Students urged to celebrate eco-friendly Diwali this year

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 5

As the rise in air pollution has triggered concerns causing various organisations to uphold a clean and green Diwali, the Education Department has issued guidelines to all schools asking them to observe an eco-friendly Diwali this year. In an official instruction, issued to various schools, the Education Secretary has asked all DEOs and school heads to ensure that students be exhorted to observe a green Diwali this season.

Schools have been asked to spread awareness among students regarding this in the morning assemblies.

They have also asked schools to ask students to use earthen diyas, gift plants and use natural rangoli during Diwali celebrations.

The instructions from the Education Secretary say,“ Since the festival of Diwali is celebrated across the country. Children light crackers and fireworks which spoils the environment. Sometimes such incidents also happen, due to which loss to life or property is caused. To save oneself from such incidents and to save the environment from pollution, the children need to made aware of taking steps to keep the environment clean. Keeping in this mind, schools are being instructed to encourage children during the morning assemblies to hold a clean and green Diwali.”

The letter also asks schools to apprise them of the damage which could be caused to life and property due to recklessness use of firecrackers. A teacher from the education department said, “We have been exhorting students to observe a clean Diwali for years, but the formal instructions shall cause awareness among students to enjoy a clean Diwali.”