Kejriwal tutors schoolkids about air pollution

 Nivedita Kaushik, a class 11 student, has two cars at her home, one an odd-numbered; another even. Her father was planning to use both from January 1, when the Delhi government’s road-rationing formula will kick in.

But after a visit from Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to her school in north Delhi’s Civil Lines, Nivedita says she will go home and convince her parents to use only one car on alternate days till January 15.

“The Chief Minister told us that we have to contribute our bit in controlling pollution and making the odd-even plan a success. So, my takeaway is that I will convince my parents to use only one car for a few days to clean our air,” she said.

Scores of schoolchildren on Wednesday took an oath, administered to them by Kejriwal, to fight pollution by convincing their parents.

“Convince your parents to follow the odd-even scheme. Call up all your relatives and friends and ask them not to violate it. It will only be successful if it is given a shape of a public movement. Don’t do this because Kejriwal is saying; do it to improve our health and life,” he said, during a pledge-taking ceremony at Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya in Civil Lines area.

Explaining the students about the harmful effects of PM 2.5, the Chief Minister said, “Vehicles emit the most PM 2.5. In the 15-day period, you only have to bear trouble for 7 days. I think we all can do that”.

The speech drew a loud “yes” in response by the children.

“My father is a teacher and he has already arranged for carpooling with his friend who works in the same area,” said class 9 student Itika Sharma.

“Since the news about the odd-even came, there has been a discussion in my house on how to manage travelling during those 15 days. But I will go home and tell my parents what the Chief Minister told us. There will obviously be some inconvenience when something good is done,” Vishal Maurya, a class 10 student.

Kejriwal on Wednesday reiterated that the government will be helpless if the public violates the scheme in large number.

“If everyone brings out their cars, the government can’t do anything. How many challans will we do,” he said and added that the key is to point out to the violators that they are not contributing in reducing pollution.

He also said that if the plan is successful, the government will implement it again after some months.

Class 6 student Anirudh told Kejriwal that he wants to cycle to school but is afraid due to the “big vehicles” on roads.

He asked whether the government will make cycle tracks in Delhi.

To this, the Chief Minister replied that roads in the national capital are made in a haphazard way and that PWD Minister Satyendar Jain is working on their redesigning.