Awareness initiative organized by the Heart Care Foundation of India commemorating the World Ozone Day

New Delhi, 16 September, 2017: An awareness initiative marking the World Ozone Day was organized at the SD Public School by the leading National NGO, the Heart Care Foundation of India. The event, which was supported by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, saw participation by 200 students from around 20 schools in Delhi/NCR.A series of inter-school competitions were organized centered around the theme “Prevention of Ozone Layer Depletion”. The events included inter-school painting, slogan, and poem recitation competitions. This is a landmark event organized every year to create awareness on the effects of the depletion of the ozone layer on people’s health and well-being and educate them on the need to preserve it.

Shri Ashok Saha, Scientist ‘C’, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India was the Chief Guest for the event. He said, “The importance of environmental conservation and that of encouraging the adoption of environment-friendly practices needs to be instilled right from a young age. The ozone layer has a very important role to play in protecting the earth’s atmosphere and an event like this can help in creating awareness on the ill effects of its depletion. I congratulate HCFI for organizing such an event and SD Public School and the Ministry of Earth Sciences for supporting them in the endeavor.

The ozone layer protects life on earth from strong ultraviolet (UV) rays coming from the sun. UV rays are harmful and increase the risk of skin cancer and cataracts, and damage the immune system. These rays are also capable of destroying single cell organism, terrestrial plant life, and aquatic ecosystems.

Adding to this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and National President Indian Medical Association (IMA), said, “It is imperative to create awareness on what can happen if the ozone layer continues to get depleted further. The youngsters we see here today are the future of this country and efforts made to educate them on matters like these will go a long way in the pursuit towards conserving the environment. We thank SD Public School for being the host as also the participating schools for being a part of this initiative, which is aimed at preserving the ozone layer from further depletion. Thanks are also due to the Ministry for supporting the event.”

The United Nations General Assembly has designated September 16 as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. Activities are organized world over on this day to recognize the contribution of the ozone layer, which though invisible to the naked eye, has many visible advantages for the earth. One of the most important functions of this layer is to avert the risk of what is termed as the ‘greenhouse effect’.

Ms Anita Sharma, Principal, SD Public School, added, “We are happy to be a part of this event year after year. Sensitizing school students is a big step in creating future leaders who will work for the welfare of the country and the earth. I congratulate HCFI for this initiative and hope to support them in their endeavor in the future as well.”

(Painting Junior, 1^st Prize: Ayushi Kumar, DAV Public School. R K Puram, 2^nd Prize: Raidima Gilani, St. Abu Public School, 3^rd Prize:  Mimansa Uttam, St. Margaret Sr. Sec School, Slogan Writing Senior1^st Prize:  Aransha Chiripal, SDPS, Punjabi Bagh, 2^nd Prize: Navya Gupta, SDPS, Punjabi Bagh, 3^rd Prize:  Kamya Singh, Prestige Convent ,Rohini, Poem Recitation: 1^st Prize:  Vaishnavi Singh, Vanshika Verma, Tejas Rajan, Gyan Mandir, 2^nd Prize: Palak, Hanshika, Sanikoha, M. A. Public School, Pitarampura, 3^rd Prize:  Lavisha, Dhruv, Eshika, St. Margaret Sr. Sec. School and Debate, 1^st Prize:  Prabhleen Kaur, Ishaan, Gyan Mandir Public School, 2^nd Prize: Jiya, Disha, Maharaja Agrsen Public School, 3^rd Prize:  Kartik Jha, Shruti, DAV Public School. R K Puram).The winners received cash prizes and all the participants walked away with certificates.

Some tips to prevent depletion of the ozone layer.

• Limit or reduce the amount of driving. Emissions from vehicles eventually lead to formation of smog, which contributes to deterioration of the ozone layer. Some alternatives one can choose include car-pooling, public transport, walking, and using a bicycle.
• Use eco-friendly and natural cleaning products in the house. These cleaning agents contain toxic chemicals which interfere with the ozone layer
• Try using natural remedies instead of pesticides.The harmful chemicals in pesticides can damage the ozone layer.