Saturday special: Saving environment
Students and teachers of ID Patel Education Campus cycle or walk to school on Saturdays in a bid to cut carbon emissions
By Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Thursday, December 10, 2009 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=3&contentid=2009121020091210022111623e552dab1) (Pic - Dilip Thaker)
More than 250 countries in the world are at Copenhagen to tackle the issue of global warming. While the big guns battle it out at the climate summit, a school in Ghatlodia is trying to save Earth in its own small day.
By Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Thursday, December 10, 2009 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=3&contentid=2009121020091210022111623e552dab1) (Pic - Dilip Thaker)
More than 250 countries in the world are at Copenhagen to tackle the issue of global warming. While the big guns battle it out at the climate summit, a school in Ghatlodia is trying to save Earth in its own small day. For the past six months, staff and students of ID Patel Education Campus walk or cycle their way to school each Saturday. Around 2,000 students and over 60 teachers observe the day under the ‘Save Energy Campaign’.
Managing trustee Vinod Patel said, “This activity makes students aware of global warming and carbon emissions. It encourages them to do something to save nature and energy. The exercise also helps them to be physically fit the natural way. The teachers lead by example.”
Even as the number of underage drivers, mostly students who rush from school to attend multiple tuition classes, continues to rise, students of this school enthusiastically participate in this activity. Those who do not have cycles prefer walking to school.
Jay Patel, a Std X student who usually commutes to school on a two-wheeler, walks four kilometres to reach school on Saturdays. “It is a unique and exhilarating experience. It is my way of doing a bit for my society and nature. The physical exercise keeps me fit,” says Jay, who is glad the activity has helped him lose some weight, too.
Another student Vishal Phulwari, a Std III student rides his cycle to school on Saturdays. He says, “Any other day, my parents drop me to school. But on special Saturdays, I feel more responsible as I get to ride my cycle to school. I wish other people would chose one day when they cycle to work or run errands.
“I’d also like to see people plant more trees. This will not only help in pumping cleaner air into the environment, it will bring down the temperature in the city and provide shade.”
