Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said that the ‘Red Light on, Gaadi off’ initiative will once again begin from October 18 to reduce the pollution level in the national capital.
New Delhi [India], October 12 : “We had started the ‘Red Light on, Gaadi off’ initiative last year. This will begin again from October 18, as soon as you stop at a Red signal, turn down the engines of your vehicle. You can begin today itself, though it will be formally launched on 18,” said Kejriwal. The Delhi Chief Minister urged people not to take the vehicle at least once a week and travel on the metro, bus or share vehicles with others. “We should decide to not take out our vehicle at least once a week and travel on the metro, bus, or share vehicle with others. Experts say that if we do this, pollution can be brought down and fuel can be saved,” he said. He further asked people to download the Green Delhi app and complain against the industry or vehicle that is causing pollution. “If you have not downloaded the Green Delhi app, do it. If you see pollution anywhere in Delhi -a truck causing air pollution, any industry that is causing pollution, waste being burnt- you can complain through the app. Our team will reach the spot and stop the source of pollution,” he added.
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Consider reopening of schools, Anganwadis: Delhi child rights’ panel writes to Lt Governor Baijal
Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairperson Anurag Kundu wrote to Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal requesting him to consider their submissions for schools and Anganwadis reopening citing serious learning loss among students. “Nursery to Grade eight to open at least two days a week and anganwadis at least once a week for all children in the staggered form,” stated the letter. “‘Learning Loss: The pandemic has caused serious learning losses for children of all grades. For example, 17% more grade I students could not read letters in 2020-23, compared to 2019-20, according to the Annual Status of Education Report 2021 by Pratham Education Foundation,” it said. “This is true not just for primary grades but for senior grades too. 80% of children aged 14-18 years report lower learning levels compared to when schools were open. 92% of children on average have lost one specific language ability compared to the previous years,” added the letter by Kundu. Kundu in his letter also requested Baijal, with respect to the opening of the schools and aganwadis, the random testing of students/children and school/Anganwadi staff to ensure the infection spread, if any, is immediately identified and contained. Earlier in September, the Delhi government said that no student will be forced to come to schools and that consent of parents will be mandatory for children to return to schools and if they don’t allow, students won’t be forced or considered absent. Earlier on September 1, adhering to COVID-19 protocols, schools in Delhi reopened for students of 9 to 12 standards.
