For ecological conservation

Environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal along with his sewadars planted saplings on the banks of the Kali Bein to send a message of ecological conservation. Speaking on the occasion, he said: “To rid our shoulders of the burden of oxygen cylinders, a better ecology and fresh clean air are an alternative. A cleaner, greener Earth is the only way forward to prevent ourselves from various viruses, toxins in the air due to increasing pollution and a host of other diseases which are the results of development done at the cost of the ecology.” Seechwal is among 18 eminent personalities and organisations in the country to be honoured with the title “Faith for Earth Councillor-2021” by the United Nations environment programme.

Covid hygeine kits for de-addiction centres

An international organisation, “Alliance India”, provided about 100 Covid hygiene kits to be distributed to the persons who quit drugs and work for the awareness against the ill effects of drugs recently. The intiative was carried out at the Kapurthala de-addiction centre under Dr Sandeep Bhola, supported by Kapurthala Deputy Commissioner Deepti Uppal, Civil Surgeon Dr Parminder Kaur and SMO Dr Sandeep Dhawan. Each packet provided to the beneficiaries included a hand bag, gloves and masks, band-aid, cotton swabs, soap, hand sanitiser, sanitary pads and Mala-D Tablets (for women). The Deputy Commissioner assured them that proper education, training, employment, businesses and loans for them would be ensured etc. on priority. Civil Surgeon Dr Parminder Kaur and Doctors Sandeep Bhola said they would also be given priority by the Health Department for various services such as vaccination and guidance etc.

Roping in children, youth for a cause

Pushpa Gujral Science City collaborated with the UNEP (United Nations Environmental Programme) to jointly observe World Environment Day with the Punjab Pollution Control Board and the Centre for Environment Communication, New Delhi. A panel discussion on “Ecosystem Restoration to Achieve SDG Targets” was organised on the occasion which was chaired by UNDP Regional Head Dr Vikas Verma; representative of United Nations University-CRIS, Belgium, Dr Nidhi Nagabhatla, and PPCB Member Secretary Er Krunesh Garg. The panel discussion was moderated by Director, General, Pushpa Gujral Science City, Dr Neelima Jerath. An SD-ASK programme (Sustainable Development – Attitudes, Skills and Knowledge Programme) focused on children and youth was launched on the occasion at the Science City. TNS