The heartland of the country reverberated with excited shouts of science enthusiasts from all over the country. They were all urging their countrymen, 'Urja bachao, desh bachao' (save energy to save the country). Scientists, teachers, students and NGOs from all over the country had come to spread the message of tapping the potential of alternate energy.
The 'Urja Yatra' started symbolically on January 12, the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Four contingents started from the four corners of the country - Jammu in north, Kolkata in the east, Rajkot in the west and Puducherry in the south. The Kolkata lag of the yatra began from the house where the sage was born. All the four groups assembled at 'Zero Miles', the heart of the country. En-route, the yatris wherever they stopped, informed the people about the cause they were espousing. Altaf Arakkal, a third year engineering student from Kanyakumari, was in awe of the large presence of people from all over the nation, believing in similar ideas as his. "Even if we could make a few people accept our ideas and put them into practice, our mission would be successful," he said with glint in his eyes.
For Nithish Nath, an engineering student from Hyderabad, the best part of the journey was interacting with villagers to explain to them the importance of renewable sources of energy. "Moreover, they all pledged to increase their dependence on alternate sources of energy," he said. A part of the team that came from the west, Neeraj Srivastava underlined the importance of raising public awareness over such issues and said that they also made use of pamphlets and CDs to spread the message.
Recounting his experience during the journey, ABVP volunteer Sachin Dhar informed of a village in Haryana which had discontinued the use of biofuel, which was prevalent till a few years ago, after electrification. "On getting information about the country's energy scenario, the villagers called a Khap Panchayat meeting to discuss the issue and promised us they would revert to the traditional methods. They took us to be salesmen, asking for equipment we advertised and told us the difficulties they face while trying to procure equipment," Sachin recalled.
His colleague in the north team of the yatris, Shreerang Kaslikar, mentioned that many educational instruments went out of the way to support their cause, some even promising to introduce courses-related to alternate energy in their curriculum. It was not just those who were travelling from across the country who were excited about the experiences. Even those from the city who hosted them were equally engaged. Monika Paidlewar, a volunteer of an NGO involved with the do, was decked up in traditional Maharashtrian gear to welcome the guests. "It feels good to be among such a diverse and talented group. To be even a small part of this big event is a matter of great pride. The best thing is that the cause behind it is very good," she said.
The 'Urja Yatra' started symbolically on January 12, the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Four contingents started from the four corners of the country - Jammu in north, Kolkata in the east, Rajkot in the west and Puducherry in the south. The Kolkata lag of the yatra began from the house where the sage was born. All the four groups assembled at 'Zero Miles', the heart of the country. En-route, the yatris wherever they stopped, informed the people about the cause they were espousing. Altaf Arakkal, a third year engineering student from Kanyakumari, was in awe of the large presence of people from all over the nation, believing in similar ideas as his. "Even if we could make a few people accept our ideas and put them into practice, our mission would be successful," he said with glint in his eyes.
For Nithish Nath, an engineering student from Hyderabad, the best part of the journey was interacting with villagers to explain to them the importance of renewable sources of energy. "Moreover, they all pledged to increase their dependence on alternate sources of energy," he said. A part of the team that came from the west, Neeraj Srivastava underlined the importance of raising public awareness over such issues and said that they also made use of pamphlets and CDs to spread the message.
Recounting his experience during the journey, ABVP volunteer Sachin Dhar informed of a village in Haryana which had discontinued the use of biofuel, which was prevalent till a few years ago, after electrification. "On getting information about the country's energy scenario, the villagers called a Khap Panchayat meeting to discuss the issue and promised us they would revert to the traditional methods. They took us to be salesmen, asking for equipment we advertised and told us the difficulties they face while trying to procure equipment," Sachin recalled.
His colleague in the north team of the yatris, Shreerang Kaslikar, mentioned that many educational instruments went out of the way to support their cause, some even promising to introduce courses-related to alternate energy in their curriculum. It was not just those who were travelling from across the country who were excited about the experiences. Even those from the city who hosted them were equally engaged. Monika Paidlewar, a volunteer of an NGO involved with the do, was decked up in traditional Maharashtrian gear to welcome the guests. "It feels good to be among such a diverse and talented group. To be even a small part of this big event is a matter of great pride. The best thing is that the cause behind it is very good," she said.
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