"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Even in an environmentally challenging situation, conservation awareness can be taken ahead with focused vision. This is shown by the Priyadarshani Kanya Vidyalay and Junior College at village named Ghuggus, which is 30 kms from Chandrapur district in Maharashtra. The school stands proudly as an Eco-friendly Institution, surrounded by pollution caused by mines and a cement factory.
This school is unique in the sense that, it welcomes every girl child with a sapling at the time of admission and gives a responsibility of it’s conservation on her shoulders, and as doing a pioneering work in environment conservation awareness among new generation. A school with the help of different projects gives lessons of nature conservation. A school where you see greenery everywhere, and cleanliness.
The village of Ghuggus being one of the most polluted places in Chandrapur district must feel proud of this school imparting nature-friendly learning.
All this is possible because of nature loving personality honourable Smitatai Kokode Thakaray, the Headmistress and the dedicated staff of this school.
I remember, Smitatai contacted me after reading a news of my school, published in a newspaper. She with her dedicated teachers visited my school (Z.P.Primary School Bhamdeli, Distt: Chandrapur) to understand various child and eco-friendly concepts. Seeing Plastic Bottles fencing and well grown plants inside it, she got amazed and said she would replicate that differently in her school. We continued exchanging our eco-friendly ideas via Whatsapp and stay connected.
From various posts on social networks like Whatsapp, Facebook and Twitter, when she came to know about my Anti Plastic Pollution Movement, she requested for a speech at her school. Days passed but I could not gather time for the presentation.
Finally the day arose.
The moment I stepped in, I saw girls enjoying delicious food group wise, some under an open sky, some on green lawn and some in the dark shadow of huge trees. I realized some girls were staring and laughing at me, may be because of my scattered hairs due to journey. Meanwhile a group of girls entangled me putting a dozen of questions. Knowing interest and understanding of girls for environment, I became more confident about the success of my speech. I was visualizing them as volunteers in Anti Plastic Pollution Movement.
Seeing me in the crowd of girls, Smitatai with her teachers welcomed me. Took me to her office. Enquired about journey, meanwhile with tea, we continued our discussion regarding Effects of Plastic pollution on human, birds, marine and wildlife. She agreed and said Plastic pollution is a global issue now and expected dedicating work from her students in Plastic pollution eradication, after my speech.
The programme started traditionally with my introduction and offering of bouquet. The Laptop, speakers, projector, mikes were arranged properly to make it a quality workshop. The auditorium was full. Girls were excited to learn something new. I arranged a game and asked for Plastic products for domestic usage. Suddenly there was a great noise as each girl had something to answer. Somehow I managed to maintain silence providing most of them opportunity to share. This really motivated me to go further. When I asked how plastic is produced, there was deadly silence in the auditorium, for a while, as nobody knew the answer. Then with the help of video clips and images, I started my presentation. In between, many doubts were cleared. This lasted for more than an hour.
During my address I motivated girls:
1.To prepare a drama or a street play for public awareness on plastic pollution.
2.To inculcate the habit of waste segregation in wet, dry and rejected bins.
3.To educate people about waste management.
4.To bring plastic waste, spread in their surrounding at school.
5.To refuse polythene bags from vegetable or fruit vendors in the market.
6.To motivate people for using Cotton or jute bags.
7.To encourage people to follow eco-friendly ways of living.
At last students and all staff took a pledge for minimum use of plastic products. I am so glad to share this experience with you.
Come and join a movement against plastic pollution.
If the schoolgirls in a remote village of Maharashtra can do it in adverse conditions, certainly anyone in the country can try a hand at Anti Plastic Pollution Movement, environment conservation awareness and sapling plantation.
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