Go-Green drive comes alive at Pune’s crowded traffic junctions

Symbiosis Institute of Computer Studies and Research, Feb 9, Pune

Which is the best place to take a class on anti-pollution measures?

Students of Pune-based SICSR believe it is the city’s crowded traffic junctions. Each time peak traffic comes to a two minute halt at the junction, the students get down to business.

Some line up on the zebra crossing carrying posters on energy conservation. Their friends meanwhile approach motorists who have their ignition on. “There are 30 seconds left for the signal to change. Do you know how much fuel you are wasting by keeping your engine idly on? Do you know how this act is damaging the city?” asks Deep Sarkar to one of the drivers, who immediately shuts his engine off with an evident sense of guilt.

Apte, a motorist, seems to love this reminder. “Though we know the hazards of pollution, we sometimes forget to take care of small things in our daily life. It’s a good campaign by the students,” he says, appreciatively.

Such compliments are not easy in coming, and I realize that despite the strong positive message that these students are conveying, it is quite often met with snubs and sarcasm. A khadi-clad politician stops his SUV at the traffic light. Deep and his friends approach him and request him to switch off the engine. The politician chews on a bunch of grapes, and tells him to go away. “Chal raha hain, chalne do,” (it’s running, let it run) he tells him.

A few others laugh at them and look away. Another driver, without opening his car window, shoos them away.

But these in no way deflate these youngsters’ spirit. “We don’t take their reactions personally. We keep on insisting till they give in and switch off their engines. In the end, we are proud that we are doing something for the environment,” shares Deep.

And I think: This exercise is much more than just a Go Green campaign. These students represent the entrepreneurs of tomorrow – and as entrepreneurs, they will have to stand for a cause, stand up for themselves, take action, face criticism and failures, and prove themselves to the world. Standing under the noon sun on that zebra crossing, with Go Green posters in hand, Deep and his friends are in fact experiencing their first brush with entrepreneurship.