A first: CM opens eco-friendly school at Rudraprayag

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, May 31

Chief Minister Harish Rawat today inaugurated the first eco-friendly school  reconstructed by the Divine Shakti Foundation and Parmarth Niketan Ashram at Rudraprayag. The school was washed away in the flash floods of 2013.

Brightland International School was washed away during the tragic and devastating Himalayan floods of 2013. The school is fitted with special green features that included eco-friendly bio-toilets to provide healthy sanitation and is ready to serve hundreds of children within its spacious campus.

Founder of Parmath Niketan and Education Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani planted a sapling on the 

occasion.

The Chief Minister addressing the gathering said good  teachers and education can only create a good generation. He commended the efforts of Swami Chidnand the founder of Parmarth Niketan and

Divine Shakti foundation for rebuilding the school. 

Swami Chidanand speaking on the occasion said women and youth could work wonders working together in the country. He said these forces were uniting and it was necessary to manage their power for rebuilding the nation.

He also informed about the other 13 school reconstruction projects going on in the state with the support of  SEEDS. He informed that a memorial “Smriti Van” would be constructed in the memory of 2013 Kedarnath tragedy victims. 

Swami said the school was reconstructed within six months at the cost of Rs 24 lakh. The design

for the school was provided by the Divine Shakti Foundation and Ganga Action Parivar Group, Rishikesh.

The school is provided with solid waste management provision to ensure a healthy environment, consciousness of our carbon footprint and also active engagement in proper disposal and utilization of trash by segregation and recycling. The school plans to train students and faculty in disaster preparation, prevention and response system. After the school day, the building will be used for skill training, so that women and members from surrounding communities may be trained and empower to earn

sustainable incomes.  Solar panels and other green energy options to help ensure a healthier environment in the school.  Cabinet Minister Harak Singh Rawat, Shri Dinesh Shahra, Managing Director of Ruchi Soya, Shri Bharat Mitra, founder-president of Organic India, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, president of Divine Shakti Foundation, Kiran Bali, Global Chair of United Religions Initiative, delegates from all around the world, including Africa, America, Australia, Austria, Canada, Isreal, England, as well as Rishikumars of Parmarth Gurukul and many others were present.