In the creative world, the debut book or movie is considered difficult but achievable, because everyone has this one great idea. It’s the second book that’s a real test of one’s staying power. So hard, that the problem has a name: ‘sophomore slump.’
On September 19th , there was no sign anywhere of a sophomore slump as M.O.P. observed its second monthly ‘No Vehicle Day.’
For the second month in a row, there was the lovely sight of an empty parking lot, empty curb-side car parking outside the college, and at shift opening and closing times, droves of students walking into and out of IV Lane – not zipping in and out on their out-wheelers as on other days.
Student-led Initiative
A brainchild of the Student Ministry of Environment, an arm of M.O.P. Sansad, the student council, ‘No Vehicle Day’ aims to contribute towards carbon emission reduction, make sustainability top-of-mind for the campus community, and of course, help students and staff members get a little more exercise.
“When we first introduced No Vehicle Day, we received mixed responses from students as they were wondering about the means of transport they can use to commute to College,” said Shreya Sriram, the Student Minister of Environment. “But eventually, they figured out different ways and we were really happy to see that many students who had previously used scooters and private transport instead opted for shared autos, buses and trains to College.”
The Ministry had used the established Whatsapp groups to share information about common bus routes that students could use to reach College, many students said. Besides, students of the Electronic Media programme mounted a campaign on campus to help their peers see ‘No Vehicle Day’ as a feel-good activity and nudge more of them towards willing participation in the initiative. A social media wall, a poster where students could affix signatures and write messages endorsing the event and smiley stickers as rewards were all part of the fun.
Immediate and future results
The M.O.P. No-Vehicle Day is intended to have tangible as well as intangible,
awareness-raising effects, Principal Dr. Archna Prasad said. “While we haven’t yet
embarked on a scientific study of the impact on carbon-dioxide emissions of this
initiative undertaken by 4,300-odd people taking to forms of shared and public
transport, if it is done once a month, I’m sure it will have a significant impact.”
For the second ‘No Vehicle Day,’ just as she did last month, Dr. Prasad walked some
3 Km from her residence to College.
All campus users roped in
Students, faculty members, administrative staff members, housekeeping and other
support staff, even visitors to the campus, were all informed in advance and co-opted
into the day’s efforts.
Students and other campus users variously walked, cycled, used public transport
and shared cabs for their commute to College on Thursday. E-vehicles were
permitted, and those with physical challenges were exempt from the initiative.
Sanjana Davey, a student of III year B. Com Accounting and Finance Shift 2, said
that she had pooled with other students for an auto-rickshaw ride for the first edition,
but the second time around, the group from the same neighborhood used the
Metro. “It was great coming with friends,” Sanjana said. “The rates were extremely
feasible as well. And if it’s an environment-friendly option, then why not?”
Ananya Narayanan, a student of II year B.Sc. Food Science and Management, is a
strong proponent of public transport. As she does every day, she took the 29C bus to
College. “It was so nice to see so many others joining in,” she said. “It made me feel
part of a larger moment. I appreciate the shared experience, showing how public
transport can connect people.”
“I already rely on public transport regularly, but seeing others embrace it on ‘No
Vehicle Day’ reinforces my belief in its value,” Ananya added.
Youth-led environmental action
‘No Vehicle Day’ joins a host of other sustainability measures that the College has
undertaken. More on those in another blog post. But here’s some food for thought.
Now that Greta Thunberg has completed high school, she is no longer leading the
Fridays for the Future school strikes. But it is widely acknowledged that the young
Swedish climate activist has sparked something called the ‘Greta Effect.’ Since the
days Thunberg was in the news cycle, people – particularly young people – are more
likely to be optimistic that they can mitigate climate change through collective action.
They are also more willing to take action by contacting elected officials, or giving
time and money to campaigns that support climate change mitigation, or engage in
climate activism offline and online.
M.O.P.’s No Vehicle Day has been implemented with the hope that it inspires several Greta Thunbergs to take positive climate action for themselves and within their own communities. Secondly, personal climate action becomes a little easier with a little help from our friends. We may not have sailed across the Atlantic, rejecting airplanes, as Greta Thunberg did, but on Thursday, many of us left our vehicles at home and walked or bused to college, and it was a little easier because all our friends were doing it. Perhaps, over time, each of us can make a few more simple changes in our lives so we can WALK the TALK. (See what we did there?)
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