On Monday 25th September 2017, an alumnus of our School, Verhaen Khanna , accompanied by 2 members of his NGO, New Delhi Nature Society, interacted with the students of classes 3 to 6 to sensitise them about air quality during Diwali. He explained how they as students can contribute to better air quality especially during the festival.
With the help of a detailed PPT, Varhaen explained that Diwali is a festival of light. Firecrackers have no significance for this festival according to the scriptures. He pointed out that the different pigments used in fire crackers are obtained from harmful chemicals. Some common problems caused by this are skin allergies, breathing problems, damage to eyes and ears, and even lethargy.
As we know, our capital is presently one of the most polluted cities in the world and the air pollution level is at an alarmingly level of 999 ppm during Diwali! (The acceptable level is 51-100.) The effects of noise pollution from fire crackers on pets and the elderly was also pointed out with the help of a slide.
As an exercise the children were asked how long they can survive in a closed room if crackers were being burst in it. The prompt and unanimous reply was not more than a few minutes!
Following the interesting brainstorming, the children volunteered to celebrate Diwali by sharing sweetmeats, wearing new clothes, handcrafting paper crackers, lighting diyas and planting trees. If they must, they promised to burn a few fireworks at a fixed hour in their communities so that the pollution remains minimal. The children pledged SAY NO TO CRACKERS.
The workshop ended with a vote of thanks by Ms. Sangeeta Aswani. Mr. Khanna and his team were presented with potted plants especially assembled as shramdaan by the Citizenship Project.
Ms. Neeti Gupta.
In the Press
Admissions
