KHUNTI, Oct 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India was not responsible for environment related problems as the forefathers have always taught not to damage the environment, however, the country would contribute for the protection of humanity no matter who is responsible for damaging it.
Addressing a function after inaugurating the roof top solar power plant at Khunti district court here, Mr Modi said recently at the United Nations Meeting, the leaders of the world were discussing about environment related issues including global warming, uncertain rainfall rising ocean levels which is posing a threat to several smaller nations.
“On behalf of the 125 crore people of this country, I want to tell the world that we are not responsible for that crime as our forefather never showed us the way to damage the environment. However no matter who made the mistake India will contribute for the protection of humanity,” he said.
He said one can understand that states such as Gujarat and Rajasthan were using solar power but one would be surprised as why Jharkhand which has abundant of coal reserves was going towards Solar power use.
“A new example has been set before the world by Jharkhand,” he said adding that Jharkhand is a place where the tribals have protected the environment for centuries and now it has taken a pledge to use solar power for which the state and its people needed to be congratulated.
He said that as the Chief Minister of Gujarat he use to participate in the meeting called by the Supreme Court where the Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of all the courts use to participate.
During course of such a meeting a high court judge pointed out that their area received only two-three hours of power on two or three days in the week due to which the number of pending cases were on the rise as the court could not function due to lack of power.
“I was surprised to know that despite many decades of Independence, justice was not being delivered to the people due to lack of power,” he said, adding that the solution to the problem has been found by the judges of Jharkhand High Court which has opened a new area of justice.
Mr Modi pointed out the teachings of the Rigveda which was composed 5,000 years ago showcasing the importance of sun and its power, and said now the world was looking towards solar power.
He said earlier, on the issue of power, only mega-watt was discussed but now the country has moved ahead on giga-watt. “We have a set a target to produce 175 giga-watt of power from renewable energy by 2022 when the country would complete 75 years of Independence,” he said.
The Prime Minister also asked the people to use LED bulbs in their homes as though it is a bit costlier, it would reduce their electricity bills by more than half. Mr Modi said there was a need to save power and make more use of solar power. He said that if the people would consume the available natural resources than there would not be much left for the future generations.
“Our fore-fathers left these natural resources for us that we can get its benefits now and the same needs to be done for the coming generations,” he said.
Mr Modi said history was being written at Khunti as for the first time, such a huge crowd had gathered in function related to the court. He said that the day also coincides with the birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and country’s second Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. He said that few days ago he had gone to Tashkent where he got the privilege to inaugurate the portrait of Lal Bahadur Shastri.
He said that it would be news to media that on Bapu’s birthday, the Prime Minister was going to attend programme of a district court. ‘’I have come in a function in which 180 kv of solar power is being generated in Khunti,” he said, adding that October 2 was a day of inspiration for him.
Among those present on the occasion included Jharkhand Governor Draupadi Murmu, Chief Minister Raghubar Das, Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court Birendra Singh, Union Minister Sudarshan Bhagat, State cabinet minister Neelkanth Singh Munda, Khunti MP Kariya Munda, Ranchi MP Ramtahal Chowdhary, Chaibasa MP Laxman Gilua and Chief Secretary Rajeev Gauba. (UNI)