Greenathon-II lends a fillip to TERI's 'Lighting a Billion Lives' project

New Delhi, Aug 12 (ANI): The mass awareness campaign named Greenathon II was launched in New Delhi.

It is the second edition of the campaign jointly sponsored by NDTV, a private television channel and the auto major Toyota.

This campaign is dedicated to improve the environment like organising on-ground events, clean up drives and signature campaigns of simple solutions that can affect a big change.

Dr. Rajendra K Pachauri, Director General of The Energy and Research Institute (TERI) whose coordinated extensive research work had earned it the Nobel Prize was among the notable guests at the event.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Pachauri highlighted on the aspects of the 'Lighting a Billion Lives' project which aims in providing solar lanterns in remote parts o f the country which will not only light up lives of the villagers but also will create employment platforms in those citiesWhat we have come up with is this innovative of providing solar lanterns which provide employment, lighting up a village and lighting up a billion lives," he added.

Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said: "such campaigns and initiatives concerning the environment are an important for the country to generate mass mobilisation which pressurises the government to be accountable for working towards a greener surrounding."

"The awareness is there amongst the people. Its providing a forum to expressing their concern and providing a medium for mass mobilisation and putting pressure on government at all level to be sensitive and to be accountable," he added.

Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra, the campaign ambassador urged upon fellow Indians to contribute their mite in saving the environment by asking each individual to volunteer.

"I am saying get involved in an initiative which will help you do that. Cleaning up the River Yamuna, cleaning up rivers. Spend a weekend doing it. It will make you feel fantastic it will make you feel better as a citizen of the country and of the world," Chopra said.

The NDTV-Toyota Greenathon-II campaign encourages people contribute ideas for the cause of a better environment.

It will make use of different modes like television, Internet, print media, mobile phones and radio to target the widest possible audience. (ANI)