(ANS – Mumbai) – The official Earth Hour event in Mumbai was this year organized by GreenLine, a Don Bosco environmental organization, in collaboration with WWF, the international promoters of the Earth Hour. The event – that is to turn off all electric lights for an hour to motivate the public to counter climate change and to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle – was held on Saturday, March 23, at the Don Bosco Matunga campus.

It witnessed the participation of over 350 enthusiastic environmental supporters, including school children and college youth from different parts of the city. Mumbai’s Mayor Sunil Prabhu was also present for the programme.

The programme began at 8.00 p.m. with the talented musical duo of identical twins Glenn and Rex Fernandes giving a live performance of popular songs. At 8.20 p.m. Fr. Elson Barretto addressed the gathering and elaborated on the Earth Hour which is observed all over the world. Earth Hour celebrations, which began in 2007 in Australia, reached more than 5200 cities from 150 countries in 2012, he said. This year it was estimated that a billion people across the globe would participate in the same.

Speaking next, the Mayor congratulated the city for its growing interest in environmental issues. He expressed his delight at seeing so many young people in the gathering and said that this was a definite sign that Mumbai would see a greener future.

At precisely 8.30 p.m. all lights were switched off and the ceremonial lamp was lit by the Mayor. He then lit the first candle and presented it to the youngest participant. After all the participants had lit their candles, the Candle Lit Rally commenced. All along the route, the participants sang environmental awareness songs that had been especially composed for the occasion. The rally proceeded through the main areas of the neighbourhood; including the well known Five Gardens and the landmark King’s Circle. At the King’s Circle a ‘flash mob’ was organized.

Earth Hour was observed internationally on Saturday, March 23, from 8.30 to 9.30 p.m. This event seeks to put the focus on global environmental issues, especially climate change. GreenLine has been promoting the environmental cause in Mumbai, India since the past three years and has involved itself in several environmental issues concerning the city.

Published 26/03/2013