NDTV BEHTAR INDIA campaign

On 18th April 2017, five students of classes IX, X and XII, accompanied by a teacher, attended a panel discussion conducted by NDTV at the Shangri-La's Eros Hotel, New Delhi,

As India struggles to reach its desired levels of sanitation, health, and hygiene, NDTV has launched a campaign, BEHTAR INDIA which aims to bring school children, corporate and government bodies, together on a unified platform. The campaigns focus lies in its three pillars SWACHHTA, VATAVARAN and SWASTHYA.

The panel consisted of Dr. H. Chaturvedi, Ms. Mohini Daljeet Singh of the Max India Foundation, Mr. Kandarp Singh (Tetra Pak) and Mr. Harshil Mehta (DHFL). The discussion headed by a popular journalist, Vikram Chandra, aimed at tackling issues relating to air and water pollution, cleanliness and waste segregation. They discussed that competitions may be a good medium to sensitise the youth today to the above concerns. Such competitions can be incentivised with rewards and trophies to tempt students to make time for this mission.

There were many remedies and methods which were shared during the course of the discussion, like the segregation of waste at base level with dry and wet waste in separate bins. Also, prevention from mosquito bites using mosquito repellants and remaining bcovered during evenings as well as ensuring that there is no standing water left for the mosquitoes to breed in.

Another point raised was that, instead of using plastic packaging, recyclable packaging may be used, which would at least take care of one problem. One of our students suggested the adoption of a monument to take care of its cleanliness, which was greatly appreciated by the panel. It was also noted that electronic waste should be segregated from household waste as it can be harmful and should be handed over to an authorised body.

NDTV in association with PRIMERICA life insurance, has introduced a six-month long competition, through which, they will sensitise school children about health and hygiene concerns. Through the event, children will participate in a nationwide contest to become heroes in their own cities. The children will be given 3 basic tasks which will be: To collect funds for 700 Government school children and their families towards dengue insurance To ' Spot fixing (clean a dirty area around their school / locality) To plant 300 tree saplings

Schools and students would gain points as they finish a task and move on to the next level. The schools/students who emerge as heroes in this competition will be felicitated at the AWARDS NIGHT in Sep / Oct. Actor Sushant Singh Rajput is campaign ambassador for the competition.

The students enjoyed themselves thoroughly and the interaction seemed to arouse a sense of responsibility in them. They felt motivated to take the initiative to kick-off the competition in their own School.

Overall, it was a great experience for the children who got a chance to voice their opinions and possibly even do something for their country.

Mehar Saxena, X - E.