Rakshak World Foundation , on the occasion of World Earth Day, organised a special program under its environment protection campaign ‘Love for Fountain Pen’ in a small remote village of Tana in Uttarakhand. Apart from the students and teachers of the school, the children and staff of the Anganwadi center also participated in the event.
The primary school of Taana village, where the program was organized on 24 April 2024 during the World Earth Day week, is in Ramgarh block of Nainital district. During this program children made drawings on the topic related to environment protection. All the children were given books by Rakshak World Foundation through which they could acquire information in an interesting manner. They should get help in enhancing their knowledge and handwriting.
On this occasion, a workshop was organized, addressing which Foundation President Sanjay Vohra told about the importance of conservation of forests and protection of animals and its impact on our lives. During this discussion, measures were also discussed through which every person can contribute to environmental protection. For example, by eliminating or reducing the use of plastic in everyday life.
Apart from this, the threats posed by ‘global warming’ were also discussed in the workshop. They were made aware about the damage caused to nature by rising temperatures. This increase in temperature is melting the ice of the glaciers at a rapid rate and is also increasing the sea water level. Also, due to increase in temperature whether in air or sea, animals are being adversely affected. Not only their food system is affected , animals are migrating from many places and many of their species are becoming extinct. Due to this the balance of weather is deteriorating. This is creating new challenges for those who are dependent upon natural rain for farming and for daily needs . These conditions are creating a crisis of survival for the residents of hilly and tribal areas who are already living in difficult conditions.
Sanjay Vohra said that the only basic mantra to reduce ‘Global Warming’ is to get rid of the culture of ‘consumerism’ which is being nurtured rapidly all over the world . Machines are being used to make different goods and the machine run by using electricity or fuel. All these activities generate heat in the atmosphere. Therefore, we should buy only those things which are needed and buy such things which can be used for a long time and can be reused in some other form later.
India’s first indigenous ink ‘Sulekha’ and pens of the same brand were distributed to the teachers on behalf of the Foundation. As a measure to discourage the use of ballpoint pens and gel pens which harm the environment, the Foundation distributes fountain pens so that they can be refilled with ink and used again and again.
Belonging to a military family , school Principal Regina Rikhey, praised the campaign of Rakshak World Foundation. She and staff present made the sustainability pledge. Under the ‘Love for Fountain Pen’ campaign, the foundation distributes ink pens and ink free of cost and participants declare such pledges in writing that they can contribute to reducing the damage caused to the environment.
Ankita Arya, in-charge of Anganwadi center located in Taana School campus, played the role of local coordinator in organizing this program dedicated to Earth Day. Even those small children who have not even started formal education participated enthusiastically. This was the first such event held in this government school which is being run with limited resources. On this occasion, the ‘ Bhojan Mata ‘ Champadevi cooked simple and tasty food and fed it to everyone.
Earth Day is celebrated every year on 22 April across the world with the aim of spreading awareness about environmental protection. It was started by US Senator Gerald Nelson in 1970 as an environmental education. At present, Earth Day is celebrated every year in more than 192 countries.
