This World Environment Day was different. I was a part of it and was interviewed which was so encouraging. Unlike most other similar days when I would be covering it as a reporter, or be a mere witness to the events, this time I was an active participant. And what a high it was!
I was part of the Eco Festival 2011 at Alliance Francaise, New Delhi, along with The Kriti Team, a Delhi-based NGO. The festival held on June 4 and 5 was pure fun - dance, theatre and crafts workshops, a photo and painting exhibition, films on environment, music and protest music. Adding to the activity was an eatery called eco-café and shopping at the eco-haat which also sold beautiful red-coloured solar lanterns.
I was happy to note that one of the highlights was my photo-exhibition, Green Art. It was a wonderful experience to talk to numerous visitors who admired the photographs and were taken by surprise to note that
all of them were from Delhi. Well, Delhi remains one of the most green cities not only in the country but also in the world with its the lakes, gardens, the river Yamuna, nurseries and even the flower markets.
I love roaming around in Delhi's green areas not just because these are a wonderful break but also because of the sights and the smells. Not to mention the pleasant surprises the little creatures throw up. Very close to what Robert Frost had said, "the forests are lovely dark and deep," particularly if you are stomping in one during the monsoon.
The festival had Class XI student of the Sardar Patel School, Michelle Oraa Ali present her drawings titled Nature Series. She has showcased her talent at many other platforms earlier.
Dancer Himani Khurana held a session on dance that was pure fun. Half way through her workshop I realised that missing her workshop was not a good idea. She made the participants stretch, twirl and execute movements that were more exercise than dance. In short it was a lot of fun.
The festival concluded with a resounding performance by Dr Parvez Imam who sang Songs of the People. The highlight was that he sang in numerous languages including Hindi, English and Oriya. Satyajeet Mukherjee accompanied Dr Imam on the percussions.
