Air Marshal B Suresh, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC, Air Officer
Commanding-in-Chief
Adv. V.K. Prasanth, Mayor, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation
Wing Commander Maya K Nair,
Wing Commander V Chopra
Dear Officers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good Morning to Everyone.
I am delighted to address you as we launch the Go Green Initiative at the Southern Air Command at Thiruvananthapuram.
Let me at the outset, convey my deep sense of appreciation for the efforts of the Southern Air Command and the Air Force Wives Association [Regional] for leading this initiative with the aim of ensuring a clean environment with zero waste generation. I am informed that this Go Green Initiative is being carried out in the Southern Peninsula, with the cooperation of local bodies.
As we all know, today, the 5th of June, is World Environment Day. All over the world, this day is being observed this year, with theme of Air Pollution. The simple message is that we can't stop breathing, but we can do something about the quality of the air that we breathe. For this, there has to be a greener, cleaner environment. In this context, the Go Green Initiative of the Southern Air Command attains great relevance. I must also mention that our armed forces have always been particular in keeping the areas under their control, clean and green.
The observance of World Environment Day has been sensitizing us regarding the challenges like climate change, global warming, disasters, ecosystem management and resource efficiency. This day reminds us that the life of our future generations will depend on how we act today. As a person from the Judiciary, I feel it is my duty to remind everyone present here that Article 48A of Indian Constitution says that the State shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country. And Article 51A, which lists the Fundamental Duties of citizens, clearly states [sub article (g)] the need to protect our environment.
It was to remind us of this Fundamental Duty that our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had announced the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan on Gandhi Jayanti Day of 2014. As is well known, Gandhiji, the Father of our Nation, was very particular about personal hygiene and cleanliness of our surroundings. He considered Cleanliness as being next to Godliness. So, our efforts to ensure a cleaner and greener India by 2nd October 2019, would be a fitting homage to the vision of Gandhiji. I am happy that this initiative of the Southern Air Command is aimed at paying such homage to Gandhiji.
It is commendable that through this greening initiative, the Southern Air Command also intends to reduce the bird menace around air fields. A user manual on the best practices in environmental protection goes a long in educating people on the right ways of conserving resources and the environment. In fact, our concern for Environment should also extend to the use of energy resources. We should make energy conservation a habit and use renewable and green energy as far as possible.
However, planting saplings is the simplest act of kindness that we can offer to our environment. It may look simple, but through a sapling, we are helping our world, where over 90 percent of people do not breath clean air and nearly seven million die from air pollution every year. But, planting saplings is not enough. Let us also take the responsibility to nurture than in all earnestness so that they grow well. And, let us choose useful or fruit trees like mango, jack-fruit etc. and ensure that we do not plant trees that cause health issues for people.
Let me conclude by complimenting the Southern Air Command for strengthening the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan through the Go Green Initiative. And finally, on the occasion of World Environment Day 2019, I declare Southern Air Command, as a Net Zero Waste Generation compliant organization. I wish this programme as well as the Southern Air Command all success in future.
