The Novel Coronavirus induced lockdown has come with environmental gains. While humans are locked up inside their homes, nature is thriving. We are rediscovering what we had lost. Our air is cleaner than it has been for years. Our skies are blue and clear. We need to maintain this beautiful change even after the lockdown is lifted.
Sooner or later the lockdown will be relaxed but the virus will stay with us for a long time and so will our lockdown habits. The campaign aims to provide a platform to discuss life after lockdown; How do we work best with our lockdown habits which are becoming the new normal? How do we keep these environmental gains from slipping away completely?
Here are the Highlights of #TheCycleOfChange Telethon:
That's a wrap on #TheCycleOfChange Telethon, here are some of the best moments
Watch actor Shriya Saran talk about what the Coronavirus lockdown has taught her
Geetam Tiwari on the need to make the roads safer for cyclists
Sathya Sankaran , Cycle Mayor, Bengaluru on need for policies to promote cycling in cities
I don't think we should downplay the role of cycle. Half of India's population lives in cities. 40 per cent of air pollution in cities are cased by automobiles. Cycling can kickstart the economy and help the environment. Awareness, policies, can help get people to adopt cycling.
Geetam Tiwari, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT-Delhi on hurdles on India's roads to popularising cycling
It's not just about greenery but also about safety. Delhi roads are still hostile to cyclists. We have been working on this for last two decades. We proposed bicycle master plan to government to make the roads bicycle friendly. Policy makers and decision makers need to take this up.
We need to change our agricultural policies and put our focus back on our villages like Gandhiji had said: Vandana Shiva, Environmental Activist and Anti-Globalisation Author
- Coronavirus has made environment a political issue. most problems have come from deforestation, the SARS, MERS, monkey virus, Ebola. The point is coronavirus is a result of invasion in the ecosystem.
- The same system that has led to the invasion of Amazon have been linked to chronic diseases. Bhopal victims are dying of COVID. I would request government not to give clearance to future pandemics. It is wrong of the Environment minister to give online permits to big projects.
Watch: Nitin Gadkari on #TheCycleOfChange Telethon
We don't need much to be happy, little is enough: Shriya Saran, Actress and Model
- We see dolphins and sea life coming back now and I read Ganga has drinkable water now. In India, Delhi has clean air now. How much ever we can do to maintain this and keep our environment is important. we need to protect Mother Earth a little more.
- In film industry the most important people are cameraman and spot boys, they are the daily wage workers in our industry. It is a big problem for them but we need to somehow manage and get back to shooting. We need to be careful until there's a vaccine. I hope this gets over soon.
Firoza Suresh, Cycle Mayor, Mumbai on the telethon:
Vesna Jacob, Pilates Expert and Fitness Trainer on Telethon
- Everything can be looked as disaster or an opportunity. I chose the latter. Fitness keeps me grounded and there's no reason why I should continue to do that and get people to do that. We shifted it online and using almost any platform available to create an awareness. Even if the lockdown stops tomorrow, there's a fear and anxiety that has taken up a place in people's mind.
- This is the time of great disturbance and is unprecedented. I promote integrated holistic approach to fitness. Physical health and spiritual health are important. It will be like a post traumatic stress after COVID, everything will change, even the way we travel and work. Unless we find an outlet from this pressure, it will be difficult to stay calm in this environment.
Lee Feldman, Co-Founder, Bycs on #TheCycleOfChange telethon:
Umesh Malik, Vice-President, Public Affairs & Communication, Hindustan Coca Cola and Ashoo Malik, Cycling Enthusiast highlight the need for improving roads in India to encourage safe cycling and encourage more people to adopt this environment-friendly mode of transportation.
Dr. Utkal Kishore Khadanga, Consultant Diabetologist, Care Hospital on #TheCycleOfChange telethon:I cycle a lot. Last month I cycled 1000 kms, I try 50 kms per day. It helps me stay fit and stress free. and it inspires my patients as well as they see fitter doctor advising them.
Aditya Munjal, Director, Hero Cycles and CEO, Lectro E-Mobility on the telethon:
When it comes to sustainability, our group's vision is to create new innovation and promote adoption of products like the e-cycle, it has numerous advantages. Our cycles start with base price of 20,000. It can be adopted in E-commerce and deliveries.
Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister, Road Transport and Highways of India on telethon:
Since 7-8 years, I've been pushing for e-vehicles. Not just pollution has reduced but we used to have 5 lakh accidents every year now this has reduced as well. Despite the people dying due to COVID, the total deaths have still come down because there are no road accident deaths. We need to think about how to maintain our environment.
