BHOPAL: The near total success of Earth Hour-2010 at the Betwa Apartments here on Saturday evening could well be attributed to an active Welfare Society of the apartment complex and its secretary N.R. Godse in particular.
Godse, 61, a retired bank manager, is a member of one of the 56 families that reside in Betwa Apartments and has been living there for the last 4 years.
After WWF India contacted him in his capacity as secretary of the Association to help make Earth Hour a success, Godse took it upon himself to ensure that residents switched off their lights between 8.30 and 9.30 PM. The association distributed candles to the residents and informed them that they should come down at the designated time after switching off the lights. "Initially, the association thought that we could cut off power supply from the mains but then decided against it. Something like this should be voluntary and should not be forced", he said.
There was bound to be resistance to the idea but Godse, then, thought of a novel way to ensure compliance. Twenty-two children - all aged under 10 – were roped in by Godse to go door to door, appealing to residents to switch off their lights at the designated time. "I told them if someone asks you why are you doing this, tell them that its for us (the children)", he said. "I have lived my life, the effects of indiscriminate exploitation of the environment would be seen in the future", he added.
The Welfare Society also organised festival celebrations, besides, celebrating January 26 and August 15. The Society gave out clothes to Bangladeshis. The 7 storey apartment has 10 flats.
courtesy: Rahul.Noroha@hindustantimes.com
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