From darkness to light

The Symbiosis Infotech Campus was abuzz with activity as children of Hinjewadi and Wakad slum played musical chairs even as the campus and the areas around celebrated darkness. Students of Symbiosis College for Information Technology (SCIT),one of the registered supporters of Earth Hour with World Wildlife Federation (WWF),headed the Earth Hour campaign along with other NGOs in the city.

Kaustubh Jha,WWF representative says,“Earth Hour reached Pune for the first time and the response was good. Though we do not have an office in Pune,our registered support SCIT along with other NGOs like Alert etc,were leading the campaign.”

Sandeep Khardekar,founder member of Alert,an NGO,says,“To begin with the response was good,but last year it was better,even though the city was not officially a part of Earth Hour. The reason was better use of media in propagating the idea. Ongoing exams could be another reason. While last year it was nearly 45 per cent,this year only 25 per cent could be achieved. ”

However,Amit Kawashte of Zhep NGO,who also ran the campaign,said that response from old-city area was very encouraging. Nakul Razdan,SCIT student and member of Student Social Responsibility (SSR) team,says,“Under the campaign we had corporate programme and citizen programme. Though we haven’t received any reply from corporate houses about their Earth Hour experience,but citizens did participate in it. Shops,organizations and even households in Dagdu Seth,Kasba Peth,Laxmi Road area cooperated with us. Wakad Bridge and SGS Mall,SP College and many other places people observed Earth Hour,” adding,”While we switched off all lights at 8.30 we all gathered and lit candles and participated in games. We also showed a video on environments made by one of our fellow student,” says Razdan.

Hotel Westin also observed Earth Hour,during which lights at all the public areas like lobby,banquet and restaurant were switched off and candles were lit. “Only minimal lighting was there in lobby because of UPS connection. We had also placed letters in our rooms so that our guests can also participate in the campaign if they wish to,” says Sandip Shah,director sales and marketing,Westin. When asked how much electricity did the city save during Earth Hour,Maharashtra State Electricity Board official said,“We are not associated or involved with this campaign and hence we don’t have any figures. This was not a government programme.”

Vivek Velankar,president,Sajag Nagrik Manch,an envorionment NGO however commented that the reason the Earth Hour did not evoke a very good response is because it is a Western concept. “We cannot impose a foreign campaign in the Indian scenario without making adequate changes. In the West  there are no power cuts and hence one hour of darkness is fun to them when they plan various fun-filled activities. But in India,power-cut is common and people don’t feel like voluntarily opting to be in dark. Moreover,government agencies like MSEB and other departments themselves are known for misuse of power,” he said.