Climate activists Licypriya Kangujam (right) and Ridhima Pandey during ‘International Children’s Summit on Zero-Waste Management’ held at Nishagandhi auditorium in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: NIRMAL HARINDRAN
Kudumbashree Balasabha members are global models of social transformation, Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty has said.
He was speaking after inaugurating a two-day ‘International Children’s Summit on Zero-Waste Management’ organised by the Kudumbashree mission at the Nishangandhi auditorium on the Kanakakkunnu palace premises here on Saturday.
The Minister said the Kudumbashree was discharging a huge responsibility by equipping children to lead environmental conservation.
The State government’s waste-free Kerala (Malinyamuktham Navakeralam) campaign was a brave step towards creating a waste-free State. The Suchitwotsavam campaign launched in 2023 to support efforts for a waste-free Kerala was proof of how grassroots-level activities could be transformative. The campaign was aimed at social participation and environmental conservation. The ongoing summit marked the valedictory of the Suchitwotsavam campaign, and the papers and ideas presented by the students at the summit would be brought to attention of local body representatives.
The children gained priceless insights through activities such as paper presentations, plenary sessions, and interactions with various guests. The 80-odd papers presented by them speak of their creativity and understanding of global problems. They reflect their sharp observations and analytical prowess on issues ranging from the dangers posed by waste management to lack of resources to education and nature conservation. The summit would successfully foster a generation that can lead sustainable development efforts by merging formal education with practical study. The children were a source of pride for the State and the nation, Mr. Sivankutty said.
V.K. Prasanth, MLA, presided over the function. Climate activist Licypriya Kangujam who delivered the keynote address said change to save the earth from all waste should begin from oneself, and age was not a hurdle in this.
Kadakampally Surendran, MLA, released the Malayam compilation of the papers presented by the students by handing it over to district panchayat president D. Suresh Kumar and the English version by presenting it to environmental activist Ridhima Pandey who was the chief guest.
C.P. Vinod presented the summit framework. Kerala Solid Waste Management Project project director Divya S. Iyer felicitated Licypriya Kangujam and Ridhima Pandey.
Minister V. Sivankutty also gave away medical equipment to Santhwanam volunteers on the occasion.
Published – January 18, 2025 09:40 pm IST
