The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and Tetra Pak India, in association with the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP), kicked off TRASH (Thinking, Reflecting and Acting for a Sustainable Habitat) – a three day festival to celebrate ‘all things positive’ and promote the concept of ‘Sustainable Lifestyles’ through creative arts, music, theatre, experiential and thought provoking sessions. The festival is being organised in Panjim from 15 to 17 December.
The mascot for the international sporting event Lusofonia Games – Jojo, the rooster – made an appearance at the kick-off of the ‘Cycle to Recycle’ cycle rally which saw children and adults come together to spread awareness on the cause.
Talking about the festival, Mr. Sanjit Rodrigues, Commissioner, CCP said, “Waste should be treated as a resource. About 95% of the total waste that Panaji generates can be recycled if we all do our bit. We want a clean and green Goa and we are very happy that TERI and Tetra Pak have come forward to support our effort to create a zero waste Goa through the TRASH Festival.”
Ranjana Saikia, Director, Educating Youth for Sustainable Development (TERI) said, “TRASH Festival Panjim aims at generating awareness amongst the residents of Panaji on local environmental issues, the most important being the knowledge on reducing waste and internalizing recycling in thought and practice. We have a long standing partnership with Tetra Pak and we are very fortunate to have the CCP supporting the cause.”
Tetra Pak South Asia Markets Communications and Environment Director Jaideep Gokhale said, “We are delighted to launch the TRASH festival in Goa as it raises awareness about responsible consumerism, waste management and sustainable practices in a state that has a delicate ecosystem and also attracts a high influx of tourists. Students are the best catalyst to bring in community support and we are certain that their involvement in TRASH festivals will spread awareness on issues in their respective communities.”
The TRASH festival is organised under the aegis of Project SEARCH*, a school education programme on recycling and active citizenship initiated by TERI and Tetra Pak in 2009. Project SEARCH was launched in Goa this year, making the state the seventh in the country where the programme is active.
Since its inception in Mumbai in 2010, the TRASH festival has received an overwhelming response from the school community as well as others. Seven TRASH festivals have since been organised in Pune, Chandigarh, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai directly impacting more than 5,000 students and teachers. Another 50,000 were reached indirectly through different media platforms.
The three day festival will include a ‘Cycle to Recycle’ cycle rally as well as eco-workshops, heritage walks, film screenings, exhibitions, competitions, music performance and campaigns. More than 1,000 students and teachers from 30 Project SEARCH and Waste Wise (an initiative of the CCP) schools are expected to participate in the festival, which is also open to general public in the evenings.
Another highlight of the event will be public art sculptures made out of waste material collected in the city of Panaji, 7 young artist Rajendra.A.Mardolkar, Divesh Ghadekar, Anup Naik, Diptej Vernekar, Kalpit Gaonkar, Shailesh Dhabolkar, Pritesh Naik. from Goa have teamed up to produce these creative installations.
To further add excitement to the event cultural performances that include Folk performances by troupes such as the internationally renowned Kepemchim Kirnnam, and Siddhi Vinayak Mahalasa Kala Sangh Akar. as well as western musical bands that include Purple Rain, Nezz and The Sore-Patel-Club. Will entrall the crowds.
There will also be Stalls selling Food, Drink and other eco friendly products.
*Project SEARCH (Sensitisation, Education and Awareness on Recycling for a Cleaner Habitat)