SwitchON Foundation, a Kolkata-based not-for-profit entity, launched the ‘Move for Earth’ movement to celebrate and inspire climate action on February 2. The initiative aims to work towards a better future for children, farmers and life on earth. As part of Move for Earth, Vinay Jaju, co-founder of SwitchON Foundation, will be cycling over 3,000 km across different states in east India, including around 800 km in Bengal. He will be interacting with over 10,000 farmers, women and youth and discussing the issues of clean air, sustainable mobility and agriculture and renewable energy.
The six-day-long cycle yatra in West Bengal will connect with farmers, youth government, financiers, technologists and civil society organisations, offering solutions to community issues, those impacting the health and livelihood of citizens like water, soil, energy and clean air. The movement aims to encourage and unite climate champions and communities that can help create a sustainable ecosystem.
“In 2008, we, the founding team of SwitchON Foundation, set out on a bicycle ride from Kolkata to New Delhi. The ride inspired and sparked the impetus to a 15-year journey of serving and strengthening communities through clean energy and other sustainable ways of living. Today, in the face of a devastating climate crisis we have decided to take on a similar ride to celebrate and inspire climate action,” said Vinay Jaju.
Commenting about the initiative, Saugata Roy, Lok Sabha MP, said, “West Bengal and the eastern Indian states are among the most vulnerable states facing climate crisis. The initiative is a great step towards mass awareness generation.”
The West Bengal leg of the Cycle Yatra will commence on February 6, 2023, from Kolkata and then pass through Ranaghat, Krishnanagar, Burdwan, Durgapur, Asansol, Purulia and culminate in Bankura on February 11, 2023. Kolkata mayor Firhad Hakim will flag off the yatra from Kolkata on February 6.