Graffiti manifesto at Rodas Ecotel Powai by Young

Environmentalists programme to celebrate Eco Diwali.

Modern graffiti, as a cultural social movement with firm messages and artistic styles, is generally
agreed to make quite an impact on youth and citizens the world over! 14th Oct evening saw
Hiranandani Gardens Powai with students and citizens gather around a large graffiti wall and literally
put their writings on the wall when it came to promising to celebrate diwali in an eco friendly
manner!
Rodas Ecotel at Powai, along with the Young Environmentalists Programme trust hosted an unique
Gaffitti event encouraging the youth and citizens to celebrate Eco Diwali .
Voiced Dr.S Kollur of the Maharashtra Pollution control board at the event, “What better way than to
have the public write down in ‘graffiti style eco diwali messages’ on a large screen board to express
their sincere efforts towards curbing sound and air pollution, and in turn saving our planet earth
during the festival. The pollution Board does have stringent guidelines and seeing today’s response
assures us that the public will be aware of them.”
Canadian born Indian Model Ayesha Shiva was the Youth Icon special guest for the Eco Diwali graffiti
signature event and lent her support towards the cause, “I am so happy to be here representing
the Young Environmentalist’s Programme. Conserving the planet earth is our
responsibility to the future and what better way to do that than through one of
India’s most fabulous celebrations. Let’s all embrace an Eco-Diwali.” Adds Ayesha,
“Yes the lost art of graffiti can be revived and used wisely for a positive cause.”

Citizens used markers, pens and paintbrushes to share eco messages during the festival rather than
pollute the air with very deafening loud noises or fill the air with chemicals while bursting heavy duty
crackers. The event aimed to establish that a quiet and peaceful Diwali can also be celebrated
spreading goodwill and cheer among all.
Says Daniel Chatterton Leader of the Green team of Rodas Ecotel at Powai, “Graffiti is used here for
a positive purpose! Join our ecotel efforts to keep our planet clean! Rodas ecotel wishes all our
patrons and citizens a happy, clean and soundless Diwali.”
Outlined Dr. Sadhana.J.Shah (M.S. ENT) Ageless Medica Health Management speaking at the eco
diwali programme, “ Noise pollution is one of the emerging threats to health in modern era. The ill
effects of acute and chronic exposure to louder noise are well known to doctors and scientists; people
of India are largely ignorant about it. Our country is known for many festivals, the celebration mood
makes us forget about the slow poison of noise pollution. We not only harm our health but also many
pregnant women, aged persons and children get permanently damaged.”
Also Voiced Elsie Gabriel founder of Young Environmentalists Programme, “ In September 2001,
the Supreme Court passed orders seeking adherence to anti- noise pollution norms and standards for
fire crackers before the festival season. The Pollution Control Committee sent a notification to the
Police informing them about the type of fire-crackers that violate the prescribed limit of 125 decibels
at a distance of 4 meters from the point of bursting. It prohibits setting of crackers in the silence zones
(that is the areas within 100 meters of hospitals, educational institutions, courts and religious places).
Firecrackers can be burst only between 6pm to 10 pm.Hope we all co-operate with the Pollution
boards and help the system.”
The WHO describes the impact of noise pollution thus; Annoyance, stress, high blood pressure, sleep
loss, inability to concentrate, inability to learn, heart attacks, strokes, loss of productivity, etc.
Elders and even pets in the society around get disturbed.Fetuses and newborns are most affected
and may lose hearing!

Among pollution particles, oxides of sulphur, phosphorous and nitrogen are very corrosive and highly
acidic while carbon monoxide, one of the oxides of carbon is an extremely poisonous gas whose presence
cannot be detected by our sensory system as it is odorless. Although most of us do not feel the immediate
impact, these problems can later develop into serious health hazards. The effects are more pronounced in
people with heart, lung or central nervous system diseases. Sulphur dioxide is readily soluble and
dissolves in the larger airways of the respiratory system.
Ayesha Shiva chief guest at Eco Diwali Graffitti Event.