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MUMBAI: After a huge success of the NDTV-Toyota environment campaign Greenathon I & II, NDTV in partnership with Toyota had announced the ?Greenies Eco Awards? earlier this year. The winners of India?s first national environment awards- ?Greenies Eco Awards? were announced at an award ceremony in New Delhi today graced by the President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil.
A first of its kind in India, the ?NDTV-Toyota Greenies Eco Awards? are aimed at encouraging, acknowledging and awarding the champions of the Earth for environmental leadership. It showcased examples of excellence and best practices in finding innovative solutions to the environmental challenges.
The nominations of NDTV-Toyota Greenies Eco Awards? were selected from all over the world. An eminent jury comprising of India?s best known environmentalists including Mike Pandey, Kartikeya Sarabhai, Karan Grover, Chris Miller, MK Jiwrajka, Prasoon Joshi, Dr R K Pachauri, Vikram Kirloskar, and Anish Andheria judged these awards.
The awardees received a cash prize of Rs 100,000, a certificate and the Greenies Trophy.
The chief guest of the evening Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President of India said, ?I want to congratulate NDTV for taking this initiative. These awards are recognition of the environmental consciousness shown by individuals, institutions, organizations and businesses. I want to congratulate all the award winners which include legendary figures and also who are working with deep commitment to follow green ethics. Climate change has impacted every aspect of our lives. Today we face a situation where human existence and capacity to survive will depend on how creatively we can weave the environment agenda in our lives. As a nation, India is committed to contribute, in accordance with its capability, to the global endeavor to deal with climate change?
Announcing the winners of the Greenies Eco Awards, Dr. Prannoy Roy, Chairman, NDTV Ltd, said, "The first and second years of the NDTV-Toyota Greenathon have been huge successes both in the magnitude and in what we have achieved. The NDTV-Toyota ?Greenies Eco Awards? is our attempt to honour and celebrate those contributing the most towards protecting our environment. Being a global award, our jury had a mammoth task of adjudging the most deserving individuals and organizations who have made a difference. I congratulate the Green heroes of today.?
Speaking on the occasion Minister for Renewable energy Dr. Farooqh Abdulla said ?I am very happy to be here and want to congratulate NDTV and the winners. For environment, what we have to do, we must do. We should take the initiative and do our part whether it is carbon emission or green buildings, let?s move and let the world follow us. People want to make a difference, government and all of us should work towards making green technologies like solar energy cheaper and affordable.?
National Green ambassador Priyanka Chopra, said, ?The issue of environment is about saving ourselves and environment as a subject is very close to my heart. I am very privileged to be associated with this important initiative once again. I believe that the Green Awards are such a great idea. Acknowledging the efforts of all those people involved in this very worthy cause. Congratulations to all the winners.?
Speaking on the announcement of the awards, Mr. Hiroshi Nakagawa, Managing Director, Toyota Kirolskar Motors commented, ?We believe in sustainable development, which means achieving synergy between environment, conservation and economic growth. To achieve this synergy it is imperative that the cause of the environment is publicised as widely as possible and green initiatives be recognised and adequately awarded. We are glad to be associated with India?s biggest Eco awards.?
Dr. RK Pachauri, Director General TERI and Chairman IPCC, said, ?It is heartening to attend this event and meet people who devoted their life for green cause. NDTV & TERI association is getting strengthened since we joined hands to embark on Greenathon initiative and brought light to millions of people living in rural India. As we award the Green warriors today, it is a very encouraging step and I am sure it will sensitize people at large and galvanize much needed awareness and support for the environment.?
