Wearing masks, kids march to demand clean air

Wearing masks and holding placards with green slogans, children from government schools and underprivileged sections took out a march to send a strong message to save the environment and clean the city’s toxic air in south Delhi’s Malviya Nagar.

The march was organised as part of week- long celebrations by NGO Aarohan to mark the Children’s Day. “Save our forest, save our future” and “No crackers”, read some of the placards held by children dressed as animals, fruits, Chacha Nehru and Mother Teresa.

Aarohan chairperson Rani Patel said, “The children were excited to spread awareness on environment as it is a matter of their lives and future.”

Model- cum- actress Sanjana Sanghi led the children in taking oath to plant more trees, reuse waste, save water and ask their parents to adopt non- polluting modes of transport.

“We should all use our energy and time to contribute to society,” said Ms Sanghi, a former LSR College student who earlier worked as an NSS volunteer at Aarohan. Now based in Mumbai, Ms Sanghi has acted in films like Rockstar, Fukrey and Hindi Medium.

Arohan director Shashi Sahay said it is heartening to have Aarohan’s former volunteer Ms Sanghi among the kids. “Very few people like Sanjana keep their promise of giving back to society,” he said.

Ms Sanghi and children also interacted with senior citizens from Vardan Hospital and pledged to look after the elderly in their family.

The kids also presented a cultural programme and sang patriotic songs while getting tips from Ms Sanghi on acting and singing, said Mr Sahay.