Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam has been chosen the “ Bharat ka Paryavaran Ambassador” in a campaign conducted in 2 00, 000 schools in India. This poll was part of the CO2 Pick Right- Kaun Banega Bharat ka Paryavaran Ambassador Programme conducted by the Centre for environment Education in partnership with Arcelor Mittal, Ministry of Environment and Forest Government of India.
In this nation-wide campaign conducted over period of 18 months more than 70,000 schools have sent in their votes. Children have voted for their teachers, environmentalists, and celebrities. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam emerged as the most popular choice of the children.
This is perhaps the first unique election ever conducted in India where children have been asked to choose an ambassador who would be spokespersons on sustainable choices that we all need to make. It is also interesting to note how children voted for a leader after coming to a consensus on the choice their schools.
The Pick Right campaign was originally conceptualized to be conducted in 100,000 schools which were already a part of the MoEF’s National Green Crops Programme. This was later extended to reach to 200, 000 schools. This was possible with the partnership and support of AreclorMittal which is supporting the CEE’s work in the area of climate change and sustainability issues for the next three years.
“We are delighted to be part of an awareness campaign that will help prepare and build over 20 million future ‘green leaders’ in India. Environmental sustainability is a key value to Areclor Mittal. This unique project that connects our board room to classrooms all over Inida will strengthen our commitment to a better tomorrow” said Mr. Vijay Bhatnagar, CEO India & China, Areclor Mittal.
The campaign was launched on World Environment Day (WED) last year by President of India, Smt Pratibha Devisingh Patil. The Campaign was conducted in 15 languages. It involved preparation of educational marital to spread awareness about climate change, its causes and effects and effects and individuals choosing the best options for sustainable development.
Over 200 meetings, training and workshops were held in various locations of the country. This involved one to one interaction and discussions with tracheas, representatives of non governmental organizations associated with schools and children themselves followed by voting. CEE’s 7 regional cells and the UNDP-Global Environment Faculty-Small grants programme network of over 100 NGOs made this large-scale implementation possible.
Shri Jairam Ramesh, Minister of Environment and Forests said Dr A P J Abdul Kalam is a role model for people of my generation and also for children of India. At the facilitation ceremony of Dr A P J Abdul Kalam as Bharat Ka Paryavaran Ambassador here today, he further said he is full of generosity and kindness. Shri Ramesh quoted scientist Edison and said, “A genius is 99% perspiration and 1 % inspiration. Dr Kalam is epitome of this. .He works hard and inspires people around him with his own example.It is not a surprise that children have selected him as environment Ambassador. People have faith in him and he will guide us for many more years.” Dr Kalam was presented a shawl made up of nettle, a type of grass.
About CEE (Centre for Environment Education)
Centre for Environment Education, CEE was created in recognition of the importance of environmental education in India's overall environment and development strategy. The result of a unique partnership between government and a non-governmental institution, CEE was established as a Centre of Excellence in 1984, supported by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government of India.
CEE works towards increasing awareness about the environment and sustainable development. CEE has inherited the rich multi-disciplinary resource base and varied experience of Nehru Foundation for Development, its parent organization, which has been promoting educational efforts since 1966 in the areas of science, nature study, health, development, and environment.
At the time it began its activities, CEE was perhaps the only organization actively engaged in environmental education in the country. The head office is located in Ahmedabad. It has 41 offices including regional cells in Bangalore (South), Guwahati (North East), Lucknow (North), Ahmedabad (West) and Pune (Central); state offices in Delhi, Hyderabad, Raipur, Goa, Coimbatore; and several field offices. It has international offices in Australia and Sri Lanka.
Today, CEE works for a wide range of sectors, target groups and geographical areas. CEE sees a major opportunity in the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-14) to further contribute towards sustainable development.
Indi Proff
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