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Over Rs. 11, 60, 000, 00 raised for TERI?s ?Lighting a billion Lives?
Over 580 villages and over 1, 45,090 households were adopted
Mumbai: As India plays host to World Environment Day, for the first time, NDTV and Toyota?s Greenathon 3 enthusiastically participated in the movement, by involving millions of people from across the globe in building an environment conscious society. Concerned citizens from all walks of life joined the movement and took the green pledge to adopted villages by donating for TERI?s ?Lighting a Billion Lives? that aims at solar powering villages across the country.
In its third edition, the NDTV-Toyota Greenathon was bigger and greener this year as it expanded its reach internationally, with Greenathon hubs in Tokyo, Los Angeles, Toronto, London and Sydney. It received an overwhelming response and garnered support from all corners of the world, including the country?s leading corporate houses, top Bollywood stars, musicians, environmentalists, NGOs and educational institutions.
In 2009 Greenathon 1 supported 56 villages, Greenathon 2 raised over Rs 2.5 crores but this year the NDTV-Toyota Greenathon 3 has generated over 11 crore 60 lakhs, that will light up 580 villages. This year‘s effort has been much more successful because the Greenathon Campaign is now the most credible platform to galvanise people who believe in a greener tomorrow..
Some of the generous supporters of the campaign with both their time and donations were Shahrukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif, Shahid Kapoor, .Katrina Kaif, Karan Johar, Dia Mirza, Lara Dutt, Gulzar, Shaban Azmi, Rahul Bose, Vivek Oberoi, Usha Uthup, Jassi, Richa Sharma, KK and actor Milind Soman ran 550 km in 15 days to raise awareness for the environment. Also supporting the Greenathon were Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh and Dr Farooq Abdullah, Minister for New and Renewable Energy.
Union Bank of India came forward to donate, what would be one of largest donations, Rs. 2 crores and adopted 100 villages. The contribution by the bank was unveiled by none other than Shahrukh Khan, who in his appeal to people said that everyone should begin individually doing things to help the environment, which would then spread outwards so that eventually the whole country would benefit.
And finally Dr Prannoy Roy, Chairman NDTV Group added ?I have been overwhelmed by the amazing response this year. NDTV‘s Greenathon seems to have caught the imagination of people across India and mostly among the youth. It?s really very warm and encouraging.
