New Delhi:
The final week of the Switch Delhi campaign that focused on sensitizing Delhi’s youth on the benefits of electric vehicles and Delhi’s EV policy saw a large participation of youth in the campaign. Students and activists came forward in large numbers to support the campaign and help spread the message to the rest of the city’s youth to pledge to make their first vehicle an electric one.
“I strongly feel that switching to EV is a much-needed change that is required today. It helps in reducing pollution as well as lower operating costs. The Delhi government has an extremely organized approach towards this initiative and they’re working promoting EV amongst youth is commendable. It is important for the youth to turn this campaign into a mass movement to inspire the rest of the country in making sustainable choices,” Trisha Pavagadhi, Student and Member, Enactus Hansraj said.
She added, “Keeping, in mind the excess amount of pollution, we at Enactus Hansraj, have also come up with an initiative in which we aid the physically handicapped in the procurement of E-bikes for the purpose of employment generation. This helps in promoting a cleaner and greener environment in Delhi as well as the empowerment of the disabled community. So, as a responsible citizen of India, I take the Switch Delhi pledge to make my first vehicle electric, and encourage every person around me to do the same.”
Student environmentalist Aditya Dubey said, The transportation sector is one of the main sources of PM 2.5 emissions in Delhi and contributes to around 22% of air pollution. Electric Vehicles are environment-friendly, futuristic, and have a low total cost of operation as compared to petrol and diesel vehicles. It is the duty of every citizen to switch to electric vehicles more so now when the Delhi Government has launched very attractive subsidies on the purchase of electric vehicles.”
He added, “The youth needs to be at the forefront of this campaign to switch to EVs, as we will have to suffer drastic consequences of climate change in the future. So, let’s take the Switch Delhi pledge that we will switch to EVs immediately, or at least ensure that our next car, is an electric vehicle. The youth also needs to take the responsibility of spreading awareness about the financial and environmental benefits of switching to EVs in neighborhoods and social circles. I request everyone to stop using petrol and diesel vehicles, switch to EVs now, and give the future a chance.”
“We as Delhi’s youth can set an example for the rest of the country to make sustainable choices. I am taking the Switch Delhi Pledge that my first vehicle will be an electric vehicle. I believe we all can take this step and pledge to switch towards electric vehicles and also spread awareness about them,” Vaibhav Madhani, student and member, Enactus Hansraj, Social Entrepreneurship Society said.
In light of the Switch Delhi campaign and its focus on Delhi’s youth in the final week, Vrikshit Foundation, an environmental organization led by a group of students, organized a wall painting event to spread awareness on EVs and on the Switch Delhi campaign. Many youngsters came together and painted a wall at Ashok Vihar, Gulab Market on the message of the Switch Delhi movement. Members pledged their support to the campaign and took the Switch Delhi pledge to make their first vehicle electric.
The campaign will continue to engage with different stakeholders in Delhi to make the Chief Minister’s vision of making Delhi the EV capital a success.
