WED in Bangalore

BYEE Meghna Das blogs from her hometown of Bangalore on the excitement of World Environment Day 2011

Usually a restful city, Bangalore was up and bustling at 6 am on the 5^th of June, 2011. International athletes and delegates from all over the world joined 90 NGOs, 20 corporate teams and hundreds of individual runners to run the World 10K Marathon for World Environment Day. Despite the slight threat of rain, 7 800 runners packed into the Kanthirva stadium, raring to go! The whole week of celebration was nothing short of inspirational, and India proved, once again, that its biggest strength is its people.

For the first time in 38 years, India was chosen as the host for World Environment Day. Minister for Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh, expressed pride in India’s involvement in WED events, and said that India is committed to being part of the global green movement.

Satinder Bindra, UNEP’s Director of Communications and Public Information, congratulated India on being chosen as hosts. “It’s a competitive process,” he said, “and India won the bid!”  He spoke from the heart about the intense importance of caring for the planet, and the role that the youth have today. “It’s very easy to get discouraged, but how hard is it to do little things? Turn off your lights when you’re not using them, turn off the water while you’re brushing your teeth, carpool or use public transport when you can. The little things really count!”

The marathon included the involvement of Bangalore Cares – an NGO that works with the volunteering sector. A 10-year-old NGO, run by Murray Culshaw, Bangalore Cares helped up to 90 other NGOs register with this year’s marathon. “We want to help these NGOs to take advantage of the event. Thanks to big names like the UNEP and Tata Consultancy Services, this event is professionally organized, and we get more publicity than we would have been able to get alone.” he said.

Rahul Bose, actor and accomplished rugby player, and Gul Panag, former Ms. India, actress, fitness enthusiast and social activist also ran the marathon. They took part in a plantation drive near the Madiwala lake, where a 1 hectare plot of land was converted into the World 10k Urban Forest. When asked why she got into raising awareness about several issues through her NGO Gul4Change, Gul Panag told me: “People like us are the idea advocates for attention. When we speak, our voices are heard. We have the opportunity to make a difference, and I believe we should”.

Romanian Beijing Olympics marathon champion Constantina Dita , the event ambassador, flagged off the marathon.

Everyone ran for some cause close to their hearts. Apart from environmental issues, several other causes were represented as well, including support for the differently abled and the mentally challenged, senior citizens, children’s rights, education, employment, The Anti-Corruption Bill and so many more!

Aruna Hemanth, a 66 year-old homemaker, dressed in traditional Indian clothing with a little-girl doll strapped to her back said that she wasn’t a part of an NGO, but she was running to spread awareness against dowry. “I have a son and a daughter of my own, and they have children as well. This is my personal message to girls in India – if someone asks you for dowry, don’t get married!”

The marathon took over the city on Sunday morning. The unity and solidarity shown in the sheer numbers of participants proved that people can make a difference. Thanks to the UNEP, TCS, the athletes and celebrities who took part, and the passion and support shown by all participants, Bangalore stood up for the Earth on the 5^th of June, making World Environment Day a whopping success.