2012
November 22-23: Green Pilgrimage Network meeting, Rishikesh:
EcoSikh’s Ravneet Singh attended this important meeting of Hindu leaders, both as an observer and also to present an update from the Sikhs. He talked about Amritsar’s journey to be a green pilgrimage city.
October 14: Launch of India Chapter of Green Pilgrimage Network
EcoSikh attended and co-organised the launch of an India Chapter of the Green Pilgrimage Network in Hyderabad. We also held a meeting of key Sikh communities and gurdwaras in Hyderabad – who responded by making serious environmental commitments. More information of Nanded joining the Network here and of the Hyderabad Sikh commitment here.
August 24: tree planting ceremony: On Sikh Environment Day the inhabitants of two villages in the Ludhiana area planted 20 trees. This inspired them to think further, and 24th August marked the official planting of 160 more tree saplings.
June 30th: EcoSikh Third Anniversary and launch of Eco-Amritsar International Campaign
EcoSikh brought together all the major stakeholders of the holy city of Amritsar and inspiring them to initiate their own projects to add to the sustainability of their city, which is now a part of an international Green Pilgrimage Network. EcoSikh will announce their commitments at this launch at Hotel MK Amritsar. Government administrations, schools/colleges, industries, builders and developers, NGO’s and religious organisations, hospitals and hoteliers expressed their commitments and plans for the next five years. Link here for the press release.
March 17 (Saturday): EcoSikh Fundraising Dinner
Special guests included: ‘Violinder,’ Raginder Momi, Master Violinist and Musician; Jus Reign, Jasmeet Singh, Famous Canadian Sikh Comedian, A Giddha Performance by our Own Talented Youth, & talks by Environmental Leaders
EcoSikh strives to empower all by bringing Sikh teachings on the environment to the world stage. In addition, there are a number of innovative, groundbreaking environmental projects happening here and in Punjab, and more on the way.
March 14, Sikh Environment Day
More than 1008 schools, organisations and gurdwaras took part in the second Sikh Environment Day. Many exciting initiatives were launched. Link here for details of how it was done.
March 1 (Thursday): EcoSikh Haryana Summit:
In collaboration with SGPC, EcoSikh has called a state level meeting in Haryana to call all the major Sikh Institutes, Gurdwaras and organisations to partake in the 7th Guru’s Gurgaddi Diwas, which is celebrated globally as Sikh Environment Day. Overall 65 organizations and gurdwaras from all over the state got together. SGPC leaders and Padham Shri Baba Sewa Singh Ji inspired them to take serious initiatives in their respective areas. Read the full press release.
January 19, 2012. Making the Environment an Election Issue: GGN Khalsa College, LUDHIANA
EcoSikh formally supported Vatavaran Ate Samaj Bachao Morcha (Save Environment and Society Campaign), an alliance of more than 50 civil society organizations working on environmental and social causes in Punjab. This alliance is people’s dialogue series on Punjab Environment and Public Health Agenda for upcoming Vidhan Sabha Elections on 30th January, 2011.
EcoSikh organized an event at GGN Khalsa College, Ludhiana and invited all the election candidates to publically sign the pledge that they would consider environment as their top priority and they would serve to save and improve the Punjab’s environment and health. Check the full press release and press coverage by Ajit Jallandhar in Punjabi.
2011
Princess Michael with KS Pannu of Punjab Pollution Board
October 31 to November 2, 2011 Launch of the Green Pilgrimage Network, Assisi, Italy
Amritsar formally joined the Green Pilgrim Cities Network at an international conference in Assisi, Italy from October 31 to November 2, attended by leaders of many world religions and organised by the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC). Amritsar was the only city from India or South Asia which joined the network. SGPC has been instrumental in the matter of joining the green network spearheaded by EcoSikh. Read the report. And link here for some of the photographs.
March 14: Sikh Environment Day
More than 450 Sikh gurdwaras, schools and organisations joined the first Sikh Environment Day. Read Sikh Environment Day report about how we all did it.