Consulate General of India in Birgunj Hosts LiFE Mission Week

As part of Mission LiFE, Consulate General of India, Birgunj organized a special week aimed at promoting sustainable living and environmental preservation. Mission LiFE, introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in 2021, is an India-led global mass movement to encourage individual and community action towards protecting and preserving the environment.

During the week, several panel discussions were held on various topics related to environmental sustainability. On June 20, 2023, a panel discussion on “Healthy Lifestyle” took place, where experts Dr. Niraj Kumar Singh and Dr. Suchit Kumar Sharma shared their insights on how individuals can modify their lifestyle to lead a healthier life.

On July 21, 2023, another session focused on “E-Waste Reduction” was presented by Shri Bijay Kushwaha, Director of NIIT, Birgunj. He educated the participants about the hazards of improper e-waste disposal and encouraged prolonging the use of electronic goods instead of replacing them quickly.

Shri Ranjit Kumar Singh and Shri Jai Prakash Khetan presented their views on “Reducing Single-Use Plastic” during the session on July 24, 2023. They emphasized the adverse effects of single-use plastics on the environment and advocated for minimizing their usage.

Shri Mahesh Agrawal, President of India-Nepal Seema Jagran Manch, addressed the topic of “Sustainable Food System” during the session on July 25, 2023. He discussed the benefits of adopting healthy food habits, including the use of millets, and emphasized planning meals according to local conditions while also highlighting the risks associated with the use of pressure cookers.

On July 26, 2023, an orientation program on “Waste Reduction” was held, where Shri Sarfuddin Miya and Shri Mahesh Agrawal emphasized the importance of minimal littering and the need for increased tree planting to create a clean and green environment.

The topic of “Energy Saving” was discussed on July 27, 2023, by Shri Gobind Gupta, a Chartered Accountant, and Shri Priyanshu Gupta, a member of the Nepal Engineers Association. They highlighted the benefits of economizing energy usage and provided insights into renewable and non-renewable energy sources.

The special week concluded with a final event on July 27, 2023, inside the Consulate premises, focusing on “Water Conservation.” Shri Niran Maharjan, Chief of Nepal Water Supply Corporation, and Smt. Priyanka Rauniyar, a Chartered Accountant, demonstrated how water wastage leads to water crisis and stressed the importance of rainwater harvesting to increase water levels.

Throughout the week, a total of seven sessions were conducted, with approximately 100 members of civil society from Birgunj, as well as Consulate officials and staff, attending the discussions to contribute to the mission of building a sustainable future.