate Administration, DD Misra, who stressed on creating awareness on environment and those ill elements which degrade the quality of the environment. “Environment conservation is an important issue. The Pioneer is a very important newspaper not only for Uttarakhand, but for the whole country,” he averred, adding that the children can contribute more than elders for the environmental conservation.
Misra also urged from the gathering to abstain themselves from using polythene, contaminated water and also share with surroundings to adopt the environment friendly ways. The chief guest along with the distinguised guests penned slogans for environment conservation. Expressing his views, District Education Officer (Basic) P Saklani stressed on the need of the growing more and more trees and termed deforestation is one of the major issues in the developing nation.
He also urged from the students to come forward to plant saplings in order to contribute for the environment conservation. He advised children to work hard and burn midnight oil with an aim to achieve their set goals in the near future. He also urged the residents to take effective and impeccable steps for creating awareness among the masses especially who are living in the fringe areas of the state. Uttarakhand and Chandigarh Edition, Chief General Manager, RBS Rawat said that students can play pivotal role for sensitizing masses on environment and other issues. He said that the students should collectively make efforts for eradicating social evils from our society. "We will continue our endeavor for environment conservation and social cause for ensuring health and progressive society," he averred. Echoing the same feelings, Medical, Health and Family Welfare, Director (Medical Education) Dr RP Bhatt environment is vital for life to survive while stressing that the way of life showed by the ancient sages is environment friendly. He stressed on inculcating good habits and also understand surroundings.
Speaking on the occasion, UCOST Senior Scientific Officer DP Uniyal said that the event organised by The Pioneer and ONGC provided a good chance to the students to exchange their ideas which will help them to become a good citizen. Stressing on the need for taking action to save the environment, he said that plastic takes nearly 350 years to decay and contaminated ground water apart from other ill effects on health. He appealed the officials present at the occasion to inform UCOST about such events so that free science literature can be distributed among the students. later, saplings were also disseminated to the chief guests as a token a love in the function. The vote of thanks was delivered by ONGC Chief Manager Corporate Communication, Madhulika Burman. She highlighted that ONGC has been always on the forefront for community development and regularly contributes for the social cause.
Burman also urged from the participants to regularly contribute for environment conservation in the coming days. She also highlighted on the significance of clean environment and share their knowledge and experience with the participants and advised them to help in saving the environment by keeping the surroundings clean. CRC Coordinators, Amita Rawat, Usha Gairola, Kamla Rana and teachers from different schools and The Pioneer staff were also present.
Students and teachers from MKP, Rajkiya Madhamik Vidhayala Dharampur Rajkiya Purva Madhyamik Vidhayala Police line and Rest Camp, Madhyamik Vidhayala lakhi Bagh, Jakhan, Parade Ground, Arya Nagar, Prathmik Vidhayala, Chakrata Road, Shayaidpur no.1 and 2, Old Dalanwala, Jhakhan, Ajabpur, Nayagaon, Arya Nagar, Parade Ground, MKP, Sarnjeet School, Ballika Shiksha Sadan were also present.