‘Rajiv Gandhi Renewable Energy Day’ observed
NEED FOR INDIA’S LEADERSHIP IN RENEWABLE ENERGY EMPHASISED
PRIME MINISTER RELEASES COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMP ON RAJIV GANDHI RENEWABLE ENERGY DAY
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh emphasized on providing renewable energy solutions in fulfillment of our ultimate aim of providing electricity to all rural households while releasing a commemorative postage stamp on Rajiv Gandhi Renewable Energy Day celebrated on the occasion of 60th Birth Anniversary of the former Prime Minister here today. The special stamp was brought out by the Department of Posts in association with the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources.
Dr. Manmohan Singh opined that several non-conventional energy sources fall in the domain of high technology. The immediate need is to take stock of what we have achieved and compare it with the ‘state-of-the art’ technology available in the world. The gap between the two should be bridged in the shortest possible time. He reminded that India has the capability to be world leader in renewable energy as the country made achievements in information technology and telecommunication revolution which was envisioned by Rajiv Gandhi at least 15 years before these actually began in this country. He called upon planners, scientists and engineers to work for achieving the goal set in the Government’s Common Minimum Programme to electrify all villages in the next 5 years. The Prime Minister emphasized the need for decentralized power in terms of local electricity generation. He expected early results of initiatives to replace use of diesel by bio-fuels in agricultural pumpsets and tractors while referring to providing a host of energy services for cooking, lighting and motive power through several bio-energy technologies including the hi-tech biomass gasification route.
Calling upon the Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources to accelerate development and deployment of frontier technology like hydrogen and fuel cells, the Prime Minister said that diligent efforts are needed to find viable substitutes for crude oil which could be the first natural resource to be exhausted.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of Communications & Information Technology, Shri Dayanidhi Maran lauded the contribution of late Shri Rajiv Gandhi who, took steps to introduce STD facilities in the villages. He acknowledged the convincing growth in the telecom sector which was due to vision of Shri Rajiv Gandhi and his relentless pursuit that led the country in this direction. Shri Maran further said, “We, as a nation, cannot be dependent on hydrocarbons for energy needs. We have to overcome the gap between the demand and supply of energy. We have to develop alternative use of renewal energy sources.”
Vilas Muttemwar, Minister for Non-conventional Energy Sources in his welcome address informed that his Ministry is celebrating the Day through out the country involving Educational Institutions with great zeal and enthusiasm. Thousands of school children across the country held rallies, formed human chains and took part in essay, painting and debate competition in order to spread the message of renewable energy amongst the people. To fulfill the vision of Rajiv Gandhi to make India a strong and developed country each and every hamlet would be illuminated with the energy generated not only with fossil resources but with renewable sources also.
Smt Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, National Advisory Council graced the occasion alongwith Dr. Shakil Ahmed, Minister of State for Communication & Information Technology. Several senior Ministers of Union Cabinet including Home Minister Shri Shivraj Patil, HRD Minister Shri Arjun Singh, External Affairs Minister Shri K Natwar Singh, Parliamentary and Urban Development Minister Shri Gulam Nabi Azad, Water Resources Minister Shri P R Das Munshi to name of a few.
Earlier in the day, the initiative of Shri Vilas Muttemwar to observe 20th August as “Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas” on the occasion of former Prime Minister late Shri Rajiv Gandhi’s Birthday, got off to a grand start with about 12,000 school children forming human chain around India Gate today. The young citizens full of enthusiasm and zeal were joined by Smt. Shiela Dikshit, Chief Minister of Delhi, Shri Muttemwar and Shri Oscar Fernandez, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Statistics and Programme Implementation.
(Release ID :3379)