Scientists told to make pollution-free crackers: Dr Harsh Vardhan

NEW DELHI, Oct 15:
Union Environment Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said on Sunday that the Indian scientists have been asked to make pollution free crackers so that the health of people was not impacted and the traders remained unaffected.
Dr Vardhan, along with Minister of State Mahesh Sharma, was talking to the mediapersons at India Gate here on the occasion of the mini marathon, Run for Clean Air, a programme organised to commemorate the 86th birthday of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
He said that at the India International Science Festival, the Government had asked the scientists to make pollution-free crackers, so that people enjoyed Diwali without harmful impact on environment.
The Supreme Court banned the sale of firecrackers on October 9th in Delhi and adjoining areas citing environmental pollution, and the ban had upset the people of Delhi and traders.
“Celebrating the Run for Clean Air” marathon programme on the birth anniversary of late President Dr Kalam, who was a great visionary.
The programme is to realise the dreams of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who wants to deliver a new India where there is a high level of environmental protection”, Dr Vardhan said at the event.
He said, the mini marathon is an initiative to send a strong message to the people that each should contribute to protect and ensure the air quality.
Dr Vardhan said combating pollution and protecting the environment can be effectively done through small steps by each and every citizen of the nation.
The Minister pointed out that when children take a pledge, they ensure that the campaign becomes a success.
Dr Vardhan also administered a Pledge to promote Clean Air on the occasion.    Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sharma pointed out that Swacchata (cleanliness) has to be a collective endeavour.
He said the legacy that ”we leave behind in terms of Clean Air is very important”.
The Minister emphasised that clean air was crucial for the children of future generations.
About 10, 000 children from various schools from Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) were present on the occasion.
The Clean Air Campaign has been launched to create a mass movement to reduce air pollution. ”Swachh” and ”Swasth Bharat” cannot be achieved without ”Swachh Hawa”.
The idea behind the Campaign is to entrust a sense of responsibility among people, so that they consider clean air as a collective responsibility.
The campaign organised today by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is an extension of the ‘Harit Diwali-Swasth Diwali Campaign’.  Eminent singer, Ms  Durga Jasraj, sang a couple of compositions, including a song on the importance of Clean Air.
Environment-friendly slogans on banners dotted the India Gate lawns.
Some of the messages on posters read – “Sab milkar karo virodh, roko Paryavaran ka durupayog” (Everyone must oppose, prevent the misuse of environment), “Saansein rahi hain tham, aao Paryavaran bachayen hum” (Breathing is getting affected, come, let us protect the environment), “Mera Shahar Saaf ho, ismein sab ka haath ho” (Let my city be clean with everyone’s participation), “Hum sab ka ek hi naara, saaf-suthara desh hamara” (All of us have only one slogan – Let our nation be neat and clean). (UNI)

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