Question

Clean India and green India

Answer 1

This is a dream of all of us and we all keep talking about it however reality is far from this.

In the rapid rat race for development we have forgotten that it is our duty to give back to the nature twice as much as we take. A single tree suffices so many of our needs but how many of us realize that one fine day when this resource of trees finish their self less service to us, we will be left empty handed staring into a blank future. Especially in a city like Mumbai where development is the middle name of infrastructure, it is very important for people to realize the alarming rate at which the green cover is disappearing.

Team Umang strive towards raising the awareness level amongst people. We conduct various drives where our volunteers not only work to educate the people but also make them realize the value of this step by indulging in tree plantation campaigns. Just a little while ago Umang Foundation took up this challenge and though in a small way did initiate the process.

Team Umang went to Matoshri Ramabai Ambedkar School, Ulhasnagar and involved the students there in a massive tree plantation campaign where we planted about fifty saplings. The idea of involving the students was to ensure that they develop a personal connect and hence look after the trees on their campus, this would also allow the children who are the future to realize the importance of trees.
Progress is very much needed for the evolution of mankind but what we need to look into is the pace of this progress. Being fast is indeed a necessity to keep yourself abreast with changing times but fighting a major issue like Global Warming by taking small steps like planting trees and raising awareness is also equally important.

Answer 2

India needs the CLEAN INDIA  GREEN INDIA campaign urgently. The general state of our cities, towns, colonies, rivers, oceans, lakes, hill-stations, parks, gardens, public transportation systems, railway stations, public toilets, etc, all indicate we as a nation are not pro-cleanliness! The nationwide ‘Swachch Bharat Abhiyan’ is another proof of our apathy to the squalor lying uncleaned around us!

 

As the entire nation is abuzz with the cleanliness drives and campaigns under the impetus of ‘Swachch Bharat Abhiyan’ launched by the Honorable Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendera Modi, let’s contribute to it by making ourselves clean first. Amit Abraham has very wisely said “Clean your mind and our country will automatically get dry cleaned.“ We must ensure we become the real participant in this crusade against the dirt and squalor in true spirit. We must start the cleanliness drive from our own home and surroundings.  Our zeal and enthusiasm for the cleanliness drive is useless, if our own home and surroundings are unclean, and we are spending hours cleaning the streets in other areas.

 

The best way to begin this cleanliness drive is your own room, your own cupboard, your own toilet, your own kitchen, your own garbage. Do you keep your own room and surroundings clean? Are you able to maintain the cleanliness around you? If you really do, you feel the satisfaction and contentment of being clean! Now you can lend a helping hand and your expertise in keeping the neighborhood clean! This is how we must go about this cleanliness drive. Remember, only a lit candle can light other unlit candles. Similarly, people who keep themselves clean and their surroundings clean, can help other people to achieve cleanliness objectives. Let the cleanliness begin at your own home! If each one starts maintaining cleanliness at his/her own home, the entire nation will automatically become clean.

 

The next step after maintaining cleanliness is preserving the greenery. The need of the hour is conserving and preserving the environmental beauty and purity of the surroundings. This task is quite Herculean.  The only solution to the critical environmental issues is people’s mass participation in saving the environment. Mass forestation drive, and stopping the use of fossil fuels altogether can solve this problem.

 

There are other alternative fuels available. The government must act strictly. There should be a ban on fossil fuels. The government must create forest belt near every city or town. Toxic emissions of industries must be strictly regularized.  Installation of toxic smoke and effluents treatment plants must be mandatory at every industrial unit. With these measures strictly and immediately implemented the environmental health will improve considerably.  Unless the people come forward, this mission cannot be accomplished. They must minimize their carbon footprint. They must adopt eco-friendly ways of life. Government alone cannot do anything. People will have to act proactively. We must not forget that if we have to stand in the categories of advanced nations, we will have to make our country as clean and green as them.

 

So, let’s turn over a new leaf; let’s not make India stink and reek; let’s make it the heaven it used to be!