President Droupadi Murmu’s address at the presentation of National Energy Conservation Awards on National Energy Conservation Day at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi

President Droupadi Murmu urges the adoption of an eco-friendly lifestyle at National Energy Conservation Day

New Delhi, Dec 14: The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, presented the National Energy Conservation Awards, National Energy Efficiency Innovation Awards, and National Painting Competition prizes at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, on the occasion of National Energy Conservation Day today.

She also launched the ‘EV-Yatra Portal’, a web-based platform developed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency to facilitate in-vehicle navigation to the nearest public EV charger.

In her address, the President said that ensuring a pollution-free environment, healthy living, and progress for future generations is a top priority for all of us. She said that breathing in clean air is a basic human right and by protecting the environment, we can protect many human rights.

The President said that energy conservation is a global as well as national priority, as the world faces the challenges of climate change and global warming. She said that India, as a responsible country, is contributing significantly to environmental protection, despite having per capita carbon emissions and greenhouse gas emissions that are less than one-third of the world average.

The President said that India, in COP-26, had given the message of ‘Lifestyle For Environment’ i.e. LiFE, urging the world community to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle. She said that Indian culture and tradition have always been consistent with the message of life, which entails respecting nature, not wasting natural resources, and taking measures to enhance natural wealth. She said that India is making efforts to move the entire world community towards the adoption of such a lifestyle.

Referring to India’s Presidency of G-20, the President said that G-20 countries contribute 85 percent to the world’s total GDP, 75 percent to international trade, and 60 percent to the world’s population. She said that India, during its Presidency, has adopted the theme of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, according to the idea of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and is disseminating it on the world stage.

The President appreciated all the award winners, especially the children who participated in the National Painting Competition. She also commended the winners of the National Energy Efficiency Innovation Awards for their innovative thinking and methodology. She said that their innovations should be widely used so that more and more people could get inspired and develop new methods for environmental protection.

She urged all to take a resolution that whatever we do would always be in favor of nature, never against nature. She said that human welfare lies in maintaining the balance between nature and development.

The function was attended by the Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy, Shri R.K. Singh, the Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, the Secretary of Power, Shri Alok Kumar, the Director General of Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Shri Abhay Bakre and other dignitaries.

The National Energy Conservation Awards are given annually by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency under the Ministry of Power to recognize the best energy management practices in various sectors. This year, 56 awards were given in 15 sectors, covering industry, transport, buildings and municipalities. The National Energy Efficiency Innovation Awards are given to individuals and organizations for their innovative ideas and solutions in the field of energy efficiency.

This year, 10 awards were given in four categories, covering technology, policy, finance and awareness. The National Painting Competition is organized by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency to create awareness among school children about energy conservation and efficiency. This year, over 1.5 crore students from across the country participated in the competition and 12 national winners were selected.

Source: Press Information Bureau, President of India, PIB Delhi