Going Green for Guru Nanak

Ludhiana, November 3, 2014: Schools of Ludhiana today pledged to celebrate the 545th anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji in an environment friendly manner with a special focus on curbing the garbage output. The schools will promote the use of steel or other reusable cutlery instead of non-biodegradable Styrofoam and other disposables which are common in langar distribution, in their gurpurab celebrations at school level. S. Jagtar Singh, General Secretary, Ramgarhia Educational Council, S. Jasbir Singh, Chairman, Guru Nanak Public School, S. Karnail Singh, Principal, GGN Public School and Mrs. Manjit Paonta, School Coordinator, Nankana Sahib Public School, shared their vision of green gurpurab celebrations concerning their respective schools during the press meet held at Ramgarhia Girls college here today.
While addressing the press, EcoSikh India Project Manager, Ravneet Singh said, “As per current Municipal Corporation’s figures, Ludhiana produces 968 tonnes of garbage everyday, 60 per cent of which is non-biodegradable styrofoam or plastic. EcoSikh’s Green Gurpurabs Programme can definitely help in reducing the garbage problem in the city. It provides a platform to all educational institutions to lead as messiahs of change and foster eco-friendly celebrations of gurpurabs.”

Congratulating the schools S. Ranjodh Singh, EcoSikh Punjab Convener and President of Ramgarhia Educational Council observed that, “The initiative taken by city schools is praise worthy. It definitely leads to sustainable celebrations, cleanliness of the planet and good health of its inhabitants. Garbage pollutes the air, water and land so it is pertinent to reduce, reuse and recycle. We hope and appeal Sikhs in every part of the world to renounce the use of disposables and switch to reusable steel thalis/plates and make their Gurpurabs nature friendly. It will serve as a befitting tribute to Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji who always fought for the wellbeing of the entire humanity.”
S. Jagtar Singh, General Secretary, Ramgarhia Educational Council stated that, “The institutions that are being run under Ramgarhia Educational Council will introduce steel thalis or reusable crockery in gurpurab celebrations. We will put maximum effort in the eco-friendly celebrations.”
S. Jasbir Singh, Chairman, Guru Nanak Public School, shared that the school will put in its best efforts to minimize the Styrofoam garbage and will only use steel or other re-usable cutlery for langar during the Gurpurab celebrations at the school on November 13. Guru Nanak Dev ji’s message on environment preservation will also be shared with the sangat.
Dr. (Mrs.) Narinder Sandhu, Principal, Ramgarhia Girls College remarked that it is important to make the younger generation aware of the need to be sensitive towards their environment. The celebrations of all gurpurabs should be aimed at sustaining the cleanliness of our surroundings.
Mrs. Manjit Kaur Paonta, Coordinator, Nankana Sahib Public School also declared that they will use steel cutlery at their institution and averred that, “It is challenging but I am sure we can make it. Our management and students will certainly appreciate the idea.” Sharing his celebration plans, S. Karnail Singh, Principal, GGN Public School, said that, “The school has a history of using steel cutlery during the celebrations in the past and we would definitely continue to promote the same.”
Founder and Director of VMAD, Ms. Baljit Kaur also shared the way their organisation, along with Young Flares and EcoSikh, has been instrumental in promoting environment friendly nagar kirtans by cleaning up the trash that the processions generally leave behind. This month the trio would be organising clean ups in four major nagar kirtans in the city.
Chamkaur Singh, Director, Dashmesh Sr. Sec. School, Ashok Kumar Tandon, Principal, Ramgarhia Sr. Sec. Boys School, Mrs. Kawaljit Kaur Kalsi, Principal, Ramgarhia Sr. Sec Girls School and Mrs. Balwinder Kaur, Principal, Ramgarhia Elementary School, S. Kuldip Singh, Principal Pothohar School were also present at the press meet.