KOLKATA: It's a poll campaign with a difference. Ten thousand college students across the country some of them first-time voters have signed on letters to leaders like L K Advani, Prakash Karat, Sonia Gandhi and Pranab Mukherjee, asking them whether their parties have taken any policy regarding environment and climate change.
The letter signed by the students stated that climate change was predicted to have a severe impact on the future generation. "To keep this world livable, it is extremely important that we start using of green energy sources like solar energy, wind energy, biomass etc and stop wastage of water and electricity. We are also of the opinion that this can not be achieved only through awareness. The new government may make it clear about its positive initiatives towards addressing of climate related issues and transition from fossil fuel energy sources to renewable energy sources. We expect that the national parties will come up with a clear vision on the above issues through their election manifesto." Two NGOs in West Bengal brought hundreds of students under the banner of "Next Generation" to collect the signatures.
The students from Kolkata who had signed the letter, said environment must be a major issue in the manifestoes of the political parties. "Environment and climate change has become a major issue now that is affected many people, including the poor. Working on environment matters could also help to abolish poverty to some extent. In such an event like the elections where crores of rupees are being spent from campaigning till the election day, it would immensely benefit if we can follow eco-friendly methods to save the environment," said Siddhartha Sengupta, a Bengali final year undergraduate student of Calcutta University.
Arup Chakraborty, an English MA first year student who is a first time voter this year said that where people like Subhas Dutta is fighting to save the Maidan, is anybody actually concerned on the actual cause? "Environment was one of the key issues in US President Barack Obama's election campaign. Are our political parities keeping this issue on their mind?" he asked.
Suman Debnath, a second year Zoology student of Asutosh Collage said that environment had become a very important issue. "The way pollution is increasing, political parties who are fighting to get into power should look into the matter. At present, much politics is going on on this issue," he said.
"I personally think that political parties should take up environment issues very seriously as this has become a very serious issue nowadays," said Gulsan-Ara-Khatun, a final year post graduate student of comparative literature in Jadavpur University. Biswanath Debnath, an MA second year student of Calcutta University, said: "It would be good if the parties can give some time for environment issues."
