Every year on August 20, Akshay Urja Diwas, or Renewable Energy Day, is observed to raise awareness about developments related to the adoption of renewable energy in India. The day also commemorates the birthday of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. As the earth’s resources deplete at an alarming rate, the Akshay Urja Diwas becomes increasingly important to observe because it aims to raise awareness of the use of natural resources such as hydropower, solar energy, wind energy, and biogas.
Akshay Urja Diwas: History
The Akshay Urja Diwas in India was founded in 2004 with the goal of supporting renewable energy development programmes and promoting their use as an alternative to traditional energy sources. The first event of 2004 took place in New Delhi. In that, then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh issued a commemorative stamp featuring 12,000 schoolchildren forming a human chain to promote the use of efficient and environmentally friendly energy sources among the general public.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh planned and organised the first informative campaign to commemorate the day, with the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy Sources (MNRE) serving as the power station.
The campaign’s goal is to target high school and college students in order to raise awareness among the young generation, as they are the country’s future. School and college administrations from across the country organise events such as quiz and drawing competitions, debates, and cultural programmes, as well as rallies with posters and banners advocating for the use of green energy.
In 2012, a first-of-its-kind battery-powered two-wheeler rally was held to commemorate the day.
Renewable energy is derived from natural resources that replenish at a faster rate than they are consumed, such as sunlight and wind. According to data from the United Nations’ official website, renewables are now cheaper in most countries and generate three times more jobs than non-renewable fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas.
Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is an important step toward combating climate change and ensuring sustainable living.
