Amritsar, 2nd July,2016:
With the monsoon causing the first torrential rain, citizens of
Amritsar braved the weather and marched for their city. The March
comprising an interfaith gathering was flagged off at 6am from Gurudwara
Santokh Sar Sahib jointly by Head of EcoAmritsar Gunbir Singh, Father
Vijay, Indranuj Das of the Iskcon Temple, Rajbir Singh of Pingalwara
Society and representatives of Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle.
Participants of the procession included members of Chief Khalsa Dewan,
Khalsa College Society, NGO’s, jatha Bhai GurIqbal Singh, Akhand Kirtani
Jatha, NSSS, Baba Kulwant Singh’s sewa sangat and citizens, young & old.
After
walking through much water and slush the hundreds of marchers were
given a resounding welcome at Ram Bagh gardens with a Gatka performance
by children of Central Khalsa Orphanage accompanied by musicians of
Iskcon Hare Krishna Society. It raised the spirits of the gathering as
well as passerby’s at the venue of the Citizens meet.
EcoAmritsar
started celebrating AFD on the onset of its campaign in 2012. The goal
of the program initiated by Eco Sikh is to make a substantive change in
the city by 2017, in Amritsar’s 440th year of establishment. In its 4
year journey the EcoAmritsar program has been instrumental in planting
hundreds of trees of indigenous varieties.
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| Celebrations on Amritsar Foundation Day 2016 by Bhai Guriqbal Singh Ji and Jatha |
It has started the concept of Green Nagar Kirtan, which is being emulated in India as well as overseas. Corporates & citizens are encouraged to Save, Harvest & Recycle water. Institutions are being urged to adopt energy saving devices &
renewable energy alternatives. Under the program various workshops have
been conducted for nontoxic natural farming, and models created for
zero garbage households & zero
disposal parks. EcoAmritsar has worked with fellow stakeholders who not
only adopted the EcoAmritsar program as their own, but introduced many
new initiatives as well. A special source of satisfaction is our SGPC
engagement and its Organic Langar concept, Plantation programs, energy
efficiency, water conservation possibilities. Annual celebrations of AFD
& Sikh Environment Day reconnects people to the causes dear to the city.
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| [L to R]: Ravneet Singh (EcoSikh), Rajbir Singh (Pingalwara), Additional Deputy Commissioner (Amritsar), Gunbir Singh(EcoAmritsar) |
The
administration was represented by Tejinderpal Singh Sandhu, ADC who
assured the congregation of their wholehearted support and appreciation.
After a thorough drenching, the gathering was served hot tea by
Pingalwara Society and snacks by Avaas hospitality. Stakeholders were presented saplings for plantation and awards of recognition for efforts made during the year.
Dr. Rajwant Singh, EcoSikh chief, said that Amritsar, its greenification &
sanitation, is of immense concern to Punjabi’s globally. The holy city
established by Sri Guru Ram Dass deserves much better he said. To
fulfill its agenda a dedicated team under Ravneet Singh, Project manager
South Asia, as well as Gurjit Singh, Project Administrator EcoAmritsar
are in place.
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| NCC students spreading message to save water |
In
his welcome address to the citizens, head of EcoAmritsar Gunbir Singh
complimented the participants for their energy despite the rain. He said
That he was confident that by the year 2017, Amritsar shall see a major
change for the better. Plantation projects have already begun by
various Stakeholders to make good the loss over the last couple of
years. Sanitation programs he stated need more commitment by the state,
but the citizens need to come forward to assist by segregated their
green waste, and keeping their neighborhoods clean. Curbing wastage of
water shall also be a core agenda this year. A new hope has been
generated with a delightful new team of young administrators in Municipal Commissioner Sonali Giri &
Deputy Commissioner Varun Roojam who are committed to spreading
goodness in the city. The vigor and spirit of the city this year, the
plans for execution under various central and state schemes, gives us
confidence that change is happening.
Click on the links to see the news coverage of the event: Tribune, Hindustan Times, HelloIndiaNews, SikhSiyasatNews, Tribune2
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Appeal for clean and green Amritsar by Municipal Commissioner Sonali Giri on Amritsar Foundation Day
439thAFD2016-EcoAmritsar
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| Parade on Amritsar Foundation Day marching on the roads |
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| Cadets carrying the message to keep the city clean and green |
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| Gatka performance at Company Bagh as a part of celebrations of Amritsar Foundation Day |
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| Funeral of trees and children wearing oxygen masks |
