Vehicles remain off the roads as AYO calls for a ‘moment of solidarity to enable our environment’
Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 5
Vehicles stayed off the roads while many business establishments, institutions, offices, and schools functioned normally in Kohima today, as people of the state capital chose to go green for a day.
This was in response to the Angami Youth Organization’s (AYO) call for ‘a moment of solidarity to enable our environment’ in Kohima from 6: 00 AM till 6: 00 PM within the jurisdiction of Kohima district.
The appeal was made by the AYO in order to impress upon the present generation for an attitudinal and behavioural change towards nature and the environment.
Some schools closed down to show solidarity with the initiative, while no matches were held in the ongoing 17th NSF Martyrs’ Memorial Trophy as well, to display support to the AYO observance. Office attendace was low while several businesses also downed their shutters.
Speaking to The Morung Express, AYO President Medo Yhokha believed that this initiative is a first of its kind in the country taken up by an NGO. He appealed to the different communities within the state, country and other parts of the world to come forward in adopting a responsible attitude towards the environment. Yhokha also expressed gratitude to the citizens of the state capital, and the Naga community who came out to support and show solidarity with the initiative.
Meanwhile, the AYO President urged the government to initiate more environmental awareness programmes for the coming generation to live conveniently. Yhokha further informed that the initiative is part of the AYO silver jubilee celebration, which will be celebrated from November 4-5.
Angami Public Organization (APO) President, Dr Vilhousa Saleyi said that today’s observance showed cooperation, coordination and solidarity among the people of the capital. He said it showed that people living within the APO jurisdiction are ready to serve and contribute for the well being of mankind and towards the health of the planet.
The AYO had earlier stated that the October 5 appeal was made to campaign for efforts towards enabling an environment that will enhance and be suitable to sustain and support lives.
Pointing out that the environment was at an unprecedented point of vulnerability and that the damage and the threat to human existence had become too important to be left unattended, the AYO stated: “We need to act to repair what can be repaired, conserve what can be conserved to prepare a future for ourselves and for posterity.”
It said that this call was made to “stir the mind of the present generation and to help them change their attitude and behaviour towards Mother Nature and the environment which would in turn create a world that would enable a decent and convenient living for the coming generation.”
It had appealed that all vehicles remain off the road for the day; all mills/ crushers/ print/ fabricating houses/ workshops/ cafes/ constructing agents using planners and other power driven equipments, etc. to down/ cease their power driven machinery/ activity for the day; minimal and judicious usage of power on home appliances such as TVs/ refrigerators/ PCs, etc; and all vehicle owners/ drivers to cease engines even at home or garage.
It clarified that the event was not a bandh, and no restriction was imposed on human movement and activities, except on the engagement and usage of the above highlighted mediums. It had asked all government offices/ corporate houses/ establishments, etc, to maintain mandatory attendance on the day.
People were encouraged to walk to work, “do work with human driven energy, feel a day with nature – a day without dependence on fossil fuel energy related life, to take a walk for a healthy and better life, a day to enable our environment to recoup its vitality for human sustenance.”
District administration, police, paramilitary forces on duty, media persons, doctors and nurses, fire services, people on “emergency and on important engagements,” schools/ students/ faculties on scheduled duty; people attending wedding, festivals and funerals; government officials, HODs/ AHODs and departmental buses were however exempted.
