Bhubaneswar: Swedish teen Greta Thungerg might have attracted the attention of the entire world for her motivating environment related speeches, but little Sanvi Samantray, a UKG student from DAV Public School, Pokhariput here motivated all participants at the Park Utsav in Kharavela Park on Sunday morning with her inspiring recital of a rhyme.
With her sweet little voice the girl recited the rhyme with a subject of keeping our Mother Earth safe from the menace of plastics, environmental degradation and also how people can contribute towards a better planet and all present on the lawn of the park near the historic Twin Hills of Khandagiri-Udayagiri were delighted to hear her song.
Sanvi, the little girl was not alone to inspire. Biswaranjan Kar of Sarbajanina Kshetrare Kala (Art in Public Places) created innovative installations showing how our environment has already started suffering from the plastic pollution and aquatic animals like sea turtles and fishes are suffering mostly due to the unplanned use of plastics.
The Mu Safaiwala campaign by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) also evoked great response as the park goers made a long queue near the Park Utsav venue at Kharavela Park to collect the cottton bags for their day-to-day use. The Mu Safaiwala van carrying the audio of the campaign also helped in creating the awareness.
Organisations like PECUC, Helpmate and DPR Art Life also created awareness on the plastic menace and how we can restrict the use of plastics in our society and also contribute towards creating a better environment. Students of Odisha Skating Academy also participated in the events at Kharavela Park.
The members of Hekpmate also organised a quiz on Odisha as today was celebrated as the “Matrubhasa Divas” and the participants providing correct answers were also given a book as an incentive.
The members of DPR Art Life organised a paper bag making workshop and a tribute to great leaders of Odisha through art. Women in Society Help (WISH) organised a traffic awareness campaign and a programme on dental hygein and check-up at Mahatma Gandhi Park.
As per the plan events like yoga, meditation, painting, storytelling, music and dance among others were organised as part of the event at both the parks, i,e, Mahatma Gandhi and Kharavela Park.
Besides, many people also filled up the ‘ Citizen Feedback Forms’ as part of ‘Ease of Living Index Assessment’ conducted by city authorities on behalf of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to know the quality of the life by the citizens of Bhubaneswar Smart City. At both the parks sandies were on display showing the QR code and the link for the perception survey on Ease of Living Index.
The ‘Park Utsav’, a one-of-its-kind event being held in the Temple City of Bhubaneswar has been drawing people from all corners of the city. For some, attending the event has become a must on Sunday morning.
“I have been coming to participate in Park Utsav every Sunday since the event started. I used to visit parks every morning but this event has added another wow factor for everyone visiting parks in our city,” said Sweta Das, a college-goer who is also a fitness freak.
The BDA and BMC have made elaborate arrangements for smooth conduct of the event. As part of the plan, next Park Utsav will be held at BDA City Centre (NICCO Park) and Madhusudandas Park. on Feb 23, follwed by at Indira Gandhi Park and Buddha Jayanti Park on March 1. Similarly, the event will be organised at Biju Patnaik Park and Kharabela Park on March 8 and at BDA City Centre and Madhusudandas Park on March 15.
