It was the year 1974 that saw its first celebration of World Environment Day. In 1972, the United Nations General Assembly established the World Environment Day on the first day of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. In 1974, the theme of the World Environment Day. This day has been since considered the biggest platform for voicing and raising the awareness about the damage done to our environment. The problems of global warming, plastic waste, air and water pollution, have been ever increasing, which continually puts the planet in a vulnerable state, and threatens the life of all living beings on the planet. This World Environment Day, we bring you beautiful and insightful poetries on the beauties of the environment and its conservation.
Ganga – Savita Patil
The Ganga River is one of the most important rivers of India, be it for religious purposes or for living and survival. Savita Patil writes a heartfelt poem towards this river of the northern India. Savita Patil highlights how this river emerges as a clean, purified, sparkling river from the mountains, but as it moves across cities, it goes through insurmountable wastage, poison, leftovers, etc. Savita Patil personifies the river to show how this water body sacrifices its own self for the desires and harmful acts of humans, and loses its very identity. The poem appeals to the masses to keep our rivers clean and respect them.
Kudrat ki Jhidki – Vaibhav Vaid
The poem Kudrat ki Jhidki is literally offering a window to the reality of the relationship between humans and our environment. During the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the human world was locked and caged in, and we saw the animal world flourishing, unharmed, and away from all human interference. Kudrat ki Jhidki is a sharp commentary and an eye opener to show how humans have caged the animal and plant kingdom, and will they ever be free from the wrath of humans?
Kudrat aur Hum – Rakesh Tiwari
Rakesh Tiwari, a master with words and poetries, through this standup performance highlights the impending doom which the future generation will face because of the neglectful actions of the present generation. Rakesh Tiwari rightfully says that the future generation is already calling us to take action, and that our planet is suppressed under the wreckage, but the current generation isn’t paying any heed at all.
Pariksha – Shubham Shyam
Shubham Shyam’s self written Hindi poetry, ‘Pariksha’, is a conversation between a young child and a tree. Shubham Shyam’s Pariksha is a naïve yet moving conversation between a child and a tree, who questions the tree why it’s still standing amidst human beings who just harm it, try to cut it, and use it for their own selfish use. The poem succinctly brings to light the indispensable gifts of nature, especially trees, who provide us with sustenance, shelter and survival. Shubham Shyam’s recitation is moving, and will leave you in a wonder at your own responsibilities towards nature. You can watch this beautiful performance here.
