Chandigarh
16 January 2020
DIVYA AZAD
In a bid to sensitise the citizens about the acute need for petroleum conservation, a month-long campaign, Saksham 2020 (Sanrakshan Kshamta Mahotsav) took off at Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration, Sector 26 here today.
The campaign was inaugurated by Anindita Mitra, Director, Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Punjab. Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas through PCRA (Petroleum Conservation Research Association) and Oil PSUs have been conducting fuel conservation drive. A Mobile Van was also flagged off by her on the occasion, which would move around the city to spread awareness about oil conservation and 250 children were present there.
Sujoy Choudhury, State Level Coordinator (Oil Industry), Punjab and Executive Director, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd also felicitated the chief guest with memento and shawl. Shalabh Raj Gupta, State Level Coordinator (Oil Industry), U.T. Chandigarh & Chief Regional Manager (Retail), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd, Chandigarh Regional Office also felicitated the chief guest with bonsai sapling plant and shawl.
Speaking on the occasion, Anindita Mitra, said, “Conservation is the need of hour, whether its water, electricity, fuel or forest conservation. We are all aware of the need for conservation of our valuable natural resources but we are not paying heed to the need to step up our efforts to save the natural resources”.
She added, “A lot of initiative and campaigns have been started to preserve the natural resources but we must practically imbibe the same in our routine.” She urged the youngsters present there to act as responsible citizens and work towards a healthy environment.
Sujoy Choudhury, State Level Coordinator (Oil Industry), Punjab and Executive Director, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Chandigarh while speaking on the occasion said, “In 1991 a campaign started to conserve the natural resources and since then a lot of campaigns and activities have been taken up. ‘Saksham 2020’campaign will sensitize citizens through conferences, skits, painting competitions and a number of activities aimed to educate the public how important it was to preserve natural resources for a better environment.” He exhorted to the students to for taking part in the campaign in large numbers.
Shalabh Raj Gupta, State Level Coordinator (Oil Industry), U.T. Chandigarh & Chief Regional Manager (Retail), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd, Chandigarh Regional Office thanked senior dignitaries for having spared time to grace the occasion.
Among other prominent dignitaries present included, Lalit Bhatt, Chief General Manager, Marketing, GAIL India Ltd; Bimalendu Mondal, State Head (LPG), Punjab, J&K, & Chandigarh, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, Chandigarh and Sanjeev Verma, Additional Director, Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA), Chandigarh.
Officers from all oil companies, LPG distributors of Chandigarh, retail outlet dealers of Chandigarh, lube Distributors of Chandigarh, schoolchildren, participants from transport sector, among others were present on the occasion.
Sanjeev Verma, Additional Director gave some valuable tips for the conservation of petroleum products in daily life and played a film on saving fuel.
During the one month Campaign, various activities will be conducted in Chandigarh & various districts of Punjab. These include campaigns on fuel conservation in schools, colleges and public places through debate, group talk, street plays, and wall painting competitions. Campaigns on Fuel Conservation will be taken up through workshops in engineering colleges and industrial sectors.
There will be group talks on oil and gas conservation in resident welfare associations, housing societies and colonies. A cycle rally will be organised on January 19, and Walkathon on February 2, while the valedictory function will be held on February 15 wherein prizes will be given away to children who have been selected in essay, painting and quiz competitions.
In addition, the month-long campaign will include online pledge on fuel conservation, fuel-efficient driving contests, LPG panchayats covering safety and conservation tips, and training of LPG delivery boys on LPG saving tips.
