Puducherry: As often happens Pondicherry University has been organising a slew of fests and events on the campus. Remarkably, students also took time to do their bit for the protection of Earth by organising a 'climate strike' in line with the wider global campaign.
The students from the University’s Department of Ecology organised the event on the campus last week. It coincided with the conclusion of the Global Week for Future campaign organised from September 20 to 27. This campaign is popularly called the climate strikes as a series of protests was scheduled the world over.
The protest rally in Pondicherry university started around 4 pm on September 27. More than 20 to 30 students gathered at Ponlait’, the busiest spot at the University.
“Climate change crisis has its roots in the capitalist economy and corrupted policymakers who favoured nepotism, caste interests, religious bias etc. It was really a great start with the launch of climate strike movement comprising of students from various departments across the PU,” Mohith, a student from the Department of Physics, said.
"I take immense pride and pleasure to be a part of this collective noble cause, which is for our planet,” he further added though he expressed his disappointment with the turnout. "Yet I was surprised in an intellectually charged atmosphere where the ambiance for broader and universal thinking is abundant very few students turned up. With the purpose of educating student community on climate change, it all starts from being skeptical upon the problems around one’s environment," he remarked.
Shwetha Madgulkar, one of the students organisers, told Onmanorama that the ongoing global strike for the protection and safe management of environment inspired the students of the University to take up the cause.
'The earth is boiling,' 'Stop global warming' etc were a few slogans raised.
Shwetha announced that the protesters will also organise street plays, interactions as well as talks on the serious issues of climate change in the days to come.
Students used eco-friendly placards and stressed the importance of policymaking and individualistic reform to save the planet.
Climate strike concluded at the Pondicherry University with an oath-taking by students.