Renewable Energy Day is celebrated as Akshay Urja Day or Indian Akshay Urja Diwas on August 20. The day aims to raise awareness of the importance of renewable energy and to familiarise people with its potential. Akshay Urja Day also commemorates the birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India.
History
Akshay Urja Day was first marked by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) as the National Renewable Energy Day in 2004. Since then, the day is celebrated on August 20 to popularise the benefits, need, and use of renewable energy. The first event themed on Akshay Urja Day was celebrated by ex-Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in New Delhi in 2004. He released a commemorative stamp while 12,000 school students formed a human chain to raise awareness about renewable energy.
Objective
The main objective of Akshay Urja Day is to support renewable energy development programs and replace traditional sources of energy with renewable energy. The day, especially, aims to encourage college and school students to recognise the role of green energy in meeting the energy demands of today. Students engage in competitions, quizzes, debates, and other cultural programmes themed on green energy.
What is Akshay Urja or renewable energy?
Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas are non-renewable sources of energy and take millions of years to replenish naturally. But, renewable sources of energy like solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectric energy, and geothermal energy are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed, making them a better choice. In addition, the burning of fossil fuels leads to the emission of harmful greenhouse gases that has adverse impacts on our planet. Hence, switching from non-renewable to renewable sources to meet the majority of our energy requirements is the key to combating the climate crisis.