After Sachin Pilot, actor Divya Dutta joins the telethon and recites a poem she as written on the impact of Coronavirus lockdown:
Sachin Pilot on #TheCycleOfChange Telethon:
I think after lockdown lifts, to get the life back on track we have plans. But will it work? Environment benefits are coming at an economic cost. In Rajasthan we want to revive our economy, we want to adopt best practice. We need to ensure social distance. Contribution of people is important. If we want to leave good environment for future generations we need behavioural change. As a community and citizens we need to be responsible.
Sachin Pilot, Deputy Chief Minister, Rajasthan on #TheCycleOfChange Telethon:
Actor, Zayed Khan on how he is keeping fit during the lockdown
- The biggest advantage you have is the gravity whether it is pushups, squats, etc. sometimes it is important to take sun, go out, take a walk and take some fresh air. It will help you develop. These things are also important.
- I have two kids - 8 and 12, they keep me quite active and I keep them active. I have a routine where I take them downstairs and make them do army drills and join with them. The idea is to keep the mind and body fit for the balance.
Cycling is one of the best exercises to keep fit: Jemimah Rodrigues, Women's ODI and T20 Cricket Team
Jemimah Rodrigues, Women's ODI and T20 Cricket Team and Zayed Khan, Actor and Producer join the telethon.
Navroz Dubash, Professor, Centre For Policy Research on the telethon:
When we think about the environment, there have been gains but at the cost of economic hardships for many. We need to ask - what can we do, we who have not been at the brunt of this lockdown. The only way to go forward, like we (the elite) have been forced into this giant experiment like working from home. I think it is working. It cuts down commute and travel. And it costs them less with high productivity.
Single biggest gain is definitely air pollution. Air quality has been 40-50 per cent in PM 2.5 levels. Its extraordinary and teaches us where these are coming from.
'This is a wake call," says Dr Trehan on #TheCycleOfChange Telethon:
Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director, Medanta - The Medicity joins the telethon
Actor and Writer Kalki Koechlin on the telethon:
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairperson and Managing Director, Biocon on #TheCycleOfChange Telethon:
- There are multiple efforts for developing a vaccine and drugs being tried that can help in treatment. We need to ensure a good survellience. I hope after lockdown, people continue to protect themselves with masks and social distance. Corporate India needs to do a lot and should monitor their employees.
Urban india that needs to change. I hope work from home is going to be adopted in a much bigger way because that can reduce vehicular pollution. Every industry should consider it.
I'm afraid we will get back to our bad habits and we need policies to control.
Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, Founder, Isha Foundation on #TheCycleOfChange Telethon:
I know there is a lot of eulogising of the lockdown as far as the environment goes. Maybe after nearly six weeks of lockdown, we can see nature's capability of bouncing back. Geographically, as a nation, there is an improvement, but let's not be too excited about. it. If there's no long term commitment, it won't help.
Anil Kapoor's message: Less is more
Actor, Anil Kapoor's message to sustain the environmental gains of the Coronavirus lockdown:
We have to educate the masses on the advantages and disadvantages of this pandemic.To ensure better future for coming generations we need to educate them on the advantage on conservation of water. We need to teach them that less is more. We need to teach them to be fit. COVID affects lungs so cleaner the air the healthier will be our lungs.
Anil Kapoor Joins #TheCycleOfChange Telethon
Sunita Narain on #TheCycleOfChange Telethon:
Sunita Narain, Director General, Centre For Science And Environment on #TheCycleOfChange Telethon
This is an amazing time, we have seen such dramatic difference in air quality, not so much in water pollution. This has come at a huge cost. Lockdown is not a solution. We can't depend on lockdown for clean air. So we need to be sure how to maintain this after lockdown. Improve public transport and control combustion of industry emissions.
Lockdown will be a process not an event: Pankaj Munjal
- We learnt from the Spanish flu it claimed more victims in the second wave because people celebrated too soon.
- Let's talk about what's happening in Europe, in Germany, cycle sales have surged because social distance is not possible in public vehicle. E-cycle is a perfect work life balance whether it comes to health or commute. Cycle's phase has come back. Myth of cycle being for the poor is gone.
Pankaj Munjal, Chairman and Managing Director, Hero Motors Company joins the telethon.
#TheCycleOfChange Telethon's AgendaHow do we sustain the environmental gains of the Coronavirus lockdown?
#TheCycleOfChange Telethon Gets Underway
All Set!
10 minutes to go for #TheCycleOfChange TelethonPCR crew taking all precautions in COVID times
2-Hour Special Telethon #TheCycleOfChange