(From top) Students of Kala Jyoti Art Centre in Gaya hold placards to spread the message of environment conservation; students of Delhi Public School, Bhagalpur, plant saplings and students decorate handmade paper bags at the American Corner of Indian Institute of Business Management in Patna, on International Earth Day on Friday. Pictures by Suman, Amit Kumar and Jai Prakash

Patna, April 22: Recycling old cardboard boxes and newspapers to make bags and decorating thermocol glasses marked the International Earth Day celebrations today on the premises of the American Corner of Indian Institute of Business Management (IIBM).

American Corner observed the day with school students. The children’s involvement today spoke volumes of their awareness on environmental issues. The students, who came to attend the event at American Corner from various city schools, interacted with the organisers on issues like global warming and environmental degradation. The organisers did not disappoint the little ones, too as they answered the students’ queries. Members of American Corner were also present at the event today.

Shweta Gour, the co-ordinator of the American Corner of IIBM, said: “Kids are very good learners and I can say that from my experience today. The best part is that when you teach them something, their involvement is apparent. They either like it or they don’t but they do not pretend. You can easily guess what they are feeling from their expressions, which they can barely hide.”

“When I questioned the students about environmental issues, like global warming and resources whose consumption needs to be reduced, they were ready with their answers. Their replies show that they are well aware of everything that is happening around them,” added Gour.

She also said: “The students told me that plants are very useful as they absorb carbon dioxide. They are also aware that petroleum and water has been depleting at an alarming rate and requires serious conservation.”

The children were also shown a video of Nobel laureate and former American Vice-President Al Gore, which features the causes of global warming. Gour and the other organisers also advised the children to do their bit for environmental conservation. They were told to do small things like reducing the daily use of electricity, not watch the television till late, avoid fans and lights during daylight and recycle household items like cardboard boxes, newspapers and old clothes.

Pulak Bose, an art faculty member from Shri Anand Shastri Kala Mahavidyalaya, presented an art show where the children were taught to make bags out of old newspapers. The children put their education to good use when they decorated thermocol glasses in which they were served cold drinks so that they could use them as pencil holders.

Gour, who helped the students make bags from old newspapers with Bose, said: “When I was a child, I found it fun to make handkerchiefs from old tops, dustbins from cardboard boxes. Now, I know how much it has helped me in learning new things. I am ensuring the same for these children.”

The students were fast learners and decorated their handmade paper bags excitedly. While some chose flowers to decorate their bags, some put animals and cartoon characters to use.

Sonakshi Singh, a 10-year-old student of Baldwin Academy, said: “Here, I have learnt how to recycle newspapers.” However, making such handicraft was nothing new to Sonakshi as she makes such handicraft at home too.

Journals and magazines dealing with environmental issues like Caribbean at risk and the cost of securing foreign oil were also on display along with posters on bounties of nature for the students.

A.K. Nayak, the director of IIBM, said: “The programme was organised to make the community think of the serious threats faced by environment. Since these are not discussed much at schools or homes, the American Corner, Patna, has come in to fill the gap.”